Pedestrian Hit and Run Accident left One Dead

The California Highway Patrol is once again asking the help of the public about a fatal hit and run accident that happened in the area of Via Rancho in I-15.

The accident was believed to have happened in the godforsaken hours of the night. The poor victim was walking in the northbound No. 5 lane when he was hit by a vehicle described by witnesses as gold Mazda3.

The victim was theorized to have been struck by the car’s passenger side and was thrown into the highway’s right side concrete barrier. The Medical Examiners Office reported that the victim was dead when they arrive, looked a stray person and around the age of 50.

The driver left the scene of the accident leaving the pedestrian dead. The right passenger side of the vehicle was believed to have been damaged. The California Highway Patrol is looking for the car and any information which can lead to it will be greatly appreciated.

In 2006, car accident fatalities in the United States totaled to 42,642. Out of that number, pedestrian accident kills a staggering number of 4,784 while nearly 70,000 pedestrians are injured.

Statistics show that at least 1 pedestrian gets killed in a traffic accident every 110 minutes, or so.

Accident remains something that we didn’t want to happen to us. In order to avoid pedestrian accident, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommended some helpful tips to follow, to wit:

• Use sidewalks
• Know and obey safety rules
• Cross only at intersections and crosswalks
• Look left, right and left again for traffic before stepping of the curb
• See and be seen
• Closely watch children and teach them the safety rules
• Use the “Walkability Checklist” available at the NHTSA official website

But if you or your loved unavoidably got involved in pedestrian accident – remember that the law requires that you be compensated.

Pedestrian accidents are covered by tort laws which make negligent person liable for injury, damage or death of a pedestrian. Compensation may include medical bills, lost wages and property damages, as well as compensation for your pain and suffering.

Dealing with Car Accidents

Aside from the physical and emotional pain, hospital bills, loss of earnings and even death of the victims, a car accident may also cause other ill effects. Like in a car crash that occurred somewhere in southbound of Harbor Freeway.

Reportedly, the car collision caused the slow down of traffic due to the road closure on a rush hour, around 6:30 a.m.

Hundreds of motorists may have been annoyed from such occurrence. However, they should be thankful enough that they were not the victims involved in the crash that injured two individuals.

Now, this scenario should further increase people’s support for safe driving. Every one of us must implement all the necessary precaution to prevent car accidents from happening on roads. We must follow the road signs and traffic laws.

As for the government, they must make sure that our roadways are safe. They must also situate traffic warnings on strategic locations so that the motorists will be advised accordingly. Also, traffic enforcers must be strict in apprehending those law violators who are very much possible of causing vehicle accidents.

For the victims of accidents and their families, you should not be apprehensive in seeking justice and rightful recoveries against the liable parties. You must see to it that these people will be punished for their negligence or law violations.

The law prescribes that victims of any neglectful performances are qualified to get reimbursements for their medical expenses, loss of earnings and other damages.

Hence, it is very much advisable that you appoint an expert car accident attorney in order to increase the possibility of getting positive results. Without the help of a legal counsel, you may experience difficulties in pursuing your personal injury or wrongful death claims.

Chain Accident Kills Brother and Sister

There was one very sad accident that happened in I-5, Sylmar area lately that left one family grieving for the lost of not just one but two of its beloved members.

The Pogglo family lost a son and a daughter on a single day, Alan and Lindsay. The two are in their early 20s. The California Highway Patrol Officer said that Alan, 23 years old, was in his 2002 Kawasaki Motorcycle while Lindsay was in a car.

Alan reportedly stopped and dismounted in a middle lane for some unknown reason. His sister stopped behind him as if to protect her brother – putting her emergency lights on.

But a pick up truck, driven by one Ronald Benedetti came fast from behind Lindsay car hitting the car in the rear which caused it to hit the motorcycle in front of it.

Benedetti wasn’t able to slow down or stop on time despite the precautions Lindsay made by putting on her car’s emergency lights. As a result, Lindsay and Alan were killed in the accident.

What happened here is what we call chain accident or a multi-vehicle accident. As shown, the accident, or more appropriately ‘accidents’, originated from a single, wrongful, negligent act of one person. It dominoes to the car in front causing it to hit the motorcycle in front – thereby killing the poor victims.

There were reported 4,236 people who were killed in car accidents in California. And a large percentage of the fatalities resulted from chain accident such as this which usually occurs in freeways where cars are speeding.

To the Pogglo family – condolences. But remember that you are not exactly without resort. Too early, it would seem. But the law is in your side. You were wronged; you have all the right to seek indemnification.

Entwined Relationship between Dog Bites and Personal Injury Lawyers

An owner of an animal shall be responsible for everything that it does. This is true to a dog owner whose dog bites or attacks an innocent person.

Thankfully, I do not have pets so I may not held liable but I may be a victim of these vicious pets.

The responsibility of the dog owner arises from the fact that as its owner, he/she has the responsibility to take care of it. Otherwise, liability shall devolve upon the owner for all the consequences of his/her negligence.

The responsibility of a dog owner is discussed in a blog, “Dog Bites and Personal Injury Attorneys Go Together”. The author laid down the liability of the owner from medical bills to vaccinations, from psychological damage to loss of earnings.

Moreover, Jon Farris, vice president for insurance company General Casualty, said that “Pet owners are typically responsible for their animals' actions -- provoked or not -- including medical bills and legal fees". She even suggested getting an insurance to be prepared from any accident concerning your pets.

I may agree with the author when it stated that dog bites and personal injury go together.

It is because injury from dog bites or attacks constitute personal injury. The term personal injury is encompassing. It includes some form of injury either physical or psychological suffered by another. Consequently, injury sustained from dog bites or attacks is intertwined with and included in the term personal injury.

True enough; a personal injury lawyer should be consulted for legal assistance in case any problem involving your pets occurs. They are your protectors so to speak.

Heroic Recovery to a Horrific Truck Accident

Truck accidents can be devastating for both the accident victims and their entire family. Trucks, by looking at its size and weight will tell you its serious and fatal consequences in case of accident.

In most cases, victims experience problems not only with financial difficulties bought by hospital expenses, doctor bills, loss of income and property damage or even physical dilemma brought by their injuries but as well as emotional fear for loss of spousal connection or feelings.

These were experience all by Tim Valadez. Tim’s painful and heroic plight was the subject of the blog, “Firefighter Makes Heroic Recovery from Truck Accident”.

The accident happened when Tim was driving with his fire crew on Highway 15 when the truck suddenly dropped its transmission. The succeeding events were horrific. It took him six years to recover and get back on his feet.

Tim’s recovery was not easy. He faced not only physical pain but also pain from being blamed for the accident until the same accident happened which made the manufacturer pulled 10 trucks with the same transmission.

My conclusion would lead me to believe that Tim’s experience is a clear case of personal injury due to manufacturer’s defect. Consequently, he can file a case against the manufacturer because the accident was not his fault.

The author failed to mention if indeed Tim filed a case. If not, then, Tim might have been barred already by the statute of limitations as the accident happened 6 years ago.