Three people were injured in an Orange County, California car accident, which officials say was caused by a 22-year-old U.S. Marine driving under the influence and also running a red light. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, Colin Newman was driving a Volkswagen Jetta the night of September 20, 2010, when he exited the 5 Freeway at Avery Parkway in Mission Viejo and went through a red light. The Jetta crashed into a Honda Element, which in turn collided with a Chevy Cobalt. Thee people were trapped inside the Element and taken to the hospital for treatment of unknown injuries. One person in the Cobalt complained of pain. Newman was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.
My thoughts and prayers are with everyone injured in this Orange County car accident. I wish them all a quick and complete recovery.
DUI Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), two people were killed and 27 were injured in Mission Viejo DUI collisions. In Orange County as a whole, 62 fatalities and 1,492 injuries were reported as a result of alcohol-related car crashes during the same year.
California Drunk Driving Law
It is illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol in California. 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.” It is also against the law to not obey traffic signs and signals. Drivers are required to stop before the limit line at a red light under California Vehicle Code Section 21453 (a).
Liability Issues
In any case where negligence or wrongdoing is proven, injured victims can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. Victims and their families would be well-advised to seek the counsel of a reputed Orange County personal injury law firm, who has the experience and a successful track record of holding drunk drivers financially responsible. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to advise DUI victims about how their auto insurance policy applies to an incident where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.
Do you believe California’s DUI laws and penalties are harsh enough to deter drunk drivers?
The Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP 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.