Several people were injured in a car accident, which police say, was caused by a driver who was under the influence of drugs. According to a news report in The Californian, the car accident occurred on Highway 156 near Castroville the afternoon of December 11, 2010. Police report that Christina Louise Zuniga-Butler, 52, let her Kia Soul swerve into oncoming traffic where it struck a 2005 blue Honda CRV. Both drivers sustained major injuries and two occupants in the Honda SUV sustained minor injuries. Zuniga-Butler has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs.
My thoughts and prayers are with the many injured victims of this Monterey County car accident. I wish everyone injured here the very best for a complete and speedy recovery.
DUI Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 21 people were killed and 109 were injured as a result of DUI collisions in the unincorporated areas of Monterey County. Countywide, 23 deaths and 180 fatalities were reported involving alcohol-related car accidents during the same year.
Traffic Violations
If this news account is accurate, the driver of the Kia entered into oncoming traffic lanes. Authorities believe that Zuniga-Butler was under the influence of drugs, which may have caused her to lose control of the vehicle. According to California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a): “It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle.”
Liability Issues
In such cases, injured victims can seek compensation from the at-fault driver for medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. They would also be well-advised to seek the counsel of a reputed California personal injury attorney, who has a successful track record of holding negligent drivers financially responsible. A skilled car accident lawyer will also better advise victims about how their car insurance policy might apply to an incident involving an at-fault motorist who is uninsured or underinsured.
Seriously injured in a California car accident? Want to know if you have a case? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation for your injuries? Want justice? Want to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to someone else?
Call your best friends in the legal industry after a Monterey County car accident. Call 800-259-6373. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.
Call a Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys California personal injury attorney for a free professional evaluation of your case by attorneys who have represented over 6,000 clients since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a friendly law firm in a comfortable environment.
Do you believe that California laws are stringent enough to deter drivers from operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs?
The Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.