A Long Beach car accident involving two vehicles including one driven by a 90-year-old Los Alamitos woman, has left a 91-year-old man dead and eight other people injured. According to a KTLA news report, the car accident occurred the morning of June 27 along Long Beach Boulevard, just south of 44th Street. Police say a 90-year-old woman was at the wheel of a 2015 Kia Rio with 91-year-old Howard Schaack riding as a passenger. The woman failed to yield to oncoming traffic when she pulled out onto the boulevard from a driveway.
Injuries and Fatality
Officials said the Kia collided with a 2010 Dodge Challenger that was heading north along Long Beach Boulevard in the number-two lane. The elderly man and woman in the Kia were hospitalized along with a woman, a man and five children who were riding in the Dodge. Schaack died at the scene. The nature and extent of the injuries sustained by the other injured patients is not known.
Police also said based on preliminary investigations and only one male adult passenger in the Dodge Challenger was buckled up. The female driver and the five minor children in the backseat were unrestrained, police said. Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact Long Beach police at 562-570-7355.
Our hearts go out to everyone who was affected by this horrific crash. We offer our condolences to Schaack’s family and wish the injured victims the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Laws and Liability Issues
Based on this news report, it appears that the elderly driver who was driving the Kia Rio failed to yield the right of way to Dodge Challenger. 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.”
It is unclear whether the driver’s age affected her ability to judge traffic conditions or her driving skills. We trust officials will look into these and other issues during their accident investigation. In such cases, the at-fault driver can be held liable for the injuries and damages caused to victims.
Injured victims can seek compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities and pain and suffering. An experienced Long Beach car accident lawyer will help injured victims and their families better understand their legal rights and options.
Source: https://ktla.com/2019/06/27/91-year-old-man-killed-8-others-hurt-in-long-beach-2-car-crash/