Teen pedestrians left with critical injuries after DUI Hit and Run in San Diego.

California – November 11, 2022

Rosecrans Street near Lytton Street was the scene of an injury accident involving two teenage boys and a 21-year-old hit-and-run driver who was arrested for suspicion of DUI according to San Diego Law Enforcement Personnel.  The driver was heading north on Rosecrans Street near Lytton Street when she made impact with the two young men.  Investigators reported that one of the pedestrians believed to be walking in the traffic lane suffered life-threatening injuries and the other who was on the side of the road or sidewalk suffered minor injuries.  Accident victims should speak with a California drunk driving accident lawyer to determine next actions to recover damage compensation for injury, lost wages, and any related medical bills.

Hit-and-run.

A hit and run driver that causes serious bodily injury to another may be charged with a misdemeanor, or a felony.  If individuals are convicted of a misdemeanor violation under CVC 20001(b)(2), they may face a hit and run punishment of:

• A minimum of 90 days and up to one year in jail,
• A fine between $1,000 and $10,000 dollars, or
• Both, imprisonment and a fine.

If individuals are convicted of a felony violation under CVC 20001(b)(2), they may face a hit and run punishment of:

• Two, three, or four years in prison
• A fine between $1,000 and $10,000, or
• Both, imprisonment and a fine. 

Damage compensation awards and serious injury.

Blunt trauma is a serious type of head injury that can occur in an automobile accident when a moving head strikes a stationary object like a windshield.  It is important for accident victims to receive proper diagnostic screening even when injuries seem minor because TBI, referred to as an invisible epidemic, may have caused more damage than is visible. Head injuries can have short- and long-term negative effects on accident victims and TBI-related disability can cause enormous financial burdens for victims and families.  If the personal injury litigation attorney is successful, a claim award will address the losses that include expenses for  medical treatment, future medical expenses, changes in live expenses, lost and future wages, and compensation for any future loss of companionship, comfort, and affection.

DUI criminal act impacts civil case.

Driving while intoxicated is a criminal act that comes with stringent penalties, and jail time in many cases.  The negligent party will face criminal charges from the State of California and civil legal action to compensate victims for property damage and physical injury caused by the accident.  Victims who have suffered loss caused by a reckless, drunk driver should talk to a San Diego accident lawyer to build a case for damage recovery.  Negligence may not be difficult to prove based on the criminal actions that caused the car accident and legal representation may yield a positive result for recoverable injury compensation.

Fault state. 

California is a “fault” state and victims can bring a claim against responsible parties before they file a claim against their own “no-fault” insurance.  Car accident victims, or their families may file insurance claims, initiate legal action, or file wrongful death claims when an injured party dies because of the accident named in formal claims within California’s set timeline of two years.

Hire a lawyer.

A skilled personal injury attorney can guide victim’s actions and work with multiple insurance companies and attorneys to achieve the best outcomes for their clients.  A DUI charge will weigh heavily on a negligence defense for a car accident resulting in physical injury to other individuals in San Diego. The Law Offices of Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates, and their experienced accident attorneys can assist with insurance claims and formal litigation efforts toward a comprehensive damage award.

Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates, a Professional Law Corporation

501 West Broadway, Suite 1650

San Diego, CA 92101

Phone: 619-233-8021

Fax: 619-233-3730

Sources:

1. Woman, 21, arrested on suspected DUI after crashing into 2 teens walking in Loma Portal – The San Diego Union-Tribune (sandiegouniontribune.com)
2. Law section (ca.gov)
3. Law section (ca.gov)
4. Report to Congress: Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States | Concussion | Traumatic Brain Injury | CDC Injury Center