Two women, identified as 18-year-old Brittany Franklin and 43-year-old Suzanne Wallahan, 43, sustained injuries in a Lake County car accident after a head-on collision. The Lake County News reports that the injury accident occurred the morning of August 17, 2010.

Franklin was traveling northbound on Highway 29 in a 2008 Chevrolet car when the vehicle drifted off the roadway. The teen driver then attempted to re-enter the traffic lanes, but ended up going into opposing lanes where her vehicle collided with a Nissan truck driven by Wallahan. Both woman were transported to an area hospital with what appear to be serious injuries. Officials are looking into what caused Franklin to lose control of her vehicle.

I hope neither Franklin nor Wallahan sustained catastrophic injuries in this crash. I pray that they recover quickly and completely from their injuries.

Car Accidents

There were 14 fatalities and 293 injuries involving car accidents in Lake County in 2008, according to California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). Also, in the unincorporated areas of the county, 12 people died and 247 were injured as a result of car accidents in 2008.

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." I trust officials are looking into whether Franklin was impaired, distracted or otherwise negligent at the time.

In such cases, injured victims would be well-advised to consult with an experienced California personal injury lawyer who will stay abreast of the official investigation and make sure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.

What defensive driving methods do you adopt in order to prevent car accidents?

None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.