Jacquelyn Drake, 62, and Brandon Lamb, 56, were seriously injured in a Ventura car accident that occurred on March 15, 2010, after a speeding driver struck their SUV. According to a news report in the Ventura County Star, 19-year-old Giovanny Ruiz was driving at speeds of over 90 mph in the northbound lanes of Highway 101, near Telephone Road, when he lost control of his vehicle and broadsided an SUV being driven by Lamb. The force of the collision caused the SUV to veer off the highway and crash into a tree. Lamb and his passenger, Drake, had to be extricated from the SUV, which had almost fully wrapped itself around the tree due to the force of the crash. Ruiz sustained only minor injuries. Police have not made any arrests pending an investigation.

I'm relieved to hear that the injuries sustained by these victims were not life-threatening. I wish both Lamb and Drake the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. They will be in my prayers.

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), eight fatalities and 448 injuries were reported in Ventura as a result of car accidents. In Ventura County as a whole, 63 deaths and 6,785 injuries occurred due to car accidents during the same year.

Basic Speed Law

Based on this news report Ruiz lost control of his car and struck the SUV because he was traveling at a high rate of speed. California Vehicle Code Section 22350 (Basic Speed Law) states: "No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic and on surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property."

Fault and Liability

In such cases, victims would be well-advised to contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of the incident and make sure that the negligent parties are held accountable for their actions. In this case, if Ruiz is determined to have been at fault, he should be held not only criminally liable but also financially responsible for the accident and serious injuries caused. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also advise victims about how their car insurance policy applies to an incident where the at-fault motorist is uninsured or underinsured.

We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.