California Injury Blog
A wrong-way crash in Costa Mesa left at least one person seriously injured.
According to a news report in the Daily Pilot, the incident occurred early morning on November 9, 2014 when a woman in a Toyota SUV drove onto the northbound 405 freeway off-ramp at Fairview Road headed against traffic.
As the driver sped up to 50 mph, the SUV crashed into a Honda Accord traveling about 65 mph in the opposite direction.
The Accord’s driver suffered
major injuries and was transported to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana. Officers arrested the driver of the SUV on suspicion of felony DUI. She was not injured. The investigation is ongoing.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the seriously injured victim of this DUI crash. We wish this person the very best for a serious and complete recovery.
OC DUI Statistics
According to the California Highway Patrol’s 2012 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there was one fatality and 77 injuries as a result of DUI collisions in Costa Mesa.
In Orange County as a whole, 56 people died and 1,346 were injured due to alcohol-related collisions during the same year.
California Drunk Driving Laws
Under California law, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is illegal.
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 prohibits drivers from operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher.
Victims’ Claim for Compensation
In cases where a drunk driver causes injury, he or she, in addition to facing criminal charges, can also be held financially liable for the injuries, damages and losses caused. Injured victims can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, rehabilitation, pain and suffering and emotional distress.
Injured victims would also be well advised to contact an Orange County personal injury lawyer who has experience financially pursuing drunk drivers on behalf of affected parties such as accident victims and families that have lost loved ones.
The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive claim evaluation to injured victims and their families.