Two people, one of them identified as 32-year-old Michelle Santos, were killed in a San Diego car accident after two vehicles struck each other in Escondido. San Diego 6 reports that Santos was traveling west on Old Castle Road near Champagne Boulevard early morning on April 18, 2010, when her vehicle swerved into oncoming traffic lanes and collided head-on with the other car. California Highway Patrol officials said Santos was pronounced dead at the scene. The other driver was transported to a hospital but died shortly after the crash. The San Diego County Medical Examiner's office identifies the second victim only as a 65-year-old Fallbrook woman.
I offer my deepest sympathies to the two families who have surely suffered a devastating loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Escondido Car Accidents
According to CHP's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 10 fatalities and 732 injuries involving car accidents in Escondido. In San Diego County as a whole, car accidents claimed 246 lives and caused 13,527 injuries during the same year.
Car Accident Causes
Based on this news report, it is not clear what caused Michelle Santos to swerve into opposing lanes of traffic and cause this fatal head-on collision. There are several questions here. Was Santos impaired or fatigued at the time? Was she distracted? Was there a vehicle defect or mechanical malfunction in her vehicle that caused her to lose control? Was there a dangerous condition on the roadway? Was she speeding or otherwise negligent? I trust officials are looking into these and other factors in order to determine exactly what caused this accident.
Liability Issues
If Santos is determined to have caused this accident, the other victim's family can file a claim against Santos' estate or her insurance. Where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased accident victims can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation to cover medical/funeral expenses, lost future earnings, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages. Victims' families in such cases would be well-advised to consult with an experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer, who will make sure that the negligent parties are held accountable. The best personal injury lawyers will always offer a free consultation and a comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.
Have you been injured in an accident? What were the biggest challenges you faced in the aftermath of 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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rami said:
another car accedint that my friend had done was last night around 10:25 in escondido may-21-2010 and killed some one...