Janice Ayala Torres, a 22-year-old woman sustained major injuries in a County California car accident, but her two-month-old child is safe because of being strapped properly in an infant car seat. According to a news report in the Victorville Daily Press, the accident occurred July 23, 2009 when Torres apparently pulled out into an intersection past a stop sign and into the path of a Ford Excursion driven by a 40-year-old woman, identified as Candance Howell.

Torres sustained major injuries and was airlifted to an area hospital. Torres' infant son was also taken to the hospital as a precaution. Officials say this is a clear example of how a car seat can save a child's life. In this case, officials say, the child escaped serious injury because he was properly secured in the car seat. Howell was not hurt.

I'm relieved that this car accident did not result in any fatal injuries. I wish Janice Torres the very best for a quick and complete recovery. Please keep her in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 308 deaths and 9,920 injuries involving car accidents in San Bernardino County in 2007.

Based on this newspaper report, it is not clear why Torres pulled into the path of the Excursion. In such car accidents, where the answers are not clear or where there are questions remaining about how or why the accident occurred, it is always in the best interest of the victim to consult with an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer who can examine all aspects of the case and determine what occurred.

If this car accident was caused by a dangerous intersection, then the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that intersection could be held liable for Torres' injuries. Please remember that any claim against a California governmental agency must be properly filed within 180 days of the car accident or injury.

Once again, this car accident illustrates the importance of placing your child properly in a car seat. I shudder to think what may have happened to this infant had he not been properly secured. Please keep your children safe. Use a car seat and use it properly when you're on the road.

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