California Injury Blog
A DUI collision in Lake Forest injured 20-year-old Fernando Ambriz the afternoon of September 9, 2010. The Orange County Register reports that the injury collision occurred on Muirlands Boulevard at Aspan Street, when 31-year-old Ryan Churchill ran a red light at the intersection and crashed head-on into a Toyota pickup truck that was waiting for a green light. Ambriz was a passenger in the pickup truck and sustained injuries. But, he is expected to survive. Churchill was arrested on suspicion of DUI.
I’m relieved to hear that Ambriz was not catastrophically injured in this collision. This could have also resulted in serious injuries or fatalities had there been any pedestrians or bicyclists crossing at the intersection. I wish Ambriz the very best for a quick and full recovery.
Car Accidents
There were six fatalities and 169 injuries involving Lake Forest car accidents in 2008, according to California Highway Patrol’s traffic accident statistics. In Orange County as a whole, 152 people died and 13,414 were injured as a result of car accidents during the same year.
Possible Vehicle Code Violations
It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, under California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a). Running a red light is also a serious traffic violation. California Vehicle Code Section 21453 (a) states: “A driver facing a circular red signal shall stop at the limit line before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection, and shall remain stopped until an indication to proceed is shown.”
Liability Issues
It would be in the best interests of injured victims in such cases to contact an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer, who will stay abreast of the official investigation and make sure that their legal rights are protected. A skilled car accident lawyer will also be able to advise victims about how their car insurance policy applies to an incident where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.
What additional DUI legislation would you like to see introduced in California?
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.