A 59-year-old man who was killed in an Orange County car accident the morning of March 25, 2010 has been identified by the Orange County Coroner as Michael McMaster. The Orange County Register reports that the fatal car crash occurred near the intersection of Avenida de La Carlota and Via Puerta in Laguna Woods after McMaster lost control of his SUV and slammed into a light pole. McMaster died at the scene. An investigation is ongoing.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Michael McMaster for their tragic and devastating loss. This grieving family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Car Accident Statistics

There was one fatality and 18 injuries involving car accidents in Laguna Woods, according to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In Orange County as a whole, 152 fatalities and 13,414 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents in 2008.

Accident Causes and Liability Issues

The newspaper report does not clearly say how or why this crash occurred. The article does not say that McMaster was speeding, that he fell asleep at the wheel or that he was driving under the influence. There are many questions here that are unanswered. Was there a vehicle defect or a mechanical malfunction in his vehicle that caused him to lose control? Was there a dangerous condition on the roadway? What type of SUV was he driving? If this accident was caused by a vehicle defect or design defect, the auto maker, or the manufacturer of the defective product, can be held liable.

If a dangerous or defective roadway caused the accident, then the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could be held liable. According to California Government Code section 911.2, any personal injury claim against a California governmental agency must be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury. An experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer in such cases, will make sure that the negligent parties are held accountable and that the victims' and their families' rights are protected.

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.