DUI accidents are a reality everywhere in Hanford and throughout the remainder of Kings County, California. Even though drivers are never supposed to drink and get behind the wheel of a car, these actions happen every day and cause life-altering collisions in many areas. When a driver’s perception is altered due to alcohol, a forceful accident can take place within seconds, causing serious injuries or taking lives.
In 2022, the Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) estimated that 24 DUI accidents took place in the entirety of Hanford. Out of these accidents, approximately 34 people sustained injuries. At Maison Law, we stand by the sides of individuals who have been hurt in unexpected and traumatic car accidents involving DUI drivers. If you have been hurt in one of these collisions, you may wonder what options are available for you.
Injuries Reported in DUI Accident on Highway 198 in Hanford
Two people sustained injuries due to an accident caused by a DUI driver in Hanford on Friday evening. According to information provided by Your Central Valley, the accident took place around 9:20 p.m. at the intersection of 12th Avenue and Highway 198 on the night of November 17, 2023.
When Hanford officials arrived on scene, they discovered that two vehicles collided on the highway near the intersection due to the actions of a DUI driver. Witnesses spoke with police and informed them that a 68-year-old male was headed southbound in a pickup truck on the highway and approaching 12th Avenue. He failed to stop at the red light, causing the truck to slam into a sedan at high speeds. The sedan spun around and was struck a second time by the pickup truck.
Paramedics and numerous other local responders were immediately dispatched to the scene following the collision. The driver and passenger in the sedan, identified as a 19-year-old driver and a 16-year-old passenger, both sustained moderate injuries and were hospitalized. Police also said that the driver of the pickup truck was taken to the hospital for treatment of a broken hip.
The driver of the pickup truck was found to be intoxicated at the scene of the accident. Police discovered open alcohol bottles in his truck as well. He will face charges under suspicion of felony DUI for his role in the accident.
No further details have been released but the investigation into the collision continues.
Support for Victims of Hanford DUI Accidents
Even if you believe that a party was intoxicated at the time of your collision, liability is sometimes a major concern in Hanford car accidents. The other driver or their insurance company might point the finger at you and say that you also had a role in a collision even if they were allegedly intoxicated at the time.
To be successful in a personal injury claim, you must be able to show that the following elements were present:
- A driver owed you and others on our roads a duty of care
- The driver breached that duty of care through their negligent acts
- The breach in duty led to your accident
- The accident caused you damages that you can verify
At the scene, police will make a report and witnesses can give their account of what happened at the time of the collision. This can help you prove that a driver’s negligence and being intoxicated behind the wheel led to your accident.
Contact a Hanford Car Accident Lawyer
It is not uncommon for victims of Hanford car accidents to question how they will move forward after a collision. As the physical injuries weigh you down and cause you a long recovery, you may be concerned about how you will pay the bills that continue mounting up against you. On top of this, the insurance company does not have your best interests and may be offering you less compensation than you deserve.
Luckily, our Hanford car accident lawyers at Maison Law are here to compassionately assist you as you navigate the legal system after a collision. We know that you are going through a difficult time in your life and will provide you with the resources to move forward. Please contact us today for a completely confidential and free case review.
