There are so many hazards facing today’s drivers anywhere they travel, and yet some people still multiply those dangers by drinking and then getting behind the wheel.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration collects the data from each state every year to clearly show the devastating effects that drunk drivers have on those around them. California reported 3,563 traffic fatalities in 2018 and 1,069 of those accidents involved a driver under the influence. Stanislaus County alone reported 89 fatal accident victims in 2018 with 29 cases involving a driver with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or greater.
The tragic numbers highlight the dangerous decisions someone under the influence can make on the road. Any other cars traveling nearby can be at risk for a devastating encounter.
Oakdale Four Car Collision Ends with Fatality
A passenger in an SUV was killed after striking three other vehicles near Oakdale on Tuesday. The Mercury News reported the accident happened around 5:20 am on Highway 120 on September 1, 2020.
The State Highway Patrol responded to the scene about 10 miles east of Oakdale. They say a 36-yr-old woman was driving the Chevrolet SUV and tried to pass a semi-truck on a double yellow line. The SUV sideswiped a Honda Civic and then ran head-on into a utility truck. The semi-truck then struck the SUV.
A passenger in the SUV, a man from Empire, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead on the scene. The woman driving the SUV was airlifted to a Modesto hospital with serious injuries.
The driver in the utility truck was also taken to the hospital with injuries. No one else reported injuries. Investigators say the woman driving the SUV, from Ceres, faces charges of felony driving under the influence of alcohol and vehicular manslaughter.
Finding Justice After an Accident in Stanislaus County
Tragic accidents from across the state illustrate the extreme dangers drunk drivers subject on themselves and others. Someone under the influence and behind the wheel can make errors in judgment in any situation. They may experience delayed perception and reactions making an impact more severe.
DUI accidents often involve more speed at the moment of impact because drunk drivers may not realize a collision is coming and be slower to hit the brake. The mistake is compounded by the speed involved, leading to severe injuries and even the loss of life.
In these accidents, the surviving victims are permitted to file a claim for damages against the driver at-fault and his or her insurance company. These claims can provide victims with financial compensation to help pay for things like hospital bills, lost wages from work, emotional damage, and any future treatment that becomes necessary. The suspect may be facing criminal charges at the same time, but a civil claim can proceed even if the criminal trial hasn’t gotten underway or been resolved.
In the case of a tragic death in a DUI accident, the family left behind can also seek compensation from the person responsible and his or her insurance policy. This is called a wrongful death claim and can help a family recover medical and funeral costs and provide financially for the loved ones left behind. A close member of a family like a spouse or the victim’s children can file the claim on behalf of the rest of the family.
Contact A Stanislaus County Auto Accident Attorney
Injury victims and their families have up to two years after an accident injury or death to file a claim for damages or a wrongful death claim. The attorneys at Turlock’s Maison Law recommend filing as soon as possible. The longer victims and families wait the harder it becomes to collect evidence and documents needed to build a strong case. A local attorney can assist in preparing these details and win compensation for all of your hardships experienced after an accident.
After an accident in Stanislaus County or anywhere in the Central Valley, contact attorney Martin Gasparian for a free consultation and case evaluation. Mr. Gasparian takes a hands-on approach to every case. He believes that every client should work directly with their lawyer, get honest advice, and personalized attention to detail their case deserves.
