California Injury Blog
Three adults and two children were injured in a Santa Ana car accident involving a suspected drunk driver, The Orange County Register reports. Santa Ana police officials say the collision involved a total of nine pedestrians and occurred in the 1400 block of McFadden Avenue the night of September 6, 2010. Eyewitnesses say the driver, later identified as 43-year-old Miguel Angel Sandoval, was driving a Chevy Suburban west on McFadden near Graham Lane when he cut across several traffic lanes, jumped the curb and started driving on the sidewalk.
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After initially hitting a woman and her 2-year-old daughter and dragging them about 50 feet, the SUV struck seven other people, including another 2-year-old child. The woman, who was struck first, suffered a broken leg and her little girl was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. Three others sustained injuries, but are expected to survive. Sandoval has been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving.
My heart goes out to the toddler, who was apparently the most seriously injured in this crash. She had to undergo surgery and is believed to be in stable condition. I wish her and all the other victims of this collision the very best for a quick and complete recovery. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
DUI Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), seven fatalities and 174 injuries were reported as a result of DUI collisions in Santa Ana. In Orange County as a whole, 62 people died and 1,492 were injured due to alcohol-related crashes during the same year.
California Drunk Driving Laws
It is illegal to drive under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol by 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.” The same section also states that it is against the law to drive with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher.
Victims’ Claim for Compensation
In such cases, injured victims would be well advised to seek the counsel of a reputed Santa Ana personal injury lawyer, who will stay abreast of the official investigation and hold the negligent driver financially responsible for his actions. Injured victims can seek compensation to cover medical costs, loss of wages, hospitalization and other treatment expenses related to the accident. The best car accident law firms will always offer a comprehensive case evaluation at no charge to injured victims or their families.
What legislation would you like to see in California, which you believe will deter drunk drivers?
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.