Nine people were injured, four seriously, in an Irvine car accident after an 81-year-old Dana Point man crashed through a fence, struck two cars and plowed into several pedestrians at the Irvine Meadows Amphitheater the night of September 3, 2016. According to a KABC news report, the incident occurred in the 8800 block of Irvine Center Drive near the box office right before the start of a concert at the popular venue.
Officials said the elderly man, whom they later identified as Joon Kyu Kim, drove through the parking lot near the entrance and suddenly hit a fence and several pedestrians. He then hit an unoccupied, parked police car pushing it into a grassy area where people were picnicking. Several people were injured and treated for their injuries. None of the injuries are believed to be life threatening. It was unclear what caused the crash. Police have ruled out the involvement of alcohol or drugs. No citations or arrests were reported. The investigation is ongoing.
Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were injured in this crash. We are relieved to note that the injuries were not life threatening. We wish all the injured victims the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Crashes Involving Elderly Drivers
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), in 2014, there were an estimated 30.9 million people 70 and older living in the United States, representing about 10 percent of the population. Based on data reported by states to the Federal Highway Administration, there were approximately 24.4 million licensed drivers 70 and older in 2014. This represented approximately 79 percent of the population 70 and older and about 11 percent of drivers of all ages.
In crashes involving older drivers, it is important to determine how or why the crash occurred. Was the driver disoriented or confused? Was he taking medications that affected his ability to drive? Has he had prior similar episodes while driving? Did distraction or inattention play a part? These are just some of the factors that must be examined in crashes involving elderly drivers.
Fault and Liability
In such cases, injured victims can seek compensation for the injuries, damages and losses they have suffered including medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, rehabilitation, pain and suffering and emotional distress. Victims would also be well advised to contact an experienced Irvine car accident lawyer who will examine all aspects of the incident and ensure that the at-fault parties are held liable for their negligence and/or wrongdoing.