Head-on Car Crash in San Diego Causes Serious Injuries

A car accident in San Diego resulted in major injuries for two drivers the morning of August 20, 2010. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the accident occurred on Friars Road close to Fenton Parkway, when a 70-year-old driver in a Ford pickup truck swerved into opposing lanes of traffic and collided with a Dodge Stratus driven by a 25-year-old man. Both drivers suffered broken bones and were hospitalized with serious injuries. Officials are trying to determine what caused the elderly driver to lose control of his vehicle.

I hope neither of these car accident victims suffered catastrophic injuries and pray that they recover quickly and completely. They will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Elderly Drivers

California now has almost 3 million drivers who are 65 years or older, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles. A recent study by Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety finds fatality rates for drivers begin to climb after age 65. In 2005, about 11 percent of fatal car accidents in the United States had involved drivers 65 or older.

Fault and Liability

California Vehicle Code section 21651 (a) states: "Whenever a highway has been divided into two or more roadways by means of intermittent barriers or by means of a dividing section of not less than two feet in width, either unpaved or delineated by curbs, double-parallel lines, or other markings on the roadway, it is unlawful…to drive any vehicle over, upon, or across the dividing section."

I trust officials are looking into whether the 70-year-old driver was impaired, distracted, speeding or otherwise negligent. If the driver of the pickup truck is determined to have caused the accident, then, he could be held liable for the injuries of the other driver. Injured victims in such cases could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, physical therapy and other related damages. The best San Diego personal injury lawyers will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.

What defensive driving techniques do you practice when you drive? We would like to hear your tips and suggestions for safe driving.

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.