Excessive speed is one of the leading causes of vehicle accidents in California and across the country. Recently, the driver of a speeding vehicle lost control and caused a terrible accident that claimed the lives of three individuals and injured three others. Now, those adversely affected by this ordeal are likely considering their options for pursuing reimbursement of monetary damages incurred.
Accident details
On Friday, May 13, a Hyundai Elantra was traveling along State Route 12 heading east. The car was behind a Honda Pilot and was reported to be traveling at 100 mph. The Elantra reportedly veered onto the dirt shoulder of the road and the driver lost control. When it re-entered the highway, it struck the Honda Pilot, and both vehicles entered into opposing lanes of traffic and collided with a Toyota Camry. The Elantra and Pilot ended up upside down in a ditch filled with water, while the Camry remained on the road, disabled.
The driver of the Elantra, a 28-year-old woman, died at the scene as did two male passengers in the Honda Pilot, ages 25 and 30. Both the driver of the Pilot and a passenger in the Elantra suffered unspecified injuries as did the Toyota driver, who was taken to a local hospital. Officials have yet to determine if drug or alcohol impairment played a role in causing the crash.
Legal recourse of victims
Since excessive speed was reported as being a causal factor in this crash, the surviving loved ones of those killed as well as the injured victims may pursue personal injury and/or wrongful death claims against the driver along with anyone else who has ownership interest in her vehicle. Although the alleged at-fault driver died in the crash, her estate can still be named in civil suits brought by affected parties. In order to increase their chances of obtaining the best outcome possible, the victims of this horrible accident should work with an experienced personal injury attorney in California.