[05-19-2024] Sonoma County, CA – Two People Injured After Two-Vehicle Hit-And-Run Crash Caused by Suspected Drunk Driver in Petaluma

Two people were injured after a two-vehicle hit-and-run crash caused by a suspected drunk driver in Petaluma early Sunday morning, May 19, 2024.

According to the Petaluma Police Department, the incident happened at about 1:17 a.m. around the 1500 block of East Washington Street.

The circumstances behind the collision remain unclear, but PPD suspects that DUI is involved. The driver of one of the vehicles involved reportedly jumped out of his car and tried to flee the crash site.

Police said that they got a call from a resident that the suspect passed through their backyard and jumped their fence. They then saw the man running away on foot into the nearby creek when they arrived at the scene.

PPD apprehended the fleeing suspect and identified him as 40-year-old Frank M., a Petaluma native. He was arrested on suspicion of DUI causing injury, reckless driving, and injury hit-and-run.

The vehicle that Frank M. struck had two occupants at the time of the accident: a 55-year-old woman and a 58-year-old man. Both of them suffered minor injuries and were taken to a local hospital to recover.

Additional information was not available at this time. Police work is underway.

Talk To Our Respected DUI Accident Victim Lawyers In Sonoma 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 Sonoma 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 Sonoma 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 Sonoma 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 Sonoma 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. Sonoma County reported 349 alcohol-related and 50 drug-related deaths and injuries in 2023, based on data from the Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS).