A DUI collision in the Sierra City area seriously injured three members of a local family, identified by officials as Heather Laboie, 42, Donna Howard, 66, and Laboie's 6-year-old daughter. The Sierra Sun reports that the injury collision occurred on Highway 89 on July 21, 2010, when a suspected drunk driver crashed his pickup truck into the victims' 2002 Acura. The three victims were taken to area medical centers as was 34-year-old Matthew Dubois, the driver of the other vehicle, who was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI.

I sympathize with the Laboie family for what they are going through at this time. I hope they did not sustain catastrophic injuries and pray that they recover fully and quickly. Please keep these injured victims in your thoughts and prayers.

Car Accidents

There were 17 fatalities and 627 injuries reported in the unincorporated areas of Placer County, according to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). Also, countywide, during the same year, 22 people died and 1,418 were injured as a result of car accidents.

Laws and Liability Issues
It is illegal under California law to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher. California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a) states: "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."
Drunk drivers who are found guilty of those charges can be held criminally and civilly liable for their actions. If Dubois is determined to have been under the influence, then he could not only face criminal charges, but also be held financially responsible for the serious injuries caused to the victims. It would be in the best interest of injured victims to seek the help and guidance of a knowledgeable California personal injury lawyer, who will advise them about their legal rights and options. For more information about the dangers of drunk driving, please visit MADD web site at www.madd.org.

What can California legislators do to curb the problem of drunk driving on our roadways?

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.

Two teenage girls were injured in an Orange County car accident after the car they were in crashed on the 55 Freeway in Tustin. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the major injury collision occurred early morning on July 20, 2010 on the 17th Street on-ramp to the southbound 55 Freeway. California Highway Patrol officials say the girls were in a 2005 Nissan Altima. The driver of that vehicle, a minor, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. An investigation is ongoing.

It appears, based on this report, that these two teen girls sustained major, possibly, catastrophic injuries. This incident is yet another reminder for all of us, particularly young people, that it is never a good idea to get in a car with a driver who is possibly under the influence. I pray for the quick and complete recovery of these two seriously injured victims.

DUI Statistics

According to CHP's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were two fatalities and 49 injuries involving DUI collisions in Tustin. In Orange County as a whole, 62 people died and 1,492 were injured as a result of alcohol-related car accidents during the same year.

Drunk Driving Law
Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is a serious crime under California law. 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." Consumption of alcohol is illegal for those under the age of 21. When an underage driver operates under the influence of alcohol, the legal consequences can be severe.
Claim for Compensation
In such cases, injured victims can seek compensation from the at-fault driver's insurance company. Injured victims can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of earnings, cost of hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation and even long-term care in cases where catastrophic injuries are involved. An experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer will be able to advise victims and their families about their legal rights and options. A skilled car accident lawyer will also be able to inform victims about how their own auto insurance policy applies to an incident where the at-fault motorist is uninsured or underinsured.

In your opinion, what are some effective ways to prevent underage drinking and driving?

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.

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.

A DUI collision in Santa Paula left 31-year-old Esther Bautista injured the afternoon of June 15, 2010. The Santa Paula Times reports that the collision occurred on Highway 126. Driver Efren Carbajal, 47, slammed into the back of Bautista's 1995 Mercury Villager minivan. The impact from the crash caused the minivan to veer off the road and overturn. Bautista was injured and taken to a local hospital, but her two children, who were in the minivan, were unharmed. Police booked Carbajal on suspicion of felony drunk driving.

My heart goes out to Bautista and her family. I'm relieved that her two young children were not injured. I wish Bautista the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Car Accident Statistics

There were two fatalities and 76 injuries involving car accidents in 2008, according to California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In Ventura County, 63 people died and 3,785 were injured as a result of car accidents in 2008.

DUI Laws in California and Compensation Issues

It is illegal in California to driver with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher. 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." If Carbajal is determined to have been under the influence at the time, he could be held criminally and civilly liable for the injuries and damages caused in this accident.

In such cases, injured victims would be well-advised to contact an experienced Ventura personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of the car accident and ensure that the negligent parties are held accountable for their actions. In cases where the impaired driver has no insurance coverage, the injured victim may be able to secure compensation through the uninsured motorist clause in his or her insurance.

Should California require Ignition Interlock Devices (IIDs) for first-time DUI offenders? For more information about the dangers of drunk driving, please visit www.madd.org.

Dustin Hammons, 23, of Oregon, is being hailed as a hero for rescuing an elderly woman from the passenger seat of a burning vehicle after a car accident. According to a news report in The Daily Triplicate, a motor home crashed down an embankment on U.S. Highway 199 near Siskiyou Fork Road. The motor home occupied by an elderly couple had veered off the roadway, rolled down the embankment and struck a tree. The male driver, 78, was killed in the crash, but the woman, 77-year-old Pauline Taylor was still alive.

A Tough Rescue

Hammons was apparently on his way to visit Del Norte County's redwoods with his girlfriend when he noticed smoke coming out of a ditch. When he saw the crashed motor home, he heard the woman screaming from inside the vehicle. He borrowed a fire extinguisher from a truck driver who had stopped on the roadway.

When that didn't help extinguish the flames, Hammons broke through the back of the motor home and crawled inside. But the clutter from the crash prevented him from getting to the trapped victim. Then Hammons went over to the front window and saw Taylor whose hair and clothes were on fire. Hammons pulled Taylor out through the broken windshield as he used his bare hands to put out the flames. Taylor was transported to a hospital with third-degree burns and in serious condition.

Fatal Crash Also Caused Serious Injuries

My heart goes out to the elderly couple especially Pauline Taylor who has apparently sustained catastrophic injuries and has also lost her husband in the crash. The man of the moment, however, was Hammons, who showed remarkable courage, calm and presence of mind as he conducted the rescue as if he were trained to do it. The news report states California Highway Patrol officials plan on giving Hammons an award of commendation. I'm glad to hear that his heroism is being recognized.

Accident Causes and Liability Issues

In this particular case, an investigation is still ongoing as to how this crash occurred in the first place. Was there a vehicle defect in the motor home, which may have caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle? Did the driver suffer a medical condition? Were there other vehicles involved? Was the motor home run off the roadway by another vehicle? I trust officials are examining these and other issues in order to determine exactly what happened here.

If this crash was caused by a vehicle defect, then Taylor will have a claim against the manufacturer of the motor home for her husband's wrongful death as well as for the serious personal injuries she has suffered. In such cases, injured victims can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, hospitalization, surgery, treatment and long-term care costs.

Have you witnessed such heroic acts in your community? We would love to hear your stories.

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