California Injury Blog
Janet Gomez, 5, was killed in a Riverside car accident, which police say, involved a driver running a stop sign. According to The Press Enterprise, the fatal car crash occurred at the intersection of Haines and Kinney Streets in Perris the afternoon of March 15, 2011. Gomez was a passenger in a 1995 Jeep Wrangler, driven by Ivan Gomez, 20, when a 2003 Toyota Camry, driven by 19-year-old Megan Galvan, went through a stop sign and hit the Jeep.
The Jeep Wrangler overturned and three passengers, Janet Gomez included, were ejected from the vehicle. Janet Gomez was killed in the accident. A 9-year-old girl suffered major injuries and a 7-year-old girl sustained minor injuries. Galvan sustained minor injuries as well. Ivan Gomez and a 9-year-old boy in the front seat of the Wrangler were not injured. Galvan could face misdemeanor manslaughter charges and Ivan Gomez could face child-endangerment charges because, officials say, the children in the back seat may not have been properly restrained.
My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Janet Gomez. My thoughts and prayers are also with the other injured victims of this tragic car accident. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Car Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), five people were killed and 161 were injured in Perris car accidents. During that same year, there were 220 fatalities and 8,561 injuries reported due to car accidents in Riverside County.
Possible Stop Sign Violation
Based on this news report, police say the driver of the Camry went through a stop sign. California law requires drivers to come to a complete stop at a stop sign and proceed with caution. According to California Vehicle Code Section 21802 (a): “The driver of any vehicle approaching a stop sign at the entrance to, or within, an intersection shall stop as required by Section 22450. The driver shall then yield the right-of-way to any vehicles which have approached from another highway, or which are approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to those vehicles until he or she can proceed with reasonable safety.”
Liability Issues
I trust officials are also looking into whether the driver of the Camry was under the influence, distracted, speeding, or otherwise negligent at the time. In cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, the family of a deceased car accident victim can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs and other related damages. An experienced Riverside personal injury lawyer will be able to better advise victims and their families in such cases about their legal rights and options.
Lost a family member in a Riverside County car accident? Want to know your rights? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation? Want justice? Want to ensure the same thing doesn’t happen to another family?
Call your best friends in the legal industry after a fatal Perris SUV accident. Call 800-259-6373. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.
Call a Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys Riverside wrongful death lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your rights by attorneys who have been representing families of deceased accident victims since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a compassionate and understanding law firm in a comfortable environment.