California Injury Blog
Two people were injured in a Los Angeles car accident after their SUV was cut off by a suspected drunk driver. According to a news report in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, the injury crash occurred the night of July 19, 2010 on the westbound 10 Freeway near Puente Avenue, in Baldwin Park. The suspect apparently pulled ahead of the SUV causing the female driver of the SUV to swerve and lose control.
The SUV overturned. California Highway Patrol officials say the woman and her 6-year-old daughter sustained neck and back injuries and were transported to a local hospital. The driver who cut off the SUV did not stop at the scene. However, witnesses followed him to the Baldwin Park Boulevard off-ramp. CHP officers arrested the man at that location on suspicion of driving under the influence.
I truly hope the woman and her young daughter did not suffer major injuries. I wish them both the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
DUI Statistics
According to CHP’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were two fatalities and 30 injuries involving DUI collisions in Baldwin Park. In Los Angeles County, 258 people died and 4,832 were injured as a result of alcohol-related collisions during the same year.
Drunk Driving Law
It is against California law to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher. 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.” In this case, the driver also left the scene of the accident, which is again a serious crime under California Vehicle Code section 20001 (a). The driver in this particular incident was required to stop although he did not collide with the other vehicle. Officials say his actions caused the crash and that he should have stopped immediately and remained at the scene until authorities arrived.
Compensation Issues
In such cases, it would be in the best interests of injured victims to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will stay on top of the investigation and make sure that the victims’ legal rights are preserved. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer should also advise victims about how their car insurance policy applies to a hit-and-run incident or to an accident where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.
Do you think California should require Ignition Interlock Devices (IIDs) for first-time DUI offenders?
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.