DUI collision

Nine bicyclists were injured, six seriously, in a Los Angeles car accident, which officials say, was caused by a drunk driver. According to a CBS News report, the injury bicycle accident occurred in the early morning hours of June 16, 2011 near the intersection of West Jefferson Place and Rodeo Road.

Witnesses say a 27-year-old woman was driving a Honda Civic at about 60 mph when she jumped a curb and plowed into a group of about 100 bicyclists. The group of bicyclists called the Korea Town Riders was participating in a late night ride that began in the Westlake district. The woman was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Officials are still looking at blood alcohol test reports to determine the level of intoxication.

My heart goes out to all those who were injured in this horrific DUI collision. I hope none of the injuries were life-threatening. Please keep these injured victims in your thoughts and prayers.

Bicycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but 24 injuries reported as a result of bicycle accidents in Culver City. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 33 people died and 3,315 were injured as a result of bicycle accidents in 2008. Also, countywide, 258 deaths and 4,832 injuries were reported as a result of DUI collisions during the same year.

Violation of Laws

Based on this news report, not only was the driver of the Honda Civic speeding and under the influence, but she accelerated into this group of bicyclists. Driving under the influence is a serious offense 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.”
Also, California Vehicle Code Section 22350 (Basic Speed Law) states: “No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic and on surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.”

Holding Drunk Drivers Accountable

This driver should not only be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, but should also be held civilly liable for the serious injuries and damages caused here. How many of these bicyclists will be able to pursue their passion again? How long will it take them to get back on the road or even back to their jobs and living a normal life? This incident is an example of how one person’s reckless actions and irresponsible choices can have a lasting and tragic impact on the lives of others.

Injured victims in such cases would be well-advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who has a successful track record of financially pursuing drunk drivers and holding them accountable. Victims can seek compensation for damages including all medical expenses, loss of earnings, hospitalization, rehabilitation, physical therapy and pain and suffering. For more information about the dangers of driving under the influence, please visit the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) web site at www.madd.org.

Seriously injured in a Los Angeles bicycle 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 bicycle accident in Los Angeles. Call 800-561-4887. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.

Call a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer at BISNAR | CHASE 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.

Six students from Central High School were injured in a Fresno car accident when their school bus was rear-ended. According to a news report in The Fresno Bee, the injury bus accident occurred at Belmont and Brawley avenues near Fresno the morning of April 7, 2011. Police say that the female driver who crashed her vehicle into the back of the school bus may have been under the influence of narcotics. The six high school students suffered minor injuries. The driver of the car was hospitalized for her injuries as well. She is under investigation for driving under the influence.

My thoughts and prayers are with the injured victims of this Fresno bus accident. I wish them all a complete and speedy recovery from their injuries.

Fresno Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 81 people were killed and 1,362 were injured as a result of car accidents in the unincorporated areas of Fresno County. During the same year, there were 127 fatalities and 3,323 injuries reported as a result of Fresno County car accidents. Read the rest »

A Long Beach Fire Captain has been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and hit-and-run in connection with a major injury Orange County car accident last week. According to a news report in The Long Beach Press-Telegram the injury bicycle accident occurred the afternoon of April 1, 2011, when 38-year-old John Hines struck a bicyclist on a Seal Beach roadway and then left the scene.

DUI and Hit-and-Run

Witnesses told police that the bicyclist was traveling east on Westminster Avenue in the bike lane when a Chevy pickup truck swerved into the bike lane and hit the cyclist. Witnesses also said the pickup truck was traveling at about 60 mph. The impact of the collision threw the bicyclist on to the dirt shoulder of the roadway. He was transported to a local hospital with severe head injuries. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene. Witnesses followed the vehicle and driver to a home in Huntington Beach where the driver, Hines, was later arrested on suspicion of DUI and hit-and-run. An investigation is ongoing. Read the rest »

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. Read the rest »

A 21-year-old female rapper has been killed in a Los Angeles car accident, which police say, was caused by a suspected drunk driver. According to a report in The Pasadena Star-News, the fatal DUI collision occurred in Alhambra on the westbound 10 Freeway near Fremont Avenue early morning on December 16, 2010.

Jacob Garcia, 47, lost control of his Mercedes Benz sedan and crashed into a sound wall and some construction equipment along the shoulder. The woman, only identified as a musician, was killed in the car accident and five others suffered non-life threatening injuries. A worker who was sitting on a backhoe parked on the freeway shoulder sustained minor injuries as well. Garcia has been booked on suspicion of DUI and gross vehicle manslaughter.

My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the young performer killed in this tragic Los Angeles car accident. My thoughts and prayers are also with the injured victims of this DUI collision. Read the rest »

A 71-year-old woman was struck and killed in a Long Beach car accident, which police say, was caused by a female driver under the influence of alcohol. According to a news report in The Press Telegram, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred on Anaheim St. near Elm Ave. in Long Beach the night of November 14, 2010. The elderly woman was waiting at a bus stop when a 2003 silver Jaguar drove onto the sidewalk and struck her. She was transported to a local hospital where she died from her injuries. Danita Rector, 41, the driver, has been booked on suspicion of felony drunk driving and vehicle manslaughter with gross negligence. Read the rest »