Man Injured in Orange County Car Accident
A U.S. Marine, who was returning home from Camp Pendleton, was injured in an Orange County car accident after another vehicle made a U-turn in front of him. The driver, in an attempt to avoid the other vehicle, crashed into the home of Michael and Nancy Smith the night of November 23, 2009. The Smiths were watching television and had just gotten up to go to the store when the Marine's Pontiac crashed into their family room. The driver who made the U-turn did not remain at the scene of the accident, according to an Orange County Register news report.
Orange County Car Accident Statistics
It's indeed a relief that this car accident did not cause catastrophic injuries. I'm glad that the U.S. Marine was not seriously injured and that Michael and Nancy Smith were able to escape without injuries. I wish the Marine the very best for a quick and complete recovery from his injuries.
According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), two people died and 164 were injured as a result of car accidents in Placentia, California. In Orange County, car accidents claimed 178 lives and caused 14,185 personal injuries in 2007.
Liability Issues in Car Accidents
If the details of this news story are accurate, it seems to me that the driver of the other vehicle (the one who left the scene) may have made an unsafe U-turn in front of the Marine's Pontiac. According to California Vehicle Code section 21801 (a): "The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left or to complete a U-turn upon a highway, or to turn left into public or private property, or an alley, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to the approaching vehicles until the left turn or U-turn can be made with reasonable safety."
This driver should have remained at the scene of the accident, which he or she apparently caused. I hope officials catch up with this individual and are able to get all the facts. Victims of these types of car accidents would be well-advised to consult with an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer who will advise them about their legal rights and options. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also tell victims how their car insurance will apply to incidents that involve hit-and-run drivers or uninsured/underinsured motorists.
We are 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 a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.
