California Injury Blog
Two bicyclists sustained major injuries in an Orange County car accident after, officials say, they were struck by a suspected drunk driver on the afternoon of October 23, 2010. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the DUI car accident occurred at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Goldenwest Street in Huntington Beach, when 24-year-old Tama Rae Tracy hit the two cyclists with her black Mercedes and then left the scene.
Both bicyclists were transported to the hospital in critical condition, but are expected to survive. Tracy was arrested shortly after she struck a Chevrolet SUV close to the initial accident scene. She left the site of the accident again, but was stopped by officers after getting stuck in traffic. Officers apparently found an open bottle of vodka in the Mercedes. Tracy, who reportedly has two prior DUI convictions, has been arrested on suspicion of felony drunk driving and two counts of hit-and-run.
My heart goes out to the two bicyclists who have been seriously injured in this car accident. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. It is indeed fortunate that no one in the SUV was injured.
DUI Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were six fatalities and 122 injuries involving DUI collisions in Huntington Beach. In Orange County, 62 people died and 1,492 were injured as a result of alcohol-related collisions during the same year.
Drunk Driving Laws
Based on this news report, this driver was not only driving under the influence of alcohol, but left the scene of two accidents! She hit and critically injured two bicyclists with her car and then left them lying on the roadway. Despicable! I’m relieved that this individual has been taken off the street. According to a new California law, anyone who is convicted of three DUIs within 10 years will lose their driving privilege for a decade. Our streets will certainly be much safer without drivers who choose to drink and drive.
Driving under the influence is a serious crime under California law. 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.”
Drunk Driving Victims’ Rights
In such cases, the injured victims would be well-advised to retain the services of a reputed Orange County personal injury lawyer, who has experience and a successful track record holding drunk drivers financially responsible for their actions. Victims could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, and surgeries, and all related damages. For more information about the dangers of drinking and driving, please visit the Mothers Against Drunk Driving web site at www.madd.org.
Seriously injured in an Orange County hit-and-run 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 a Huntington Beach bicycle accident. Call 866-310-5252. 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.
In your opinion, how many DUI convictions should a driver be allowed before his or her license gets suspended permanently?
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.