Northern California Accident Attorney Blog

The Fresno Bee reported that a 58-year-old Madera man suffered major injuries Wednesday night when he was hit by a 16-year-old unlicensed driver suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol. The accident, which involved a 1995 Toyota Avalon and a 1993 Jeep Cherokee SUV, occurred at the intersection of Avenue 14 and Road 29 at around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 11, 2010. According to news reports, the 16-year-old driver of the Toyota was travelling eastbound on Avenue 14, while at the same time Juan Ramirez, 58, was driving the Jeep northbound on Avenue. Avenue 14 has a stop sign at the intersection, while Road 29 does not. The Toyota struck the Jeep, resulting in major injuries to Ramirez and less serious injuries to three passengers. Ramirez was air-lifted to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno.

The 16-year-old driver of the Toyota fled the scene. He and a 16-year-old passenger, also from Madera, were not injured. The teen, who did not have a driver's license, was arrested a short time later at his home by Madera County Sheriff's Deputies. KMPH News reported that investigators believe the teen was under the influence at the time of the crash.

Cause of the Madera County Accident

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. However, if news reports are accurate, the 16-year-old driver of the Toyota is responsible for this accident. He may face criminal charges for driving under the influence of alcohol and driving without a license. Accidents caused by drunk drivers are 100% preventable. In this situation, the young driver even had the audacity to flee the scene of the crash. It is fortunate that he was apprehended.

Drunk Driving Accidents and Personal Injury Liability

California is second only to Texas with the most drunk driving crashes every year. The attorneys at Estey Bomberger represent injured victims of drunk driving crashes and help them hold negligent parties accountable. If the driver was uninsured (which is likely, since he was unlicensed), a skilled northern California personal injury lawyer may be able to help the victims obtain financial compensation for their injuries, including medical expenses, lost earnings and pain and suffering, from their own insurance policy. In situations such as this one, while an accident remains under investigation, the family members of the victims are well-advised ton consult with a lawyer knowledgeable in the unique legal issues of alcohol-related car accidents.