Orange County Crash Injures Eight

Early Sunday morning, eight people were taken to the hospital after a suspected drunk driver crashed into several vehicles at an Anaheim intersection.   According to ABC News, the accident happened at the intersection of Gilbert Street and La Palma Avenue when two cars filled with people were struck by a driver who was later arrested for felony DUI.  The collision was declared by paramedics to be a mass casualty incident because of the high number of people injured.  The conditions of the victims are currently unknown.

Location of the Accident

The area of the accident, at the intersection of La Palma Avenue and Gilbert Street, does not appear to be unusually dangerous as it is flat and straight, with no apparent obstructions to a driver's view.  It seems the accident above was likely caused by impaired or perhaps distracted driving.  This same area of La Palma Avenue has been the location of other accidents, however, including a fatal accident in July of 2011.  La Palma Avenue in this area includes a long stretch without traffic lights or other traffic control devices, and the speed limit is 45 miles per hour.  It is possible drivers simply "tune out" the fact there are side streets and a light at Gilbert, especially if the driver is impaired or distracted.

Insurance Issues

The sad reality in the case above is that not all of the people injured will likely resolve fair compensation for their injuries.  Given the number of people hurt and the fact that all needed hospital treatment, it is highly likely the alleged drunk driver's auto insurance policy will be inadequate.  However, there is a chance that other insurance (uninsured motorist or under-insured motorist coverage) could make up some of the inadequacy.  The insurance issues arising from an accident like this one can be complicated and require legal advice.

If you or a loved one has been badly injured in an auto accident in Orange County, a free consultation with an injury attorney may help you understand your legal rights and complicated insurance issues.  

SOURCE:  Anaheim crash injures 8; driver arrested for driving under influence, KABC News, Orange County News, May 12, 2013

La Habra Crash May Have Been DUI Related

According to the Orange County Register, a 55-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene of a traffic collision in La Habra on Sunday night.  The two-vehicle crash occurred at 10:33 p.m. on Harbor Boulevard and Arbolita Drive.  Citing official sources, the Register  reported that one of the vehicles actually rolled off the roadway.  The deceased driver has been identified as Oscar Rodriguez of Buena Park.  The driver of the second vehicle involved in this Orange County auto accident was reportedly uninjured.  The La Habra Police Department is investigating the accident as a possible DUI.

Traffic Fatalities Actually On The Decline

According to statistics published by the California Office of Traffic Safety, the number of fatal automobile accidents and the number of DUI fatalities occurring on California actually decreased, as of the time the numbers were last reported.  In 2010, California’s traffic fatalities decreased 11.9 percent, reaching their lowest level since the federal government began recording traffic fatalities in 1975.  Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities (fatalities in crashes involving a driver or motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or greater) dropped by 14.4 percent from 924 in 2009 to 791 in 2010.   The 2010 figure is the lowest DUI death total ever.  In spite of this trend, nearly every week a fatal or serious-injury automobile accident is reported in Orange County.  While the recent numbers are encouraging, if we can further diminish the number of alcohol and drug-related crashes, we can greatly diminish the risk we all take while behind the wheel.

Fault For This Accident

A complete accident reconstruction will likely be necessary in order to completely understand this tragedy and assign liability for Rodriguez' death.  At this point, we do not know which of the drivers, if either of them, may have been impaired behind the wheel.  In addition to the impairment issue, there is also the fact the roadway where there this accident happened is curved, and the roadway was wet from the rain.  With all of these factors to be considered, fault for this accident will require a detailed analysis.

Assuming the accident was caused by the neglect of the surviving driver, Rodriquez' family would be legally entitled to pursue a claim for wrongful death.  Assessing the liability picture and the potential damage recovery is something that can be addressed by an experienced Orange County injury attorney.

SOURCE: 55-year-old man dies in La Habra crash, Orange County Register, Alejandra Molina and Sean Emery, December 3, 2012