Drunk Driving Victims « Berg Injury Lawyers

Archive for the ‘ Drunk Driving Victims ’ Category

Mar

Redding Man Seriously Injured After Being Involved In Drunken Crash

March 19, 2012

A 27-year-old Redding, California, man is lucky to be alive following a single-vehicle crash early Thursday. According to reports from KRCRTV 7 News, alcohol was a contributing factor in the accident.

The crash happened just after midnight along Victor Avenue in Redding. Reports filed by the Redding Police Department indicate that the man was driving at more than 100 miles per hour through downtown Redding in his Toyota Tacoma pickup truck before slamming into a tree head-on outside of a local business. The impact of the crash caused the driver, who was not wearing his seatbelt at the time, to be ejected from the vehicle. Luckily, he survived and paramedics were able to transport him to Mercy Medical Center, where he remains in serious condition with massive head injuries and broken ribs.

The driver later admitted to police that he had taken prescription medications and had been drinking at a local bar prior to being involved in the crash.

Data gathered by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that speed played a contributing factor in 30 percent of all fatal crashes in a single year, while alcohol contributed to 39 percent.

These statistics are a major reason why the San Francisco DUI Injury Attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers ask that you refrain from getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. If every driver made this choice, thousands of lives would be saved every year.

Feb

Drunk Driver Responsible For Redding Crash That Kills One

February 20, 2012

Police in Redding, California, say that a drunk driver is responsible for causing a tragic accident that injured himself and another passenger and left another man dead. According to reports from KRCR 7 News, the accident occurred at 10:20 PM on Juniper Knoll Road, just east of Macdoel.

Reports from the California Highway Patrol troopers who responded to the crash scene say that the driver of a 1995 Hyundai sedan was under the influence of alcohol when he lost control and rolled the vehicle several times.

A passenger in the backseat was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. He died at the scene of the crash. The driver and another passenger in the front seat were both wearing seatbelts and only suffered minor injuries.

The driver has been charged with driving under the influence and causing injury to another person.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that alcohol continues to be a lead contributing factor in fatal highway accidents nationwide, especially among young people. They say roughly one third of drivers between 15 and 20 years old who were involved in fatal accidents had been drinking.

The Northern California DUI Injury Lawyers with Berg Injury Lawyers ask that motorists do their part to keep everyone on the highway safe by not drinking and driving. Also, make sure that yourself, and all other passengers in the car, are buckled up before you begin driving.

Jan

Several Tips To Keep Motorists Safe During High Speed Pursuits

January 16, 2012

High-speed vehicle pursuits down the highway gets our adrenaline pumping in the movies. But what if you found yourself to be the helpless bystander of a real car chase during your daily commute? This happens almost on a daily basis across California, and observations have shown that most motorists don’t know what to do.

An article in The Sacramento Bee described a chase that occurred several weeks ago along California’s Highway 99. News footage shows that as the chase progresses, the cars around the chase acted as if nothing was happening. They stayed at the same speed and made no efforts to get out of the way.

California Highway Patrol (CHP) says that one reason this occurs is that drivers don’t scan their mirrors often enough. They suggest that motorists check all of their mirrors every 15-20 seconds.

If you find yourself in the middle of a high-speed pursuit, CHP Trooper Mike Bradley stated that you should not slow down, but turn on your right blinker and work your way over to the shoulder of the highway. If you see a crime scene ahead, pull over and stop well behind officer vehicles.

The California auto accident attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers fight for victims who have been injured in accidents and support community safety campaigns throughout the year in order to prevent accidents. If you are the victim of a car accident, contact an experienced attorney today.

Jan

New Laws Take Effect In California This New Year

January 2, 2012

California state law has undergone several changes that took effect with the ringing in of the New Year. The Sacramento Bee reported earlier today that the state’s tougher penalties on drinking and driving infractions and new standards for child safety seats while riding in motor vehicles began being enforced by police and troopers statewide yesterday.

Repeat Driving-Under-the-Influence (DUI) offenders will now face a possible decade-long ban of driving privileges under the new legislation. Now, judges will be able to sentence those who have been convicted of drunk driving three times or more in the past 10 years to a license revocation that will last a decade as well.

A state representative backed the law after hearing the story of two California highway patrol troopers who arrested a man for driving under the influence. The troopers discovered the man had been convicted of the crime eight times prior, but had always managed to get his license back.

Another important change to state law that took effect yesterday is in regards to child safety seats. Now, all children eight-years-old or younger must be in an approved child-restraining safety seat. For the past year, the safety seat law has been for all children six-years-old or younger, or 60 pounds or less. The only exception to the new rules of all children under eight is if they are 4’9” or taller.

The California auto accident attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers ask that motorists keep it safe on the highway by following all state guidelines, both new and old.

Dec

Alameda Law Firm Offers Free Cab Rides Home on New Years Eve

December 26, 2011

In recent years, the holidays have become an increasingly dangerous time of year for driving in California. According to The Los Angeles Times, six people died on California highways over this past holiday weekend, and the California Highway Patrol made 889 suspected drunken driving arrests.

The California drunk driving victim attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers are sponsoring a campaign in order to help combat the growing number of drunk drivers during the holidays. The firm will be offering free cab rides home to those who have been drinking on New Years Eve.

This will be the seventh year that the law firm has sponsored the Safe And Sober Cab Ride program, which offers a maximum $35 cab fair home to anyone needing a ride. The rides are provided only to a person’s residence, not to another drinking location. The cabs will be running from 10:00 PM Saturday, December 31 to 4:00 AM Sunday, January 1.

