Two male drivers sustained injuries in a San Diego car accident after their vehicles collided head-on, the morning of August 20, 2010. According to a news report in The San Diego Union-Tribune, the major injury collision occurred on Friars Road near Fenton Parkway in Mission Valley, when a 70-year-old driver of a Ford F-150 pickup truck swerved into opposing lanes of traffic and hit a four-door Dodge Stratus, driven by a 25-year-old man. The younger driver suffered broken thigh bones in both legs and the elderly driver shattered his thigh bone, ribs, hand and foot. An investigation is ongoing.

My heart goes out to both these injured victims. It is indeed a relief that neither one of the men sustained life-threatening injuries here. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep them in your prayers.

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 246 people were killed and 13,527 people were injured in San Diego County as a result of car accidents. Also, 81 fatalities and 6,123 injuries were reported in San Diego due to car accidents during the same year.

Laws And Liability Issues

According to California Vehicle Code section 21651 (a) "whenever a highway has been divided into two or more roadways by means of intermittent barriers or by means of a dividing section of not less than two feet in width, either unpaved or delineated by curbs, double-parallel lines, or other markings on the roadway, it is unlawful…to drive any vehicle over, upon, or across the dividing section."

In this particular case, it is not clear what caused the elderly driver to cross into opposing lanes of traffic. Was he under the influence? Was he distracted? Did he have a medical condition? Was he speeding or driving recklessly? These are important questions to ask in order to determine the cause of the accident.

If the driver of the pickup truck is determined to have caused the accident, then, he could be held liable for the injuries caused to the other driver. Injured victims in such cases could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, physical therapy and other related damages. An experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer will be able to advise injured victims about how to pursue their legal rights.

What defensive driving techniques do you practice when you drive? We would like to hear your tips and suggestions for safe driving.

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm 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.

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