A DUI crash in southwest Fresno left a man with major injuries on January 12, 2019. The incident occurred along California Avenue in the vicinity of Inyo Street shortly before 6:00 in the evening. A driver of a pickup truck was traveling eastbound along California Avenue when he reportedly veered into the oncoming traffic lane and crashed head-on with a westbound Ford Mustang. The head-on collision left the Ford driver seriously injured, according to authorities. He was transported to a local hospital by medical personnel for treatment of a head injury. Officials reported he was in stable condition later on that night.
Crash Investigation
The pickup truck driver was evaluated by Fresno police and later detained on suspicion of felony driving under the influence. Officials also said the suspect was drinking and driving on a suspended license at the time of the drunk driving accident. The dui driver may be subject to other punishments as an investigation into the crash continues.
Drunk Driving Accidents
Alcohol consumption can significantly impair a driver’s ability to make reasonable decisions. It can inhibit cognitive and motor skills as well as delay one’s reaction time to avoid or mitigate a car wreck. Moreover, it is hazardous to drive with any amount of alcohol in one’s system. While it is illegal to do so, many continue to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs and cause severe collisions. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 10,874 parties lost their lives in alcohol-related crashes in 2017.
Common Injuries in a Drunk Driving Accident
The types of injuries suffered in a drunk driving accident vary upon the area of impact to the vehicles involved. Head-on collisions often result in abdominal or chest injuries, bone fractures, or head trauma. This is due to the body being propelled forward against the seatbelts. A broadside or T-bone crash can lead to severe injuries as vehicles have less structural protection along its sides. Spinal cord trauma, facial damage, and neck or head injuries are common in these types of auto accidents. A rear-end accident can throw an occupant back into the seat, causing rapid movement within the cervical area resulting in a neck injury.
Personal Injury Claims
In a personal injury claim, it must be proven a personal injury occurred as a result of the negligent actions by another person or entity. The injured party must show that there was a duty of care owed to them. Next, it must be proven that this duty of care was breached and the negligent actions of the responsible party are liable for the subsequent damages. Lastly, it must be shown that the injured party suffered monetary loss due to the car accident. To learn what factors can affect the value of a personal injury claim, watch the following video. If you have questions regarding your case, reach out to an experienced injury lawyer.
How a Law Firm Can Help
Many factors are involved in a drunk driving accident. For this reason, handling these types of cases by yourself is not always advisable. An experienced Fresno personal injury attorney can help in these situations by conducting an independent investigation into the cause of the collision to properly determine liability. By building a strong case, the injury attorney is able to communicate effectively with insurance companies to obtain fair compensation for damages incurred. In this way, the injured party will be able to have their medical expenses, time away from work and pain and suffering they experienced covered monetarily. In the case of the above accident, if the driver is convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol, this can be shown as a contributing factor for the crash to help prove the injured party’s right to fair compensation.
Fresno Car Accident Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a Fresno car accident attorney. Motor vehicle accidents can be difficult to recover from, especially when they involve drunk drivers. If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident caused by the fault of another driver or entity, you need the insight from an experienced injury lawyer. Please feel free to call me anytime at (559) 377-7676 in the Fresno area or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 to receive free, friendly case advice.
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Fresno DUI Crash Injures Man: AutoAccident.com
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