A looming DUI conviction can weigh heavy on anyone. The legal implications of the arrest alone can have long-term consequences and may even jeopardize a person’s financial and employment opportunities.
 
Being arrested for DUI is often the first time for many people – young adults, especially – to get in trouble with the law. Many first-time DUI offenders have no criminal history, and for them, just thinking about the impacts of a conviction on their future can cause endless anxiety.

The severity of the penalties and sanctions of a DUI conviction may vary depending on the state you’re in and number of offenses, but the most likely punishments you will face may include any or all of the following:

• Jail time
• Fines
• Driver’s license suspension
• Driving restrictions
• Possible ignition interlock device installation

 
If you’re someone living from paycheck to paycheck, the mere thought of the fines you have to pay and loss of income (should you need to serve jail time) would be enough to get you all worked up. For most people, though, it’s the realization that their life could change forever that disturbs them the most.

The impacts of a DUI arrest on a person’s mental health can be more damaging than it’s legal and financial consequences.
 
Financial Worries
One of the most common issues that DUI offenders struggle with is financial stress. A DUI arrest can cost you at least a few thousand dollars in court costs, attorney fees, punitive fines, and DUI school, among others. Even if you have a good paying job, having to pay for such a huge amount of unforeseen costs can be financially debilitating.
 
A lot of people charged with DUI claim that the financial burden from arrest gave them countless sleepless nights and is one of the most stressful things they have had to deal with.

Loss of Independence
Public transportation isn’t the most convenient way to get around, especially if you live quite far away from your workplace. Having your driving privileges revoked and your license suspended can make you feel like you’ve lost a part of your freedom and independence.
 
Losing access to their vehicle for a period of time may not be a big deal for some people, but for others, it can be a very stressful predicament that affects different aspects of their lives.

Severe Stress
There are a lot of things about a DUI arrest that’s stressful, and constantly worrying about them can really take its toll on you. Worse, you have to continuously function like normal while dealing with all the stress because life does not stop after the arrest. You have work to do, deadlines to meet, bills to pay, and, on top of it all, a DUI case to take care of.

No wonder a lot of people have trouble sleeping and are always on edge after getting arrested for DUI.

Depression
Sad, but true: some people fall into a state of depression after a DUI arrest. Financial problems, loss of independence, too much stress, and constant worrying of the possible personal and professional implications of the conviction – all these contribute to the feelings of self-loathing and depression.
 
In addition, many DUI offenders also tend to pull away from friends, family, and social situations because of shame. Having no one to talk to and share their concerns with makes it harder for them to shake off their negative thoughts and move on.

What makes DUI arrests so unnerving is the feeling of uncertainty that accompanies it.

Am I going to win the case? Am I going to get convicted? Will I lose my job? What will my friends and family say?

Fear the outcome and its consequences can keep the offender agitated and negatively affect their mental health.
 
Thankfully, it’s not that hard to cope with the after-effects of a DUI arrest: Exercise and eat healthy. Stay away from alcohol. Keep your family and friends close -- their support will help you get through these trying times.
 
Most importantly, hire legal help. Working with an experienced criminal defense & DUI attorney will increase your chances of tipping the scales in your favor. You’ll feel much more confident going into trial when you come prepared.
 
Like all negative experiences in life, this too shall pass. The consequences of a DUI conviction may be harsh, but you won’t have to endure them forever.

When filing a claim, you may come across a variety of challenges. Hiring a qualified attorney can be very beneficial.

The State of California has some of the busiest roads and on any given day, a person can suffer an unexpected car accident. Whether it is a small fender-bender or a high-velocity impact, car accidents can result in thousands of dollars in property damage and medical costs.
When being involved in a car accident in California, there may be an opportunity to recover compensation by filing a personal injury claim. Filing a claim, however, is a complex process and hiring a personal injury attorney can be very beneficial. Here, we will discuss the benefits of hiring a personal injury attorney and why it is in your best interests to seek the support of a qualified advocate.

