[09-20-2023] Lassen County, CA – 14-Year-Old Girl Hospitalized Following Single-Vehicle DUI Crash Near Susanville

A 14-year-old girl was hospitalized after a single-vehicle DUI crash near Susanville on Wednesday afternoon, September 20, 2023.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the incident occurred on Warner Valley Road, east of High Bridge, at around 3:40 p.m.

Authorities identified the drunk driver as 45-year-old Michael J. who was driving his 2005 Chevrolet pickup truck east at an unspecified speed with the girl in the rear bed.

As a result of the driver’s suspected alcohol level, he allowed the vehicle to veer off the south roadway. The girl, who was not properly secured, was ejected from the vehicle and landed on the road.

The victim suffered major injuries and was flown to Enloe Medical Center and then to UC Davis Medical Center.

The driver was uninjured and arrested for driving under the influence. An investigation is underway, and further information will be released.

Dedicated DUI Accident Lawyers in Susanville, Lassen County

The most effective way to prevent DUI accidents is to refrain from drinking and driving. Drunk drivers are responsible for covering the medical expenses of their victims. Financial difficulties can arise for victims due to medical bills and lost wages.

Although DUI accidents are extremely difficult to prevent, California law protects those injured in these accidents. Make sure to seek the advice of a DUI accident lawyer in such circumstances.

Our respected Lassen County drunk driving accident victim lawyers at Arash Law, led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., will guide you with your insurance claim or effectively represent you in court proceedings. As one of California’s most prominent law firms, we have recovered more than $500 Million for clients.

To schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers, call (888) 488-1391 or complete our “Do I Have a Case?” form.

Top 7 Ways to Protect Yourself After Being a Victim of a DUI in Susanville

Large insurance companies defend most drunk driving accident claims. One of the most important things you need to know is that the insurance company is never on your side. Please remember: the top concern of an insurance company is to protect its financial interests — they are thinking about their profits and their bottom line, not about offering full and fair compensation to you and your family.

Insurance companies put enormous resources into training representatives to protect company interests. After a significant DUI accident, you may receive a phone call or inquiry from the responsible driver’s insurance company. Be very wary of taking this type of request. No matter how friendly they sound, an insurance adjuster is against you. They are not looking out for your best interests, and you cannot rely on them for advice.

Below, our Susanville DUI victim attorneys have compiled our top seven tips for dealing with the insurance company after being injured in a drunk driving collision.

1. Stay Calm and Call the Authorities. Prioritize getting immediate medical attention immediately and contact the authorities to address any injuries you may have sustained.
2. Document and Gather Information: Take photographs of your injuries and any signs of negligence, and make detailed notes of what happened. Remember to collect information from any witnesses present during the crash.
3. Never Admit or Accept the Blame. It is shocking to some people, but even in DUI accidents, insurance companies often push some blame onto the injured victim. If they can do so, it will allow them to reduce their liability. This means money is coming directly out of their pocket. Never admit or accept any of the faults for a DUI accident. A drunk driver should be held accountable for their misconduct. Victims should not discuss the issue of fault directly with an insurance adjuster.
4. Do Not Make a Statement. You have no obligation to give a recorded statement to the insurance company immediately after an accident. You will likely get many calls from an insurance adjuster asking for a statement. Why does the company want one so bad? The answer is simple: they want to find information to use against you in the claims process. Keep quiet. Your words can be twisted or misinterpreted. Make the insurance company talk to you through your lawyer.
5. Avoid Early Settlement Negotiations. With DUI accident cases, insurers often struggle to avoid liability altogether. As such, they alter their tactics. In cases where liability is clear and obvious, insurers limit the value of an injured victim’s settlement. One common tactic is to offer a quick, lowball settlement to the DUI accident victim. Do not settle your claim for less than you are owed. Let your DUI accident attorney handle settlement talks.
6. Do Not Sign Any Documents. You should not sign anything from an insurance company without consulting an attorney. Often, insurers will ask injured victims to sign a full release of their medical records. Do not listen to their claim that a document is ‘standard procedure.’ They are looking for information to use to reduce your compensation. You may not be obligated to give them full access to your records. Your lawyer will make sure that your rights are protected.
7. Work Through Your DUI Accident Lawyer. There is no reason to go up against a big insurance company alone. There is a lot on the line in most DUI accident injury claims. Insurance companies will pour resources into finding ways to reduce your settlement. The best thing you can do to protect your rights and interests is to work with the insurance company exclusively through an experienced California DUI accident lawyer. You have the right to legal representation. Use it.

I HAD AN ACCIDENT

DUI Accident Statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drunk driving accidents cause 32 deaths daily, one every 45 minutes. Drunk driving caused 11,654 traffic deaths in 2020, an increase of 14% over 2019.

The California DUI Management Information System found that fatal accidents involving alcohol increased by 5.8% between 2016 and 2017. Drinking and driving pose a risk to everyone on the road, including the driver.

California lost 949 lives due to drunk driving in 2019. This is 2.4 per 100,000 people, while the national rate is 3.1 per 100,000. Drunk driving was a factor in 28.1% of road fatalities in the US and 26.3% in California in 2014.