Passenger ejected in traffic collision at River Road and Wellsona Road, authorities say
PASO ROBLES, CA, (August 11, 2024) - A single-vehicle crash in Paso Robles resulted in major injuries to a 22-year-old man and led to the arrest of a teen driver, authorities said in a release.
Raul Santiago Cortez, 22, was badly hurt following a single-vehicle wreck at River Road and Wellsona Road in Paso Robles early Sunday, according to officials.
It happened Sunday at approximately 1 a.m.
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), a 15-year-old boy was driving a 2013 Chevy Camaro northbound on River Road, reaching speeds of 80 to 90 miles per hour. The teen driver reportedly failed to make a turn onto Wellsona Road, causing the Camaro to travel off the roadway and overturn several times in a grass field.
Raul Santiago Cortez, a back-seat passenger, was ejected. He was taken to Sierra Vista Medical Center.
The teen driver and a 17-year-old front-seat passenger fled the scene after the crash. They were later arrested.
The teen driver was charged with felony hit-and-run, according to the report.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Excessive speed not only causes many traffic accidents but also increases the likelihood of someone being seriously injured or, worse, losing their life.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that in 2019, 9,478 people were killed in crashes involving speeding.
While the cause and liability of the crash are being investigated, Candice Bond, an experienced accident attorney and Managing Partner of Bond Legal, said that it is imperative to have an independent investigation conducted by a seasoned attorney.
“In addition to the diligent work of law enforcement, an attorney can re-interview important witnesses, analyze any surveillance video from the scene of the crash, and obtain phone and texting records of the liable party,” said Bond, a national analyst for Newsline.
PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM
Pending the results of the investigation, Raul Santiago Cortez may have the right to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. Stefano Formica, Of Counsel with Bond Legal, noted that the stress and worry following a serious injury could be overwhelming, disrupting all aspects of life, including family, work, finances, and overall quality of life.
“It is vital for victims to hire an attorney when filing a personal injury claim, which allows them to negotiate with an insurance company on behalf of a client,” Formica added.
“Insurance companies often try to pressure victims to settle for a quick payout for far less than the case is worth. However, an attorney will vigorously advocate for their client to ensure that they are treated with respect and compensated fairly.”
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(Candice Bond, Managing Partner, and Stefano Formica, Of Counsel, at Bond Legal, are the national legal analysts for Newsline. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).