California Injury Blog
Several people were injured in a Modesto car accident after a suspected drunk driver drove his 2001 Chevy Silverado south in the northbound lanes of Highway 99 in Keyes. According to a news report in the Modesto Bee, California Highway Patrol officials arrested 30-year-old Fernando Martinez on suspicion of felony DUI and felony driving the wrong way causing injuries.
Martinez’s Silverado struck a 2003 Lexus and overturned many times hitting at least six vehicles, the night of June 26, 2010. Seven were transported to local hospitals. Two Modesto drivers who were injured were identified as 42-year-old Brian Miller and Victoria Mendoza, 36. Martinez himself was injured. No one suffered life-threatening injuries. CHP officials are still investigating the incident.
My heart goes out to the injured victims of this collision. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep them in your prayers.
Drunk Driving Statistics
There were 15 fatalities and 130 injuries involving DUI collisions in the unincorporated areas of Stanislaus County in 2008, according to CHP’s traffic accident statistics. In Stanislaus County as a whole, 17 people died and 291 were injured as a result of alcohol-related collisions during the same year.
DUI Laws
Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious offense 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 illegal to drive with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher.
Claim for Compensation
If the driver, Fernando Martinez, is determined to have been intoxicated at the time of the collision, he could be held criminally and financially responsible for the injuries, damages and losses caused in this crash. The injured victims in this particular case would be well-advised to consult with an experienced Modesto personal injury lawyer, who will stay on top of the official investigation and make sure that the negligent parties are held accountable.
Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of earnings, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, surgeries and other related damages. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to advise injured victims about how their own car insurance policy applies to a case where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured. For more information about the dangers of drunk driving, please visit MADD’s web site at www.madd.org.
What steps can legislators take to crack down on drunk drivers? We would like to hear your comments and suggestions.
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.