Call one of the following cab companies and tell them your ride home is on Berg Injury Lawyers:

Sacramento – Call Yellow Cab Company of Sacramento at (916) 444-2222. Patrons must be picked up at a restaurant, hotel, or bar within downtown Sacramento to qualify for a free ride.

Alameda, Oakland & Berkeley — Call Veterans Cab at (800) 281‐4488. Any fare exceeding $35 must be paid in cash.

San Francisco — Call Luxor Cab at (415) 282‐4141.

Nov

Richmond Teen Killed, Two Others Injured During Illegal Street Race

November 7, 2011

In Richmond this weekend a local teen died and two others were injured in an illegal street race crash. The Contra Costa Times reported yesterday that the accident happened around 1:15 Sunday morning, along a stretch of Richmond Parkway.

The street glistened as the two cars, a Nissan Altima and a BMW, floated down the asphalt that was freshly drenched with rain. The vehicles were locked neck-and-neck, when the 21-year-old driver of the Nissan hit a wet patch, lost control, and hit his friend’s BMW. The impact caused the BMW to spin out of control and flip several times before hitting a pole.

The driver of the BMW died at the scene of the crash, while his two passengers were urgently rushed to the John Muir Medical Center by helicopter in critical condition. The driver of the Nissan was unharmed, but investigators arrested him on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence.

California issued 800 citations in 2001 for illegal racing-related infractions–a number that has grown significantly every year since. Now, it is estimated that 49 people are hurt and killed for every 1,000 individuals who participate in illegal street races.

The California Car Accident Attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers would like to encourage anyone hurt in an accident at no fault of their own to contact them immediately for a free evaluation of your case.

Oct

Free Cab Rides Offered In The Bay Area Halloween Night

October 31, 2011

Tonight, trick-or-treaters will roam the streets in their ghoulish disguises on a quest for candy. Unfortunately, they could possibly have to share those streets with drivers who may have drank too much while celebrating the holiday, which puts everyone in grave danger. In order to help alleviate this problem, free cab rides home are being offered to anyone in the Bay area.

The program is called Safe and Sober and is sponsored by California Personal Injury Attorney, William Berg, and his firm, Berg Injury Lawyers. They began the program seven years ago and have offered the rides during major holidays every year since.

The rides will be offered between 10:00 PM tonight until 4:00 AM the tomorrow morning. The cab companies will offer the rides to anyone who has been drinking and needs a safe way home from a bar or restaurant. For a Safe and Sober ride this year, contact the following cab company within the your area:

Sacramento - Call Yellow Cab Company of Sacramento at (916) 444-2222.

Patrons must be picked up at a restaurant, hotel, or bar within Downtown Sacramento to qualify for a free ride.

Alameda – Call Veterans Cab at (800) 281‐4488.

Any fare exceeding $35 must be paid in cash. Oakland and Berkeley areas included.

San Francisco – Call Luxor Cab at (415) 282‐4141.

The California Car Accident Attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers would like to wish everyone a safe, sober, and Happy Halloween!

Oct

10 Injured In SoMa Car Crash Monday Morning

October 24, 2011

An accident along a San Francisco neighborhood street has left ten young people injured. CBS-San Francisco reported this morning that the accident happened at 12:36 AM, at the intersection of 10^th and Howard, in a part of town known as SoMa.

A newer model Dodge Charger carrying six occupants, none of whom were buckled in, was being driven by an intoxicated driver and was passing through the intersection when they were struck. Witnesses told investigators the white, GMC minivan involved, also driven by an individual under the influence, ran a red light and T-boned the Charger. The occupants of the car all to suffered a range of injuries, from cuts and bruises to one young woman being left paralyzed from the neck down. All the car’s occupants were transported to a local hospital for treatment.

A large amount of cocaine was confiscated from the minivan and the driver was found to have no license or identification. He faces seven counts of felony DUI and could face additional charges as police suspect he could have been involved in an earlier hit-and-run case as well.

The California Car Accident Attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers often handle cases for victims of drunk drivers. If you have been injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver contact us by filling out a free online consultation form, so our experienced team of lawyers can answer any questions you may have.

Sep

California DUI Arrests Up During Labor Day Weekend

September 12, 2011

Every year there are hundreds of people injured or killed on American highways by drunk drivers over Labor Day weekend. Some years, such as this one, are more dangerous than others because of higher numbers of these drunk drivers. According to The Reporter, there were 1,399 arrests this year alone over the recent holiday weekend.

The California Highway Patrol issued a press release early last week releasing the numbers, noting an increase from 1,360 arrests over the same time period last year.

The release also stated that 14 people had died throughout the state of California over the four day period from the Friday before the weekend to Labor Day. That’s quite a jump from the 10 who died last year in holiday collisions, said California Highway spokesperson, Officer Elon Steers. Steers added that 13 of the 14 killed were not wearing seat belts at their time of death.

Officer Steers explained that 242 DUI arrests were specifically made in the bay area over the holiday, which was an increase from the 221individuals that were brought in last year on the charge.

The California Auto Accident Attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers see all too often the outcome of accidents involving drunk drivers, or the lack of seatbelt use. That is why they often spearhead programs such as their Safe And Sober campaign, which offers free cab rides to those who have over indulged, on certain holidays. Their cause was recently discussed in an interview with founding attorney, William Berg

Dec

Officer injured in Fresno car accident

December 9, 2010

A Fresno car accident sent one man to the hospital and another to jail, reports KMPH-TV.

A 23-year-old male was driving a vehicle when he collided with a police cruiser.

Police found empty beer bottles scattered around the vehicle. Toxicology reports showed the driver had alcohol and marijuana in his system. The police officer was taken to the hospital to be treated for injuries suffered in the Fresno car accident.

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