California Personal Injury Lawyers Blog
A multi-vehicle accident in the Whittier area left five people injured, including two police officers. According to the Whittier Daily News, the accident occurred on the eastbound side of the 60 freeway around 2:50 a.m.
Police officers were pulled off on the side of the freeway assisting a driver of a stalled Mazda. All three were standing outside the vehicles when a Chevrolet Malibu ran into the patrol car. This hit caused a chain reaction—it pushed “the black-and-white into the Mazda before the Malibu struck the officers and the stranded driver. The Malibu, which ended up back on the freeway itself, was hit by a Honda Accord.”
In this incident, the driver of the Malibu was arrested after he was suspected of causing the collision because he was driving under the influence. Those injured in the accident included both police officers, the driver of the Mazda, the driver of the Malibu (who caused the accident), and a passenger in his car. All were taken to the hospital with minor to major injuries.
In a case like this, although there were multiple cars involved, it seems pretty clear who caused the accident. Because the driver of the Malibu caused the accident due to his intentional carelessness of driving while under the influence, he will be responsible for the personal injuries he caused in this accident. This will include the personal injuries he caused his passenger, as drivers are responsible for the safety of their passengers.
Those injured in the accident can bring a personal injury claim against the driver, typically paid out by his insurance, for the expenses related to their injuries. Even minor injuries can be costly, especially if you had to spend time in the hospital. Financial damages received in a personal injury are typically awarded to cover the medical expenses (hospital stays, doctor’s appointments, physical therapy for recovery) but can also be awarded for pain and suffering as well as lost earnings.
In most instances in which multi-vehicle car accidents occur and it is extremely difficult to determine who caused the accident—however, this fact is very important as it is used to determine who is financially liable for injuries caused to others. In a situation like this, a thorough investigation will need to be conducted to determine who was at fault. Because multi-vehicle collisions can be so tricky, anyone injured in this type of accident should seek the assistance of a skilled personal injury attorney who can help with the investigation so you can pursue a successful personal injury claim.
At Walch Law, we have years of experience with car accident personal injury claims in Los Angeles and throughout California. We can assist you in your claim so you can get the best possible financial recovery as compensation for your injuries and losses caused by a car accident. Contact us today through our online form or by phone at 866-465-8792 for a free case consultation.