Personal Injury Q and A » Truck Accidents

Truck Accident in Los Angeles Causes Major Injuries

John — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 21:37:23 +0000

A 37-year-old man who was critically injured in a truck accident the afternoon of August 17, 2010, has been identified as Boris Tomas May. The Santa Clarita Valley Signal reports that the accident occurred on Highway 14 near Escondido Canyon Road in Acton when May slammed into the back of a big-rig that was traveling at about 25 mph. May's speed was estimated at 70 mph. May was transported to an area hospital for treatment of major injuries. Officials are looking into what caused this crash.

I'm relieved to note that May was not killed in this collision. I hope he has not sustained catastrophic injuries and pray that he recovers quickly and completely. Please keep this injured victim and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Accident Statistics

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA), truck accident statistics, there were 304 fatal truck accidents and 3,196 injury crashes involving truck accidents, in California, in 2008. In Los Angeles County, 667 people died and 52,229 were injured as a result of car accidents during the same year.

Causes and Liability Issues

Based on this news report, it is not clear what cause this major injury collision. There are several unanswered questions here. We do not know if May was traveling at an unsafe speed given the traffic conditions. California Vehicle Code Section 22350 (Basic Speed Law) states: "No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic and on surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property." It is also not clear whether the truck driver was at fault for slowing down suddenly.

If the driver of the big rig is found to have been at fault, he or she as well as his or her employer, could be held liable for May's injuries. An experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer in such cases, will be able to advise victims about their legal rights and options. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free and comprehensive consultation to injured victims and their families.

Do you feel unsafe or intimidated while driving alongside or directly behind a big rig on the highway or 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.

Woman Killed in California Truck Accident

Steve — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 00:01:30 +0000

An April 20, 2010 car accident involving a sedan and a tractor-trailer resulted in the death of 53-year-old Martha Lynn Shower. The Appeal-Democrat reports that the accident also caused major injuries to her husband, John Alden Shower, 66, and another 66-year-old man, John Ritchie. Both men were transported to an area hospital for treatment of severe injuries. California Highway Patrol officials say the crash happened on Highway 99 near Yuba City. The truck went over the centerline, into opposing traffic lanes, and crashed head-on into the Showers' Volkswagen Passat.

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who knew and loved Martha Lynn Shower. I sincerely hope both John Shower and John Ritchie recover quickly and completely from their injuries. This family will certainly be in my prayers.

Truck Accident Statistics

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were 304 fatalities and 3,196 injuries involving truck accidents in California in 2008. Nationwide, 4,229 people died in big rig accidents that year, according to the FMCSA report.

Causes and Liability issues

If the details of this news report are accurate, the driver of the truck in this case, 37-year-old Mario Prado, told authorities that he lost control of the rig when he swerved to avoid a van that cut him off. His account is yet to be verified. If I were a member of the Showers' family, I would also want to know whether impairment, distraction, driver fatigue or reckless driving were factors in this tragic crash.

In this case, if the truck driver is determined to have caused the fatal crash then he and his employer could be held liable. If there was another vehicle involved, which triggered the accident, the driver of that vehicle could be held liable. In such cases, accident victims would be well-advised to consult with an experienced California personal injury lawyers, who will analyze every aspect of the incident and make sure that the negligent parties are held liable.

What do you believe, based on your experience as a driver, are the most common causes for truck accidents on our roadways?

Can I Hold The Government Accountable for my California Intersection Accident?

admin — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:11:12 +0000

After a car accident it is important to consult with an experienced California personal injury lawyer to help evaluate your case. There are a number of different factors which will need to be evaluated before you file your personal injury claim.

If your car accident happened in an intersection you may have an personal injury claim against the government. There are a number of intersections in California which are dangerous. In many instances these unsafe intersections are in violation of the city's own policies, procedures, and guidelines. There are many things that cities are aware of which should be in place but in many instances are not.

Experienced catastrophic injury lawyers offer complimentary consultations to injured accident victims. Some of the best car accident lawyers in California will offer a no fee guarantee. This means that if they don't win your case you don't pay. If you have been injured it is highly recommended that you seek the council of an attorney to help you evaluate your case.

Victims who have been catastrophically injured in a car accident can receive, "The Seven Fatal Mistakes That Can Wreck Your California Personal Injury Claim." This book is offered at no cost to accident victims and is valued at $14.99. This book contains information that every personal injury victim should know.

San Bernardino Truck Accident Kills Man

Steve — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:11:07 +0000

A 25-year-old man was killed in a San Bernardino car accident the morning of October 30, 2009, the San Bernardino Sun reports. The accident reportedly occurred at the intersection of Arrow Route and Robinia Street in Fontana during the early morning hours. The driver, whose name has not yet been released, was on Arrow, traveling east in a 2003 Honda Accord, when he hit the back of a semi truck, San Bernardino County Coroner's officials said. California Highway Patrol officials are investigating this fatal car accident.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of this man for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. They will be in my prayers.

