[09-29-2024] Orange County, CA – One Killed, Three Others Injured After Suspected Two-Vehicle DUI Crash Along Tustin Street

One person was killed and three others were injured after a suspected two-vehicle DUI crash in Orange on Sunday evening, September 29, 2024.

The incident occurred just after 8:00 p.m. at the intersection of Tustin Street and Collins Avenue, according to police.

Authorities stated that a mother and daughter were traveling westbound in a Toyota RAV4 on a green light when they collided with a Chevy Equinox driven by 18-year-old Roberto X., who reportedly ran a red light.

The mother, a passenger in the Toyota, died at the scene. Her daughter, seated directly behind her, was initially taken to the hospital in critical condition but has since been upgraded to serious condition, as confirmed by Lt. Phil McMullin of the Orange Police Department.

A 13-year-old friend of the daughter, also in the Toyota, was hospitalized in serious condition, along with the driver of the Toyota, the mother’s boyfriend, who was also in serious condition.

The suspect, who was driving without a license, was uninjured in the crash. Authorities reported that his blood alcohol content was more than double the legal limit. He has been arrested for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and booked at the Orange County Jail.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing.

Call Our Dedicated DUI Accident Victim Lawyers In Orange, 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 challenging, but our Orange personal 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 Orange 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 $500 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 A DUI Accident In Orange, CA

Insurance companies often handle claims related to accidents caused by drunk driving. It’s essential to understand that their primary concern is their financial interests—not your full and fair compensation. They are driven by profit, not by the well-being of you and your family.

After a serious DUI accident, you might receive a phone call or inquiry from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Be cautious when responding to these requests.

Our Orange DUI accident attorneys have compiled the following tips for dealing with insurance companies after a drunk driving crash:

1. Stay Calm And Contact The Authorities. Prioritize getting prompt medical care and immediately contact the authorities to report any injuries you’ve sustained.
2. Gather Information. Take photos of your injuries and any evidence of negligence, and document the incident thoroughly. Be sure to collect contact information from any witnesses at the scene.
3. Do Not Admit Or Accept Blame. In DUI cases, insurance companies often try to shift some of the blame onto the injured victim to reduce their liability and, consequently, the compensation they have to pay. Never admit fault or accept responsibility for the accident. The intoxicated driver should be held accountable for their actions. Avoid discussing fault with an insurance adjuster, as this is a common mistake following any vehicle accident.
4. Avoid Making A Statement. You are not obligated to provide a recorded statement to the insurance company immediately after the accident. Insurance adjusters may call you repeatedly, seeking a statement. Their goal is simple: to gather information that could be used against you during the claims process. Remain silent. Your words could be manipulated or taken out of context. Let your attorney handle all communications with the insurance company.
5. Avoid Early Settlement Offers. In DUI accident cases, insurers may struggle to completely avoid liability. As a result, they often attempt to minimize the amount of compensation they offer. One common tactic is to present a quick, lowball settlement to the victim. Do not accept a settlement that falls short of what you deserve. Let your DUI accident attorney negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.
6. Do Not Sign Any Documents. Before signing any documents from the insurance company, seek legal advice. Insurers often ask injured individuals to sign a broad release of their medical records. They may claim that a document is ‘standard procedure,’ but their true intent is to gather information to reduce your compensation. You may not be required to provide full access to your records. Your attorney will ensure your rights are protected.
7. Work With Experienced DUI Accident Lawyers. You don’t have to face a large insurance company alone. A substantial amount is at stake in most DUI accident injury claims, and insurance companies will go to great lengths to minimize your settlement. To protect your rights, engage with skilled DUI accident attorneys in California before dealing with the insurance company.

I HAD AN ACCIDENT

DUI Accident 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 2019, California saw 949 fatalities due to driving under the influence, equating to 2.4 deaths per 100,000 people, which is below the national average of 3.1 per 100,000. In 2023, Orange reported 310 alcohol-related fatalities and injuries and a total of 65 linked to drug-impaired driving, according to the latest data from the Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS).