Ryan Kritz, 20, died in an Orange County car accident on September 26, 2009 after he crashed his car through a concrete block wall and landed in a home’s swimming pool, in Orange, California. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, Kritz was headed north on Cannon Street in an Acura sedan and near Via Escola when he drove over the center median, crashed into a wall and landed in the swimming pool of a home in the 5000 block of Full Moon Court. Kritz was pronounced dead at the scene. No one at the home was hurt. Police do not know yet whether alcohol or drugs played a part in this accident.

My heart goes out to the family of young Ryan Kritz for their tragic, heartbreaking and sudden loss. I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Kritz. Please keep them in your prayers.

Car Accidents in Orange County

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 10 fatalities and 814 injuries involving car accidents in Orange, California. In Orange County as a whole, 178 fatalities and 14,185 injuries were reported in 2007 as a result of car accidents.

There is not enough information available in this news report on how or why this fatal car accident occurred. Was there a vehicle defect or mechanical malfunction in the Acura that caused Kritz to lose control and crash? Did he fall asleep at the wheel? Was he driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs? Given Kritz’s age, I would be surprised if he suffered a health condition. But something went horribly wrong here and I trust officials are looking into exactly what caused this accident.

Auto Product Liability Issues

In such cases, it’s a good idea to preserve the car in its crashed condition, unaltered, should auto product liability issues arise later. The vehicle is usually the most important piece of evidence in an auto products liability case. It should be preserved and then thoroughly examined by an expert for evidence of auto product defects or mechanical malfunction.

Victims and their families, in such car accident cases, would be well-advised to consult with a reputed Orange County personal injury lawyer, who has the experience as well as a successful track record handling defective auto product cases. The truly reputable California personal injury law firms will always offer a free initial consultation to injured victims and their families.

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 information source 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, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

Ali Panahi, 75, died in an Orange County car accident that occurred the afternoon of August 13, 2009 when he was struck crossing an Irvine street intersection in California. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, Panahi died a day after he was hit by a car traveling through the intersection of Barranca Parkway and West Yale Loop. An Irvine woman was heading south on West Yale Loop in her Hyundai Accept when she struck Panahi. Anyone with information about this car-pedestrian accident is asked to call Irvine Police Detective Jonathan Cherney at 949-724-7024.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Ali Panahi for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Panahi. Please keep them in your prayers.

Orange County Pedestrian Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no pedestrian accident fatalities, but 19 injuries involving pedestrian accidents were reported in Irvine, California. In Orange County as a whole, 41 deaths and 726 injuries happened as a result of pedestrian accidents in 2007.

Based on this newspaper report, it is not quite clear who may have been at fault for this tragic Irvine car accident. The news report states that Ali Panahi was walking across the street at the intersection. It’s not clear why the driver did not stop for Panahi or slow down at the intersection. The California Vehicle Code states that motorists must yield right-of-way to pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections.

California Car Accident Law

California Vehicle Code Section 21950 states: “The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.” The same section also states that the driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian within any marked or unmarked crosswalk “shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of a vehicle or take any other action relating to the operating of the vehicle as necessary to safeguard the safety of the pedestrian.”

Ali Panahi’s family would be well-advised to contact an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer, who will fight to protect their rights and make sure they receive the justice and compensation they rightfully deserve. In cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased victims may file wrongful death claims, which seek compensation to cover medical/funeral expenses, loss of wages, loss of love and companionship and related damages. The best Orange County car accident law firms will always offer a free and comprehensive consultation to injured victims and/or their families.