Anthony Igwedinma, 30, was killed in an Orange County car accident after losing control of his pickup truck and crashing on the 5 Freeway in Buena Park. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal crash occurred the morning of August 20, 2010. California Highway Patrol officials say Igwedinma was driving a 2008 Nissan Titan pickup truck on the freeway near Artesia Boulevard, when he drove off the roadway and crashed into a guard rail. He died at the scene. A 22-year-old passenger in Igwedinma's truck sustained major injuries. An investigation is ongoing.

I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved Anthony Igwedinma for their tremendous loss. Please keep this grieving family in your thoughts and prayers. I also wish the injured victim the very best for a swift and full recovery from his serious injuries.

Car Accident Statistics

According to CHP's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were four fatalities and 457 injuries involving car accidents in Buena Park. In Orange County as a whole, 152 people died and 13,414 were injured as a result of car accidents during the same year.

What Caused this Deadly Crash?

Based on this news report, it is not clear how or why Igwedinma lost control of the pickup truck. I trust officials are looking into whether there was some type of malfunction in the car or whether there were other vehicles involved. A member of Igwedinma's family who left a comment on the Register's web site says the accident occurred because Igwedinma was cut off. The commenter says: "Someone cut them off. He (Igwedinma) sped and swerved to the right to get out of the way. The truck wobbled out of control, jumped the curb and flipped over four or five times. He died instantly. This young man should not have been taken from his beautiful family."

Laws and Compensation Issues

If authorities determine that another driver caused this accident, then, this incident could be treated as a "non-contact hit-and-run." This means that the suspect vehicle did cause the accident, but there was no collision. Still, the driver should have stopped, exchanged information with the other party and rendered aid to the injured victims. California Vehicle Code 20001 (a) states: "The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident."

The driver in this case, if the commenter is right, could not only face felony hit-and-run charges, but could also be held civilly liable for Igwedinma's wrongful death and the serious injuries caused to the other victim. In such cases victims and their families would be well-advised to contact an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer, who will examine all aspects of the incident and make sure that the negligent parties are held liable. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer can also advise victims and their families about how their car insurance policy might apply to a hit-and-run incident or to an incident where the at-fault motorist is uninsured or underinsured.

Have you ever been involved in an accident because another driver cut you off?

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.