A 31-year-old Petaluma man was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI following a rear-end collision causing injuries on Payran Street in Petaluma on Sunday evening, January 26, 2025.
The crash was reported around 5:45 p.m. in the 100 block of Payran Street. According to Petaluma police, a vehicle rear-ended another car, leaving two occupants of the second car with minor injuries.
The driver of the vehicle that caused the collision showed signs of intoxication, and further investigation determined he was allegedly driving under the influence. He was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI and booked at Sonoma County Jail.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident.
Call Our Top-Rated DUI Accident Victim Lawyers In Petaluma, CA
Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs is a serious offense that remains prevalent throughout California. This reckless driving behavior often causes traffic accidents, endangering the lives of many. If you get injured in a crash involving an impaired driver, reach out to our injury law firm right away. We will guide you through the legal process of seeking compensation for your damages and losses.
Your case will be evaluated for free by our renowned drunk driving accident victim lawyers, who are led by the esteemed Arash Khorsandi, Esq. Once you hire us, we will work to maximize your financial recovery and advocate for your rights and interests. Our team has proven its ability to handle even the most difficult cases, recovering over $500 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients thus far.
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What To Do After Being A Victim of A DUI Accident
Following a DUI collision, you must take the crucial steps listed below immediately to protect your rights and improve your chances of receiving compensation, provided you are still able to do so. Our DUI accident victim attorneys strongly recommend that you do the following:
- Stay On The Scene — If possible, move your car to the side of the road to avoid further collisions. Also, do not leave the scene. Everyone involved in a car accident must stay, regardless of who is at fault. Otherwise, you may face hit-and-run charges.
- Seek Prompt Medical Help — Call 911 if you or anyone else is injured. Immediate on-site medical attention will help prevent complications. Additionally, you will be able to document the physical injury you sustained, which can help prevent insurers from downplaying your claim.
- Call The Authorities — Officers may put the involved parties in field sobriety tests. They will also prepare an accident report that can support your claim in the future.
- Gather Evidence — Take photos and videos of the damaged vehicles, the accident scene, and your injuries. Take note of crucial information, including the other parties’ names, addresses, phone numbers, and insurance details. You can also ask for witnesses’ contact details.
- Notify Your Insurance Company — Provide only the basic information that is needed. They can use everything you say against your claim, so be careful what you say.
- Contact Arash Law — Our DUI accident lawyers can help you recover damages from the intoxicated motorist who caused you harm. We will negotiate aggressively with insurance companies to ensure you get the maximum settlement possible.
DUI Accident Statistics
According to the NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, in 2020, there were 11,654 fatalities resulting from motor vehicle traffic crashes involving at least one alcohol-impaired driver, accounting for 30% of all traffic fatalities in the United States that year. This marked a 14.3 percent increase in fatalities due to alcohol-impaired driving, rising from 10,196 in 2019 to 11,654 in 2020.
On average, one fatality related to alcohol-impaired driving occurred every 45 minutes. The age groups of 21 to 24 years and 25 to 34 years had the highest percentages of alcohol-impaired drivers involved in fatal crashes, with each group representing 26 percent of such incidents in 2020.
The highest percentage of alcohol-impaired drivers in fatal crashes was among motorcycle riders at 27%, followed by drivers of passenger cars at 23%, light trucks at 19%, and large trucks at 3%. Among the 1,093 traffic fatalities in 2020 involving children aged 14 and younger, 21 percent (229 fatalities) occurred in crashes involving alcohol-impaired driving.