The State of California is considered a fault state, where the at-fault party will be accountable for paying restitution to the victims for property damage and personal injuries. In comparison, other states follow the no-fault rule, where it does not matter who the at-fault party is. In these states, all those who were involved in the accident will need to contact their own insurance company in order to obtain injury protection benefits. Being in a fault state, however, can present complications when filing a claim and one of these is the issue of establishing fault.
Depending on the facts of the case, establishing fault can be easy or it can be very difficult. For instance, in an easy situation, a driver can confess that he was at-fault for the accident because he was not paying attention when he ran the red light and rear-ended your vehicle. In a different example, proving fault can be more complex because the other driver has blamed you for the accident or there is more than one at-fault party involved.
By obtaining the support of a skilled personal injury attorney, you will be able to obtain evidence that can prove who is the at-fault party. A skilled attorney can:

• Obtain and analyze police reports;
• Talk to individuals who witnessed the accident;
• Can look for surveillance video of the accident;
• Will analyze the damage of the vehicles, which can provide important information about who caused the collision;
• Will investigate the scene of the crash, which can provide knowledge of roadway erosion that may have caused the accident; and
• Can speak to insurance companies and the other drivers involved on your behalf.

Once fault has been established, you are able to file a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance company for compensation. By filing a claim, you may be able to receive compensation for the following losses:

• Out-of-pocket expenses for the medical treatment received for the injuries caused by the accident;
• Compensation for future medical expenses, such as surgery that is needed to help ease the injury;
• The loss of wages that have resulted from the debilitating injuries;
• Damage to your car and other property;
• Loss of quality of life, that can result from a permanent injury such as paralysis; and/or
• Pain and suffering that can include inconveniences that have been caused by the injury and emotional distress.

Filing a claim is rarely an easy process, as insurance companies will do what is in their power to either pay the least amount of compensation or not pay compensation at all. Without the right experience, it can be difficult for auto accident victims to negotiate a fair settlement offer.
By seeking the support of a skilled attorney, you will be able to ensure you are paid the fair amount for what your injuries are worth. Additionally, you may be able to obtain compensation for intangible damages, such as emotional distress. A skilled attorney can strategically negotiate on your behalf, and significantly increase the amount the insurance company is willing to pay. Negotiations are always a grueling and daunting process, where very few people will have the necessary skills to handle the situation themselves. By obtaining the support of a skilled attorney, however, you can elevate your chances at obtaining the maximum amount of compensation. Further, injury claims in California are extremely time sensitive. In a best case scenario you may have up to two years to file a claim, but in some cases, it could only be 6 months. A personal injury attorney will also understand the California statute of limitations and ensure your claim is filed in a timely manner.

After a car accident, many people will attempt to handle their personal injury claim on their own only to discover that the claims process is far more complex than what they expected. If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident, hiring the support of a qualified attorney can prove to be very beneficial. Contact the support of an Inland Empire personal injury attorney you can depend on.

Wherever you are in the United States, getting caught drunk driving is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. After all, driving under the influence or DUI is a criminal offense in all states as well as the District of Columbia, and that means its consequences cannot be taken lightly. One of those consequences is jail time, which is something no person looks forward to serving.

All DUI offenses, whether it’s a first-time misdemeanor or a third DUI felony charge, are punishable with jail time of varying lengths. A first DUI conviction in California, for example, carries a penalty of up to six months in jail. A third DUI felony conviction, on the other hand, is punishable with mandatory jail time of up to five years.

However, it is still entirely possible to avoid jail in case you are convicted of a DUI. This is one of the many reasons to hire a DUI defense attorney to represent you in court - you stand a much better chance of staying out of a jail cell despite a conviction.

Whether or not a DUI convict—particularly a first-time offender—will spend some time in jail or not will largely depend on the judge handing down the sentence.

A good DUI lawyer can plead with the judge to spare the offender from jail and hand down an alternative sentence instead. The judge will hear your attorney’s presentation and will decide on it based on several factors.

The judge will take into account the type of DUI offense and how severe it is. Judges can be more lenient toward people who have committed a first-time DUI offense, which is typically charged as a misdemeanor. However, if that first-time offender hurt or killed someone, the likelihood of avoiding time in jail is significantly reduced. Judges will also weigh several other factors such as criminal history, if any, of the offender. Whether the DUI convict expresses any remorse will also be considered.

1. Probation
If the judge determines, among other things, that you are sorry for committing a DUI offense and that you are not a danger to the community, then you will likely end up serving probation instead of jail time.

Probation is better than jail, but it is no picnic for the offender either. You may no longer be under police custody and will have the freedom to move around, work, and contribute to society, but you will be supervised closely by a probation officer who will be assigned as soon as you receive your sentence.

If you’re serving probation, you will be required to follow specific rules throughout the probation period, like never driving without a valid license or with any amount of alcohol in your system, not committing any crime, or any other conditions the court may impose. On top of all this, you will also have to pay restitution, court costs, and probation supervision fees.

Violating or failing to complete the conditions of your probation will lead to its revocation, you will serve the maximum sentence that your original criminal DUI offense allows.

2. House arrest
The court that convicts you of a DUI offense can also require house arrest as an alternative to jail time. It also comes with certain inconveniences, but it does beat being in jail.

Then again, house arrest is, in a way, just like being in jail, but without the bars. You will have to confine yourself within your property and will be required to wear a monitoring device around your ankle, which will alert authorities if you leave your home. The monitoring device will most likely be a SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring) bracelet, which can detect alcohol in your sweat and measure your alcohol use.

3. Community service
Community service for a DUI offender can come in various forms. If you were convicted under California DUI laws and made to perform community service in lieu of jail, you would likely be made to work for the California Department of Transportation or Caltrans picking up trash on the freeway wearing those orange jumpsuits.

Other forms of community service include doing volunteer work for charities. In some cases, DUI offenders perform community service by speaking about the dangers of drunk driving in front of groups.

4. Alcohol or drug rehab
A DUI offender with an underlying alcohol or drug addiction may also be allowed by the court to spend time in a rehabilitation facility instead of a jail cell.

As mentioned above, you have to convince the court to hand down a sentence that doesn’t involve going behind bars. Only a skilled and experienced defense attorney can help you do that, make sure you hire one if you ever find yourself in DUI trouble.

Fraud claims and breach of contract are very different legal cases. It should be noted, however, that there are various circumstances where a breach of contract can involve fraud. For the most part, fraud claims cannot be filed simultaneous to a breach of contract, when both are based on the same set of facts and issues.

In a case where both claims have been filed at the same time, a court will generally focus on the claim regarding the breach of contract. This will disregard the fraud claim as being duplicative, particularly when the claim restates that facts included in the breach of contract claim.

When a breach of contract lawsuit has been filed, the claim will generally imply that there has been some degree of misrepresentation that caused at least one party to not perform in the obligations set within the contract. A breach of contract, however, can become a fraud claim.

In California, a contract is a legal agreement made between at least two parties. The parties involved in the contract essentially promise to perform a specific duty. The reason behind having a contract be legally binding is to hold each party responsible in the event of a breach. A contract breach will occur when the agreement is not kept because one of the parties has failed to fulfill the obligations agreed upon.

A breach of contract can occur in the following methods:

• When one party has failed to deliver his or her obligations in the time frame set in the agreement;
• When one party has not met the terms of the contract;
• When a party failed to perform;

When at least one of the parties involved in a contract have met their obligations, they are entitled to legal remedies for the breach of contract.

Contract fraud claims occur when at least one party to the contract has presented information that is deceitful, incorrect, or meant to confuse those involved. For example, a contract fraud claim can occur in employment contracts, when employees claim to have certain skills and experience to perform a job duty, when in fact, they do not.

Another example can involve a party, who is lead to believe they are making a purchase for a certain item in a particular condition, but the contract has specified a different product under a different condition.

