Brittany Yost, 22, was killed in an Orange County car accident the morning of August 30, 2009 after the car she was driving struck a guardrail on the 5 Freeway and rolled over, The Orange County Register reports. Yost died at the scene of the car accident, according to the Orange County Coroner’s office. California Highway Patrol officials have not yet determined the cause of this rollover car accident.
I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of young Brittany Yost for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Yost. Please keep them in your prayers.
Irvine Car Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), eight fatalities and 842 injuries were reported in Irvine as a result of car accidents. In Orange County as a whole, 178 fatalities and 14,185 injuries occurred in 2007 involving car accidents.
Based on this newspaper report, it is not clear what caused this fatal Irvine car accident. We don’t know exactly why Brittany Yost lost control of the car and crashed. There are many unanswered questions here. What kind of car was Yost driving? Was there a dangerous condition on the roadway, which may have caused or contributed to this car crash? Was this accident caused by a mechanical malfunction or a vehicle defect in the car Yost was driving? Were any other vehicles involved in this accident – for example – was she run off the roadway by another driver? In any such accident, there are always many possible scenarios. If I were a family member, I’d want to know if this accident was caused by someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing?
Car Accident Liability Issues
If this accident was caused by another driver, then he or she could be held liable for the accident and resulting injuries. If it was caused by a vehicle defect, then the auto maker may be held financially responsible. If a dangerous roadway caused or contributed to this fatal car accident, the governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could be held liable. Any such claim against a governmental entity must be properly filed within 180 days of the accident or injury.
Car accident victims or their families, in such cases, would be well-advised to contact an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer, who will analyze each and every aspect of the crash, determine the facts, identify the negligent parties and hold them accountable. The best California car accident law firms will offer a free and comprehensive consultation to victims and/or their families.