Merida Quintana, 52, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident involving a collision between a car and a big rig. According to a news report The Long Beach Press-Telegram, the fatal truck accident occurred on the northbound 605 Freeway at South Street in Cerritos, the morning of October 5, 2011. It is not clear at this time what may have led to the fatal collision. Quintana passed away at the scene of the crash. Investigators are trying to determine if the weather was a contributing factor in the accident.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Merida Quintana following this tragic truck accident. My thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), three people were killed and 380 were injured due to Cerritos car accidents. During that same year, Los Angeles County car crashes claimed 554 lives and injured 50,817 people.

What Caused This Fatal Collision?.

Based on this news report, it is unclear as to how or why this car versus truck accident occurred. Was the weather a factor in the crash? According to California Vehicle Code Section 22350 (Basic Speed Law): "No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property."

Liability Issues

If this crash is determined to be the truck driver's fault, both, the driver and his or her employer can be held liable for Quintana's wrongful death. In cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, the family of a deceased victim can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, and loss of companionship. An experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer will better advise victims' families in such cases about their legal rights and options.