A 50-year-old man and his 18-month-old grandson were seriously injured in a San Diego car accident, which police believe, was caused by an underage drunk driver. According to a news report in The North County Times, the major injury pedestrian accident occurred in the 4100 block of Lake Boulevard in Oceanside the morning of October 18, 2010. The 50-year-old Oceanside resident was pushing his grandson in a stroller when a Chevrolet SUV driven by a 17-year-old male driver struck them. Police say the young driver was speeding and lost control as tried to pull into a driveway. The toddler is in critical condition and the grandfather suffered serious injuries. The 17-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving.
My heart goes out to these injured victims and their families. I wish both the man and his young grandson the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. They will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), two people were killed and 59 were injured in Oceanside pedestrian accidents. During the same year, there were 63 fatalities and 998 injuries reported as a result of pedestrian accidents in San Diego County.
Underage Drunk Drivers
It is illegal for those under 21 years of age to consume alcohol under California law. It is also against the law for anyone to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher. California Vehicle Code Section 23136 states: “It is unlawful for a person under the age of 21 years who has a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.01 percent or greater, as measured by a preliminary alcohol screening test or other chemical test, to drive a vehicle.”
Liability Issues
In such cases, where negligence or wrongdoing is apparent, injured victims can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of earnings, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. Victims or their families would be well-advised to seek the counsel of an experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer, who will stay on top of the official investigation and make sure that their legal rights and best interests are protected. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to advise victims about how their car insurance policy might apply to an incident where the at-fault motorist is uninsured or underinsured.
Seriously injured in a San Diego County 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 an Oceanside pedestrian accident. Call 866-310-5252. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.
Call a Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys San Diego personal injury lawyer 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 underage drinking is a problem in your community? For more information about the dangers of underage drinking and driving, please visit the Mothers Against Drunk Driving web site at www.madd.org.
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.