Claims involving a breach of contract or a fraud claim are very complex as they can sometimes overlap. These claims can be brought separately under specific circumstances. If you believe you have been misled when entering into a contract and are seeking to file a breach of contract or a claim for fraud, seek the legal support of a skilled business law attorney who will defend your interests.

The attorneys at Schwartzberg & Luther, APC understand that in order to file a strong claim for a breach of contract can require extensive legal knowledge and experience. If you have reason to believe you have been harmed as a result of a breach of contract, consult a skilled law firm today.

Negligence can occur when another’s actions, or in some cases inactions, fall short of the reasonable standards set to protect another from harm. For instance, drivers in California have a legal duty to the safety of others on the road. Therefore, a driver who chooses to drive behind the wheel while intoxicated is acting negligent in considering the safety of other drivers. In order to win a personal injury claim in California, the victim, also known as a plaintiff, will need to prove that the accused is liable for causing the accident that resulted in his or her injuries.

When it comes to personal injury claims, there are generally four factors that must be demonstrated in a claim in order to prove that the accused party acted negligently:

• Reasonable Duty of Care -  It is essential to prove that the accused party had the legal obligation to adhere to or provide a reasonable standard of care. In some cases, this may be easy to demonstrate. Using the previous example, all drivers in the state have a legal duty to the safety of those they share the road with. Consequently, drivers in California must operate their vehicle in a reasonably safe manner.
• Breached Duty of Care - Once it has been established that the accused owed the plaintiff a duty of care, it is critical to prove that the accused failed to act in a reasonably safe manner. In a drunk driving auto accident case, a breach of duty would entail the driver choosing to drive while intoxicated.
• The Breach Resulted in the Plaintiff’s Injuries - Next, the plaintiff will need to prove that the personal injury claim is being pursued as a result of injuries that were sustained because of the breach in duty.
• Establishing a Monetary Loss - A plaintiff will need to demonstrate the extent of his or her grievances in order to justify the restitution sought. The strongest method to do this would be to provide an established medical record that demonstrates the injuries and the cost of medical treatment. Proof of other bills, expenditures, or loss of income can also be provided.

Following an accident that left you with injuries, it is critical to your well-being and recovery that you seek monetary compensation for your grievances. In California, however, you only have a small window of time to file the lawsuit. Speak to a skilled personal injury attorney as soon as possible in order to ensure your claim is heard.

The good news is that brake failure is rarely the cause of a car accident. Typically, most vehicles have redundancy and two braking systems to ensure safety, if one fails. However, when brake failure occurs, it is often related to larger vehicles like semi-trucks or larger trucks. If you were involved in a car accident where your brakes failed, it likely was a terrifying event.
Understanding your options after a brake failure and car accident can help you determine your next steps.

• Brake Failure Statistics - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey states that only 2% of all car accidents are caused by brake failure. While the brakes on modern vehicles rarely fail, it is absolutely possible.

Many drivers attempt to blame brake failure instead of their own negligence when they rear-end a car in front of them. People simply do not like admitting that they made a mistake, even if their insurance will cover all damages related to the accident. Often, drivers are afraid that their insurance premiums will rise after a car accident that is determined to be their fault. However, in most cases, these accidents are simply due to driver negligence and not a manufacturing defect of the braking system on the vehicle.

