A 71-year-old woman and a 39-year-old man were injured in an Orange County car accident that may have involved a driver veering into oncoming traffic, the afternoon of August 30, 2011. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the serious injury accident occurred on Commonwealth Avenue between Magnolia Avenue and Gilbert Street in Fullerton. Investigators are trying to determine if the 71-year-old female driver of a Dodge Charger crossed over to opposing lanes of traffic and crashed into a pickup truck and a Toyota Camry. She suffered serious injuries and the driver of the Camry sustained moderate injuries. An investigation is ongoing.
My thoughts and prayers are with the injured victims of this collision. I wish them the very best for a complete and quick recovery.
Car Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), five people were killed and 761 were injured in Fullerton car accidents. During that same year, Orange County car accidents claimed 141 lives and injured 13,373 people.
What Caused This Serious Injury Accident?
It is unclear from this report as to why the elderly driver veered into opposing lanes of traffic. California Vehicle Code Section 21651 (a): "Whenever a highway has been divided into two or more roadways by means of intermittent barriers or by means of a dividing section of not less than two feet in width, either unpaved or delineated by curbs, double-parallel lines, or other markings on the roadway, it is unlawful…to drive any vehicle over, upon, or across the dividing section."
There are still several unanswered questions here. Why did the driver lose control of her vehicle? Did she suffer a medical condition? Was there some type of auto defect or mechanical malfunction in the vehicle? Did speed or impairment play a part? I trust officials are looking into these and other factors in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.
Liability Issues
Victims of Orange County car accidents can seek compensation from at-fault motorists for injuries and damages sustained in the crash. Damages that may be sought in such cases include medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. Car accident 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 the negligent parties are held liable. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.
SLS Consulting