Two people were seriously injured in an Orange County car accident after a van and a Coca-Cola truck collided at a street intersection. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the injury crash occurred at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Rio Vista Street, the afternoon of July 2, 2012. Anaheim police say a Ford Aerostar van was traveling south on Rio Vista when he ran a red light and broadsided the Coca-Cola, which was westbound on Lincoln. The male driver and female passenger in the Aerostar were transported to UCI Medical Center with life threatening injuries. The driver of the Coca-Cola truck was uninjured.
My thoughts and prayers are with the injured victims of this car accident. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Orange County Collision Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 23 fatalities and 1,970 injuries involving Anaheim car crashes. Also, during the same year, 141 people died and 13,373 were injured due to motor vehicle accidents in Orange County.
Right-of-Way Issues
Based on this report, officials say that the driver of the Ford Aerostar van ran a red light at the street intersection and struck the truck. 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.”
Fault and Liability
If the driver of the van is determined to have been at fault, then, he can be held liable for the injuries caused to his passenger. If the driver of the Coca-Cola truck is determined to have been at fault, then, he and his employer can be held liable for the injuries and damages caused. Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. Victims would also be well advised to contact an experienced Anaheim personal injury lawyer who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that the negligent parties are held accountable. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.