Six people were injured, two of them critically, in a Long Beach car accident the afternoon of March 10, 2010. According to a news report in The Press Telegram, the accident occurred on the northbound 710 Freeway near the Pacific Coast Highway, when a Coca-Cola van caused a chain-reaction collision involving a Caltrans van, a Caltrans truck and an SUV. Two men were taken to an area hospital with critical injuries and four others were treated for what were described as minor to moderate injuries. Four of the injured victims were Caltrans employees, Long Beach fire officials said. An investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing.
My heart goes out to the injured victims in this crash, especially the critically injured victims. I hope and pray that all the injured victims have a quick and complete recovery. They will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Car Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 27 fatalities and 25,588 injuries involving car accidents in Long Beach. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 667 deaths and 52,229 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents during the same year.
Liability Issues
Based on this news report, it appears that the driver of the Coca-Cola truck may have initiated the multiple vehicle accident. The injured victims (other than the driver of the Coca-Cola truck) can seek compensation from the truck driver's employer to cover medical expenses, hospitalization costs, surgery expenses, physical therapy and other rehabilitation expenses. The injured Caltrans workers will also be eligible for California workers compensation benefits because they seem to have been injured while on the job.
An experienced Long Beach personal injury lawyer will be able to analyze all aspects of this incident and make sure that the negligent parties are held responsible. Also, in such cases, where multiple victims and vehicles are involved, it is best for all concerned to refrain from talking to insurance adjusters and attorneys for other parties, prior to getting skilled legal representation for themselves. It would also be in your best interest, if you are an injured victim, to not sign any papers or enter into agreements without first talking to a knowledgeable injury lawyer who will fight for your legal rights and work to protect your interests.
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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