California Injury Blog
A woman was critically injured in an Orange County car accident after her vehicle crashed into a stopped SUV whose driver, officials say, was under the influence. According to a City News Service report, the major injury collision occurred early morning on July 1, 2011 on the northbound 55 Freeway in Orange near Chapman Avenue. California Highway Patrol officials say a Toyota 4Runner was stopped on the freeway for unknown reasons when the woman’s older model Chevy pickup truck slammed into it. The woman was transported to an area trauma center in critical condition. The man in the SUV sustained relatively minor injuries and was arrested later on suspicion of drunk driving.
My heart goes out to the victim, who has apparently suffered major injuries. I wish her the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.
DUI Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were four fatalities and 89 injuries involving DUI collisions in Orange. In Orange County as a whole, 62 people died and 1,492 were injured in alcohol-related crashed during the same year.
California Drunk Driving Laws
It is unclear from this report as to why the SUV was stalled or stopped on the freeway. But officials say the driver was under the influence of alcohol. Under California law, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. 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.” The same section also states that it is against the law for a driver to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher.
Victim’s Claim for Compensation
In this case, the driver of the Toyota SUV could be held liable for the victim’s serious injuries, damages and losses. Victims of drunk drivers can claim compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. Injured victims would be well-advised to contact an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer, who has an excellent track record of holding drunk drivers financially responsible for their actions. For more information about the dangers of driving under the influence, please visit the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) web site at www.madd.org.
Seriously injured in an Orange County DUI 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 Orange car accident. Call 800-259-6373. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.
Call a Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys Orange County 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.