Derek Short, 23, was seriously injured in a Riverside car accident after he was struck by a suspected drunk driver on a Palm Springs street while he was pushing a disabled SUV the afternoon of November 28, 2009. According to a news report in The Press Enterprise, Short had been a passenger in an SUV that was being driven by 23-year-old Ernesto Paz. Short got off the car and was attempting to push the disabled vehicle along North Sunrise Way at Via Escuela, when Seth Arsenault, 52, rear-ended the Toyota SUV and slammed into Short. Short sustained major injuries in this accident and was transported to an area hospital. Arsenault was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving.
My heart goes out to young Derek Short who has been severely injured in this crash caused by a suspected drunk driver. There is no word on whether Ernesto Paz was injured in this crash. I hope and pray that Short did not sustain catastrophic injuries here and that he makes a quick and complete recovery from his serious injuries. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.
Riverside Alcohol-Related Car Accidents
Five people died and 66 were injured in DUI car accidents in Palm Springs, according to the California Highway Patrol's 2007 traffic accident statistics. In Riverside County as a whole, 129 deaths and 1,279 injuries were reported as a result of alcohol-related car accidents.
In this particular case, Arsenault is being investigated for drunk driving. If he is found guilty of driving under the influence, this driver should be held criminally and civilly liable for causing this tragic accident and major injuries to Short. Driving under the influence is a serious crime under California Vehicle Code Section 23152. As in most other states, it is illegal in California to drive with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher. It is also against the law to drive under the influence of drugs -- recreational or prescription.
An Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
In such cases, victims and their families would be well-advised to retain the services of an experienced California personal injury attorney, who will keep up with the official investigation and make sure that the negligent parties are held accountable for their actions. Victims injured by drunk drivers could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, physical therapy and other related costs.
A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to tell the victim how his car insurance policy will apply to a case where an at-fault motorist is uninsured or underinsured. The best California personal injury law firms will always offer a free and confidential consultation to injured car accident victims and their families.
The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.
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