At least two people were injured in a Costa Mesa car accident, which involved three vehicles, near Orange Coast College. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the injury crash occurred the afternoon of December 12, 2011 close to the intersection of Fairview Road and Merrimac Way. After the initial collision, one of the vehicles struck a speed limit sign on the side of the roadway, before crashing into a telephone pole. Officials say the three-car accident, involving a Chevy Silverado pickup truck, a Honda Pilot SUV and a station wagon, injured three people two of whom were transported to a local trauma center. Police are still trying to determine if slick roadways may have contributed to the crash. An investigation is ongoing.
My heart goes out to everyone who was injured in this crash. I wish the two victims the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Orange County Car Accidents
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were three fatalities and 848 injuries involving Costa Mesa car accidents. During the same year, 141 people died and 13,373 were injured in Orange County car accidents.
Right-of-Way Issues
Based on this news report, it is unclear as to which one of the vehicles triggered the multi-vehicle crash. It is also unclear as to what set of factors led to this accident. Officials have stated the crash occurred barely 100 feet south of the intersection. It is not clear if one of the vehicles failed to yield the right-of-way or if one of the drivers ran a red light at the busy intersection in front of the community college.
According to California Vehicle Code Section 21800 (a): “The driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle which has entered the intersection from a different highway.”
Victims’ Claim for Compensation
In such cases, the at-fault parties can be held liable for injuries and damages caused. Injured victims 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 Costa Mesa personal injury lawyer, who will stay on top of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected. A skilled accident attorney will better advise victims about how their own car insurance policy applies to an incident where the at-fault party is uninsured or underinsured.