Ukiah Drunk Driving Incidents
I’m Ed Smith, a Ukiah personal injury lawyer. The Ukiah Daily Journal reported as part of their regular police and fire log that officers have arrested 3 people in the Ukiah area on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs in the first part of May 2017.
The Arrests
The first arrest was a 32-year-old resident of nearby city Point Arena. The man was arrested by the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, and was afterward booked at the county jail.
The second arrest happened the following day, Wednesday, May 3, 2017. A 35-year-old man was arrested by the Coyote Valley Reservation Police Department. Officers suspected that the man had been operating his vehicle under the influence of drugs.
The third arrest also happened on Wednesday. Officers of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) apprehended and arrested a 29-year-old man from the nearby city of Hopland on suspicion of driving his vehicle under the influence of alcohol.
Drunk Driving Statistics
The most recent statistics from the California Department of Motor Vehicles show that, in 2013, only .65 percent of those arrested in traffic situations were arrested on charges of driving under the influence. However, the DMV has also reported that in the same year, driving under the influence was a factor in 1197 traffic-related deaths, accounting for 38.6 percent of all traffic-related deaths in the state of California. Furthermore, this rate had risen over the previous ten years, with DUI incidents accounting for 34 percent of traffic-related deaths in 2003.
Ukiah Drunk Driving Incidents and Personal Liability
Those who operate their vehicles while impaired by the use of alcohol and/or drugs run the risk of harming themselves as well as innocent passengers, drivers, and pedestrians. Because of this, anyone who causes a collision while they are under the influence of any intoxicant is considered to be negligent and liable to pay injured parties for damages by law.
Others Who Provided the Liquor may be Liable
However, driving while intoxicated is not the only way that someone can be considered liable or negligent in the event of an auto accident. Parties who contributed to the accident by providing the intoxicated driver with liquor or drugs might also be considered negligent and liable. For example, many states impose liability laws on clubs, bars, hotels, and restaurants which supply their alcohol improperly. In these cases, places that supply alcohol are legally expected to be diligent and exercise due caution in order not to serve alcohol to people who are already obviously dangerously intoxicated.
Avoiding DUI
DUI accidents are often tragic and can usually be avoided. Drivers should remember to be conscious about how much alcohol they consume and never make an assumption that they are “only buzzed.” If you plan on drinking more than the legal limit, is important to plan ahead and have either a designated sober driver or an alternative means of getting home such as a taxi.
Ukiah Drunk Driving Injury Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a Ukiah personal injury lawyer. With the Memorial Day weekend upon us, there may be an increased number of impaired drivers on our roadways. If you, or someone you love is injured in an accident with a drunk or otherwise impaired driver, please call me at (707) 564-1900, for free, friendly advice. I can also be contacted toll-free at (800) 404-5400.
For over 35 years, I, along with my team of excellent legal professionals, have been helping residents of Ukiah and nearby areas to recover the compensation they are rightly owed in cases that involve wrongful death and personal injury.
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Image Attribution: By ODT – Busted! via Wikimedia Commons
Source of Ukiah Drunk Driving Incidents – Mendocino Sheriff’s Office
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