Southern California Injury Lawyer Blog
Among all the types of accidents that occur on California highways, none are more serious than head-on accidents that occur on the highway. Not only do these California car accidents present a grave risk that someone will be seriously injured or killed, but also they are puzzling because highways are commonly divided, and traffic traveling in opposite directions is normally separated by thick concrete barriers.
Indeed, most California wrong-way accidents that occur on that state’s freeways involve a driver getting on the highway going the wrong direction. Of course, anyone who has driven in Southern California knows that highway on- and off-ramps are well marked, making the possibility of a mistake fairly low. However, the fact remains that dozens of motorists each year negligently cause wrong-way accidents. Most of these drivers are intoxicated.
Earlier this week, four people died in two separate wrong-way car accidents, one in Porter Ranch and the other in Baldwin Park. In each of the accidents, a driver was traveling in the opposite lane of travel for some distance before smashing into the other vehicle. One of the accidents was preceded by numerous phone calls to California Highway Patrol, warning them about the wrong-way driver. According to a local news report covering the two fatal accidents, drugs and alcohol were suspected to be a factor in at least one of the accidents.
Drunk Driving Accidents in Southern California
In California, it is illegal to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or greater. Even if a driver does not “seem” intoxicated, if their BAC is above .08, they are considered per se intoxicated, meaning that there is no disputing their intoxication.
The California DUI laws are framed as criminal laws, meaning that when someone is caught driving while intoxicated, they can be arrested and charged with the crime of DUI. If the drunk driver caused injuries to another motorist, the injured party can also bring a separate civil lawsuit seeking monetary compensation for their injuries.
In civil cases arising after a California DUI accident, the doctrine of negligence per se helps an accident victim to make out their case against the allegedly drunk driver. Negligence per se applies anytime someone is charged with a criminal offense that results in injuries. Driving under the influence is a common example. In these cases, the injured party can use the fact that the other driver was in violation of a criminal law to help establish their case. To learn more, contact a dedicated Southern California personal injury attorney.
Have You Been Injured in a California DUI Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured in a California DUI accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. The dedicated Southern California personal injury attorneys at Sharifi Firm have extensive experience helping accident victims pursue the compensation they deserve from the responsible parties. Call 866-422-7222 to schedule a free consultation with an attorney today. Calling is free, and we will not send you an invoice for our services unless we are able to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
More Blog Posts:
Plaintiff’s Case Permitted to Proceed Against Private Company Responsible for Maintaining Traffic Lights, Southern California Injury Lawyer Blog, November 20, 2017
California Car Accident Plaintiff Misses Out on Opportunity to Cross-Examine Defense Medical Expert, Southern California Injury Lawyer Blog, October 19, 2017