California Injury Blog
Five people were injured in a Newport Beach car accident, which officials say, was caused by a suspected drunk driver. According to a news report in The Daily Pilot, the injury collision occurred when Carol Nadine Quiroz, 18, of Santa Ana, lost control of her 1997 Acura Integra on southbound Newport Boulevard, near Hoag Drive. Quiroz crossed the center median and crashed head-on into a northbound Dodge truck. Quiroz is in critical condition and four others suffered injuries, which are believed to be non-life-threatening. Quiroz will likely face felony drunk driving charges.
My thoughts and prayers are with everyone who was injured in this crash. I hope they all recover quickly and completely from their injuries.
DUI Statistics
There were three fatalities and 56 injuries involving DUI collisions in Newport Beach in 2008, according to California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In Orange County as a whole, 62 people were killed and 1,492 people were injured in alcohol-related crashes.
Drunk Driving Laws
It is illegal under California law for any person under 21 to consumer alcohol, regardless of whether they are driving or not. California law also states that it is illegal for anyone to drive 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.”
Claim for Compensation
In addition to criminal charges, drunk drivers can also be held civilly liable for the injuries, damages and losses caused to DUI victims. In such cases, it would be in the best interests of injured victims to seek the counsel of a reputed Newport Beach personal injury lawyer, who has the experience and a successful track record of financially pursuing drunk drivers. Injured victims and their families could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, pain and suffering, and other related damages.
For more information about underage drinking or the dangers of drinking and driving, please visit MADD’s web site at www.madd.org.
Is underage drinking a serious problem in your community?
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.