Exciting news!
Our firm is thrilled to announce a successful verdict in the case of Michaud et al v. United States. The judge returned a decision of over
$10.5 million in favor of our clients. This verdict is the
highest recorded verdict in Federal Court in the state of Utah. This is a
huge victory and a testament to our commitment to
fighting for justice.
GET YOUR FREE CONSULTATION
Sacramento Has Head Start on New Drunk Driving Law
Read the blog from Frank Penney Injury Lawyers in Roseville, CA below.
If you’ve ever been hit by a drunk driver, this news might be a relief: a bill was signed into California state law last fall, requiring convicted drunk drivers to install ignition interlock devices (IIDs) on their cars to prevent and reduce drunk driving accidents.
The law goes into effect statewide on January 1, 2019, but residents of Sacramento County have already been subjected to the same rules as part of a pilot program that also included Los Angeles, Alameda, and Tulare counties. California joins twenty-eight other states and the District of Columbia in having strong IID laws in place for drunk driving offenders.
IIDs Effectively Prevent Drunk Driving Accidents
The device is basically a “breathalyzer” that requires the driver to blow into it and prohibits the car from starting if the driver has a blood-alcohol content of .08% or higher. According to Senator Jerry Hill’s bill proposal (that was eventually passed the California Senate on April 23, 2019), the DMV reported:
IIDs are 74 percent more effective than license suspension in preventing repeat offenses.”
The bill was carried by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, an advocacy group that began in the Sacramento area and has spread in size and influence over the past few decades. In MADD’s evaluation of California’s ignition interlock pilot program, they state that interlocks prevented 1,024,667 drunk driving incidents since July 2010.
By Rsheram / CC BY-SA 3.0
How the New California DUI Law Works
The law is very similar to the pilot program that is already underway in Sacramento County, but with slight changes, it will stipulate that:
- A first DUI offense that also involves an injury, an IID would be required for six months
- A first DUI offense that involves no injuries, an offender may choose a six-month IID requirement with full driving privileges, or a one-year restricted license that would allow only driving to and from work if the offender also participates in a treatment program
- A second DUI offense, an IID would be required for one year
- A third DUI offense, the IID requirement is two years
- A fourth or subsequent DUI offense, the IID requirement is three years
An IID typically costs $70 to $150 for installation, plus about $60 to $80 per month for monitoring and calibration. Low-income offenders will be offered an option to pay on a sliding scale of 10%, 25%, or 50% of the costs (the rest paid by the IID provider).
Hope That Drunk Driving Accidents Will Soon Decrease
The new law requires the California Transportation Agency to study and report on the program by January 1, 2025. The law will “sunset” on January 1, 2026, unless extended by the Legislature.
Based on the pilot program reports provided by the DMV and MADD, there is plenty of reason to expect that the California IID law will prevent many drunk driving accidents in the future, and will likely save thousands of lives. If you’ve been affected by a drunk driving accident, know you have a personal injury lawyer in the Sacramento area who cares about your well-being and can help get you the justice you deserve.
No Fee Guarantee!
Our legal team understands that life can be very stressful after an accident of any type. The financial costs of your accident can add to that stress. When you are asking for help, this should make your life easier – not more difficult. That is why you do not have to worry about any upfront legal fees and expenses when you hire Frank Penney Injury Lawyers to handle your California personal injury case.
At Frank Penney Injury Lawyers, Frank Penney and his staff work on a contingency basis. This means you only have to pay a fee if you win your case. We will never charge a fee unless we obtain a settlement on your behalf. No win. No fee. Case closed.
This means there is no risk in asking Frank Penney Injury Lawyers for help. You get to benefit from Frank Penney’s years of experience, knowledge, and success without needing to stress about the cost. Call today to set up a free initial case assessment or to learn more.
When I first contacted the Law Offices of Frank D. Penney after my accident, I was frustrated with car insurance companies, and medical insurance companies; after all, I was in pain. He and his staff put me at ease instantly! It was such a relief to have someone working on MY BEHALF! They were able to settle my case for more than I initially thought it was worth. THANKS AGAIN!!!
- KRISTA H.
Read more
client testimonials.
Why Choose Us?
- If You Don’t Win, You Don’t Pay
- Free Case Evaluations
- Over 25 Years of Experience
- Compassionate and Caring
- Highly Rated Reviews
- Proven Track Record
- 24/7 Availability
- Quick Response Time
- And More
Our Recent Blog Posts
24/7 Availability – Reach Us by Phone, Email, Chat and More!
If you are involved in any type of personal injury due to the fault of someone else, our experienced team at Frank Penney Injury Lawyers in Roseville, CA can help. We are available to anyone in Northern California 24/7! Give us a call today to learn more at 888-888-0566. We will fight for your rights!
Contact Our Team Today
Frank Penney Injury Lawyers can be reached at the following locations:
No matter where you are in Northern California, or how you reach us, we will be there for you 24/7!
You Can Bank on Frank!
