DUI Traffic Collisions in West Covina CA

Dui traffic collisions in West Covina CA continue to be a problem. Based upon the statistics provided by the California Highway Patrol and the California Department of Transportation, car accidents, bicycle crashes, pedestrian mishaps and related incidents involving the consumption of alcoholic beverages in the most recent year for which data is available (2013) were as follows:

Thirty six traffic collisions in which alcohol or drug consumption was involved.
Twenty three of these collisions involved bodily injury.
Two of these incidents involved fatalities.
Thirty six drivers, passengers, cyclists or pedestrians involved in these incidents either complained of physical injury or had visible bodily harm sustained.

The lesson here is that West Covina (as a sample of a typical municipality in the San Gabriel Valley) continues to have DUI-related traffic incidents that cause injury and death

California law prohibits operating any “vehicle” under the influence of any alcohol or drugs under California Penal Code 23152(a) and prohibits operating a “vehicle” with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher under California Penal Code 23152(b). “Vehicles” include cars, trucks, commercial vehicles like big rigs and box trucks, motorcycles and even bicycles. If a driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs is involved in a traffic collision and damages property, injures or kills someone, this triggers “enhancements” that can include serious felony charges up to and including manslaughter or murder. In addition, civil liability for personal injury is presumed where a statute is violated that is meant to protect victims from injury or death like the DUI penal statutes cited above.

Importance of Hiring a Quality Personal Injury Law Firm With Attorneys Who Are Familiar with DUI Accident Claims Involving Injuries and Fatalities in the San Gabriel Valley including West Covina

If you or a family member are involved in a motor vehicle accident where a vehicle operator was determined or even suspected of driving drunk or high and someone was injured or killed, it is important to immediately seek out the legal counsel of a law firm familiar with these types of claims. Evidence such as blood alcohol or drug screening data needs to be obtained and preserved through proper legal procedures so that the perpetrator is held responsible for full payment of all medical expenses (present and future) in addition to the physical pain and emotional distress that this type of incident can trigger. Steven M. Sweat, APC has been voted in the top five percent of personal injury lawyers in the State of California and has successfully obtained monetary compensation for victims of DUI in West Covina, Glendora, San Dimas, Baldwin Park, Montebello and throughout the San Gabriel Valley. Call us today for a free consultation and for a friendly ear to help make a bad situation better! (626) 296-3555.