DUI Accident Near Santa Ynez
I’m Ed Smith, a Santa Ynez car accident lawyer. In 2015, more than 10,000 people lost their lives and about 290,000 more were seriously injured due to drunk driving accidents. Each collision, each injury, each death impacts not only the person involved in the crash, but their family, friends, co-workers, classmates and many more. Even people who have not been directly touched by the accident are helping to pay the $130 billion dollar annual price tag brought about due to drunk driving accidents.
A drunk driving accident happened near Santa Ynez on February 6, 2017.
What Happened?
A man was driving his vehicle with one male passenger in the front seat and two female passengers in the backseat along Highway 135 near Santa Ynez. The driver of this vehicle was reported to have been traveling at a high rate of speed moments before he lost control of his vehicle. After losing control, the man drove through a chain link fence. His vehicle then flipped over and came to a rest over a concrete bench. It was later determined that the driver’s high blood alcohol level played a significant role in the crash. Both of the men in the vehicle and one of the female passengers suffered injuries. The first female passenger was able to be rescued by officials from the backseat. Unfortunately, the second female passenger in the backseat passed away at the scene due to the fatal extent of her injuries.
DUI Accidents
Car crashes that involve being under the influence of drugs or alcohol are serious. Typically, if the driver survives, there is a host of consequences that follow. If the driver is not severely injured, he or she will more than likely be arrested at the scene. When dealing with a DUI conviction, often the class of the victim does not affect the charges. In other words, if a passenger or person in the vehicle dies due the driver’s negligence or fault, in this case being under the influence, it is no different than if the victim is a pedestrian or another driver. In the above-mentioned DUI accident, one of the individuals in the driver’s vehicle died as a result of the driver’s negligence or fault.
Possible Charges
In most states, you will find similar charges when a DUI accident results in a death, though it is important to note that state law varies from state to state. Nevertheless, charges that apply in this instance range from DUI manslaughter, negligent homicide, aggravated DUI, vehicular homicide, vehicular manslaughter or murder. In California, prosecutors tend to favor vehicular manslaughter. A more serious charge of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated is murder. In regards to liability or negligence, most DUI offenses fall under the strict liability category. However, a vehicular manslaughter offense requires reckless or gross negligence. A murder offense that is DUI-related requires extreme recklessness or disregard for human life.
The Right Assistance
Ultimately, DUI accidents and offense carry serious penalties and consequences; thus, it is highly recommended that you work with an experienced DUI lawyer or a lawyer that specializes in auto accidents that result in a loss of life or serious injury. By choosing to work with a DUI injury or wrongful death lawyer that handles serious auto accidents of this nature, you will be able to find the right assistance and determine the best course of action for yourself or your loved one.
Santa Ynez Drunk Driving Injury & Wrongful Death Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a Santa Ynez car accident lawyer. When serious injuries or death occurs after a car accident, please call me at (805) 372-0200 for free, friendly advice. When calling outside of Santa Ynez, I can also be reached toll-free at (800) 404-5400.
Since I began practicing personal injury law exclusively in 1982, I have helped my clients receive fair compensation for their personal injuries and wrongful deaths of their loved ones.
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