Two people were hospitalized with injuries after a car accident in Anaheim, the afternoon of January 16, 2012. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the injury crash occurred at the intersection of Brookhurst Street and Cerritos Avenue, when a Mazda Protégé and Nissan Frontier collided. The impact of the collision caused the Nissan to tip over to its side. Two passengers from the truck were extricated and transported to an area hospital. The nature and extent of their injuries is not known. Officials are still investigating the cause of this crash.
My thoughts and prayers are with the two injured victims of this car accident. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Statistics Relating to Car Accidents
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 23 fatalities and 1,970 injuries occurred involving car accidents in Anaheim. During the same year, 141 people died and 13,373 were injured due to Orange County car accident.
Right-of-way at Intersections
Based on this news report, it appears that the car accident occurred at a street intersection that was monitored by traffic lights. However, it is unclear if one of the vehicles ran a red light of failed to yield the right of way. 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.”
Also, 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
In such cases, at-fault motorists can be held liable for the injuries and damages they cause. Injured victims can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. An experienced Anaheim personal injury lawyer will better advise victims and their families regarding their legal rights and options. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.