California Injury Blog
One person was injured in a Garden Grove car accident, which officials say was caused by roadway debris. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the rollover accident occurred in the eastbound lanes of the 22 Freeway at the Goldenwest and Knott streets exit in Garden Grove, the morning of February 23, 2012. The driver of a Toyota 4Runner lost control when he attempted to avoid a portable toilet that was present on the roadway. The victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries as the SUV overturned. It is not clear who dropped the portable toilet on the roadway.
My thoughts and prayers are with the injured victim of this Orange County accident. I wish the victim the very best for a complete and speedy recovery.
Orange County Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 14 fatalities and 647 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents in Garden Grove. During the same year, 141 people were killed and 13,373 were injured due to Orange County car accidents.
Debris on the Roadway
Based on this news report, it is not entirely clear as to who was responsible for the fallen portable toilet on the roadway. California law prohibits anyone from throwing or dumping debris on the highway. California Vehicle Code Section 23112 (a) states: “No person shall throw or deposit, nor shall the registered owner or the driver, if such owner is not then present in the vehicle, aid or abet in the throwing or depositing upon any highway any bottle, can, garbage, glass, nail, offal, paper, wire, any substance likely to injure or damage traffic using the highway, or any noisome, nauseous, or offensive matter of any kind.”
Liability Issues
Victims of accidents involving debris on the roadway would be well advised to seek the counsel of an experienced Garden Grove personal injury lawyer, who will stay on top of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights are protected. If the party that dumped the debris is found he or she can be held liable for the injuries and damages caused. If that driver was on the job, then, the employer can also be held liable. If the at-fault party is not found, then, injured victims may be able to seek compensation through the uninsured motorist clause of their own auto insurance policy. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to car accident victims and their families.