A family of six riding in a minivan was injured in a car accident, which officials say, was caused by a driver who was fleeing a road rage incident. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the first crash occurred when a man drove an SUV into another car the afternoon of July 10, 2017 at the intersection of Bolsa Chica Road and Warner Avenue. After that collision, the man drove the SUV east on Warner, lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a minivan that was leaving a parking lot near Warner and Springdale Street.
The SUV’s driver had to be extricated from his vehicle and was hospitalized for injuries. All six people in the minivan were transported to area hospitals for treatment of injuries. At least two of the seven who were injured were sent to local trauma centers, which suggests they may have suffered more serious or critical injuries. No arrests or citations were reported. The incident is still under investigation.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured victims of this car crash. We wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Road Rage is a Serious Problem
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 66 percent of traffic accident fatalities are caused by aggressive drivers. About 37 percent of road rage incidents involve a firearm. Half of all drivers who are on the receiving end of an aggressive behavior such as horn honking, a rude gesture, or tailgating, admit to responding with aggressive behavior themselves. Over a seven-year period, 218 murders and 12,610 injuries nationwide were attributed to road rage. About 2 percent of drivers admit to having tried to run an aggressor off the road.
Liability Issues
Based on this news report, it appears that the driver of the SUV was trying to get away from the scene of a road rage crash he had caused and in the process, struck the minivan carrying the family. In this particular case, the injured victims can file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver, even if he is facing criminal charges.
A civil personal injury lawsuit will help injured victims seek and obtain monetary compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, rehabilitative treatment, permanent injuries, pain and suffering and emotional distress. Injured victims in such cases would be well advised to contact an experienced Huntington Beach personal injury lawyer who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.