Driver Ran a Red Light, Dies in Collision

An accident in San Diego’s West Cedar Street that recently killed a 56-year-old man is believed to be caused by the driver’s fault as he reportedly ran a red light.

Reports say that the vehicular collision between the man’s vehicle and a truck caused minor injuries to the truck driver and fatal injuries to the negligent driver.

More and more accidents occur due to the carelessness of these motorists who are often hurt and end up in a bad condition after these road accidents caused by negligence.

So, victims of negligent drivers must immediately find personal injury lawyers who will see to it that the damages on their end will be compensated accordingly.

Speeding, DUI Results to Three Injuries

A single car collision which was caused by DUI has injured three vehicle occupants in Montebello. One of them had major injuries as he was ejected from the vehicle.

The 33-year-old Whittier man identified as Lester Enrique Chupina was apprehended on charges of felony drunk driving.

Alcohol and speeding is a deadly combination as it can cause critical injuries to vehicle occupants. Drivers must never overestimate their driving skills and underestimate the dangers of alcohol.

Which Accident Law Applies in a Car and Airplane Collision?

Freak accidents, like a car and airplane collision, rarely happen but when they do, the consequences are often fatal. Some people may also find it odd to ask which accident law should apply to freak accidents.

It depends on the given situation and the contributing factors in the accident.

In one of these rare accident cases, such as the one mentioned in “Airplane and Car Collide on Interstate 40”, posted on August 13, 2008, a car collided with an experimental plane that made an emergency landing on Interstate 40 west of Needles.

The article, which was based on a news story regarding the accident, mentioned two conflicting facts. Initially, it said that the aircraft was “preparing to take off when it was struck by a vehicle”. In another part, it said the plane “was flying just above traffic, when it flew lower into the path of a vehicle”, when the accident occurred.

This motor vehicle versus aircraft collision seldom happens and in this case, the pilot incurred severe injuries and died instantly at the scene of the accident while the car driver and the three passengers suffered only minor injuries.

Although the accident is being investigated by both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board, for the victim or his survivors, they may pursue their claim based on the applicable car accident law.

The claim for damages in this accident must be pursued under laws governing car or motor vehicle accidents because of the following elements:

• The accident happened on the road (Interstate 40)

• The aircraft happened to be “parked illegally” on a freeway, which is, traditionally, a conveyance for motor vehicles such as cars, trucks, and other motor vehicles.

• One of the parties involved is a motor vehicle

Reckless Driving Ends in Car Collision and Arrest

Yesterday, online news reported about a car chase, which caused some minor accidents in Los Angeles.

The report said the police have arrested the suspect who drove opposite freeway traffic that led to high speed chase between him and the police.

During the chase, the suspect’s vehicle figured in a collision accident with another vehicle in Mission Hills. As of the time of this writing, it wasn’t known yet whether the crash caused any injuries.

But, reading the news, I think one thing here is known and certain.

The law, to protect the motorists from their reckless and negligent fellow, requires the erring drivers to compensate their victims for any damage, bodily injury or damage to property, alike.

Therefore, for the collision this driver caused in the intersection in Mission Hills, irrespective of the fact that no injuries are known to have been sustained, he will have to face prosecution for the compensation of the other driver for the damage that the latter sustained from the collision.

Not to mention the certainty of the fact that the driver will be facing charges for his felonious act and violations of the existing traffic rules and regulation of the county or state.

The victim of the car collision may claim from his own or the suspect’s insurance company for the actual value of the repair of his vehicle together with other damages.

Good thing the person was arrested. His victim will no longer have the extra burden of looking for him.

The Enactment of a New Law to Deter Auto Collisions in California

With the continuous upsurge of auto accident cases in California, the state government has enacted a new law that will set some limitations in the use of mobile phones while driving. Taking effect this first day of July, the Cellular Phone Law seeks to prevent drivers from engaging with fatal auto collisions that brought about great damages in the lives of the victims.

The said law will prohibit using cell phones unless a driver has a hands free device. Drivers who will fail to abide by this rule will be fined $20 on the first offense and $50 for the succeeding violations.

However, the law will allow automobile drivers to use cell phones in emergency cases. This law also exempts commercial vehicle drivers who are using push-to-talk phones until July 1, 2011.

With this law, California will now be included in the list of states that has a law on cellular phone use while driving.

Now, in my own view, this legal development will just create a bit of impact of diminishing auto collision incidents. The real problem does not rely mainly on whether a driver has his/her both hands on the wheel but rather his/her concentration in driving.

Again, as an auto collision lawyer myself, I would suggest that our legislators focus their attempt to minimize road accidents on laws that will compel drivers to take a course on safe driving. I do believe that adequate information will threaten those unruly drivers, which will eventually lessen the accounts of auto accidents.

Speeding Doesn't Make Sense

It is a sad story when people got involved in auto collisions. Especially, when it brought about multiple injuries and caused the lives of innocent children. Just like what happened last Monday evening, May 26, 2008, when 5 fatalities, including minors, and 21 injured individuals were reported after a tragic 6-car collision occurred in South Los Angeles.

Reports said that the accident transpired due to speeding violation and beating the red light.

Accidents like these should not have happened if only the motorists are well informed about the traffic rules – if they would only adhere to such policies including the speed limits in driving automobiles.

In California, the allowable speed limits may vary depending on the current conditions. Let’s take for an example, if you are driving on a 55 mph speed zone during a rainy evening, you could be cited for “speeding for such conditions” even if your automobile gauge reads only 45 mph. It is also illegal to speed above the posted limit; even the traffic situation seems too safe for you to increase speed.

The aforementioned principles may be unclear, yet in order to make sure that you are safe from speeding violation, better depend your pace on the following:

• the traffic density and speed of other automobiles

• the condition of the road surface

• other road users such as bicyclists and pedestrians

• weather conditions

There are many other reasons why you should reduce your speed. You just have to be conscious about it and implement strict safety measures at all times, particularly if you have to operate a vehicle. That is, if you do not wish to sustain injuries or cause sufferings and damages to other individuals.

On the other hand, if you have been injured from such accidents, it is your right to pursue legal actions. You just have to choose among those auto collision lawyers in your area and discuss matters on how you can recover damages against the liable parties.

Weather and Other External Factors in Road Accidents

The article, “Los Angeles Rains Cause Increase in Collisions”, posted on January 29, 2008, highlights the importance of observing safety precaution when driving under certain weather conditions.

The article mentioned the long period of heavy rains that hit the San Fernando Valley area and caused an upsurge in the number of car accidents in the area.

The article also enumerated the standard procedures for victims of car accidents, which includes moving the car off the road to safety and calling the police or the highway patrol for help.

Further, the article also listed the following vital information to obtain:

• License plate numbers

• driver’ s license numbers

• make and model of each car

• insurance identification, including name of insurance company, broker or agent, and policy number

• names, addresses and phone numbers of witnesses

• names and badge numbers of police officers or other emergency personnel.

Weather conditions can definitely affect one’s driving. However, there are also other external factors that could affect the driver’s judgment while on the road. This includes the following:

• road conditions – slippery roads, potholes and road construction

• improper road signs or lack of it – improperly placed road signs can cause accidents and slow down traffic flow

• road hazards – this includes road obstruction such waste materials or improperly parked vehicles

Considering all these external factors, driving speed may provide an important key in road safety. Speed not only affects the severity of a crash, but it is also related to the risk of being involved in a crash.

According to scientific studies, a relationship exists between speed and crash rate. The studies also found evidence that crash rate increases faster with an increase in speed on minor roads than on major roads.

It is therefore good to say that when driving under extreme weather conditions, one must be careful and do everything with care to prevent accidents.

At the very least, if you find yourself involve in an accident, consult immediately with Los Angeles accident lawyers. They have the skills and experience in handling cases of similar kind. And if you happen to be injured in the accident, a lawyer can improve your chances of getting a maximum recovery for your claims.