Two Injured in Sonora Head-On Collision
Two parties were injured in a Sonora head-on collision of the afternoon of April 24, 2019. The incident occurred after 4:00 p.m. along Tuolumne Road just west of Hess Avenue. A 29-year-old Sonora man was driving westbound in a 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 while a 67-year-old Sonora woman was headed eastbound in a 2001 Ford F-150. The Dodge driver reportedly veered off the road, overcorrected, and drifted into the oncoming traffic lane into the path of the Ford. The two trucks collided head-on. The Dodge motorist suffered minor injuries while the Ford driver and one of her two passengers were both hospitalized for serious injuries. The other passenger of the Ford was uninjured in the car wreck.
Investigation of the Sonora Head-On Collision
Officers from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that a sobriety test was conducted at the scene. The driver of the Dodge was arrested for driving under the influence and causing bodily injury. It is unknown whether he will face additional charges for the collision.
Common Injuries in a Head-On Crash
Head-on collisions are among the most dangerous types of car accidents. This is due to the speed traveled by the vehicles involved and the area of impact. Some do not survive these crashes and those who do often suffer the following injuries:
- Head trauma ranging from concussions and traumatic brain injuries to skull fractures and death
- Internal trauma caused by severe trauma to the liver, spleen, lungs, and other organs
- Leg injuries caused by the impact with the steering wheel, dashboard, or other areas of the vehicle
- Loss of extremities that may have been severed in the crash or require immediate amputation
- Neck injuries from the overextension of delicate nerves, tendons, and muscles
- Partial or complete paralysis caused by a seriously injured or severed spinal cord
Liability in a Drunk Driving Accident
Impaired motorists are often assumed to be responsible for a drunk driving accident. However, that is not always the case. California law allows those injured in these types of crashes to collect compensation from other negligent parties. These may include businesses who improperly served the alcohol such as hotels, restaurants, clubs or bars. Conversely, someone who provided the vehicle the intoxicated driver was using may also be held liable for the incident. To learn more about how fault is determined in a traffic collision, watch the below video.
Recovering Damages in an Auto Accident
When a person has suffered injuries in a car accident, they may require a lot of time to heal emotionally, mentally, and physically. If the accident occurred through no fault of their own, the injured individual might be entitled to compensation for some of the following damages:
- Medical expenses, including any past and future bills
- Lost wages for any time missed from work to recover from an injury
- Loss of earning capacity for a permanent disability that prevents a person from working
- Emotional distress and mental anguish including anger, anxiety, fear, and diminished quality of life
- Long-term treatment for those who require a lengthy stay in a rehabilitation facility or nursing home or around-the-clock home care
- Loss of consortium for the injured person’s loss of companionship or inability to conceive children with his or her spouse
- Pain and suffering which includes the psychological and physical trauma resulting from an injury
- Punitive damages to punish a person for an egregious act such as drunk driving
What to Expect From a Sonora Personal Injury Lawyer
Having an experienced injury lawyer at your side after a car crash is critical. Your attorney will put together a strong case that is based on an independent investigation of the collision. This way, your lawyer will ensure that both the insurance company and the at-fault driver are held financially responsible for your personal injury damages.
Sonora Personal Injury Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a Sonora personal injury attorney. Drunk Driving accidents are unpredictable and can lead to devastating consequences for those involved. If you or someone close to you has been injured or killed in an accident caused by a motorist driving under the influence, please call me at (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 to receive my free, friendly case advice.
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I am honored to hold membership in the National Association of Distinguished Counsel and the Million Dollar Advocates. Membership in the first organization is only for attorneys who exhibit high standards of legal excellence in their practice. Membership in the other group is reserved for trial attorneys who have obtained a $1 million verdict or settlement for a client.
For a selection of the past cases we have handled, go to our Verdicts and Settlements page.
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