Southern California’s Memorial Day Weekend Continues Trend of Drunk Drivers and Car Accidents

Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer, left California drivers with ominous feelings after hundreds of car accidents and DUI arrests occurred.  Regardless of whether the DUI arrest involved a car accident, many of those that did ended with deadly results.  Even car accidents that did not involve intoxicated drivers saw several injuries and wrongful deaths occur.  Sadly, these incidents are not unusual for the holiday, as summer holidays traditionally represent the deadliest time to drive.  With the influx of tourists and drivers coming to the beach communities in Orange County and Los Angeles this summer, now is the time to be especially cautious on the roadways.

If you suspect that there is a drunk or reckless driver on the roadway, make sure to call local police. If you are involved in a car accident with a drunk or reckless driver this summer, be sure to speak with a car accident attorney right away.

Memorial Day Weekend’s Historical Car Accident Statistics

Along with remembrance and barbeques, Memorial Day weekend has become just as well known for car accidents and drunk drivers.  The holiday has sadly become the least safe time to drive on the road. Unfortunately, statistics show that things do not get much better as other summer holiday weekends continue.  Los Angeles, in particular, stands out as a locale with an increased number of holiday car accidents.  Unsurprisingly, holiday car accident statistics show that there is a clear correlation between the increased number of drunk drivers on the roadway and the number of accidents that occur.

According to the financial firm Value Penguin, from 2011-2015 an ordinary three-day weekend in the United States saw an average of 250 traffic fatalities.  On Memorial Day weekend, the average number of traffic fatalities jumped to 312.  Respectively, the Fourth of July weekend averaged 307, and Labor Day 308. The question begs to ask, is there a reason for the increase in fatal car accidents on the holiday weekends?

Fatal Car Accident Statistics on Holiday Weekends vs. Normal Three Day Weekend

Drivers and passengers face the highest risk of being in a fatal car accident during the three major summer holiday weekends.

The answer might be that the number of fatal car accidents is related to the number of people driving under the influence.  The available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that 40.3 percent of all car accidents on Memorial Day weekend involved a drunk driver. The usual rate of car accidents involving someone driving under the influence was 29.2%.  Thus, there is an approximate 40 percent increase in the number of car accidents involving people driving under the influence on holiday weekends compared to ordinary three-day weekends.

Percentage of Car Accidents Involving Drunk Drivers

The summer holidays represent three of the top four holidays involving car accidents and drunk drivers.

Memorial Day Weekend 2019 Car Accidents

This year, car accidents, arrests of drunk drivers, and fatalities came rapidly in Southern California. By Monday, the California Highway Patrol reported that Memorial Day weekend resulted in 1099 arrests for people driving under the influence.  After a car accident involving a Long Beach pedestrian resulted in a fatality before the weekend commenced, fatal accidents continued to come in fast and furious.  In total, Memorial Day weekend resulted in the wrongful death of at least a thirty-four drivers and passengers.

Before Memorial Day Weekend began, Long Beach car accident reports relayed a sad pedestrian hit-and-run death.   The report stated that a vehicle struck 44-year-old Latonia Williams while she walked just outside of a crosswalk at Pacific Ave. and 25th Street.  After the car hit Ms. Williams, she was then hit by another car and died at the scene. The first vehicle that hit Ms. Williams fled the scene, and the driver is still at large.  We are asking anyone with information regarding this hit and run incident to contact Det. Sirilo Garcia at the Long Beach Police Department.

Then, within the first six hours of the holiday weekend, eight people died in a car crash. Authorities reported that more than half of those that died were not wearing a seat belt. Authorities did not release the names of any the victims or state what the cause of the crash was.

In Silverado, CA, a car crash Saturday morning killed two teens and left three others injured.  The 1998 Mazda Protégé was being driven by Joshua Morales on Santiago Canyon Road when it suddenly left the road. Property damage photographs show that the vehicle struck a tree and required the jaws of life to pry the occupants out.  Joshua Morales died in the car.  One passenger, Colton Mundy, died hours later at UCI Medical Center.  Three other teens went to hospitals with major injuries. Families of Morales, Mundy, and another passenger have set up GoFundMe pages.

