Two bicyclists were injured in a Los Angeles car accident, which officials say, involved an underage drunk driver. According to a news report in The Daily Breeze, the injury bicycle accident occurred on Camino de Encanto in Torrance the morning of April 3, 2011. A 19-year-old female driver, who is suspected to have been under the influence of alcohol at the time, crashed into a group of 10 to 12 bicyclists who were riding downhill. One bicyclist was listed in critical condition after suffering major injuries. Another bicyclist sustained broken bones. The teen driver was arrested on suspicion of felony driving the influence.
My thoughts and prayers are with the injured victims of this Los Angeles County DUI collision. I wish them all a complete and speedy recovery.
Bicycle Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), one person was killed and 47 were injured in Torrance bicycle accidents. During the same year, there were 33 fatalities and 3,315 injuries reported involving Los Angeles County bicycle accidents.
DUI Laws in California
Based on the news account, the 19-year-old driver responsible for this crash was under the influence of alcohol. Drivers 21 years of age and older may not drive a car with a blood-alcohol concentration of .08 percent or over under California Vehicle Code Section 23152. Drivers under the age of 21 face even harsher restrictions regarding alcohol. According to California Vehicle Code Section 23136: "It is unlawful for a person under the age of 21 years who has a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.01 percent or greater, as measured by a preliminary alcohol screening test or other chemical test, to drive a vehicle."
Liability Issues
In such cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, injured victims can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. Car accident victims would be well-advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who has a successful track record holding drunk drivers financially responsible. For more information about the dangers of underage drunk driving, please visit the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) web site at www.madd.org.
Seriously injured in a Los Angeles County car accident? Want to know if you have a case? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation for your injuries? Want justice? Want to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to someone else?
Call your best friends in the legal industry after a Torrance bicycle accident. Call 800-561-4887. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.
Call a BISNAR | CHASE Los Angeles personal injury lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your case by attorneys who have represented over 6,000 clients since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a friendly law firm in a comfortable environment.
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