[09-22-2023] Sonoma County, CA – Passenger Injured Following Single-Vehicle DUI Crash in Healdsburg

A passenger was injured in a single-vehicle DUI crash in Healdsburg on Friday evening, September 22, 2023.

According to the Healdsburg Police Department, the incident occurred at approximately 11:19 p.m. on Healdsburg Avenue, near March Avenue.

A driver was halted for an inspection and was examined for DUI after showing signs of intoxication. However, the driver fled the scene quickly.

The police chased the car to the north of Healdsburg Avenue, where the driver lost control and crashed into a streetlight post and nearby vegetation.

The severity of the passenger’s injuries and identity were undetermined, but the driver was identified as Rogelio S., a 37-year-old from Healdsburg. He received medical attention and was transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation.

The driver was later brought to Sonoma County Jail and now faces multiple charges, such as DUI causing injury and reckless driving.

Reliable DUI Accident Lawyers in Healdsburg, Sonoma County

One of the most important ways to prevent DUI accidents is to never drink and drive. If a person chooses to drive under the influence and causes an accident, they should take responsibility for the medical expenses of those injured.

Victims of DUI accidents may experience financial hardship due to medical bills and lost wages, but California law provides protection for them. If you find yourself in such a situation, it is vital to seek the advice of a DUI accident attorney.

If you’ve been involved in or become a victim of a drunk driving accident in Sonoma County, our team of respected and reliable drunk driving accident victim lawyers at Arash Law, headed by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., is here to help. We can assist you with your insurance claim or represent you in court. We’re one of California’s top law firms, having recovered over $500 million for our clients.

Contact our firm at (888) 488-1391 or fill out our “Do I Have a Case?” form to schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers.

Top 5 Ways to Protect Yourself After Being a Victim of a DUI

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 an enormous amount of 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 California DUI victim attorneys have compiled our top five tips for dealing with the insurance company after being injured in a drunk driving collision.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 try to 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.
4. Do Not Sign Any Documents. You should not sign anything from an insurance company without consulting an attorney first. 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.
5. 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 single best thing that 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.

If you’re in a DUI accident, follow these steps and seek advice from an experienced lawyer. Our attorneys specialize in drunk-driving cases and will fight for fair compensation. We’ll support you every step of the way.

I HAD AN ACCIDENT

Fatal DUI Accident Statistics

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released a report in 2021 revealing that drunk-driving accidents resulted in the death of approximately 37 Americans each day, with one fatality occurring every 39 minutes. Drunk drivers were involved in 31% of all traffic-related deaths across the United States, causing 13,384 fatalities, a 14% increase from the previous year. Since 2012, the average number of drunk-driving deaths per year has been 10,850.

In California, 1,370 alcohol-impaired-driving deaths in 2021, representing 32% of the 4,285 traffic-related deaths. This percentage is similar to the national average of 31%. Compared to the recorded fatalities of 1,180 (30% of the 3,980 traffic-related deaths) in 2020, this represents a 16% increase. It is illegal to drive with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher if you are over 21, 0.01% or higher if you are under 21, or at any age if you are on DUI probation.