Suspected Drunk Driver Arrested After Merced Crash
A suspected drunk driver was arrested on several felony charges after a crash in the Merced area on the night of Friday, December 17, 2021. The traffic collision took place along G Street in the vicinity of 25th Street and involved three cars.
Details on the Suspected Drunk Driver That Was Arrested After a Crash in Merced
A preliminary report by the Merced Police Department (Merced PD) revealed that officers responded to the scene of a car accident in the area. Upon arrival, officials determined that three vehicles were involved in the incident. One driver was said to have fled the scene and their front license plate was left behind following the crash. There was a trail of oil from the suspect vehicle that led authorities to the home of the driver, where they located the damaged car.
Merced PD officers conducted a field sobriety test on the motorist, identified as a 51-year-old man, and reported signs of intoxication. The driver was arrested on several felony charges that included hit-and-run and driving under the influence (DUI) and booked at Merced County Jail. Officials also reported that at least one party was injured in the car accident in Merced. It was unclear whether that party was hospitalized for their injuries following the traffic collision.
Things to Know About Car Accidents and Compensatory Damages
Motor vehicle collisions often occur because of identifiable causes. When it is the result of a negligent act, the at-fault party may be held accountable for the injuries and losses their actions have caused to others. The process involves bringing a bodily injury claim against the negligent driver and their insurer. This type of case generally seeks the recovery of economic and non-economic damages such as costs of medical treatment for accident-related injuries, time missed from work to recover from getting hurt in the crash, pain and suffering, and other losses. When the crash was the result of a drunk driver, punitive damages may be sought from that party as a way of punishing them for their egregious conduct. Punitive damages are generally determined and awarded by the court.
There are some situations where a car accident involving more than two vehicles may put injured parties in a predicament, particularly if there is one driver responsible for the incident. That is because there may be the possibility of the at-fault party carrying minimal liability coverage or none at all. Under these circumstances, injured people may turn to their insurer for protection if they have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM and UIM). When damages exceed the at-fault party’s insurance limits, UIM coverage may come into play. Conversely, when the other party has no liability coverage or was a hit-and-run driver that goes unidentified, UM coverage may protect injured parties up to the limits of the policy. Various factors may influence the value of an injury case, including first-party claims. To learn what these are, watch the following video.
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At our law firm, we have over three decades of experience handling car accident cases. When you have been hurt in a motor vehicle collision and need help on how to get your life back on track, you have so much to gain and nothing to lose by discussing your case with one of our injury lawyers. We have the resources and knowledge to handle all aspects of your personal injury claim. You also do not have to worry about any upfront costs as we handle injury cases on a contingency fee basis. Do not miss the opportunity to obtain the justice and fair compensation you need to move forward after a serious traffic collision and give our law firm a call today to receive free, friendly case advice.
Personal Injury Attorney in Merced
I’m Ed Smith, a Merced personal injury attorney. Getting into a car accident may be stressful, particularly when it involves a drunk driver. If you have been injured in a crash because of the negligence of another party or entity, contact us today to arrange a meeting with one of our accident attorneys at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400. We are available anytime to meet with you, discuss your options, and provide free, friendly advice on how to move forward.
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