California Personal Injury Attorneys

Claudia Gutierrez, 34, sustained major injuries in a Modesto car accident after the man who was driving the SUV they were in, lost control and crashed, The Merced Sun-Star reports. California Highway Patrol officials say the major injury crash occurred early morning on May 23, 2010. The driver of the vehicle, Willie Blacks Jr., 40, was driving a 2000 Ford Expedition in the southbound fast lane of Highway 99, near Golden State Boulevard, when the SUV drifted to the left of the roadway.

Blacks lost control, turned right and attempted to reenter the southbound lanes. The Ford SUV then veered across both southbound lanes onto the west shoulder, went off the roadway, crashed into a tree and rolled over. Gutierrez was transported to a Modesto hospital with major injuries. Blacks sustained minor injuries in the crash. He was booked on suspicion of felony DUI.

I hope Gutierrez has not suffered any catastrophic injuries in this accident. I wish her the very best for a quick and complete recovery. She will be in my prayers.

According to CHP's 2008 traffic accident statistics, there was one fatality and 111 injuries involving DUI collisions in Modesto. In Stanislaus County as a whole, 17 deaths and 291 injuries were reported as a result alcohol-related collisions during the same year.

Driving under the influence of alcohol 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." The same section also states that it is illegal for anyone to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher.

In cases involving negligence or wrongdoing, injured victims would be well-advised to consult with an experienced Modesto personal injury lawyer, who will stay on top of the official investigation and make sure that the negligent parties are held responsible. Remember that passengers have rights to compensation if the accident was caused by a negligent driver. Injured victims in such cases could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of earnings, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages.

Do you think the California should increase penalties for first-time DUI offenders?

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.