A woman was injured in an Anaheim car accident after two cars collided. According to a news report in the Orange County Register, the injury crash occurred on South Knott Avenue between West Olinda Lane and West Ariel Place the afternoon of January 16, 2015. Police say a driver in a silver Infiniti sedan was traveling northbound on Knott Avenue when a woman driving a gray Nissan Quest minivan was coming out of an alley and turning left onto the same street southbound.
The Infiniti ended up slamming into the driver’s side of the minivan trapping the driver, who was the sole occupant of the minivan. Fire officials extricated the woman by cutting the roof off the minivan near the windshield and pulling the metal. The woman was transported to an area hospital with neck injuries, but is expected to survive. It is not clear if the driver of the Infiniti sustained any injuries. The incident is under investigation.
Crash Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2012 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 16 fatalities and 2,267 injuries reported as a result of traffic accidents in the city of Anaheim. In Orange County as a whole, 148 people died and 14,029 were injured due to car accidents during the same year.
Right-of-Way Issues
Based on this news report, it appears that the driver of the minivan was exiting an alley and making a turn into the roadway when she ended up hitting the other vehicle.
Drivers pulling out of public or private driveways or alleys must yield right-of-way to pedestrians and oncoming vehicles.
According to California Vehicle Code Section 21804 (a): “The driver of any vehicle about to enter or cross a highway from any public or private property, or from an alley, shall yield the right-of-way to all traffic.” Vehicles entering traffic “shall continue to yield the right-of-way to that traffic until he or she can proceed with reasonable safety.”
Fault and Liability
In such cases, the at-fault party can be held liable for injuries, damages and losses caused. Injured victims can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, rehabilitation, pain and suffering and emotional distress. Injured victims would also be well advised to contact an experienced Anaheim personal injury attorney who will stay abreast of the official investigation 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.