Wrong Way Accident in Los Angeles California

On Sunday, March 5, 2022,  at 4:30 a.m., two people were killed in an automobile accident when a vehicle drove the wrong way on the 118 freeway and collided with a truck. The 118 freeway is known to be a very common freeway that runs through the San Fernando Valley. The accident occurred near the Porter Ranch area.

The accident occurred around 4:30 in the morning when the California Highway Patrol report explained that a large truck had collided with another vehicle that was going the wrong way. The accident occurred near the Tampa Avenue freeway off-ramp.

Currently, The accident is being investigated as a DUI accident. DUI accidents could cause severe injuries, mainly because drivers cannot hear, see, and think properly when they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. DUI accidents in Los Angeles are becoming a very serious problem for several residents and pedestrians. Unfortunately, those victims of DUI accidents are more likely to experience severe injuries and fatalities compared to the drunk driver of the other vehicle. The police report goes into specifics, stating that the black sedan carrying those three passengers that were going the wrong way was completely crushed. The box truck was pushed into an embankment that was next to the off-ramp.

Our top-rated DUI accident attorneys know how difficult it could be to lose a loved one, or have your loved one severely injured because of another party’s recklessness or negligence. No person should have to suffer thousands of dollars in medical bills, or loss of income, simply because another party decided to drink and drive.

Our attorneys hold parties responsible for their actions and work tirelessly to make sure that our clients get the help that they deserve. No person’s rights should be taken advantage of.

After the accident, the California Highway Patrol shut down several lanes because the accident included multiple parties, and severe injuries. This is a very common practice that the California Highway Patrol and the Los Angeles Police Department do in cases of DUI accidents. When several lanes are closed, this could also pose a safety risk to other oncoming vehicles who may have been driving on those lanes at that time. The Sigalert was issued at 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. that day. The traffic buildup could lead to other types of accidents such as rear-end collisions or distracted driving accidents.

Unfortunately, two passengers that were going the wrong way in the sedan were announced dead at the scene of the accident. The Los Angeles County coroner’s office identified the two passengers as 37-year-old Andres Quintanar and 49-year–old Gerardo Parra. Our firm sends out our deepest condolences to the passengers’ family members. The other drivers were taken to the hospital for their injuries. Currently, the drivers are getting treated for their injuries. According to Brian Humphrey from the Los Angeles Fire department, the driver of the box truck and the driver of the black sedan were both taken to a regional Trauma Center for their injuries. Both drivers are expected to survive their injuries.

Some examples of injuries that could be possible in an incident like this include traumatic brain injury, back injuries, spinal cord injuries, hand injuries, and whiplash.

This accident is still being investigated by the California Highway Patrol and the corresponding police departments. But, this poses a serious question on the rules and regulations that prevent severe accidents like drunk driving accidents.

In the unfortunate event that you or a loved one have been involved in such an accident, it is important that you have a top-rated attorney on speed dial. Our attorneys are ready to help you 24/7. Unfortunately, there are several other law firms that are difficult to get a hold of. Our attorneys proudly provide one-on-one attention to our clients, because we understand that each client may be involved in a different type of accident.

Another reason why nighttime accidents are likely to occur is because of speeding. When speeding at increasingly high speeds, it could be very difficult to come to a complete stop, especially if you are driving on a freeway that does not have a lot of lighting. Other than drunk driving, a common circumstance may be inexperienced driving. Drivers who do not have experience getting on that specific freeway could easily confuse the entrance and exit for the 118 freeway.

Give us a call today to schedule your complimentary consultation, to discuss the accident that you were involved in. Our attorneys at Heidari law have recovered millions of dollars for our clients, and know how to navigate through the legal process so we hold those drunk drivers responsible for their actions.

One of the most common questions that our accident attorneys receive is whether filing a lawsuit will criminally charge the drunk driver. Criminal charges are separate from a civil lawsuit. In an accident such as the one mentioned above, the driver will most likely be charged criminally for drunk driving by the police department after a series of drunk driving tests, such as a breathalyzer. But, a victim of an accident could also file a civil lawsuit in court to get compensated for their bills, such as their medical bills, property damage to their vehicle, loss of income, and the emotional distress associated with those injuries.

Our experienced trial attorneys recommend that you refrain from drinking alcohol or smoking prior to driving. If you do decide to smoke or drink, make sure that you have a designated driver that will take you to and from the different locations. If you are the driver of the vehicle, also make sure that other passengers in your vehicle are not a distraction to you. Also make sure that all passengers in the vehicle are wearing their seatbelts.

Another recommendation from our attorneys is to make sure that you constantly maintain your vehicle, make sure that your vehicle gets constant oil changes, and make sure that all the lights for your vehicle are working. It could be especially difficult to see other vehicles that do not have their lights turned on at night.

Give us a call today to discuss the options that you may have. It takes several different steps to run through if you have been involved in an accident. Besides filing a lawsuit, you may also have to file a claim with your insurance company. There is a time limit on when you must file this claim, and if you file the claim too late, then there is a chance that your insurance company will deny the claim.

Each person’s circumstance is different, so our attorneys recommend that you schedule a one-on-one consultation. We have different attorneys that are skilled in different types of accidents. There are several different types of accidents that are also common in Los Angeles county, including rear-end accidents, distracted driving accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, and many more.

Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means that you do not have to pay any money upfront just to afford our attorneys. We will do all the work for you and only take a percentage of the compensation that we recover for you.

***Disclaimer: This webpage has been crafted by Heidari Law Group solely for educational purposes. The content of this article aims to offer a broad comprehension of the law and does not constitute specific legal advice. By accessing this site and perusing its contents, no attorney-client relationship is established between you and any member of Heidari Law. Additionally, it’s important to note that the legal landscape is subject to continuous change, rendering some of the information provided herein potentially outdated or no longer applicable.