An 18-year-old woman sustained critical injuries in an Orange County car accident, after the car in which she was a passenger was rear-ended by a driver who then fled the scene. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the major injury crash occurred the morning of January 3, 2010 at the intersection of South Main Street and MacArthur Boulevard, in Santa Ana.

A Toyota Scion was stopped on Main at a red light when a BMW struck it from behind sending the Toyota through the intersection. The Scion then hit two other cars. Robert Charles Serrano, 36, the driver of the BMW that rear-ended the Scion, fled the accident scene on foot, but was arrested soon afterward. The 18-year-old woman who was a passenger in the Scion was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. The extent of injuries sustained by the other drivers and passengers is not known. Police have not yet determined if intoxication played a role in the accident but apparently, Serrano had been in a bar shortly before the collision.

I sympathize with the young victim and her family. I hope and pray that she makes it through these critical injuries and has a quick and complete recovery. Please keep this injured victim in your prayers.

Car Accidents

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 21 deaths and 1,468 injuries involving car accidents in Santa Ana, California. In Orange County, 178 people died and 14,185 were injured as a result of car accidents in 2007.

California Car Accident Laws

Based on this news report, it seems to me that the driver of the BMW who initially rear-ended the Toyota Scion was at fault for this horrific crash. I commend the police officials responsible for quickly apprehending this individual. If I were a family member of the accident victim here, I would certainly be interested to find out what caused this hit-and-run accident in the first place. Was the driver intoxicated, distracted, speeding or otherwise negligent? California Vehicle Code Section 20001 (a) states that motorists should not leave the scene of an accident irrespective of who was at fault. Drivers are required to remain at the scene and provide information including insurance, identification and contact details.

Liability Issues

The victim of this crash and her family would be well-advised to consult an experienced Orange County personal injury attorney who will stay abreast of the official investigation and make sure the negligent parties are held accountable for their actions. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also advise the victim and her family about how a claim can be filed through their car insurance policy in an incident involving an uninsured or underinsured motorist.

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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