Richard Thomson, 47, was killed in an Orange County car accident after he lost control of his Ford Truck and crashed the morning of June 28, 2009, The Orange County Register reports. Tustin Police said witnesses saw Thomson driving the Ford truck at a high rate of speed northbound on Newport Boulevard before swerving to avoid hitting another car and driving on to the sidewalk. The truck then knocked down two or three trees and hit a light pole. Police say they have not found any evidence that Thomson had been drinking or driving under the influence.

I offer my deepest sympathies to family and friends of Richard Thomson for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, there were two fatalities and 392 injuries involving car accidents in Tustin. In Orange County as a whole, in 2007, 178 fatalities and 14,185 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents.

If I were a member of the Thomson family, I'd want to know whether this fatal car crash occurred because an auto defect caused Thomson to lose control of the Ford truck. The Ford truck should be preserved carefully and unaltered, in its current damaged condition, for any evidence of mechanical malfunction or auto product defect. An experienced California auto products liability attorney will be able to determine whether a product defect may have caused or contributed to the crash.

A reputed Orange County personal injury lawyer with substantial experience in auto product defect cases will also be able to look into any defects such as seatbelt failure or poor design that may have contributed to Thomson's death. If an auto product defect caused or contributed to this fatal car accident and the fatal injuries then the auto manufacturer can be held liable. Families of victims in such cases could seek compensation to cover medical or funeral expenses, lost wages, long-term care (in case of catastrophic or debilitating injury) and other related damages.

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