Tsuruko Ishiguro, 93, was killed in a San Bernardino car accident the afternoon of November 9, 2009, the San Bernardino Sun reports. Ishiguro was a passenger in a 2003 Honda Odyssey. The fatal car accident occurred when the driver of the Odyssey who was heading north on Anderson Street, made a left turn at Academy Street. The car then collided with a motorist who was heading south on Anderson. Ishiguro was taken to a local hospital where he died shortly after the collision.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Tsuruko Ishiguro for their tremendous loss. Please keep them in your prayers.

San Bernardino Car Accidents

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities but 89 injuries involving car accidents in Loma Linda, California. In San Bernardino County as a whole, 308 deaths and 9,920 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents in 2007.

Based on this news report, it is not clear how or why this fatal car collision occurred. There are many questions here. Did one of the drivers fail to yield right-of-way to the other vehicle at this intersection? Did one of the vehicles run a red light? Did the car that Ishiguro was a passenger in have a green light or a green arrow? If both drivers had a green light, then the other vehicle would have had right-of-way at the intersection. But if the only lane that the Honda was in had a green arrow, then that vehicle would have had the right-of-way at that intersection. I trust officials are carefully examining this accident from different angles to determine whether negligence was a factor.

California Car Accident Laws and Liability Issues

California law is very specific about the requirements for drivers making a left turn or a U-turn. California Vehicle Code section 21801 (a) states: "The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left or to complete a U-turn upon a highway, or to turn left into public or private property, or an alley, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to the approaching vehicles until the left turn or U-turn can be made with reasonable safety."

In such cases, victims and their families would be well-advised to consult with an experienced California personal injury lawyer who will analyze all aspects of an accident, determine whether there was negligence, identify the negligent parties and hold them accountable. If a dangerous condition on the roadway caused or contributed to the car accident, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could also be held liable. Please remember that any claim against a governmental agency must be properly filed within 180 days of an accident or injury.

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is 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 us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.