A woman was hospitalized after a head-on collision in Poway. The accident happened on Route 67, near Cloudy Moon Drive, when a pickup truck crossed the center line and struck a passenger vehicle. The Ford F-250 rolled before both vehicles came to a stop in the southbound lane of traffic. The Hyundai Sonata was apparently on fire when a bystander sprayed it with a fire extinguisher. The female driver of the Hyundai was seriously injured and was air-lifted to the hospital. The driver of the pickup was taken to the hospital by ambulance. The incident occurred at about 10:20 pm and is under investigation by the San Diego County Sheriff Department.
California Fatal Car Crash Statistics
In 2015, 3,176 people were killed on California highways. Of that number, 1,161 were occupants of passenger vehicles and 581 were in pickup trucks or SUVs. Most fatal crashes occurred on urban streets with about 43% happening in rural locations. Many accidents happen during the nighttime hours between 9 pm and midnight. This may be due to poor lighting conditions that cause drivers to have reduced visibility.
Factors that Contribute to Accidents
Some factors that contribute to serious fatal accidents include distracted driving, alcohol use, speeding and failure to use seatbelts. The cause of the crash in this instance has not yet been determined. However, distracted driving has become a much more serious problem over the last several years.
Distractions while driving include texting and cell phone use, eating or drinking, talking with passengers and using electronic devices, among other things. Drowsy driving is another problem that can be considered distracted driving. Driving while sleepy causes impairment that is similar to that caused by alcohol use.
Car Accident Injuries
Car crash victims may suffer a variety of injuries including some that are serious or even disabling. The types of injuries that are sustained generally are determined by the type of impact that occurred. Rear-end collisions often cause back and neck injuries such as whiplash. Impacts on the side may result in broken bones and could crush the driver or cause a pin-in. Head-on collisions may be the most serious, often because vehicles might be traveling at a high rate of speed. In these accidents, there could be multiple injuries incurred including severe head trauma.
Determining Fault in Accidents
California is a comparative fault state when it comes to vehicle accidents. Those who are seriously injured in a car accident can recover damages even if they are partly responsible. The injured person may be able to take legal action against the other driver who was at fault. An investigation of the accident will help to determine who was at fault and a judge may assign a specific percentage of fault to each party.
If you were injured in an automobile crash you may be entitled to compensation. An experienced personal injury attorney will review the details of your case and assist you in getting money to cover medical expenses, lost wages, future medical care costs and any other expenses due to the accident. Contact the Law Office of Patrick G. Shea today to discuss your case.
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