A husband and wife were injured in a Los Angeles County car accident, which officials say involved a teenage driver running through a red light. According to a news article in The Cerritos-Artesia Patch, the three-vehicle crash occurred on Shoemaker Avenue at Artesia Boulevard in Cerritos, the evening of January 8, 2012. An 18-year-old Fullerton man in a Mitsubishi Lancer drove through a red light and struck a blue Kia minivan carrying the couple. The minivan overturned and crashed into a Toyota Sienna. The man and his wife were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. It is not clear if the driver of the Lancer will be cited for the collision. An investigation into the incident is still pending.
My thoughts and prayers are with the injured victims of this car accident. I wish the injured victims the very best for a complete and speedy recovery.
Los Angeles County Car Accidents
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), three people were killed and 380 were injured in a Cerritos car accidents. Throughout Los Angeles County, there were 554 fatalities and 50,817 injuries reported due to car accidents, during the same year.
Red Light Violation
Based on the news report, this car accident was caused by a driver who ran a red light. California Vehicle Code Section 21453 (a) states: “A driver facing a circular red signal shall stop at the limit line before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection, and shall remain stopped until an indication to proceed is shown.” I trust officials are looking into whether this driver was distracted, impaired, inattentive, or otherwise negligent at the time.
Liability Issues
In this particular case, if the teen driver is determined to have been at fault, then, he can be held liable for the resulting injuries and damages. Car accident victims can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, cost of hospitalization, physical therapy, and pain and suffering. Injured victims would be well advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all facets of the incident and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.