Weekend travel on Santa Clara highways can be dangerous. Motorists can be traveling at top speeds and it’s not always clear who is paying attention to the lanes and who is not.
The chances of a dangerous collision only multiply when a driver impaired by drugs or alcohol is undetected and using Santa Clara roadways. A DUI driver’s actions are hard to predict and even safe drivers can suddenly find themselves in unavoidable crashes.
Weekend DUI Accident Kills One and Injures Two in Santa Clara
A DUI suspect faces homicide charges after a devastating crash in central Santa Clara early Saturday morning. KRON-TV reports the accident occurred at the intersection of the San Tomas Expressway and El Camino Real on November 26, 2022.
The Santa Clara Police Department was notified of the accident when several witnesses reported it at around 12:22 a.m. Investigators determined that a 28-year-old Sonoma man was driving a Volvo at a high rate of speed when he ran a red light. The Volvo collided with a BMW in the intersection.
The BMW was driven by a 32-year-old San Jose woman. Both drivers suffered what were described as major injuries in the crash. Tragically, a passenger in the front seat of the BMW was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim was identified as a 31-year-old man.
Officers say the driver of the Volvo smelled of an alcoholic beverage. The man was arrested on homicide and DUI charges.
Finding Assistance for Victims and Family Members After a Santa Clara Accident
Families who have lost a loved one in an accident are empowered to file a wrongful death claim against an at-fault driver’s car insurance company. Close relatives will need real help paying for funeral costs and emergency response fees. They should also receive assistance for the future when they’ll have to move on without the love and weekly income a victim can no longer provide.
Surviving victims of frightening accidents must often deal with long and difficult recoveries. A claim for damages can be directed against an insurance company in order to shield the victim from hospital and doctor expenses. The claim also demands reimbursement for the time at work the victim has lost.
An at-fault driver facing DUI charges could also face a criminal trial, but this won’t delay a victim’s or a family’s civil claim settlement. An insurance claim is worked out independently of criminal proceedings.
Contact a Santa Clara Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one were the victims of a careless driver, don’t allow an insurance adjuster to determine how much support you should receive. They work for their insurance company and they want to save money for their shareholders. Your recovery and your family’s recovery are much more important than their profits.
To make sure your family is protected from an insurance company’s bad faith practices, contact an experienced Santa Clara car accident lawyer such as Martin Gasparian for a free case consultation. Mr. Gasparian works closely with victims and families to earn the compensation they’ll need to rebuild their lives.
