A family of five sustained serious injuries in a Ventura car accident after their sedan crashed into the back of a tractor-trailer on Highway 101 the afternoon of May 26, 2010. According to news reports The Daily Sound and Key News, the truck driver had stopped on the shoulder to check the brakes when Christopher Dunne, who was driving a Saturn sedan, lost control of his car and struck the parked big rig.

Both he and his wife, Vanessa Dunne, suffered major injuries while their three children, ages 2, 4 and 6, suffered moderate injuries, including broken bones. The truck driver was uninjured. The Dunnes' sedan was crushed under the tractor-trailer.

I sympathize with this family for everything they are going through at this time. I hope Christopher and Vanessa Dunne have not suffered any catastrophic injuries in this car accident. Please keep this family in his thoughts and prayers.

Car Accidents

In Ventura County, there were 623 deaths and 3,785 injuries involving car accidents during 2008, according to California Highway Patrol's traffic accident statistics. In the unincorporated areas of Ventura County, 21 people died and 632 were injured as a result of car accidents during the same year.

Truck Underride Accidents

This car versus truck accident is very typical of what happens in an "truck underride accident" where a vehicle rear-ends a higher chassis truck, goes under the truck and a "passenger compartment intrusion" occurs. Under federal law, commercial tractor-trailers are required to have bumpers about 40 cm (20 inches) above the ground in order to prevent such "underriding." These types of accidents could result in serious head injuries, spinal cord injuries or even death. The Department of Transportation safety standards and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards require these rear impact guards on all full trailers and semi-trailers over 10,000 pounds. This applies to vehicles manufactured on or after January 26, 1998.

Liability Issues

In such cases, an experienced California personal injury lawyer will be able to look into whether the tractor-trailer involved in this crash complied with state and federal laws. A knowledgeable attorney who is highly skilled in handling truck underride accidents will be able to determine who is at fault and who should be held liable.

How do you drive safely around big rigs on the freeway?

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.

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