• What to Do When Your Brakes Fail - If you were unable to avoid an accident due to brake failure, you will likely not be held responsible for the car accident. In most cases where brakes fail, the car may rear-end a vehicle ahead, often at a high rate of speed. However, if you have taken all reasonable measures and necessary steps to ensure that your brakes are working properly, and they unexpectedly fail, the fault is with the brakes, not your negligence. The following are some steps you can take to ensure that your brakes either do not fail or, if they do fail, that you can prove that you were not negligent in your driving.
• Stay at the Scene of the Accident - One tell-tale sign that someone is not telling the truth regarding their brakes failing is if they leave the scene of an accident. Not only does this indicate that your brakes were likely functioning enough to leave, but it also exposes you to criminal liability for leaving the scene of an accident. In the State of California, it is a felony for a driver to flee the scene of an accident in a hit and run.
• Maintain Your Vehicle - If you maintain your vehicle and follow the advice of your mechanic regarding when to replace parts and components of your car, you should be able to show to an insurance company, or a court of law, that you acted with due diligence in maintaining your car. If your mechanic suggested that you replace your brake pads and you refuse to do so, or if you have failed to replace your brake pads according to the mileage recommendations in your vehicle’s owner manual, you may be negligent for failing to properly maintain your vehicle.
• Obtain Witness Testimony - Oftentimes, witness testimony can be crucial to the determination of fault in a car accident. If a witness states that you never mentioned anything about your brakes failing after the accident, this could be used against you. This fact would be something that was mentioned immediately after a car accident, as it would be a scary experience for a driver. If you never mention that your brakes failed, stating that at a later date may appear to be an attempt to escape liability for the accident. However, if a witness heard you mention immediately after an accident that your brakes failed and you were unable to stop, this could be helpful to your case regarding liability.
• Manufacturer Liability - If your car brakes failed and it resulted in an accident, all injured parties may be able to file a defective manufacturing accident claim against the vehicle manufacturer or the manufacturer of the brake part or component that failed. These cases are based on product liability law. Manufacturers are held to strict liability standards regarding the products that they place in the stream of commerce. If it is determined that their product was defective in any way, they could be held responsible and liable for any injuries or damage that occurred as a result of the defect.

Typically, in order to prove that a manufacturer is responsible, your attorney will have to prove that the defect was unreasonably dangerous, that it was directly responsible for the injury or damage, and that the manufactured part or component was not substantially altered since it was first sold or installed on the vehicle.

• Mechanic Liability - There are some cases where the mechanic that installed a brake part or component did so incorrectly or in a negligent way. In these circumstances, you may find it more difficult to prove liability, as the mechanic will likely not be willing to admit fault. However, if it can be proven that there is no manufacturing defect, but rather the installation of the brake part or component was done negligently, or that the mechanic left brakes on a car in a faulty condition, it may be possible to hold the mechanic, the car dealership, or other third party responsible for the injuries or damage that resulted from the negligence.

If you or a family member was injured due to defective brakes, or a flaw in manufacturing or design, you may be eligible to file a claim against the manufacturer. These types of matters are very difficult to prove, and can be very time consuming and expensive to litigate, so finding a lawyer to assist you is the best possible course of action.

*This blog was published by Silverthorne Attorneys located in Ladera Ranch, CA.

If you have been accused of sexual harassment in the workplace, the accusation can have your reputation tarnished and expose you to a financial judgment. Additionally, an accusation can leave yourself and your company in serious legal trouble under state and federal laws. Moreover, the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) can issue an administrative charge and begin a formal investigation into the claim for workplace discrimination.
 
If your business or a colleague is facing workplace sexual harassment allegations, it is important to seek the legal support of a knowledgeable attorney who will fight for your rights. Consider speaking to a qualified attorney who will champion on your behalf.

Upon hearing of the allegations, it is important to act quickly and begin protecting your interests. Begin making a detailed account of all the interactions you have had with the co-worker.
 
In the event that the sexual harassment claim has been filed directly with the EEOC or the co-worker has already filed a lawsuit against you, not only is it in your best interest to seek legal support, it is also important to consider all defenses available. In a sexual harassment claim, the burden is typically placed on the accuser, which means that the alleged victim will need to prove specific elements to obtain a judgment. An experienced attorney can assist in defending against such claims.

Depending on the facts of your case, not every legal defense will be available to you. Understanding what legal defenses could be available, however, can help you decide what will be the best course of legal action. The following is a limited list of possible defenses:

• Providing sufficient evidence that the allegations have been fabricated;
• Reviewing the company’s sexual harassment policies;
• The conduct did not break the law;
• The accuser has failed to undergo administrative procedures before filing the lawsuit;
• Your investigations have failed to establish the event or pattern of behavior that was troublesome;
• The EEOC has concluded its investigations and determined that there was insufficient information about the occurrence or determined that the incident did not occur;
• The alleged behavior was perpetrated by a third party.

In every professional work environment, your reputation is the most important thing you need to protect. When a co-worker or employee has accused you of sexual harassment, the claim can affect you for the rest of your career as well as jeopardize your business’ future. After a wrongful allegation has been made against you, it is important to act quickly – consider seeking the legal support of a skilled attorney who can champion on your behalf.
 
The employment defense attorneys at the Knez Law Group, LLP have many years of dedicated experience protecting the rights of those wrongfully accused. Workplace sexual harassment claims should always be taken seriously and it is important to act quickly. If you need legal assistance in defending against an employment claim, contact the legal support of a qualified attorney.

Car accidents around the US cost more than $800 billion a year. They result in thousands of deaths and millions of injury cases, a lot of which are permanent. Despite the fact that there have been immense advancements on the technological front to improve car safety through equipment like assistive braking and guided cruise control, but the element of human error still remains. This includes negligence and distracted driving among other things.
Individuals have to realize that while on the road they have a moral and civic responsibility towards others as well as themselves. Protecting your life and that of those around you is your legal and ethical requirement while driving. Here are a few things that you should be careful about in this regard.

Stay Attentive to Your Surroundings
There is a common notion that one of the basic assumptions while driving a car is to think you’re the only person who can see. Motorcyclists, pedestrians and other people like skateboarders etc. will come charging into your path creating a risk for massive collisions. This is the reason you have to be extra careful while on the road. Check your rear-view mirrors regularly especially when making a turn or pulling over. Also check for on-coming traffic before opening your car door in the middle of a road. Use turn signals at all times and make sure you’re brake lights are functioning properly.

Be Responsible
Negligent driving is one of the most common causes for accidents around the US. Similarly distractions are also a major factor that contributes towards sometimes fatal accidents. Recent increases in usage of social media platforms like SnapChat, Facebook Live YouTube have been misused by people while driving. This is a step up from the traditional texting while driving. However, this has only compounded the risks immensely. The authorities advise you to avoid these practices to make the roads and highways safer for yourself and others.

Follow the Rules
It is said that ignorance of law is now excuse. Ignorance might be not knowing the law or wishfully ignoring it. Both these conditions can result in catastrophic consequences. Running red lights, overtaking out of place, traveling the wrong way or traveling in the wrong lane etc. are just a few examples of law breaking that can detrimental for you and other people as well. Saving a few minutes of your time can leave you in big trouble with more mess to clean up than you expected.

After a car crash, there are a lot of things to keep in mind, but your safety and the safety of others involved in the collision are critical. Here are some actionable things to do after an accident:

1. Make sure you, and your car are in a safe area to avoid a collision with additional drivers.
2. If you or anyone has been injured, call 911 to get medical attention.
3. When safe and if possible, take pictures and/or video of the scene and the surrounding areas and make note if there are any potential surveillance cameras.
4. Try to get witness information.
5. Contact a personal injury lawyer immediately
   

While you should be careful about the rights of others and your own while on the road, you also have to keep your car in top shape and ensure you have all the safety features that the law requires. However, if you do get into an accident, make sure you’re prepared. Have a first aid kit on board and contacts for your insurance company and contact the car accident lawyers at RM Law Group, LLP. Our attorneys offer free consultations and can answer your questions & advise you on the best course of action regarding your specific circumstances.

The Sun posted a recent article discussing a Riverside man’s involvement in a hit and run incident. Dustin Michael Garrett was arrested for suspicion of drunk driving and causing bodily injury to multiple victims on a Saturday night at around 9 p.m. Redlands police say that Garret struck 27-year-old Dain Nuu Wells with his vehicle on Colton Avenue near Herald Street, Wells was riding his skateboard when he was struck and thrown onto the hood of Garrett's car as he was speeding down the street. Garrett fled the scene of the incident and collided with three other vehicles in the process. After colliding with the third vehicle, Garrett abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot until he was caught by police at Empire Bowl near Colton and New York Street. He was booked at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga for DUI and Hit & Run, but was later released.

