At approximately 9:30 p.m. on July 23, 2019, a two-car accident at Beach Boulevard and Taylor Drive in Huntington Beach, CA left two dead and three injured. According to news outlets, the identities of the deceased individuals will be released once the Orange County coroner notifies the next of kin. The Huntington Beach Police Department is still investigating the car crash. Police stated that the crash involved a 2007 red Honda Fit and a 2012 Volkswagen Passat. Officers also stated that the collision was a broadside collision, also known as a “t-bone” car accident. The Honda Fit’s driver, Kenneth Walsh, 29, of Chino Hills died of blunt force trauma to his head. Miriam Rodriguez, a 36-year-old woman from Huntington Beach was also pronounced dead at the scene. The Huntington Beach Fire Department confirmed that the three others in the Volkswagen were taken to a local trauma center in unknown condition.
The remainder of this article shall briefly discuss broadside car accidents, and what you should do if you are involved in a broadside car accident.
What are broadside car accidents?
Broadside car accidents are commonly referred to as t-bone collisions. Ordinarily, the front of one vehicle referred to as the “bullet vehicle” will impact the side of another car. Property damage in t-bone collisions is usually centered at either the driver side or passenger side doors. However, property damage in t-bone collisions is also sometimes located at the front or rear side of the impacted vehicle.
Who is “at fault” in a broadside car accident?
T-bone collisions often occur because of failure by one vehicle to yield at a stop sign or traffic signal. They also regularly occur when one vehicle attempts to make an unsafe left turn. California law states:
“(a) The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left or to complete a U-turn upon a highway, or to turn left into public or private property, or an alley, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to the approaching vehicles until the left turn or U-turn can be made with reasonable safety.
(b) A driver having yielded as prescribed in subdivision (a), and having given a signal when and as required by this code, may turn left or complete a U-turn, and the drivers of vehicles approaching the intersection or the entrance to the property or alley from the opposite direction shall yield the right-of-way to the turning vehicle.” California Vehicle Code § 21801.
In situations contemplated by subsection (b) of the above vehicle code, car accident attorneys are often contacted. One party will often claim that the turning vehicle failed to yield, and the turning vehicle’s driver will claim that they yielded and then lawfully completed their turn. When one or both of the parties are injured, personal injury claims or personal injury lawsuits often follow.
How serious are broadside car accidents?
Broadside vehicle collisions are often some of the most serious car accidents that can occur. The “bullet vehicle” involved in these collisions is often traveling at a high rate of speed. As a result, even though the front of the bullet vehicle is the portion that is impacted, significant physical forces are transferred to the driver and passengers. With respect to the side impacted vehicle, the lack of bumpers and metal to shield the victims can result in traumatic injuries to the vehicle occupants. In the most serious cases, a broadside collision can cause the death of people involved. In situations such as these, a family may consult with law firms regarding a potential wrongful death action.
What should you do if you have been in a broadside car accident?
If you have been involved in a t-bone car accident, the first thing that you should do is check on your well-being and that of everyone else involved. If there is anyone in need of medical care immediately contact emergency personnel for assistance. Once you are seen by medical examiners make sure that you tell them all of your symptoms so that they can properly treat you.
You should try to collect as much information as you can from witnesses. In the event that there are nearby businesses, you should consider asking if they have surveillance video of the car accident. Sometimes businesses are unwilling to provide surveillance video to private parties. Once retained, a Huntington Beach car accident attorney, or Seal Beach Car Accident Attorney, will demand that the business produce or preserve the video evidence.
Liability in a broadside car accident is often disputed regardless of who is actually at fault. Therefore, do not apologize to anyone or accept blame for the car accident. You will want to speak to a Huntington Beach lawyer, or Seal Beach lawyer that practices personal injury law.
If You Have Been in a Car Accident Contact a Local Huntington Beach Car Accident Lawyer Right Away!
If you have been in a car accident, call a personal injury attorney right away. Make sure that you gather all of the other drivers’ auto insurance information. No one article can cover everything that people should know after a car accident. Additionally, t-bone car accidents present unique legal challenges. There are many local Huntington Beach car accident lawyers, Seal Beach car accident lawyers, and Long Beach car accident lawyers that can help. Most personal injury lawyers can also assist if you are a family member with wrongful death claims for a loved one. Contact a lawyer right away to protect your personal injury or wrongful death statute of limitations. Don’t let an insurance company lowball your demand for reimbursement of medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering. Ensure that you receive full justice for your insurance claims!
The information contained in this post is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this post, or website, should be taken as legal advice for any individual or case situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. Contact us If you have lost a loved one or have pain and suffering from a personal injury. For more information, visit our wrongful death page and car accidents page. For a free consultation, please reach out to our attorneys to arrange a time to discuss your case. All you have to do is hit the big blue button labeled Contact Us at the top of this page!