Car and Truck Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 15 fatalities and 675 injuries were reported in Fontana as a result of car accidents. In San Bernardino County as a whole, 308 deaths and 9,920 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents in 2007. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's 2007 truck accident statistics, there were 361 fatal large truck accidents and 3,737 injury accidents involving large trucks in California.

Based on this news report, it's not clear how this particular car-truck accident occurred. There are very few details in the news report and there are more questions than answers at this point. Who was at fault? Did the accident occur right at the intersection? The account mentions the Honda had rear-ended the tractor-trailer. Was the driver of the Honda speeding? Was the big rig turning or making a U-turn legally, at the street? Were any of the drivers involved distracted at the time? I trust investigators will soon determine the exact cause of this fatal accident.

Truck Accident Liability Issues

There is of course the possibility that this accident was the car driver's fault. But if it is determined that the accident was the truck driver's fault or if it occurred as a result of the truck driver's negligence, then the trucking company could be held liable for the accident and fatal injuries here. Where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased victims could file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for medical/funeral expenses, loss of wages, loss of love and companionship and other related damages. Victims' families in such cases would be well-advised to consult an experienced California personal injury case attorney, who will advise them about their legal rights and options.

Fatal California Motorcycle Accident

Steve — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 23:44:24 +0000

Robert John Ross, 60, was killed in a California motorcycle accident after he lost control on a curve on Highway 58 in San Luis Obispo County, California and crashed. According to a news report in the Ventura County Star, Ross was critically injured in an August 9, 2009 collision that involved three motorcycles and a truck. He was eastbound behind two other motorcyclists, when all three riders inched over double yellow lines on a curve, and into the opposite lane, California Highway Patrol officials said. The lead rider then sideswiped a large trailer being pulled by a westbound pickup truck causing all three motorcyclists to lose control and crash.

The first rider, 39-year-old Kurt Strauser, suffered minor to moderate injuries while 60-year-old Michael Robert, the other motorcyclist, sustained major injuries. The driver of the pickup, 36-year-old Gonzalo Juarez, was not injured. Ross was thrown off his bike and died at a local hospital. CHP officials said Juarez was not suspected of any wrongdoing and that the motorcyclists may have been traveling too fast to negotiate the curve. It's however, not known how fast they were going.

California Motorcycle Accidents On the Rise

I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Robert John Ross for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. I also wish the injured victims of this
car accident -- Strauser and Robert -- the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep the injured victims and Ross' grieving family members in your prayers.

According to the CHP's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), six fatalities and 102 injuries were reported in San Luis Obispo County as a result of motorcycle accidents. Nationwide and in Southern California, motorcycle accidents have increased with a rise in motorcycle ownership. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, there were 980 motorcycle accidents in Orange County in 2007, which resulted in 24 fatalities. By comparison there were 3,472 motorcycle accidents in Los Angeles County and 714 in Riverside County in 2007. According to CHP officials, Southern California has a high incidence of motorcycle crashes because motorcycles are popular here due to year-round good weather.

California Motorcycle Accident Attorney

In any such case that involves more than one or two vehicles and where negligence or wrongdoing may be involved, it is always in the best interest of victims and their families to seek the counsel of an experienced California personal injury lawyer. A skilled motorcycle accident lawyer will look into all aspects of the crash including the role of the pickup truck driver and the possibility of a dangerous condition on the roadway, which may have caused or contributed to this tragic accident.

California Truck Accident Attorneys Concerned About New GAO Report

Steve — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 22:34:46 +0000

John Bisnar a California car accident lawyerat Bisnar | Chase often represents victims who have been injured in large truck and bus accidents. Sometimes, truck drivers or bus drivers are responsible, but other times the fault lies with the drivers of the smaller passenger cars. We now find, based on a recent Government Accountability Office study, the unsettling reality of hundreds of trucking companies and bus companies that were previously ordered to shut down because of serious federal safety violations from suspended licenses to possible drug use, have continued to stay on the road by simply using different names. Also, some of these fraudulent companies have been responsible for catastrophic truck accidents and bus accidents in different parts of the country.

Tragic Bus Accident

The GAO report comes a year after an unlicensed charter bus carrying a Vietnamese-American Catholic group blew a retreaded tire installed on a steering axle and skidded off a Texas highway killing 17 people. The use of recapped tires on the steering wheels is a violation of federal safety regulations. The report found that at least 20 of the 220 commercial bus companies that had been fined and ordered to shut down evaded compliance by setting up shop under a new name.

That's exactly what the bus company in the Texas bus accident did. The investigation found offenders in nine states including California. Another 1,073 commercial trucking firms are also believed to have done the same thing – changing their name to avoid fines and violations, including failing to test drivers for illegal drugs and alcohol. More than 500 of these illicit bus and tractor-trailer companies were still operating as recently as last month.

