A man suffered major injuries in a Santa Ana car accident, which officials report, involved two vehicles. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the major injury collision occurred the morning of November 11, 2011 in the 1100 block of East First Street near Grand Avenue. Authorities say a Ford Escort was traveling eastbound on First Street when it crossed into westbound lanes and collided with a Pontiac Grand Am. The 19-year-old driver of the Escort was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. He is said to have suffered head and spinal injuries. The other driver was uninjured, but his 37-year-old female passenger was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Investigators are trying to determine what caused this accident.
My heart goes out to the injured victims of this horrific crash. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Car Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol's 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 11 fatalities and 1,359 injuries involving car accidents in Santa Ana. During the same year, 141 people died and 13,373 were injured due to Orange County car accidents.
What Caused This Crash?
Based on this news report, it is unclear as to what led to this injury crash. There are several unanswered questions here. Was the driver of the Escort under the influence? Was there an auto defect or mechanical malfunction in the vehicle that caused the car to drift into opposing lanes of traffic? Was the driver sleepy, distracted or speeding at the time?
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."
Fault and Liability
If the driver of the Ford Escort is determined to have been at fault, he can be held liable for the injuries and damages caused. If a vehicle defect caused the accident, then, the auto maker can be held liable. In such cases, victims or their families would be well advised to contact an experienced Santa Ana 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