[09-21-2023] Ventura County, CA – DUI Driver Arrested, One Died After Vehicle Crash on Hwy 33

An unidentified man died following a DUI collision in Ventura on Thursday night, September 21, 2023.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the collision occurred just north of Main Street on Highway 33 around 11:30 p.m.

Authorities stated the man was walking on the highway’s southbound lanes when he was struck by the vehicle. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

The debris from the collision damaged another vehicle, but the unknown driver was reportedly uninjured.

CHP officers arrested the driver when they discovered he was under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

The identities of the involved individuals were not disclosed. Anyone who witnessed the crash is encouraged to contact the authorities.

Dedicated DUI Accident Lawyers in Ventura

You may be entitled to compensation when you or a family member is killed or seriously hurt by a negligent driver. Having the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney on your side can be invaluable if you’re investigating a car accident that caused unintentional injury to someone.

You can schedule a free consultation with our legal team to discuss the details of your case, determine what will happen next, discuss your settlement, and clarify the insurance claims procedure so that you can move forward securely and be prepared to deal with the legal process.

Seek legal advice from our leading team of Ventura DUI accident lawyers at Arash Law, led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., who have the experience and recognition you need to represent your interests during this difficult time. Our experienced lawyers have recovered over $500 million in compensation for clients throughout California. This proves our commitment to justice and financial compensation by consistently pursuing justice for our clients.

Contact us or complete the “Do I Have a Case?” form on our website to schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers.

Ways to Protect Yourself After Being a Victim of a DUI

No one can predict a car accident, but you can prepare for one. Having a DUI accident checklist in your glove box can help you stay calm and organized after a car crash. It can tell you what to do and what not to do, and how best to protect your rights.

When in doubt, give us a call. Keep our phone number, (888) 488-1391, in your phone or written down if the worst occurs. You aren’t alone after a serious collision.

Whether you are the injured victim or the family of a killed loved one, here’s what to do after a DUI accident:

1. Don’t Settle or Accept Blame. Insurance companies often try to shift some responsibility onto the injured victim after DUI accidents. By doing so, they lower their penalty. If you have been in a DUI accident, never admit fault. Drunk drivers should be held liable for their actions. Direct discussions with insurance adjusters about faults are not recommended.
2. Avoid Making a Statement. You do not have to provide a recorded statement to the insurance company after an accident. You may receive calls from an insurance adjuster several times asking for your statement. This is because they attempt to gather information against you during the claims process. Your lawyer should assist you in communicating with the insurance company so that your words are understood.
3. Avoid Opening Compensation Conversations. Insurance companies that cover DUIs have a hard time escaping responsibility. It’s common for insurers to limit settlements when there’s an obvious fault. Reimbursing DUI victims is usually done with a quick, lowball settlement. If settling a claim, ensure you get what you are entitled to. If you are involved in a DUI accident, ensure your attorney is responsible for the compensation process.
4. Don’t Sign Any Documents. Consult a lawyer before signing anything from an insurance company. It’s common for insurance companies to ask for a medical record release form. Don’t believe them if they say that a particular document is part of standard procedure for certain transactions. You are being asked to provide information by them so that your compensation can be reduced. Your records may not need to be fully accessible to them for them to perform their job correctly. Hiring a lawyer will ensure that you have the right protections to protect your rights during the process.
5. Consult a DUI Accident Lawyer. DUI accident injury claims involve a great deal of risk. Insurers will spend considerable resources to reduce your settlement. A California DUI accident lawyer can best protect your rights and interests by dealing with the insurance company exclusively.

I HAD AN ACCIDENT

Fatal DUI Accident Statistics

It was estimated by the United States Department of Transportation that about 37 people die in drunk-driving crashes every day in the United States. This amounts to one death every 39 minutes. Alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths increased by 14% in 2021 compared to 2020, reaching 13,384 deaths. All of these deaths could have been prevented.

Data limitations make estimating how many people drug-impaired drivers kill each year is impossible. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has assessed drivers’ alcohol and drug levels. From September 2019 to July 2021, 54% of drivers seriously hurt in crashes tested positive for alcohol or drugs at 7 trauma centers.

According to the statistics, of these drivers, 22% were positive for alcohol, 25% were positive for marijuana, 9% were positive for opioids, 10% were positive for stimulants, and 8% were positive for sedatives. As per the California Office of Traffic Safety, Ventura had at least 166 DUI arrests in an average population of 109,821.