California Injury Blog
Six people were injured in an Orange County car accident, which involved three vehicles. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the injury collision occurred on Seal Beach Boulevard and the 405 Freeway in Seal Beach, the evening of November 30, 2011. Officials say two of the vehicles appear to have collided head-on and may have been traveling at high rates of speed. Initial reports state that one of the two vehicles veered from its lane and struck a third.
Two SUVs – a Ford Explorer and Expedition – along with a pickup truck were involved in the crash. A family of four including two children and two other drivers were injured in the collision. Two people had to be extricated from a vehicle. The injured victims -three men, a woman, and two girls were transported to area hospitals, but it is not clear if the injuries were life-threatening. An investigation is ongoing.
My heart goes out to the victims of this car accident. I pray for their swift and complete recovery from whatever injuries they have suffered.
Car Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), one person died and 172 were injured in Seal Beach car accidents. In Orange County as a whole, car accidents claimed 141 lives and caused 13,373 injuries, during the same year.
Speed was a Factor
Based on this news report, it is not entirely as to what led to this major injury collision. Officials say that speed played a part in this crash. It appears that one of the speeding vehicles went out of control and struck two others. California Vehicle Code Section 22350 (Basic Speed Law) states: “No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic and on surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.”
Liability Issues
I trust investigators are looking into whether impairment, distracted driving, recklessness or some other form of negligence caused or contributed to this injury collision. In such cases at-fault drivers can be held liable for the resulting injuries, damages and losses. Injured victims can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages and benefits, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. Victims would be well advised to contact an experienced Orange County personal injury
lawyer, who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that the victims’ legal rights and best interests are protected.