California Injury Blog
Two people were injured in a Los Angeles County car accident after their respective vehicles collided at a street intersection, the afternoon of March 21, 2012. According to a news report in The Baldwin Park Patch, the injury collision occurred at the intersection of Maine and East Baldwin Park avenues. Police said one of the cars was traveling northbound on Maine Avenue and the other was westbound on East Baldwin park Avenue. Two women, the drivers of the vehicles involved, were transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Officials are still investigating the cause of this injury crash.
My thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this car accident. I’m relieved to note that their injuries were not critical and wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Car Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were four fatalities and 229 injuries involving Baldwin Park car accidents. Also, 554 people died and 50,817 were injured in Los Angeles County car accidents.
Right-of-Way Issues
Based on the news account, this particular crash occurred when the northbound vehicle crashed with a westbound vehicle. There are still several questions here. Who was at fault? Did one of the vehicles fail to yield the right-of-way at the intersection? Did one of the drivers run a red light at the intersection? Did a driver make an unsafe or illegal turn? I trust officials are looking into these and other issues in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.
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.” 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, the at-fault driver can be held liable for the injuries and damages caused. Injured victims can seek compensation from the at-fault motorist for damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, pain and suffering and emotional distress. Victims would be well advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer who will analyze all facets of the incident and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable.