California Injury Blog
A 56-year-old man was injured in a Costa Mesa car accident after he was struck by a suspected drunk driver early morning on May 20, 2010. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the man, the driver of a Ford 150, had stepped out of his truck to open the gate of a business, when an Infiniti G35 driven by 27-year-old Jeffrey Scott Marshall struck the pickup truck pushing it into the victim. The collision occurred on Placentia Avenue close to 17th Street. The victim was transported to an area hospital with a head injury. Marshall was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. An investigation is ongoing.
My heart goes out to this injured victim. I hope he has not sustained any catastrophic injuries, and pray for his quick and complete recovery.
DUI Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were two fatalities and 100 injuries involving DUI collisions in Costa Mesa. 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
Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs 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.” It is also illegal for a motorist to drive with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher.
Liability in DUI Accidents
If it is determined that Marshall was driving under the influence, he could be held criminally as well as civilly liable for the accident and resulting injuries. DUI victims often undergo significant expenses including medical expenses, cost of hospitalization, physical therapy and in serious injury cases, long-term care costs. Injured victims can legally seek compensation for the expenses as well as for pain and suffering, and the emotional trauma caused.
It would be in the best interests of victims to contact an experienced Costa Mesa car accident lawyer, who will stay on top of the investigation and make sure that their legal rights are preserved. A knowledgeable car accident attorney will also advise victims about how their own car insurance policy applies in cases where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.
Have you ever been the victim of a DUI accident? We would like to hear about your experience.
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.