[03-13-2024] Orange County, CA – 15-Year-Old Student Hospitalized, Two Others Injured Following DUI Vehicle Collision in Laguna Hills

A 15-year-old student was hospitalized, and two others were injured following a DUI vehicle collision in Laguna Hills on Wednesday evening, March 13, 2024.

According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the collision happened around 6:00 p.m. at Paseo De Valencia and Los Alisos.

Authorities stated that one of the victims, identified as Alexya G., a 15-year-old student from Laguna Hills High School, was in critical condition and has been in the ICU since the collision.

The 39-year-old driver, identified as William M., was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, possession of a firearm by a felon, and driving the wrong way causing injuries. He is also facing sentencing enhancements for inflicting severe bodily injury on the victims.

No further information was released. The investigation is ongoing.

Respected DUI Accident Victim Attorneys in Orange County

After a DUI accident, feeling out-of-control emotions like fear, anger, or distrust is normal. The negligent party is liable for paying the victim’s medical bills, lost wages, and other financial expenses.

Obtain legal advice from our DUI accident victim lawyers, led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., who can help you assess your case.

Our respected Orange County DUI accident victim attorneys at Arash Law will stop at nothing to fight for your claim and protect your rights. As one of the biggest injury law firms in California, we have recovered more than $500 Million for clients.

To schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers, call (888) 488-1391 or complete our “Do I Have a Case?” form.

Ways to Protect Yourself After Being a Victim of a DUI in Orange County

Large insurance companies defend most drunk driving accident claims. One of the most important things you need to know is that the insurance company is never on your side. Please remember: the top concern of an insurance company is to protect its financial interests — they are thinking about their profits and not about offering full and fair compensation to you and your family.

Insurance companies put enormous resources into training representatives to protect company interests. After a significant DUI accident, you may receive a phone call or inquiry from the responsible driver’s insurance company. Be very wary of accepting this type of request. No matter how friendly they sound, an insurance adjuster is against you. They are not looking out for your best interests, and you cannot rely on them for advice.

Below, our Orange County DUI accident victim lawyers have compiled a list of tips for dealing with the insurance company after being injured in a drunk driving collision.

1. Stay Calm and Call the Authorities. Prioritize getting immediate medical attention and contacting the authorities to address any injuries you may have sustained.
2. Document and Gather Information: Take photographs of your injuries and any signs of negligence, and make detailed notes of what happened. Remember to collect information from any witnesses present during the crash.
3. Never Admit or Accept the Blame. It is shocking to some people, but even in DUI accidents, insurance companies often push some blame onto the injured victim. If they can do so, it will allow them to reduce their liability. This means money is coming directly out of their pocket. Never admit or accept any of the faults for a DUI accident. A drunk driver should be held accountable for their misconduct. Victims should not discuss the issue of fault directly with an insurance adjuster.
4. Do Not Make a Statement. You have no obligation to give a recorded statement to the insurance company immediately after an accident. You will likely get many calls from an insurance adjuster asking for a statement. Why does the company want one so badly? The answer is simple: they want to find information to use against you in the claims process. Keep quiet. Your words can be twisted or misinterpreted. Make the insurance company talk to you through your lawyer.
5. Avoid Early Settlement Negotiations. With DUI accident cases, insurers often struggle to avoid liability altogether. As such, they alter their tactics. In cases where liability is clear and obvious, insurers limit the value of an injured victim’s settlement. One common tactic is to offer a quick, lowball settlement to the DUI accident victim. Do not settle your claim for less than you are owed. Let your DUI accident attorney handle settlement talks.
6. Do Not Sign Any Documents. You should not sign anything from an insurance company without consulting an attorney. Often, insurers will ask injured victims to sign a full release of their medical records. Do not listen to their claim that a document is ‘standard procedure.’ They are looking for information to use to reduce your compensation. You may not be obligated to give them full access to your records. Your lawyer will make sure that your rights are protected.
7. Work Through Your DUI Accident Lawyer. There is no reason to go up against a big insurance company alone. There is a lot on the line in most DUI accident injury claims. Insurance companies will pour resources into finding ways to reduce your settlement. The best thing you can do to protect your rights and interests is to work exclusively with the insurance company through our experienced California DUI accident victim lawyers. You have the right to legal representation. Use it.

I HAD AN ACCIDENT

Fatal DUI Accident Statistics

In the US, drunk driving accidents cause the deaths of 32 people daily, or one every 45 minutes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In 2020, drunk drivers caused 11,654 traffic deaths, an increase of 14% from the previous year.

Between 2016 and 2017, there were 5.8% more fatal alcohol-related traffic accidents. Intoxicated drivers put everyone on the road at risk. Every year, drunk drivers waste approximately 2 billion gallons of fuel.

In California, 949 people died in 2019 due to drunk driving. This is 2.4 per 100,000 people, while the national rate is 3.1 per 100,000.