A Southern California driver is recovering in critical condition after a solo vehicle accident early Friday morning in Santa Ana.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the accident took place at 7:55 a.m. in the northbound lanes of the 55 Freeway at Interstate 5 near the 4th street exit, where a red SUV lost control in the No.2 lane, swerved into the No. 4 lane and rolled.

The driver inside the SUV, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle in the roll. He was quickly taken to nearby UCI Medical Center, where he is recovering from injuries described as “major” by officers who responded to the scene.

Thankfully there were no other occupants inside the tumbling vehicle, nor were any other vehicles involved in the crash.

The three left lanes were closed down for almost two hours as crews worked to clean up the wreckage. The SUV, which came to rest back on its wheels, was all but destroyed in the accident. Damage covered all sides of the vehicle, with all four tires bent and broken, and the front windows shattered.

All lanes were fully reopened for business by 9:25, finally allowing for an alleviation of the morning traffic that had built up throughout the area.

An investigation is currently ongoing to determine what caused the SUV to lose control and swerve across multiple lanes, and whether or not any illegal substances were a factor in the crash.

Seatbelts are designed to keep you safe. While it may seem to be nothing more than an announce, in dangerous and unforeseen circumstances like this, a seatbelt can be the difference between walking away from an accident and spending the next several days in the hospital.

If you or someone you know has been in an accident, you need help. We at AA Accident Attorneys can help you recover compensation from any liable parties that may have been responsible for your crash. Our Orange County accident lawyers can confidently fight for what you deserve and accurately represent all of your concerns.

You need an accident lawyer who is well-versed in all of California’s complicated state laws, and who can successful navigate you through the legal process. We will work hard to represent you both as legal professionals and as citizens who share the same roads and live in the same communities. We do not charge a thing for our services until your case is won. Call us today for your free evaluation to learn what options are available to you!