California Injury Blog
Lucy Solares, 68, was killed in an Orange County car accident, after the van she was riding in crashed into three other vehicles the afternoon of December 16, 2009. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, Solares was riding in the back of a specially outfitted used van to transport patients in wheelchairs. She was on her way back from physical therapy when the southbound van crashed into two vehicles leaving the 405 Freeway and making a left onto northbound Euclid Street. The impact spun the van around and caused it to hit a fourth vehicle, before falling over to its side. Solares died at the scene. Three of the drivers were transported to area hospitals with moderate injuries. Witnesses to this accident are asked to call the Fountain Valley Police Department at 714-593-4481.
I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Lucy Solares for their sudden and tragic loss. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved this woman. They will certainly be in my prayers.
Orange County Car Accidents
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were four fatalities and 476 injuries involving car accidents in Fountain Valley, California. In Orange County, 178 people died and 14,185 were injured as a result of car accidents during the same year.
Who Caused this Fatal Car Accident?
The news article does not say exactly how or why the van driver collided with the other vehicles. In these types of collisions, it is possible that one of the drivers failed to yield right-of way. A witness, commenting on the newspaper’s Web site says the driver of the van ran a red light and struck the two vehicles. The commenter also says that the woman wasn’t restrained properly in the wheelchair and that he and others attempted to lift the van off of the victim as she was pinned underneath, but couldn’t because of its weight. Tragic!
If this commenter’s version of the incident is accurate, the van’s operator or the hospital should be held accountable to Solares’ family for the accident and her wrongful death. The family has suffered a huge loss and deserves to know what exactly happened here. Did the van’s driver run the red light? If yes, why did that happen? Was he impaired, distracted or otherwise negligent at the time of the crash? Was Solares properly restrained?
Wrongful Death Claim Possible
If I were a member of Solares’ family, I would certainly be talking to an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer, who will get to the bottom of this case and make sure that all negligent parties are held responsible. If there is negligence or wrongdoing involved, Solares’ family will be able to file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for funeral expenses, loss of love, companionship, loss of earnings (if applicable) and other related damages. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free and comprehensive consultation to injured victims and their families.