Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can not only increase the chances of causing a collision, but it can also lead to more severe results in any crash.
A driver under the influence may not have the awareness to hit the brakes when an accident is imminent. That can mean an impact involving more speed and more force. Victims in other vehicles can suffer the devastating consequences of the tragic decision of one driver to get behind the wheel when they are impaired.
Oakdale Three-Car Collision Causes Injuries
A suspected DUI driver caused a crash that involved three vehicles northwest of Oakdale on Monday afternoon. The Modesto Bee reports the accident happened on Lon Dale Road/Highway 120 near Cleveland Avenue in Stanislaus County around 3:30 p.m. on December 7, 2020.
The California Highway Patrol says that the 20-year-old DUI suspect was traveling westbound in a Chevy pick-up when he crossed over into the eastbound lane. His truck struck the side of a Ford pick-up. The 61-year-old driver of the Ford received facial lacerations from broken glass.
The Chevy’s driver continued on to strike a Cadillac Sedan head-on. The 61-year-old woman driving the Cadillac was taken to Memorial Medical Center in Modesto with injuries. The DUI suspect from Manteca was also taken to the hospital with major injuries.
Investigators arrested the Manteca man under suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs.
Support for Stanislaus County Accident Victims
Accidents caused by DUI drivers can lead to a difficult recovery for victims and sometimes inflict injuries that can linger for a lifetime. Permanent disability and disfigurement can all be potential outcomes of a senseless act.
Suspects will be facing a criminal trial but they also need to be held accountable for the physical and financial hardships left in the victim’s lap. You may be hurt and watching hospital bills pile up and be looking for help with your recovery. In these situations, you are allowed to file a claim for damages against the at-fault driver and his or her insurance policy.
You can recover compensation for things like medical bills, lost time at work, and even emotional anguish that can take the form of depression and anxiety and be debilitating without the help of psychological counseling.
With the help of an attorney, you should file your claim as soon as you are ready. This will ensure evidence and documents will still be easy to collect and that witnesses will still be available to give testimony. Your civil claim will be separate from any criminal proceedings and can move forward even if the criminal trial hasn’t reached a verdict.
Contact a Modesto Car Accident Lawyer
If you are in a serious accident caused by a suspected DUI driver around Modesto or anywhere in 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.
