[05-13-2024] San Bernardino County, CA – Three People Injured, Including Pregnant Woman, After Two Consecutive DUI Crashes in Yucca Valley

Three people were injured, including a pregnant woman, after two consecutive DUI crashes in Yucca Valley on Monday afternoon, May 13, 2024.

According to the authorities, the first collision happened just before 4:00 p.m. at the Twentynine Palms Highway and Sage Avenue intersection.

Authorities said that 34-year-old Wayne M. was driving west on Twentynine Palms Highway in his black 2003 Saturn Vue with a female passenger when he failed to stop at the intersection at Sage Avenue, resulting in a collision with a stopped car.

He then tried to flee the scene by speeding recklessly toward the Aster Avenue and Onaga Trail intersection. Wayne M. struck another car after failing to stop yet again. According to reports, the driver of the second vehicle he hit was in her late pregnancy.

The impact of the second crash caused Wayne M.’s vehicle to roll over several times before coming to a rest in a nearby household’s yard.

There is no word yet about the driver or occupants of the first vehicle that was hit. The pregnant woman was reportedly taken to a local hospital, with her current condition currently unknown. Meanwhile, the female passenger inside Wayne M.’s car suffered traumatic injuries and was transported to Desert Regional Medical Center for treatment.

Authorities believe that Wayne M. was driving under the influence of drugs at the time of the consecutive crashes, as they found him in possession of fentanyl. He was released from the hospital after sustaining unknown injuries and was promptly arrested for several charges, including DUI causing injury and unlawful possession of drugs.

Wayne M.’s bail amount is set to $260,000, and he is currently being held at Morongo Basin Station.

The investigation into both vehicular accidents is still ongoing. Anyone with information about either collision is asked to contact the Morongo Basin Sheriff’s Station at 760-366-4175.

Talk To Our Respected DUI Accident Victim Lawyers In Yucca Valley, San Bernardino County

Feelings such as fear, wrath, or suspicion following a DUI accident are normal. The negligent party is responsible for paying the damages sustained by the victim, including medical bills, missed wages, and other financial expenses. Getting compensated for a DUI accident can be a challenge, but our San Bernardino County injury law firm can help.

Get legal advice from our experts in DUI accidents, under the direction of Arash Khorsandi, Esq., who can help you assess your case. Additionally, they can assist you if obtaining further information or a police report proves challenging.

Our respected San Bernardino County DUI accident victim lawyers will do everything possible to advocate for your claim and safeguard your rights. Being one of the largest law firms specializing in personal injury cases in California, Arash Law has successfully obtained over $500 million in compensation for clients.

To arrange a free initial consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys, please dial (888) 488-1391 or fill out our “Do I Have a Case?” form.

Ways To Protect Yourself After Being A Victim of A San Bernardino County DUI Accident

Insurance providers support the majority of claims related to accidents caused by drunk driving. One of the critical things you should be aware of is that the insurance provider isn’t always impartial. Please keep in mind that their top priority is to safeguard their financial interests; they are focused on their earnings and not on providing complete and equitable compensation to you and your family.

Insurance firms invest significant money in training personnel to defend company interests. Following a major DUI collision, you can receive a phone call or inquiry from the insurance company of the driver at fault. Exercise caution while considering this kind of request. Regardless of their pleasant manner, an insurance adjuster is not on your side. They are not concerned about your best interests, and you cannot depend on them for guidance.

Our San Bernardino County DUI accident victim attorneys have gathered the top seven suggestions for handling the insurance company following an injury in a drunk-driving crash.

1. Remain Composed and Contact The Authorities. Make it a priority to get prompt medical care and reach out to the appropriate authorities to handle any injuries you may have suffered.
2. Gather Information. Capture images of your injuries and any indications of negligence, and create thorough records of the incident. Make sure to get information from any witnesses who were there during the accident.
3. Never Admit or Accept the Blame. In DUI incidents, insurance companies frequently assign some blame to the injured victim. If they can do that, it will enable them to decrease their liability. This implies that funds are being deducted directly from their finances. Never acknowledge or take responsibility for any of the mistakes in a DUI accident. An intoxicated driver should be responsible for their wrongdoing. Furthermore, victims are advised against openly discussing the issue of fault with an insurance adjuster. This is one of the common mistakes people tend to make following any vehicular accident.
4. Avoid Making a Statement. You are not required to provide a documented statement to the insurance company right away following an accident. You may receive numerous phone calls from an insurance adjuster requesting a statement. The reason for this is straightforward: they want to gather information that might be used against you during the claims procedure. Remain silent. Your words might be manipulated or misunderstood. Arrange for communication between you and the insurance company to be conducted via your attorney.
5. Avoid Early Settlement Negotiations. Regarding DUI accident lawsuits, insurers frequently find it challenging to dodge liability completely. Therefore, they change their strategies. When responsibility is evident, insurance companies restrict the amount of compensation given to an injured person. One typical strategy is to propose a fast, underestimated payment to the victim of the DUI accident. Don’t accept a settlement that is less than what you deserve. Allow your DUI accident victim attorney to handle negotiations for a settlement.
6. Do Not Sign Any Documents Without An Attorney By Your Side. It is advisable to seek legal advice before signing any documents from an insurance company. Frequently, insurance companies will request that wounded individuals sign a complete release of their medical records. Ignore their assertion that a paper is ‘standard procedure.’ They are seeking information to utilize to decrease your compensation. You might not have to provide them with complete access to your records. Your attorney will ensure that your rights are protected.
7. Work With Experienced DUI Accident Victim Lawyers. There is no need to confront a large insurance company by yourself. A significant amount is at stake in most DUI accident injury claims. Insurance businesses will allocate money to discover methods to decrease your settlement. To promptly protect your rights, it is advisable to cooperate only with the insurance company after engaging with skilled DUI accident victim lawyers in California. You are entitled to legal representation. Utilize it.

I HAD AN ACCIDENT

DUI Accidents Statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drunk driving accidents in the US result in the deaths of 32 individuals every day, which is equivalent to one death every 45 minutes. In 2020, intoxicated drivers were responsible for 11,654 fatalities in traffic accidents, marking a 14% rise compared to the previous year.

From 2016 to 2017, there was a 5.8% increase in fatal road accidents connected to intoxication. Driving under the influence of alcohol puts everyone on the road at significant risk. Each year, intoxicated drivers consume almost 2 billion gallons of fuel unnecessarily.

In California, 949 individuals lost their lives in 2019 as a result of driving under the influence. This is 2.4 out of every 100,000 people, while the national rate is 3.1 out of every 100,000. San Bernardino County reported 1,748 alcohol-related and 101 drug-related deaths and injuries in 2023, based on data from the Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS).