Two people were injured in a car accident in Anaheim that involved two vehicles, the morning of June 26, 2012. According to The Orange County Register, the injury crash occurred at the intersection of Wagner Avenue and Sunkist Street. Police say the driver of a Ford Escort was traveling west on Wagner when she made a left turn in front of a Toyota Camry. The male driver of the Camry suffered major injuries and was transported to a trauma center while the driver of the Escort suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Officials are still investigating the crash.
My thoughts and prayers are with the two drivers who were injured in this Orange County crash. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Anaheim Car Accidents
There were 23 fatalities and 1,970 injuries involving car accidents in Anaheim in 2009, according to California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). During the same year, 141 people died and 13,373 were injured due to Orange County car accidents.
Right-of-Way Issues
Based on this news article, the driver of the Escort that was westbound on Wagner attempted a left turn on Sunkist before striking the oncoming Camry. California Vehicle Code Section 21801 (a) states: “The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left or to complete a U-turn upon a highway, or to turn left into public or private property, or an alley, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to the approaching vehicles until the left turn or U-turn can be made with reasonable safety.”
Fault and Liability
If it is determined that the driver of the Escort made a left turn in front of the Camry without yielding the right of way, then, she could be held liable for the victim’s injuries. Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages and benefits, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. Car accident victims would be well advised to contact an experienced Anaheim personal injury lawyer, who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.