A pregnant woman was injured in a Costa Mesa car accident that involved several vehicles on the 55 Freeway the morning of April 29, 2010. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, three vehicles were in the slow lane when one of the vehicles rear-ended the other. The car crash occurred in the northbound lanes of the Costa Mesa Freeway and involved a Honda Element, a Subaru Outback and a Toyota 4Runner. The woman who was four months pregnant was the driver of the Toyota and was transported to an area hospital because she complained of pain.
I hope this woman did not sustain any serious injuries in this crash. I wish her the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. She will be in my prayers.
Car Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were six fatalities and 785 injuries involving car accidents in Costa Mesa. In Orange County as a whole, 152 people died and 13,414 were injured due to car accidents during the same year.
Laws and Liability Issues
This news report does not offer much information about how or why this injury crash occurred. It appears that one of the three vehicles may have been speeding and caused the rear-end collision. 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."
In this particular case, if the woman was the driver who rear-ended the other cars she could be held liable for the accident and injuries caused. But if one of the other cars hit her from behind, the at-fault party could be held liable for any injuries caused to this victim and the other injured victims. In these types of accidents, injured victims could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of earnings, cost of hospitalization, pain and suffering, and other related damages.
Victims in such cases would be well-advised to consult with an experienced Costa Mesa personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all facets of the accident and ensure that the negligent parties are held accountable. A skilled car accident lawyer should also advise victims about how their car insurance policy applies to an incident where the at-fault motorist lacks insurance or sufficient insurance coverage.
What are some of the initial steps you would take after you've been in an accident?
The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.
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