California Personal Injury Lawyers Blog
New information has emerged in the Hemet High School accident that occurred yesterday. According to The Press-Enterprise, there are claims that a mechanical problem in the 1994 Ford Ranger pick-up truck may have contributed to or caused this Hemet pedestrian accident.
The California Highway Patrol’s Major Accident Investigation unit will be thoroughly examining the vehicle to determine if in fact there was a mechanical defect that caused this horrific accident. The driver of the vehicle involved, Daniel Carrillo, who is 18 years old, reportedly claimed that his breaks failed, causing him to run the red light and strike and run over students in the crosswalk.
According to investigators, about 30 students were crossing in the crosswalk when the vehicle ran the red light, at a speed higher than the 25 mile per hour speed limit. Thankfully, the three students who were first reported to be in critical condition now have a good prognosis. Two students however remain in critical condition after suffering serious or catastrophic injuries.
There are many legal ramifications from an incident such as this. First, Mr. Carrillo may face criminal charges, depending on how the investigation unfolds. Regarding personal injury damages, all of the injured students will have a monetary claim for their personal injuries and damages, which will include medical bills and pain and suffering. However, having a valid claim is not enough. It is necessary to establish who the responsible party or parties are.
A personal injury lawyer who handles Riverside County accident claims, including Hemet, California, will have to investigate what caused the incident. If the brakes failed, it is possible that the brake manufacturer (Hemet products liability suit) or the repair shop that installed the brakes may be responsible. If the Hemet accident was caused by human error on the part of the driver, the driver probably will not have enough liability insurance coverage to cover the extensive injury claims. Another possibility that will need to be examined is whether the crossing was safe for students.
Families of any of the injury victims may call our injury law office. We handle Riverside products liability claims and pedestrian accidents in Riverside, including Hemet. Our experienced serious injury lawyers can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 818-222-3400.