An April 15, 2010 car accident in Merced injured several people including five children after a driver lost control of his vehicle and went into opposing lanes of traffic. The Merced Sun Star reports that the accident caused major injuries to Damian Gordiano, 15, and 6-year-old Miguelito Valencia who were passengers in a 2004 GMC Yukon. The Yukon was struck by a 1999 Toyota Corolla driven by 27-year-old Michael Hollenhorst. The force of the collision caused the Yukon to slam into a concrete pillar on the side of the road. It is not clear why Hollenhorst drifted into opposing lanes. Drugs or alcohol are not suspected.
I hope no one has sustained any catastrophic injuries in this collision. I wish all the injured victims the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. They will be in my prayers.
Accident Reports
In Merced County as a whole, traffic accidents claimed 51 lives and injured 1,616 in 2008, according to CHP's traffic accident statistics. During the same year, in Merced, California, six people died and 399 were injured in traffic accidents.
Who or What Caused the Accident?
The main question to ask here is what caused Hollenhorst to lose control of his car and cross into opposing lanes of traffic. Was he distracted, speeding, falling asleep at the wheel, or otherwise driving negligently at the time? If that was the case, he could be held liable for the serious injuries and damages caused to the victims of the crash. In such cases, injured victims can seek compensation for medical costs, loss of earnings, hospital and surgery costs, continuing treatment and care, and other damages.
Victims in such cases would also be well-advised to contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer who will make sure that their legal rights are protected. In any such accident, it is very important that victims get prompt medical care and treatment. It is also important that they refrain from talking to insurance adjusters or attorneys for the other parties. Do not sign away your rights or enter into agreements that may not be in your best interests. Consult an experienced car accident attorney before you take any step that could affect your claim.
What precautions do you take when you are driving in order to avoid car accidents?
None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.
