[07-25-2024] San Bernardino County, CA – Female Passenger Seriously Injured Following Two Collisions Involving DUI in Apple Valley

A female passenger was seriously injured following two collisions involving a DUI in Apple Valley on Thursday evening, July 25, 2024.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the incidents happened around 7:30 p.m. near State Route 18, close to Horseman’s Center Park.

CHP reported that a 2007 Cadillac DTS with two persons was traveling along Bear Valley Road, approaching SR-18, when its driver suddenly turned onto the freeway and hurriedly pulled to the right shoulder. The driver then executed an illegal U-turn, resulting in a crash with a 2016 Kia Optima driven by an unnamed 26-year-old man from Lucerne Valley.

Immediately following the first collision, the Cadillac driver fled the scene toward westbound SR-18. Not long after, the vehicle got into another crash, with the driver losing control as it made its way along the dirt shoulder near Horseman’s Center. The Cadillac then overturned, ejecting one of its occupants fully.

The ejected passenger, a 20-year-old female, suffered critical injuries and was airlifted to Loma Linda Medical Center for immediate medical care. The victim’s identity and current condition are undisclosed.

Meanwhile, the driver, later identified as 22-year-old Kaleb H. from Barstow, managed to extricate himself from the wreckage and was attended to by responding emergency personnel. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment before being booked into the High Desert Detention Center in Adelanto for a suspected DUI.

It is not immediately known if anyone from the two other vehicles involved was injured. The two vehicular crashes are still under investigation.

Potential witnesses to either collision are encouraged to contact the authorities at 760-241-1186.

Speak With Our Reputable DUI Accident Victim Lawyers In Apple Valley, CA

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 injury law firm in Apple Valley 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 reputable Apple Valley DUI accident victim lawyers will do everything possible to advocate for your claim and safeguard your rights. Being one of California’s largest law firms specializing in personal injury cases, Arash Law has successfully obtained over $750 million in compensation for clients.

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

Ways To Protect Yourself After Being A Victim of An Apple Valley 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 Apple Valley 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 contact 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 the information that might be used against you during the claims procedure. Remain silent. Your words might be manipulated or misunderstood. Communication between you and the insurance company will be arranged 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. Apple Valley, in particular, reported 25 alcohol-related deaths and injuries in 2023, based on the latest data from the Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS).