A deadly crash in Modesto may have been due to a driver under the influence of alcohol, according to police. The unidentified 32-year-old Modesto man was charged with homicide and driving under the influence after his 2010 Chevy Malibu crashed into a 2012 Audi at the intersection of L and Eighth Streets, killing the 38-year-old Audi driver.

The driver of the Audi died a short time after being taken to a local hospital, but his name has not been released pending notification of family members. The other driver was also injured in the crash and was taken to a hospital for treatment of moderate injuries.

Alcohol One Of The Most Deadly Crash Factors

Modesto has experienced 12 fatal crashes this year with 15 total fatalities. Five of these crashes, or nearly 50 percent, involved alcohol.

These numbers are a bit higher than the national average, but illustrate an important point: alcohol remains one of the deadliest factors of all in fatal car crashes. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving:

  • Up to 75 percent of drunk drivers still drive after having their license suspended.
  • The average drunk driver is arrested after driving under the influence of alcohol approximately 80 times.
  • Each day, 28 people die in drunk driving crashes.
  • Someone is injured in a drunk driving crash every 120 seconds.
  • Two out of every three people will be involved at some point in their lifetime in a crash in which alcohol plays a role.
  • Drunk driving is 4.5 times more likely to occur at night than during the day, but many crashes still occur in daylight hours. There is no hour of the day when drunk driving crashes do not occur.
  • On weekends, the number of drunk driving crashes jumps from 15 percent of all accidents to 31 percent.
  • About one in five children killed in a car crash died in a DUI crash, and half of these were in the car with the drunk driver at the time.
  • Only about 13 percent of all drunk drivers on the road at any given time are pulled over.

What Can I Do If I Am The Victim Of A Drunk Driving Accident?

Drunk drivers are often the cause of serious crashes that result in injuries or death for innocent victims. Whether you have lost a family member to a drunk driver or have been injured yourself, there are steps you can take to recover monetary damages for your loss.

It is important to remember that there are two types of liability in any drunk driving crash. The drunk driver owes a debt to society in the form of punishment for criminal charges. The driver may face jail time, fines and other penalties for his or her behavior. These punishments are designed to make the driver pay for breaking the law. However, these punishments in no way compensate the victim or family for their losses.

It is often necessary to file a personal injury lawsuit to compensate the victims of a drunk driving crash, These lawsuits can help victims collect the money they need to pay medical bills, recover lost wages and compensate them for pain and suffering. Find out how you can recover damages in your own drunk driving accident case by talking to one of our personal injury lawyers.