[05-14-2023] Riverside County, CA – Male Pedestrian Critically Injured After Being Hit by Drunk Driver on Magnolia Avenue

A 34-year-old male pedestrian was seriously injured after being struck by a drunk driver in Riverside on Sunday night, May 14, 2023.

The Riverside Police Department reported that the DUI crash involving a pedestrian occurred around 10:00 p.m. near Skofstad Street and Magnolia Avenue.

The pedestrian was reportedly crossing the street when he was hit by a 1999 Mercedes Benz driven by a 34-year-old motorist from Corona, traveling west on Magnolia between La Sierra Avenue and Skofstad Street.

The responding paramedics brought both men to Riverside Community Hospital, where the pedestrian’s condition remained critical. The driver was medically cleared before getting arrested for suspicion of DUI.

No further details were released as the investigation continued.

DUI Accident Lawyers for Victims in Riverside

DUI accident victims and their families can rely on our law firm to maximize the financial compensation they deserve. Do not hesitate to contact our legal team if you or a loved one have been injured in a California drunk driving accident.

Insurance companies defend DUI accident claims by undervaluing the victim’s damages or putting some of the blame on them. Our California drunk driving accident victim lawyers can help you build a solid case with compelling evidence for a personal injury claim.

A criminal case resulting in a DUI conviction may not compensate you enough to pay for medical expenses or provide for your family. Professional representation from a DUI victim attorney can help ensure a successful claim in civil courts.

Our Riverside DUI accident victim lawyers at Arash Law, led by Arash Khorsandi Esq., can help you know the merit of your case, file a claim, and negotiate with insurance companies. Our years of experience have helped get victims $750 million in compensation.

Call (888) 488-1391 now or click the “Do I Have a Case?” on our website to set up a free consultation with one of our attorneys.

What to Do After a DUI Accident

Car accidents are unpreventable, but you can prepare for one. A car accident checklist in your glove box might help you know what to do and how to protect your rights. This list can also help the loved ones of those injured or killed in DUI accidents:

• Remain calm, stay in a safe location, and wait for the authorities. Check yourself for injuries before checking others. If possible, move disabled vehicles off the road and activate your emergency flashers to avoid further crashes.
• Call the police to ensure official documentation of the accident. Do not admit fault, avoid making assumptions, and stick only to the details of what happened when speaking with the authorities.
• Exchange information (names, phone numbers, insurance details, photos of the vehicles, license plates, etc.) with the other parties involved. Create a file organizing all accident-related documents, including police reports and medical bills.
• Go to a hospital or your primary care doctor immediately to get medical attention and detect internal injuries that have not yet manifested externally. Report to your insurance company right away.
• Insurance companies prioritize their profits and will do everything to limit the compensation you and your family rightfully deserve. The list below can help you deal with the opposing insurance adjuster and ensure total and fair compensation.
• Do not admit or accept the blame because it will reduce the insurer’s liability. A drunk driver should be held totally responsible for DUI accidents.
• Do not make any recorded statement if you get calls from an insurance adjuster. Only reveal information that is required and make them talk to your attorney.
• Do not settle for less. Insurance companies may offer a quick, lowball settlement that limits the value of your claim. Have your lawyer handle any settlement talks.
• Do not sign any documents, such as a full release of your medical records, even if they claim it’s standard procedure. You don’t have to give all your records to them.
• Work with a trusted California DUI accident lawyer who will seek your best interests and protect your rights. Call us at (888) 488-1391 for a free, no-obligation consultation.

DUI Accident Statistics

In 2021, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that drunk-driving crashes killed about 37 Americans every day, one every 39 minutes. Drunk drivers are involved in 31% of all traffic-related deaths nationwide, with 13,384 deaths, up 14% from 2020. Since 2012, drunk-driving deaths have averaged 10,850 per year.

NHTSA also stated that California recorded 1,370 alcohol-impaired-driving deaths in 2021, 32% of the 4,285 traffic-related deaths (roughly the same as the nationwide percentage of 31%). This is a 16% increase from 2020’s recorded fatalities of 1,180 (30% of the 3,980 traffic-related deaths).

A BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) of 0.08% or higher if you’re over 21, and 0.01% or higher if you’re under 21, or at any age if you’re on DUI probation, is illegal in California.

In 2020, the California Office of Traffic Safety reported that Los Angeles County ranks 6th in the state for having the most victims killed and injured in DUI crashes, with 6,067 deaths and injuries out of 65,377 total (second statewide). 2,014 were between the ages of 21 to 34, while 262 were under 21.