Three people, including an elderly couple, were injured in a car accident on the Highway 37 in Sonoma County after a driver crashed into vehicles that were stopped for traffic. According to a CBS News report, James and Alice Murray, both 81, were traveling in a Toyota Rav4 driven by James Murray the afternoon of August 20, 2010. The elderly driver failed to see vehicles on the highway stopped for traffic ahead. He rear-ended a Toyota pickup truck and then a 2004 Toyota Matrix. The Murrays and the 41-year-old male driver of the pickup were injured. However, none of the injuries is believed to be life-threatening.

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone injured in this Sonoma car accident. I wish them all a complete and speedy recovery. It is indeed fortunate that no one was seriously injured in this crash.

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but 33 injuries involving car accidents in Sonoma. Countywide, 36 people were killed and 1,988 were injured as a result of car accidents during the same year.

Causes and Liability Issues

Based on this news report, it is not clear why the elderly driver failed to see traffic stopped ahead? Was he impaired or disoriented? Did he have a health condition? Was he speeding at the time? Was the driver distracted, simply inattentive or unaware of the traffic conditions? Was he negligent in some other way? I trust officials are looking into these and other issues which may have caused or contributed to this accident.

If the elderly driver is determined to have been at fault in this case, he could be held liable for the other driver's injuries and damages. In such cases, injured victims could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages.

Victims would be well-advised to seek the counsel of an experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all facets of the case and make sure that the negligent parties are held accountable for their actions. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.

What are some of the biggest challenges faced by injured victims in the aftermath of a crash?

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.