Then on Sunday, a Pomona family died when they crashed into a tree near Los Banos, CA.  Reports stated that the driver lost control of his Nissan Altima, causing him to cross the freeway onto a dirt shoulder where he hit a tree. The wreckage was scattered on the road and included a car seat latch, broken glass, and a taillight. A relative identified the driver Samuel Soto, and his pregnant wife, Alondra Soto.  The Soto’s two children also died in the crash.  A family friend set up a GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses.

Take Action and Help Make our Roads Safe this Summer

In sum, Memorial Day Weekend 2019 ended with tragic consequences.  The holiday typically marks the deadliest three-day holiday weekend of the year before two of the next three follow.  Huntington Beach, Bolsa Chica, Seal Beach, and Long Beach will see countless tourists flock to the beaches this summer.  Statistics show that on holiday weekends an increased number of those tourist drivers will drive under the influence.  It is vital that members of the community call the police if they suspect a drunk driver is on the road.  Residents and tourists should also generally be on the lookout for reckless drivers and make sure to report them immediately.

If You Have Been in a Car Accident in the Long Beach Traffic Circle Contact a Local Personal Injury Lawyer Right Away!

If you have been in a car accident, call a personal injury attorney right away. Make sure that you gather all of the other drivers’ auto insurance information.  No one article can cover everything that people should know after a car accident.  Additionally, car accidents with drunk drivers present unique legal challenges.  There are many local personal injury law firms throughout Long Beach, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, and Newport Beach that can help with filing a claim.  Most personal injury law firms can also assist if you have a wrongful death action.  Contact a lawyer right away to protect your statute of limitations, and ensure that you receive full justice for your insurance claims.  Don’t let an insurance company lowball your demand for reimbursement of medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering.

The information contained in this post is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this post, or website, should be taken as legal advice for any individual or case situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship.  Contact us If you have lost a loved one or have pain and suffering from a personal injury.  For more information, visit our wrongful death page and car accidents page. For a free consultation, please reach out to our attorneys to arrange a time to discuss your case.  All you have to do is hit the big blue button labeled Contact Us at the top of this page!

We are saddened to learn that four drunk drivers recently caused serious car accidents in Orange County. The car accidents occurred in Seal Beach, Anaheim, Fullerton, and La Habra during 24 hours from February 9, 2019 – February 10, 2019.  Two of the car accidents (Anaheim and La Habra) led to the wrongful death of innocent people.  The other two car accidents (Seal Beach and Fullerton) resulted in numerous people injured, and a fiery explosion at a Seal Beach gas station. This post is designed to raise awareness of these car accidents.

Drivers involved in an auto accident with a DUI driver should contact a lawyer right away.  Drivers should only use the information contained in this post to consult with law firms that practice personal injury law.  We do not advise that readers of this post attempt to resolve a case with any of the insurance companies without the assistance of a lawyer.

Accident Details

The first accident involved a drunk driver who took the life of a 54-year-old Fresno man near Disneyland in  Anaheim, CA.  The crash took place on Disneyland Dr. just north of Katella Ave. at approximately 11:04 p.m. on February 9, 2019.  The driver of a 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser was seen driving on Disneyland Dr. where she jumped a curb with her car.  The driver of the PT Cruiser then struck a utility box, tree, and pedestrian on the sidewalk. The victim suffered critical injuries as a result of the car versus pedestrian accident.  Following the crash, the victim was transported to UCI where he was pronounced dead.  The suspect was later arrested on charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and driving under the influence (DUI) causing bodily injury.

Then at 1:50 a.m. on February 10, 2019, a DUI suspect drove his car into a crowd of people in downtown Fullerton, CA.  The collision occurred at approximately 1:50 a.m. near 100 W. Santa Fe Ave in Fullerton, CA. According to police, the suspect drove his Toyota Tacoma into a crowd of nine people and then hit a tree before coming to a rest on the sidewalk.  The pedestrians were injured and stuck underneath the Tacoma.  A witness took a cell phone video showing Good Samaritans and firefighters lifting the Tacoma to free the people trapped beneath the truck. Ten people were taken to the hospital with moderate to life-threatening injuries. Fullerton Police arrested the driver on suspicion of drunken driving.  The Fullerton Police Traffic Bureau is requesting that anyone with information or video from the incident contact them at 714-738-5313.

