California Injury Blog
Jason Booth, 39, the driver of a 1965 Ford truck and his passenger, 33-year-old Guillermo Gutierrez, were injured in a car accident the morning of August 18, 2010, after their vehicle was rear-ended by another vehicle on Highway 20. According to a news report in the Colusa County Sun-Herald, 36-year-old Ruben Medina, who was westbound on Highway 20, crashed into the stopped Ford truck, which was about to make a left turn on O’Hair Road.
California Highway Patrol officials said Booth had fully stopped the truck and had his left turn signal on, but Medina was not able to stop in time to avoid the violent crash. Booth and Gutierrez were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Medina was uninjured. An investigation is ongoing.
I’m relieved to hear that both the injured victims in this case are expected to survive. I pray for their swift and full recovery. Officials say all three men involved in this crash were wearing seatbelts, which may have saved their lives given the intensity of this crash.
Colusa County Car Accident Statistics
According to CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but 12 injuries involving car accidents reported in Colusa in 2008. In Colusa County as a whole, six people were killed and 138 people sustained personal injuries as a result of car accidents during that same year.
Laws and Liability Issues
Rear-end accidents are often caused by drivers following too close behind another vehicle or by distracted drivers. California Vehicle Code section 21703 states: “The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicle and the traffic upon, and the condition of, the roadway.” California Vehicle Code section 21704 also states that the driver “shall keep the vehicle he is driving at a distance of not less than 300 feet to the rear of any other motor vehicle subject to such speed restriction which is preceding it.”
In this particular case, if Medina is determined to have been at fault, then, he could be held liable for the injuries caused to Booth and Gutierrez. In such cases, injured victims could seek compensation to cover medical expenses loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, physical therapy, pain and suffering, and other related damages. A knowledgeable California personal injury lawyer will also be able to advise victims in such cases about how their car insurance policy might apply if the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.
I’m relieved to hear that both the injured victims in this case are expected to survive. I pray for their swift and full recovery. Officials say all three men involved in this crash were wearing seatbelts, which may have saved their lives given the intensity of this crash.
Colusa County Car Accident Statistics
According to CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but 12 injuries involving car accidents reported in Colusa in 2008. In Colusa County as a whole, six people were killed and 138 people sustained personal injuries as a result of car accidents during that same year.
Laws and Liability Issues
Rear-end accidents are often caused by drivers following too close behind another vehicle or by distracted drivers. California Vehicle Code section 21703 states: “The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicle and the traffic upon, and the condition of, the roadway.” California Vehicle Code section 21704 also states that the driver “shall keep the vehicle he is driving at a distance of not less than 300 feet to the rear of any other motor vehicle subject to such speed restriction which is preceding it.”
In this particular case, if Medina is determined to have been at fault, then, he could be held liable for the injuries caused to Booth and Gutierrez. In such cases, injured victims could seek compensation to cover medical expenses loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, physical therapy, pain and suffering, and other related damages. A knowledgeable California personal injury lawyer will also be able to advise victims in such cases about how their car insurance policy might apply if the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.
What are some precautions you take as a driver to avoid rear-end collisions?
The Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys is 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 us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.