Four people were injured, two seriously, in a Riverside car accident after two vehicles were involved in a head-on collision. According to a news report in The Desert Sun, the fatal crash occurred the morning of July 17, 2010 on the 10 Freeway near Desert Center when a vehicle going east on the freeway went into the westbound lanes and collided head-on with another vehicle. California Highway Patrol officials said two were in critical condition and one other person sustained moderate injuries. The fourth victim sustained minor injuries. No arrests have been made pending an official investigation.

My heart goes out to those who were injured in this horrific crash, especially the critically injured victims. I wish all the injured victims the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Car Accidents

According to CHP's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 121 fatalities and 2,615 injuries as a result of car accidents in the unincorporated areas of Riverside County. Also, countywide, 220 people died and 8,561 were injured as a result of car accidents during the same year.

Cause of the Accident

Based on this news report, it is not quite clear why one of the drivers crossed into opposing lanes of traffic. There are several questions here at this point. Was the driver under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs? Was he or she distracted or speeding at the time of the incident? Was the driver fatigued or falling asleep at the wheel when the accident occurred? Was the driver negligent in any other way? I trust officials are closely examining these and other issues in order to pinpoint the cause of the accident and who was at fault.

Fault and Liability

In such cases, it is very likely that the at-fault driver will face criminal charges especially if some type of negligence or wrongdoing is involved. Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation from the at-fault driver to cover medical expenses, loss of earnings, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and even long-term care and medical treatment. Should the incident result in death, the family members of the deceased accident victim can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for funeral expenses, lost future earnings, loss of love and companionship and other related damages.

Victims or their families would be well-advised to consult with an experienced Riverside personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of the incident and make sure that the negligent parties are held accountable. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also advise victims and their families about how their own car insurance policy might apply to an incident where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.

In your opinion, what are the biggest dangers facing motorists today?

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.