Eric Sandoval, a 5-year-old boy was fatally injured in a San Bernardino car accident after the van he was a passenger in, went out of control and crashed on Mount Baldy Road. According to the San Bernardino County Sun, 27-year-old William Sandoval was driving the 1995 Chevy Astro van the afternoon of September 19, 2009 when he experienced engine trouble. Sandoval was unable to stop the van but apparently, still able to steer it as it continued down the road.

Five out of the 10 passengers jumped off the van and sustained injuries, according to the San Bernardino County coroner’s office. Sandoval then intentionally drove the van into a rock wall to stop the vehicle. Eric sustained critical injuries and was airlifted to a local hospital where he died shortly afterward. California Highway Patrol officials are investigating this fatal California car accident.

Tragic Car Accident

My heart goes out to the family of little Eric Sandoval for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved this child. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 308 fatalities and 9,920 injuries involving car accidents in San Bernardino County.

Based on this news report, it’s not clear what exactly caused this tragic car accident. However, it seems to me that an auto product defect in this Chevy Astro van may have caused William Sandoval to lose control. The Sandoval family would be well-advised to preserve the Chevy Astro van in its current crashed condition, unaltered, so it can be examined by an expert thoroughly for any inherent mechanical problems, vehicle defects and other evidence.

Some readers who own this brand of Chevy minivans have commented to this article saying that they have experienced problems with a faulty fuel injection system, which shuts down the engine. If an auto product defect is suspected in such car accident cases, it is very important to preserve the vehicle because it is now the main piece of evidence.

Auto Products Liability Issues

If it is determined that this California car accident was caused by a vehicle defect, the injured parties can file a product liability claim against the auto maker. Eric Sandoval’s family may be able to file a wrongful death claim against the manufacturer of the defective auto part. Injured victims and their families in such cases should consider consulting with a reputed Los Angeles personal injury lawyer who has a successful track record of representing victims and their families against large auto makers, including Chevrolet, Toyota, General Motors and Ford. The best auto products liability law firms will not charge any fees for an initial consultation and case evaluation.

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our source for the facts is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, please contact us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. Most of the best law firms will provide accident victims a free consultation.

We cannot fully inform any party or family member about their rights, options or the economic viability of any claim for compensation without a full investigation and consultation. We will not be conducting an investigation into this matter unless we are retained by a party. We will provide a free, confidential consultation to any, not at fault, person named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.