Howe Avenue Intersection Crash Reported With Minor Injury
Drunk driving may have been involved in a Sacramento accident on September 21 that caused minor injuries. The collision was reported around 4:08 p.m. at the intersection of Howe and Marconi avenues in the Arden-Arcade area by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). It occurred between an Audi and a Ford F-150 pickup.
Drunk Driving Suspected in Intersection Crash
A tow truck was called to remove the pickup from the accident scene. According to the police report, one individual was transported to Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, and a phlebotomist was called there to administer a blood test, which would indicate the BAC level of the patient. The accident is under investigation by the CHP to determine how the collision occurred.
Recovering Compensation Following an Accident Involving a Drunk Driver
In addition to facing charges for drunk driving, the negligent motorist who is inebriated can be held responsible for any injuries or fatalities that occur in an accident. In California, a driver who has been charged with drunk driving three times will face a felony if they do it again. Felony charges carry a state prison term of up to three years.
However, the injured party can place a civil claim for damages to recover compensation. If the insurance company balks at paying what the injured party deserves, the case can be taken to civil court. Convictions for drunk driving provide strong evidence for the recovery of damages.
Call an Injury Lawyer for Advice About Filing a Claim
Over the years, my team of injury lawyers and I have successfully handled many cases of this type. Not only does it hold the drunk driver financially responsible for their actions, but it helps provide the injured party with a sense of justice.
Damages in a Drunk Driving Accident
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can have devastating consequences. You are able to sue the driver and their insurance company for the damages they caused. When this happens, you need the insight an experienced attorney can provide. It is important to understand the types of damages you are able to obtain:
- Medical bills: This includes the emergency room visit, diagnostic tests, X-rays, hospital expenses, medical provider bills both in the E.R. and the hospital, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation costs.
- Lost wages: This category includes the wages you normally receive, bonuses, commissions, and other financial payments. If you are unable to work for an extended period of time, your attorney will calculate your monetary losses related to your job.
- Lost earning capacity: This is the amount of income the injured party will lose in the future. This loss occurs after the lawsuit is finalized, and your attorney will be able to determine its value.
- Pain and suffering: The number of financial damages related to the subjective effects of a DUI is different for each person. This includes anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Punitive damages: In some cases, the injured party is able to collect punitive damages. This does not happen in all cases, but if the defendant’s actions are especially egregious, the court might award punitive damages. These are in addition to the compensatory recovery listed above.
Sacramento Auto Accident Attorneys
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento car accident lawyer. Drunk drivers injure or kill many people every year. If a drunk driver injured you, you may benefit from legal advice on whether you can file a claim for compensation. For our free and friendly advice, call us at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. You can also contact us online.
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Since 1982, we’ve helped people in Northern California in obtaining fair compensation for all varieties of traffic accidents, product liability claims, wrongful deaths, and more.
Additional information about how my team of injury lawyers and I have helped others can be found at the links that follow:
Photo attribution: Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay
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