California Injury Lawyer Blog

A 23-year-old Costa Mesa woman was hospitalized with a severe head injury following an accident Tuesday morning in Costa Mesa, the Orange County Register reported. The victim was a pedestrian that was struck by the flying wreckage of a broadside intersection crash caused by a 17-year-old driver running a red light. The accident was reported around 7:50 a.m. at the intersection of Sunflower Avenue and Stevens Avenue.

According to news reports, a 17-year-old male was driving westbound on Sunflower Avenue when he ran a red light at Stevens Avenue. His vehicle struck a car travelling northbound on Stevens and a car travelling southbound on Stevens. A woman standing on the corner was hit by flying debris and critically injured. No one else was seriously hurt.

Cause of the Accident

Costa Mesa Police are investigating the cause of the crash, and anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to call investigators at (714)754-5264. However, if news reports are accurate, it appears that the 17-year-old driver is likely at fault for failing to yield to a red light. Under California Vehicle Code Section 21453 (a): "A driver facing a circular red signal shall stop at the limit line before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection, and shall remain stopped until an indication to proceed is shown."

Pedestrian Accident Personal Injury Liability

In this situation, it would be advisable for the family members of the injured pedestrian to contact an attorney - as soon as possible. As a bystander, the badly injured victim likely has rights to compensation for her injuries in a personal injury claim. An experienced California pedestrian accident lawyer who has handled numerous pedestrian bystander accidents can advise the victim and her family of their best course of action to protect their rights and recover maximum damages for medical care expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages related to the accident.