California Injury Blog
A 7-year-old girl was killed and her mother suffered critical injuries in a Fullerton car accident, which officials say, involved three vehicles. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the incident occurred the afternoon of February 13, 2017 at the intersection of Kimberly and Acacia avenues. Police said a 2001 Hyundai Elantra was traveling west on Kimberly Avenue through the Acacia intersection when it was broadsided on the passenger side by a 2004 Nissan Altima.
Ongoing Investigation
The impact of the collision caused the Nissan and the Hyundai to spin and strike a 2013 Toyota Tundra, which was at a stop sign at the intersection. The girl and her mother were in the back seat of the Hyundai. The girl was in a car seat. The child was pronounced dead at the hospital while her mother underwent surgery and was listed in critical condition. The driver of the Hyundai and another passenger were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. No one else was injured. No arrests or citations were reported. The fatal accident is still under investigation.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family members of the child who was killed in this tragic crash. We also wish the girl’s mother the very best for a quick and full recovery. Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers.
Car Crash Statistics
There were eight fatalities and 842 injuries reported as a result of traffic accidents in the city of Fullerton, according to California Highway Patrol’s 2013 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In Orange County as a whole, 165 people died and 13,837 were injured due to car accidents during the same year.
Fault and Liability
Based on this news report, it appears that the crash occurred at a street intersection, where there are no traffic lights, but westbound traffic on Kimberly has a stop sign. It is unclear if the Hyundai failed to stop for the stop sign or if the Nissan that broadsided it was traveling at a high rate of speed. We trust officials are looking into whether speed, alcohol/drugs or other types of negligence played a part in this fatal crash.
In such cases, at-fault parties can be held liable for injuries, damages and losses caused to victims. Injured victims can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization and pain and suffering and families of deceased victims can seek compensation by filing a wrongful death lawsuit. A knowledgeable Orange County car accident lawyer will also be able to determine whether a dangerous condition on the roadway or at the intersection caused or contributed to the accident. If that was the case, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway can also be held liable.