Why It Is Vital to Call Police in Drunk Driving Crash?
4/28/2020
Auto Accident Attorneys
It is vital to call police in drunk driving crash. If you or a loved one was involved in an accident with drunk driver in Los Angeles, call the police immediately. The auto accident attorneys at the Farahi Law Firm, APC are here for you. After you have been injured in a collision our experienced attorneys will help ensure that your injury is reported to the appropriate authorities, and can support you in seeking the benefits owed to you for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering.
As per the report of NHTSA every day, almost 30 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes – which means one person every 48 minutes. In the last three decades, these deaths have fallen by a third, but drunk-driving crashes claim more than 10,000 lives a year. 36,560 people were killed in 2018 in auto accident out which 10,511 were killed due to drunk driving.
Alcohol impairs the brain function and thus ability to operate a vehicle safely. Alcohol level is determined by checking Blood Alcohol Concentration, or BAC. It is measured with a Breathalyzer, a device that measures alcohol in the breath of a person, or a blood test. Crash risk increases exponentially at a BAC of 0.08 grams of alcohol per blood deciliter (g / dL). In 2017, 1,837 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes with drivers having lower levels of alcohol (BACs from 0.01 to 0.07 g / dL).
Call the Police Immediately and Auto Accident Attorneys As Soon As Possible
Automobile accidents that involve drunk drivers are often more devastating than other auto accidents. Such drivers not only face criminal penalties but are also held liable for the damages and injuries caused due to the accident. It is important that the police be informed of the incident either at the scene immediately or as soon as possible after the accident occurs. Do not let the other driver on the scene try to convince you not to contact the police.
According to section 20008 of the California Vehicle Code, the driver of any vehicle (or a member of that driver) involved in a car accident must report the accident to the California Highway Patrol or the police department of the city in which the accident occurred within 24 hours.
The report must include all drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians who are involved. If the reporting agency is not responsible for investigating the incident, the agency will forward the matter to the proper investigative authority. It is important to note that if a law enforcement officer arrives at the accident scene, he or she will prepare a formal accident report on behalf of the department.
You are not required to make your own separate written report in this case. Just make note of the officer’s name and information for your records.
Reasons Why a Call to the Police should be made
The involvement of a police officer at the scene and any subsequent police report might be crucial to your car accident injury claim. There are a number of reasons why a call to the police should be made if you’re involved in a drunk driving crash.
