California Injury Blog
Two men died and three others suffered serious injuries in an Irvine car accident on July 1 near UC Irvine. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal crash occurred at the intersection of Harvard Avenue and Michelson Drive. Irvine police and Orange County Fire Authority officials who responded to the collision found a 2015 Infiniti Q50 on fire and put out the blaze. A male driver was transported to an area hospital in critical condition.
The man who drove the other vehicle, a 2014 Hyundai Elantra, was identified as Kesean Herrera of Irvine. He and passenger Jeremy Shankling of Los Angeles were pronounced dead at the scene. Two female passengers in critical condition were also transported to area hospitals.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family members and friends of the deceased victims of this car crash. We also wish those who were injured the very best for a quick and full recovery. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Crash Statistics
There were nine fatalities and 920 injuries reported as a result of traffic accidents in the city of Irvine, according to California Highway Patrol’s 2013 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In Orange County as a whole, 165 people died and 13,837 were injured due to traffic collisions during the same year.
Fault and Liability Issues
Based on this news report, it appears that this crash occurred at a fairly large Irvine intersection that is monitored by traffic lights. It’s unclear as to why this crash occurred. Did one of the drivers run a red light at the street intersection? Did one of the motorists fail to yield the right of way at the intersection? Did impaired or distracted driving play a part in this crash? We trust officials are looking into these and other issues in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.
In such cases, the at-fault parties can be held liable for the injuries and damages caused. Injured victims can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, rehabilitation, pain and suffering, permanent injuries and emotional distress.
Families of deceased victims can file what is known as a wrongful death claim seeking damages including lost future income, medical and funeral costs, pain and suffering and loss of love, care and companionship. An experienced Irvine personal injury lawyer will be able to advise victims and their families in such cases regarding their legal rights and options.