Yesterday morning a Huntington Beach police van carrying five prisoners was hit by a white Toyota Camry at the intersection of Ward Street and Ellis Avenue in Fountain Valley. All of the passengers were taken to area hospitals, and the driver of the Camry and one prisoner suffered traumatic injuries, according to a report by the Orange County Register. The van was apparently transporting prisoners from Huntington Beach jail to the Orange County Detention Center when an unlicensed driver, Juan Ruiz of Santa Ana, ran a red light and crashed into the van. Citing official sources, the Register reported that Ruiz was traveling southbound on Ward Street at about 40 miles per hour when he ran through a red light and collided with the police van.
See the Orange County Register article and photographs HERE.
From the photographs taken at the accident scene, it is easy to understand how those aboard the police van could have sustained traumatic injuries. The front of the police van and the front of the Camry were essentially demolished in the crash. Even restrained passengers in an accident of this magnitude would likely suffer acceleration-deceleration type injuries. As for responsibility, it would appear eyewitness accounts and physical evidence at the scene have led investigators to conclude Ruiz was to blame for the collision. While his status as an unlicensed driver does not necessarily demonstrate fault, it may suggest a lack of driver training and experience contributing to the happening of the accident. Ruiz apparently failed to keep his eyes on the road and the traffic signal ahead as he was traveling a reported 40 miles per hour. From the photographs, it looks like it was foggy at the time of the accident and perhaps Ruiz did not adjust his speed to account for the limited visibility.
Compensation for the victims of serious automobile accidents caused by negligent drivers should be an important concern for all Californians. When a driver operates their vehicle without paying careful attention to the roadway, they should be held accountable for the injuries and damages they cause. An Orange County injury lawyer with experience at handling such cases can make a fair assessment of these claims. Mr. Ralph has more than 20 years of experience handling Orange County automobile accident cases, including those involving intersection collisions. He can be reached at 714-919-4415 for a FREE CONSULTATION.
Have you or a loved one been seriously injured in an Orange County automobile accident?
Nothing in this post is intended to suggest the Law Offices of Paul W. Ralph currently represents anyone involved in the news story above. This posting should not be construed as legal advice or an opinion on the merit of any particular matter. A consultation is the best way to obtain an assessment of your potential case.
See the Orange County Register article and photographs HERE.
From the photographs taken at the accident scene, it is easy to understand how those aboard the police van could have sustained traumatic injuries. The front of the police van and the front of the Camry were essentially demolished in the crash. Even restrained passengers in an accident of this magnitude would likely suffer acceleration-deceleration type injuries. As for responsibility, it would appear eyewitness accounts and physical evidence at the scene have led investigators to conclude Ruiz was to blame for the collision. While his status as an unlicensed driver does not necessarily demonstrate fault, it may suggest a lack of driver training and experience contributing to the happening of the accident. Ruiz apparently failed to keep his eyes on the road and the traffic signal ahead as he was traveling a reported 40 miles per hour. From the photographs, it looks like it was foggy at the time of the accident and perhaps Ruiz did not adjust his speed to account for the limited visibility.
Compensation for the victims of serious automobile accidents caused by negligent drivers should be an important concern for all Californians. When a driver operates their vehicle without paying careful attention to the roadway, they should be held accountable for the injuries and damages they cause. An Orange County injury lawyer with experience at handling such cases can make a fair assessment of these claims. Mr. Ralph has more than 20 years of experience handling Orange County automobile accident cases, including those involving intersection collisions. He can be reached at 714-919-4415 for a FREE CONSULTATION.
Have you or a loved one been seriously injured in an Orange County automobile accident?
Nothing in this post is intended to suggest the Law Offices of Paul W. Ralph currently represents anyone involved in the news story above. This posting should not be construed as legal advice or an opinion on the merit of any particular matter. A consultation is the best way to obtain an assessment of your potential case.
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