One Killed, One Injured in West Covina Car Accident

A 20-year-old woman was killed and her 20-yearold female passenger was critically injured in a two-car crash. According to a City News Service, the accident occurred the evening of January 14, 2016 at the intersection of South Grand Avenue and East Cortez Street in the unincorporated Los Angeles County area just east of West Covina.

The woman who died was driving her 2014 Honda Civic east on Cortez Street when she was struck by a 2012 Hyundai being driven south on Grand Avenue by a 23-year-old man. California Highway Patrol officials said the woman driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Her passenger suffered major injuries and was transported in critical condition to a regional trauma center. The Hyundai’s driver suffered relatively minor injuries and was treated and released at the scene. Police do not believe alcohol or drugs were factors. Anyone with more information about this crash is asked to contact CHP at 626-338-1164. The investigation into the cause of this fatal crash is still ongoing.

We offer our deepest condolences to the family members and friends of the deceased victim. We also wish the injured passenger the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Crash Statistics

According to CHP’s 2013 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 82 fatalities and 4,841 injuries involving traffic accidents in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 585 people died and 50,917 were injured due to car accidents during the same year.

What Caused This Crash?

Based on this news report, it appears that the collision occurred at a street intersection. Any time a collision occurs at an intersection, there are a number of questions that must be asked. Did one of the drivers fail to yield the right of way? Did one of the drivers violate the rules of the road such as running a red light or a stop sign? Was there a dangerous condition on the roadway, which may have caused or contributed to the incident? Was one of the drivers speeding or distracted? We trust officials are looking into these and other issues in order to determine precisely how or why this fatal crash occurred.

Rights of Victims and Families

In such cases, at-fault drivers can be held accountable for the injuries, damages and losses caused. Injured  passengers also have rights. They can file a claim against an at-fault driver or negligent party seeking compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, rehabilitation, pain and suffering and emotional distress. A knowledgeable Los Angeles personal injury lawyer will also be able to determine whether a dangerous roadway condition caused or contributed to the accident. In such cases the governmental entity in charge of maintaining the roadway can also be held liable.