Posted on Thursday, December 10th, 2015 at 10:50 pm
California Highway Patrol has arrested a man who allegedly caused a DUI accident that claimed the life of one woman. Jian Saeteurn has been charged with felony DUI, felony hit-and-run, and vehicular manslaughter. Margaret Prasad of Cameron Park was killed in the DUI accident that occurred on the northbound side of Highway 99 just south of Stockton Boulevard.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 10,076 fatalities in DUI accidents involving a driver with a BAC of .08 or higher during 2013. Of that number, 867 deaths occurred on California roads. Even though law enforcements agencies throughout California and the United States have cracked down on impaired driving, the number of DUI accidents does not seem to be decreasing in relation to the increased law enforcement efforts to stop drunk driving.
Unfortunately, DUI accidents that do not result in death often cause traumatic injuries that permanently change the lives of the accident victims. If you or a loved one is injured by a drunk driver, even if you are a passenger in the person’s vehicle, you have a legal right to be compensated for your injuries. The DUI accident lawyers of the Tiemann Law Firm can provide the legal support you need as you try to recover from the devastation caused by a drunk driver.
What Damages am I Entitled to Receive in a DUI Accident?
Impaired driving or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a crime in California as it is in all 50 states. A person convicted of DUI faces severe penalties including fines, jail, and probation. If the drunk driving incident results in a fatality or serious injury as in the tragic story above, additional criminal charges may be filed that carry even greater penalties. However, as a victim of a DUI accident, you have a civil claim against the drunk driver for your damages.
The damages you are entitled to receive depend on your injuries and the facts of your case. Most DUI accident victims are entitled to receive compensation under California personal injury law for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future lost wages
- Funeral expenses, in the event of a fatality
- Property damage
- Loss of earning capacity
- Disfigurement and/or permanent disability
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life, companionship, and/or support
- Other out-of-pocket expenses related to the DUI accident
In most cases, the insurance company for the driver will be responsible for paying your damages up to the policy limits; however, your damages may exceed these policy limits especially if the driver carries California’s minimum insurance coverage. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to collect money directly from the driver or you may receive compensation if you carry underinsured motorist insurance. Our DUI accident attorneys investigate every avenue possible to ensure you receive the maximum compensation allowable under the law.
Have You Been Injured in a DUI Accident?
Contact Tiemann Law Firm for your free consultation with one of our Sacramento personal injury attorneys.
You can contact us online, call our toll free number at (916) 999-9000, or chat with a representative on our website. Our friendly staff is here to help you as you recover from injuries caused by a negligent driver.