Liability in Bus and Truck Accidents

This is completely unacceptable. These companies are blatantly ignoring the safety of other motorists and road users and making a mockery of the system. I think now, it is very likely the number of violators is even higher than what the government estimates. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which monitors these companies, has put in place new oversight measure including a computer program that matches new applicants to poor-performing motor carriers dating back to 2003.

If you have been involved in a car accident involving a commercial truck or a bus or if you were injured as a passenger, please remember that you have rights. These unethical companies must be held liable for their unscrupulous practices. If you are a victim, please contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free initial consultation to injury victims and their families.

Los Angeles County Motorcycle Accident Fatally Injuries Man

Steve — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 22:22:31 +0000

Tony Beltran, 33, died in a Los Angeles County motorcycle accident the night of June 11, 2009 after colliding with a big rig truck, the San Gabriel Valley Tribune reports. Beltran apparently hit the passenger side of a tractor trailer while riding on Valley Boulevard in the City of Industry. Beltran was riding his motorcycle westbound at the same time the tractor trailer was making a left-hand turn into a business at 15801 Valley Boulevard. Officials say Beltran tried to pass the truck before it made the turn and crashed into it.

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

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, there were no fatalities and four injuries in the City of Industry as a result of motorcycle accidents. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 85 fatalities and 2,792 injuries were reported in 2007 that involved motorcycle accidents.

Whether it is car accidents, motorcycle accidents or big rig accidents, it is important, especially for families of deceased victims, to find out who or what caused the fatal crash. In this case, it is important to find out who was at fault for the collision. If the big rig driver was at fault, then both he and his employer could be held liable for Beltran's fatal injuries.

Skilled motorcycle accident attorneys will be able to determine if there was a dangerous condition on the roadway that caused or contributed to this fatal motorcycle accident. If that was the case, then the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could be held liable for any personal injuries. Please remember that any claim against a California governmental agency must be properly filed with 180 days of the accident or injury.

In cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased victims may be eligible to file wrongful death claims. Such claims could help these families receive compensation to cover medical/funeral expenses, loss of wages, loss of companionship or other related damages.

Tulare County Motorcycle Accident Kills 71-Year Old Man

Steve — Wed, 20 May 2009 21:52:32 +0000

A 71-year-old man was killed in a May 18, 2009 Tulare County motorcycle accident after he was rear-ended by a pickup truck driver who did not see him, the Visalia Times Delta reports. The victim, who has not yet been identified, was stopped in the westbound lane of Avenue 95 near Road 248 when he was hit from behind by a 2008 Ford 150 pickup that was doing 55 mph. The motorcyclist was apparently waiting to make a left turn into his residence. For some reason, California Highway Patrol officials say, the driver of the pickup did not see the motorcyclist. The motorcyclist was thrown to the shoulder of the roadway and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The impact of the truck versus motorcycle accident also caused the pickup to roll over and go off the road into a field. The 74-year-old driver, John Josephson, was taken to an area hospital with moderate personal injuries. CHP investigators have ruled out alcohol or drugs as a cause of the accident. Officials have not arrested Josephson.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of this Terra Bella motorcycle accident victim for their tragic loss. I offer my deepest condolences to everybody who knew and loved this man. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, there were 10 fatal motorcycle accidents and 90 injuries involving motorcycle accidents in Tulare County.

In this particular case, based on the newspaper report, it appears that the pickup truck driver, John Josephson, was at fault. Although drugs or alcohol were not involved, it does not mean there was no negligence involved. Josephson may have been distracted or may simply not have been paying attention to his surroundings.

The family of the deceased motorcyclist would be well advised to consult with experienced California motorcycle accident attorneys, who will carefully examine the facts of this case and ensure the negligent parties are held accountable. Skilled California personal injury attorneys will also look into whether there was a dangerous condition on that roadway that may have caused or contributed to this motorcycle-truck accident. If that was the case, the governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could be held liable. Please remember that any claim against a governmental agency must be properly filed within six months of the accident.

Truck Hit and Run Denied by Trucking Company

Steve — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:02:04 +0000

Question: My parked car was hit last night by a truck. I got their information, and now they are trying to argue that they did not do any damage. What do I do?

Answer: File a police report. Make a claim with their insurance company. If their insurance company doesn't pay for the damages or if they have no insurance, your options are to sue them or turn the claim over to your insurance company.

You can sue them in small claims court relatively easily. There are many sources for information on how to pursue a small claims case. The California Judicial Council has a "self help" center on the Internet, which you can reach at http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/smallclaims/. The Clerk of the Orange County Superior Court maintains a Small Claims Advisor web site at http://orangeclerk.onetgov.net/faq/faq-smallclaims.htm.

If you turn the matter over to your insurance company, depending on the insurance coverage you have, you may have to pay a deductible.