A suspected drunk driver was arrested after causing a car accident in Anaheim that injured another driver. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the incident occurred the morning of March 10, 2010, when the driver of a Toyota pickup truck hit a parked Toyota Camry as he attempted a U-turn in the 900 block of Gilbert Street. Lori Pelzl, an apartment manager in the area, witnessed the collision and tried to stop the driver, but he drove away.

The man continued a short distance on Orange Avenue, before striking a Ford Focus and injuring its driver. The injured victim was taken to a hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries. The driver of the pickup was arrested on suspicion of hit-and-run, with other charges likely, officials said. The apartment manager who tried to stop the driver told police that he appeared to be intoxicated.

I sympathize with the injured driver for what he and his family are going through at this time. A car accident involving serious injuries can turn your life upside down. I hope this driver did not sustain any catastrophic injuries and wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 21 fatalities and 2,018 injuries as a result of car accidents in Anaheim. In Orange County as a whole, car accidents claimed 152 lives and injured 13,414 during the same year.

Laws and Liability Issues

Leaving the scene of an accident or hit-and-run is a serious crime under California law as is driving under the influence. If officials determine that the driver of the pickup truck was under the influence at the time, he could be looking at felony DUI charges. It is illegal in California, to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher.

Victims in such cases would be well-advised to consult an experienced Anaheim personal injury lawyer, who has a stellar track record of holding negligent drivers accountable for their actions. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also advise victims about how their own car insurance policy applies to a hit-and-run collision or an accident where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.

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.

Bookmark and Share