A 47-year-old man was killed in a Garden Grove car accident after the vehicle he was driving was hit by a minivan at a freeway overpass. According to a City News Service report, the car crash occurred the night of May 2, 2012, when the victim’s Toyota pickup truck and a northbound Honda minivan collided on Bolsa Chica Road at the 405 Freeway. The driver of the pickup truck died at the scene. Two others were critically injured in the collision, The Orange County Register reports. A firefighter at the scene said that the crash was violent and high speed was likely a factor. Garden Grove police are investigating the cause of this fatal incident.
Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of this deceased car accident victim for their tremendous loss. I also wish the injured victims the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Car Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 14 fatalities and 647 injuries occurred involving Garden Grove car accidents. During the same year, Orange County car accidents claimed 141 lives and injured 13,373 people.
What Caused This Crash?
Based on the news account, it is not clear how or why this violent crash occurred. Officials believe high speed was a factor, but we do not know which one of the drivers was at fault. California Vehicle Code Section 22350 (Basic Speed Law) states: “No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic and on surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.” I trust officials are looking into whether speed, alcohol, distracted driving or inattention resulted in this fatal collision.
Protecting Victims’ Rights
In such cases, injured victims or families of deceased victims would be well advised to contact an experienced Garden Grove personal injury lawyer, who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable. In cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, the family of a deceased victim can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for medical and funeral expenses, lost future income, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages.