Six People Injured After Two SUVs Crash into Placentia Goodwill Store

Six people suffered injuries after two SUVs crashed into a Goodwill store in Placentia the afternoon of Oct. 6. According to a KTLA news report, police responded to 1101 E. Imperial Highway where one of the vehicles had rear-ended the other. Placentia police said six people were injured. Among them, five were occupants of the vehicles and one person was shopping at the store. While all six victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries, one of them was taken to an area hospital.

KTLA spoke to a man who identified himself as David Collins who said his 88-year-old mother accidentally drove her white Chevy Suburban into a parked GMC Yukon, causing both SUVs to end up into the store. He said his mother’s foot slipped off the brake and hit the gas. Collins said he eventually managed to put the car in park and turn it off from the passenger’s seat. His mother, he said, was rushed to a trauma center after the incident. No arrests or citations were reported. The incident is under investigation.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured victims of this car accident. We wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Older Drivers and Car Accidents

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), older drivers are keeping their licenses longer and driving more miles than before.  Also, the high fatality rates of this age group reflect the fact that older drivers are more easily injured than younger people and are more likely to have medical complications and die of those injuries. Studies conducted by TRIP, a transportation research group, show that the number of drivers who are 65 years or older increased by 16 percent from 2012 to 2016. California, Florida, Texas, New York and Pennsylvania lead the nation in the number of licensed drivers 65 years and older.

Liability Issues

In this particular case, it is not clear whether the elderly driver’s ability to operate the vehicle deteriorated over the years. It was extremely fortunate that her son who was sitting in the passenger’s seat was able to stop the car and prevent further injuries. Victims who suffer injuries in accidents that are determined to have occurred as a result of the negligence or wrongdoing of another driver may be able to seek compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, rehabilitation, pain and suffering and emotional distress. An experienced Orange County car accident lawyer will be able to guide the victim and his or her family through what may be a complex claims process and help them secure the compensation they rightfully deserve.

Source: https://ktla.com/2018/10/09/5-injured-after-vehicles-crash-into-goodwill-store-in-placentia/