The Orange County Register reports two people were killed in a car crash in Anaheim after colliding with a vehicle that was going the wrong way.
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), a 21-year-old was traveling westbound in a Mercedes-Benz on the eastbound 91 Freeway carpool lane at approximately 1 a.m. on Wednesday, January 19 when he collided into a Toyota Scion near the Harbor Boulevard exit. The driver of the Scion was a 26-year-old man, who was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene of the car accident. The 24-year-old woman who was a passenger in the Scion also died at the scene.
The CHP are still investigating the accident. It is unclear how long the man had been driving the wrong way on the freeway. The man suffered major injuries in the Orange County car accident and was taken to a local hospital, where he is listed in critical condition. The CHP suspect the man was driving under the influence of alcohol and arrested him for DUI at the hospital.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, distracted driving can be classified into three categories:
- Visual distractions; which occurs when a driver takes their eyes away from the road;
- Manual distractions; which are instances when drivers take their hands away from the vehicle’s steering wheel; and
- Cognitive distractions; which occurs when drivers take their minds off of what they’re doing (driving).
Many things can distract a driver while they are behind the wheel, such as conversing with passengers, changing the radio, drinking or eating while driving, talking or texting on a cell phone, and more. Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is also a form of distracted driving, as a driver’s cognitive functions are inhibited and causes their judgment and driving skills to be impaired.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that in 2009, 33,808 people lost their lives in motor vehicle traffic accidents in the U.S. Another 2.2 million were injured in these crashes. Of the fatalities for that year, 10,839 were alcohol-impaired driving deaths, which is roughly 32 percent of total traffic accident fatalities. In 2009 in California, there were 3,081 traffic accident-related deaths, which is the highest of all the states in the U.S. Of those fatalities, 950 were alcohol-impaired driving deaths, which is about 31 percent of the total traffic crash fatalities.
At Panish Shea & Boyle LLP, our California distracted driving lawyers help families who have lost a loved one in a car accident caused by a negligent driver. We can help a victim’s family navigate the complexities of the legal system to successfully obtain compensation for your losses. It is understood that no amount of money can possibly replace a lost loved one, but compensation can help ease the strain of costly hospital bills, vehicle damage, pain and suffering, and other damages. Call us today at 1-877-800-1700 to learn how we can help your family during this difficult time.
