California Injury Blog
Three people were seriously injured in a San Jose car accident, which officials say, was caused by a suspected drunk driver. According to a Bay City News report, the crash occurred early morning on August 29, 2010 on Highway 101 near Metcalf Road. The occupants of two cars, a Mitsubishi and a Toyota, were on the shoulder of the highway trying to fix a flat tire on a Toyota, when 18-year-old Eric Nun, driving a Mercedes, went off the roadway and crashed into the back of the Mitsubishi.
The impact of the collision pushed the Mitsubishi forward into the Toyota, severing the leg of a 23-year-old woman. The driver of the Toyota, a 23-year-old man, sustained major head injuries, and the driver of the Mitsubishi, a 29-year-old man, suffered major internal bleeding as well as head injuries. Nun sustained moderate injuries, but was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI.
My heart goes out to these three seriously injured victims and their families for what they are going through at this time. I wish them all the very best for a speedy recovery. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
DUI Statistics and Laws
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 24 fatalities and 389 injuries involving DUI collisions in San Jose. In Santa Clara County, 37 people died and 705 were injured as a result of alcohol-related crashes during the same year.
Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is a serious crime under California law. It is illegal for anyone to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) 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.”
Victims’ Claim for Compensation
In such cases where negligence or wrongdoing is apparent, it would be in the best interests of seriously injured victims to seek the counsel of a reputed San Francisco personal injury lawyer, who has the experience and a successful track record of holding drunk drivers financially responsible. Injured victims could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of earnings, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, surgeries and even long-term care in case of catastrophic injuries. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also advise victims about how their own car insurance policy might apply to an incident where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured. For more information about the dangers of drunk driving, please visit the Mothers Against Drunk Driving 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.