Three teenagers were injured in a Sacramento car accident after their driver, a 17-year old boy, lost control of a Ford Explorer SUV and crashed. According to a KCRA news report, the injury crash occurred the night of July 7, 2010 on Heritage Place in Folsom. The injured teens were ejected from the crushed SUV. Authorities say the tire marks on the roadway suggest that the Ford SUV went over the center divide of the roadway, jumped a sidewalk and entered a sloped home site. Officials found a bottle of alcohol, marijuana and other drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. The driver has been held on suspicion of driving under the influence.

I hope the teens were not seriously injured in this crash. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. They will be in my thoughts and prayers. This is yet another strong reminder for young people to think before they get in a car with a possibly intoxicated driver.

DUI Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but 34 injuries involving DUI collisions in Folsom. In Sacramento County as a whole, 39 people died and 856 were injured as a result of alcohol-related crashes during the same year.

Drunk Driving Law

Based on this news report, it appears that the teen driver of the vehicle may have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs. For anyone over the age of 21, it is illegal to drive a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. According to California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a): "It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle." In the case of underage drivers, drinking alcohol in itself is illegal. Drinking and driving could pose serious legal consequences for the driver.

Claim for Compensation

In this case, the young people who were injured could seek compensation from the driver for medical expenses, cost of hospitalization and other related damages. Victims in such cases would be well-advised to contact a Sacramento personal injury lawyer, who has experience and a successful track record of holding drunk drivers accountable. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also advise victims about how their own car insurance policy applies to an incident involving an at-fault motorist who is uninsured or underinsured.

What are some ways by which parents can monitor their teenager's driving habits? We welcome tips and suggestions.

None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.