A 21-year-old man, driving a white Nissan Versa, suffered major injuries in a Orange County car accident the morning of July 24, 2009, The Orange County Register reports. The man had veered off the road on Los Alisos Boulevard near Trabuco Road in Mission Viejo, California, and sustained major head injuries, Orange County Sheriff’s Department officials say.

Officials say the driver of the Versa was going east on Los Alisos when he crashed into a sign located in the center divider. The car then, went into the westbound lanes for a short distance before hitting several trees by the roadside and dropping about 20 feet into a ditch. The driver was rescued from the Versa and taken to an area hospital with major head trauma.

My heart goes out to the young man who suffered major injuries in this Orange County car accident. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep him in your prayers.

According to the California Highway Patrol’s 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were seven fatalities and 250 injuries involving car accidents in Mission Viejo. In Orange County as a whole, 178 deaths and 14,185 injuries were reported in 2007 as a result of car accidents.

Based on this newspaper report, it is not clear why the man lost control of his car and veered off the roadway. The report or statements from the police do not indicate that the man was speeding on the roadway, was somehow distracted or had fallen asleep at the wheel. It is possible that something went wrong with the car. Was there a mechanical problem? Was there an auto product defect that triggered a malfunction? Going by some of the comments to this news account, it is also possible there was a dangerous condition on the roadway that caused the man to lose control. Apparently, a number of large trees and brush hamper visibility on that stretch of roadway, which includes sharp curves.

If this car accident was caused by an auto product defect, then the auto product manufacturer could be held liable for the injuries caused. In such cases, victims may seek compensation for medical expenses, loss of wages, future medical care and even long-term care when an accident results in debilitating personal injury. If the accident and the injuries caused to this man is found to be the result of a defective or dangerous road condition, then the governmental entity in charge of that road could also be held responsible. An experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer will be able to analyze all aspects of the case and determine the best course of action for the victim and his family.