An Orange County car accident the morning of February 20, 2010 resulted in the death of one man and serious injuries to two others. The fatal car accident occurred at the intersection of Bushard Street and Heil Avenue in Fountain Valley when two pickup trucks collided. According to a news report in the Orange County Local News Network, a Ford Ranger and a Toyota Tacoma, which was southbound on Bushard, crashed into each other. The Ford truck was going east on Heil Avenue. A 40-year-old man, who was a passenger in the Tacoma, died at a local hospital. Two others sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

I offer my deepest condolences o the family and friends of the deceased victim for their heartbreaking loss. I also pray that the two injured victims recover quickly and completely from their injuries. These victims and their families will be in my prayers.

Car Accidents

Three fatalities and 377 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents in Fountain Valley, according to California Highway Patrol's 2008 traffic accident statistics. Countywide, 152 deaths and 13,414 injuries involving car accidents occurred during the same year,

Who Was at Fault?

From the details provided in this news report, it is not clear who caused this fatal car accident. In such cases, the investigation usually centers on who had the right-of-way at the time of the collision. In this case, there are a few questions that must be answered. Did one of the drivers fail to yield right-of-way? Did one of the drivers run a red light? Was one of the drivers impaired, speeding or otherwise driving negligently? Was there a dangerous roadway condition that caused or contributed to this accident?

Claims for Compensation

In such cases, victims or their families would be well-advised to seek the legal counsel of an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer who can help them seek compensation from the at-fault driver (or his or her insurance company), to cover medical expenses, lost earnings, cost of hospitalization, surgeries and other related damages.

Families of deceased accident victims may file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for funeral expenses, lost future earnings, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages. If the accident occurred because of a dangerous or defective roadway condition, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could also be held liable. Any such claim against a governmental agency in California must be properly filed within six months of the accident or injury.

We are 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 a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.