California Injury Blog
Maria Valenzuela, 42, was killed in an Anaheim car accident when a car struck the disabled vehicle in which she was sitting. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal accident occurred along the 5 Freeway near La Palma Avenue, the night of April 24, 2012. Officials say Valenzuela’s husband was changing a tire on the car when it was hit by another vehicle. Valenzuela was in the car at the time of the crash. She succumbed to her injuries on April 27, 2012. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
My heart goes out to the family and friends of Maria Valenzuela following this tragic car accident. My thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.
Orange County Car Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), car accidents in Anaheim claimed 23 lives and injured 1,970 people. During that same year, 141 fatalities and 13,373 injuries occurred due to Orange County car accidents.
What Caused This Fatal Collision?
There are a number of unanswered questions here. Was the disabled vehicle stopped on the shoulder or was it partially on the roadway? Did the vehicle have its hazard lights on? Why was the driver unable to avoid striking the stopped vehicle? Was the driver fatigued, distracted, under the influence or otherwise negligent? Did the driver of the other vehicle go off the roadway and strike the disabled vehicle on the freeway shoulder? I trust officials are looking into these and other issues in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.
Liability Issues
Families of deceased victims would be well advised to contact an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of the incident and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected. If it is determined that the at-fault driver was negligent or careless at the time of the collision, then, the family may file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for medical bills, funeral expenses, lost future wages, lost benefits, loss of companionship and other related damages. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to car accident victims or their families.