Later on February 10, 2019, a DUI suspect caused the wrongful death of a driver in La Habra, CA.  According to the La Habra Police Department, the crash occurred when two cars met in the intersection of Lambert Road and Idaho Street. Lieutenant Brian Miller said it appeared that one of the cars ran through a red light causing the collision. A person described as being in their late-40s was pronounced dead at the scene.  If you have any information regarding this collision, you should contact the La Habra Police Department at 562-383-4300.

Finally, a DUI suspect crashed into a Seal Beach gas station at 11:30 p.m. on February 10, 2019. The DUI suspect is a Huntington Beach man who was arrested on suspicion of driving drunk.  According to the Seal Beach Police Department, the driver struck a vehicle and gas pump. The collision caused a fire at the Chevron located at 2950 Westminster Ave., Seal Beach, CA. The incident resulted in injuries to a customer pumping gas at the station.  The crash also caused approximately $100,000 of property damage to the gas station.  The Seal Beach Police Department arrested the driver and booked him into the Orange County Jail.

Personal Injury Lawsuits and Wrongful Death Lawsuits as a Result of DUI Drivers.

Drivers in Southern California are told over and over not to drink and drive.  Nonetheless, DUI car accidents happen all too often throughout Orange County.  Victims of drunk drivers often suffer severe injuries, and in the worst of circumstances, lose their lives. Victims of drunk drivers are often other motorist or family members that are left behind. Victims of drivers under the influence should take immediate action to protect themselves from further damages caused by the drunk driver.

Victims of drunk drivers should immediately call the local police to report the incident.  The victim will likely need immediate medical care since car accidents with drunk drivers are rarely minor collisions.  Furthermore, the police will hold the drunk driver accountable and ensure that they cannot hurt another driver.  Responding police will also create a traffic collision report documenting the circumstances of the incident. Victims of drunk drivers are advised to present the traffic collision report to their attorney before going through the life insurance or car insurance claims process.

Victims of drunk drivers should call an attorney as soon as possible. Victims occasionally try to navigate the insurance claims process on their own.  Car insurance companies call victims and have adjusters question victims before they have had a chance to assess their damages. Insurance adjusters have a duty to their insured, not the victim.  As a result, insurance adjuster question victims with the goal of gathering information that they can use to lower the value of a victim’s case.  Victims who contact and retain a personal injury lawyer are considered represented parties.  Once a victim becomes a represented party, it is illegal for car insurance companies to make any further contact.

An attorney will gather the available facts to prove that the other driver’s intoxication caused the car accident.  Attorneys can only make the most of the investigative process if they have all the information available.  Bringing the traffic collision report to your initial consultation is essential.  Police often include information in their reports regarding witnesses to the incident. Police also usually inquire with nearby residents and businesses who may have captured the event on video.  An attorney will then gather the available information and evidence that is not ordinarily available to victims. Attorneys use this information to prove liability and damages.

Victims’ of car accidents with drunk drivers have damages that vary depending on if the case is a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Victims of a car accident involving drunk drivers should also consult an attorney regarding the potential for punitive damages.  Insurance companies ordinarily will not pay for punitive damages.  The reason for this is because insurance policies for negligent acts do not ordinarily cover intentional or reckless conduct. However, an attorney will often be able to utilize the potential for punitive damages against the insurer and drunk driver to enhance the value of the victim’s claim.  Therefore, victims need to consult with their attorney about all available damages in order to receive maximum compensation.

Contact a Local Personal Injury Lawyer Right Away!

In sum, if you have lost a loved one, or suffered injuries from a car accident with a drunk driver, call a personal injury attorney right away. No one article can cover everything that people should know after a car accident.  Additionally, car accidents with drunk drivers present unique challenges.  There are many local personal injury law firms throughout Long Beach, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, and Newport Beach that can help.  Contact a lawyer right away to ensure that you receive full justice for your claims.

The information contained in this post is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this post, or website, should be taken as legal advice for any individual or case situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship.  If you have lost a loved one in a wrongful death action or have pain and suffering from a personal injury case, we are available to assist.  For more information visit our wrongful death page, and car accidents page. For a free consultation, please reach out to our attorneys to arrange a time to discuss your case.  All you have to do is go to our site map or hit the big blue button labeled Contact Us at the top of this page!