Fortunately no lives were lost because of this reckless driver’s actions, but that is not always the case when a drunk driving accident occurs. It is very unfortunate to think about but accidents caused by drunk drivers taken lives across this state at a staggering rate. When we send our loved ones out into the world, we always hope they will return home safely but some families are not so fortunate. If you know you will be drinking, please do not get behind the wheel or a vehicle. If you are under the influence, call a sober driver to pick you up so you can be part of the solution and not the problem. Always buckle up while you are in a vehicle and help the streets be a less dangerous and unpredictable place.  You can make a difference.

When accidents caused by drunk driving occur in California, the DMV’s first reaction against the driver is to suspend or revoke their license. If a suspension action begins, it is the driver’s responsibility to schedule an administrative hearing to fight for the preservation of their driver license.  This process can be a difficult and confusing challenge if attempted without guidance. It is wise to do your research and enlist the assistance of a team that can expertly take on your case and ensure you an opportunity to prevail.

California Drivers Advocates is a team of DMV Defense Experts that can help defend California drivers at the DMV when their license and driving privileges are at risk of suspension or revocation. Rob Collier is the President and CEO of the business. Visit Rob and his team at their website or contact them at 1-888-281-5244. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have at no obligation

On February 2, 2018 at about 11:52 p.m., a two car crash occurred leaving one girl dead and several injured, reported The Press-Enterprise in an online article. Denise Canez was a passenger in a Toyota Sienna that was traveling north on Lyon Avenue and was hit by a Honda Accord that was traveling west on Ramona Boulevard in Rialto, California. The Honda Accord was traveling at high speed and failed to stop at a posted stop sign which caused the two vehicles to collide in the intersection. Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the incident. Denise Canez was only 17-years-old, she was a traveling passenger in the Toyota Sienna that was struck by the presumed intoxicated driver. Canez was pronounced dead at 12:54 a.m. Saturday at Hemet Valley Medical Center. All passengers in both vehicles were injured and taken to hospitals to receive treatment.
    
Imagine being the family that has to wake up one morning to a call about their daughter passing in a car accident. The heartbreak knowing a life that was so young was lost, that your loved one will never get to laugh or smile again, all because of a drunk driver deciding to be reckless & careless. Driving under the influence is illegal in California, yet so many drivers have been involved in a car accident or have been stop in a DUI checkpoint due to being over the legal limit. When a driver has been drinking and gets into the driver’s seat, they are then putting many lives at risk of injury and even possibly a fatality.
    
When an unfortunate event like the one described in the article above occurs, the victims have rights to compensation. Negligent parties can be held responsible and victims have options like to file a claim and settle with their insurance companies, or hire an attorney and pursue a larger case or claim to fully protect their rights. Insurance companies will often try to hurry and settle the case and typically at a lesser amount that what may be achieved when fighting the claim, victims can lose out on a lot of money because many factors are overlooked and under compensated. With an attorney, they can file claims or pursue jury trials to recover more compensation for their clients. In a case like the one above, since a life was lost the family can file wrongful death claim for the loss of their daughter and work with the attorney towards receiving compensation. The battle does not simply end because the victim is deceased, the family still has rights.

The family in this case could go after compensation for the loss of their daughter regardless of any criminal charges brought by the County District Attorney’s office against the negligent driver. If you or anyone you may know is in a similar situation, find an attorney who is experienced and has a background and experience. For the case above, an attorney with a background in wrongful death lawsuits could pursued to help fight for the best outcome for the case. Justin H. King is an experienced personal injury attorney that represents victims in Ontario when they have lost someone due to someone else’s negligence. His firm, the Law Offices of Justin H. King provides representation for victims involved in serious and traumatic accidents pertaining to auto accidents and wrongful death claims.