Sailor Dies in Car Crash

A 24 year old sailor identified as Andrew Wade Jackson died in a fatal car crash in Otay Lakes Road near Wueste Road in Chula Vista.

The tragic death was due to Jackson’s failure to negotiate a curve. His car went out of the road and hit a tree. Though he was wearing a seatbelt, the impact was so intense that he died instantaneously. Authorities were not sure if Jackson was driving under the influence.

Car accidents often produce intense impact. No wonder victims die despite wearing seatbelt. Seatbelts could only do so much. A car’s safety features such as seatbelt if coupled with responsible driving would make a great formula against death or injuries.

As reports were unclear as to the cause of the accident, one could only speculate. Oftentimes, human errors such as negligent driving and DUI are the main cause of crash. In case of other cause such car defects, the victim’s family could file a product liability case against the manufacturer.

Track circuit anomaly possible cause of accident

Hundreds of people ride the train on a daily basis. Trains have now become a cheap and convenient way of going from one place to another. Consequently, the risk of having higher casualties in case of accident is imminent now that more commuters patronize it.

According to the Federal Railroad Administration Office of Safety Analysis (FRAOSA), about 2, 500 train accidents have been reported in the second half of 2009.

Added to the statistics was the incident happened when a Washington Metrorail train smashed into another subway train. The tragic incident killed 9 people.

In a recent development, Debbie Hersman National Transportation Safety Board investigator said that they were considering track circuit anomaly. In the crash area, there were 6 track circuits. The sixth circuit appeared to be anomalous. She refused to elaborate on the alleged anomaly.

Train accidents are often caused by equipment failure, collisions with other trains, train derailment and human error. FRAOSA’s records reveal that from January to March 2009, there have been 318 derailments, 137 track-causing accidents, 39 collisions, 149 human errors and 77 equipment-causing accidents.

The basic thing is, regardless of the cause of the train accident, personal injury claims and lawsuits could be filed against the parties at fault to help the victims and their loved ones receive compensation.

Fallen Compartment Poses Danger to Pedestrians

Sidewalks are for pedestrians. These are used by people to walk to and fro without fear of getting hurt. Therefore, obstructions have no place on it.

When a collapse cover of AT&T’s utility compartment fell on a side walk, Denny Baxter, a concerned citizen put a holding barricade to warn pedestrians of its existence.

Baxter tried calling AT&T about the matter but failed to even talk to someone. Fearing the danger it may cause to fellow pedestrians, Baxter made the initiative to put cover on the said barricade.

Pedestrian accidents are not only caused by being struck by a passenger vehicle. Slip and fall could likely endanger pedestrians. If Baxter did not do what he has done, chances are greater that someone would trip or slip from it.

According to a pedestrian accident study conducted by National Highway Traffic Association, thirty two of pedestrian injuries resulted from contact with the ground and twenty percent resulted from contact with unknown objects. Clearly, the statistics show that obstructions cause real danger to pedestrians.

If someone gets injured due to such obstruction, the victim could file a slip and fall case or a premise liability case against the owner of such compartment or property.

A damage suit could be maintained against the party at fault for failing to remove such obstruction despite notice. For a greater chance of victory, it is advised that victims engage the services of personal injury lawyer to navigate through the intricacies of tort laws.

Autopsies Suggest Midair Breakup

Nearly a month after it crashed, searchers managed to recover bits of debris of the doomed Air France Flight 447. Authorities continuously scour the Atlantic Ocean for more evidence.

As bodies have also been found, autopsies revealed that passengers had fractured legs, hips and arms suggesting that the plane broke up in mid air.

Theory of midflight breakup was supported by the intact bodies and multiple fractures, little or no clothing of victims, no signs of burns on the bodies and large pieces of aircraft.

Jack Casey, an aviation consultant in Washington, D.C. believed that most passengers were dead before they even hit the waters. His belief was supported by the fact that a significant number of body parts were recovered from the ocean. He added that the kind of windstream during midair breakup has a crushing effect like hitting a brick wall.

The possibility of an explosion is not ruled out either. If it was the lower fuselage that burnt or exploded, victims would not be exposed to any blast damage. Hence, just because the bodies recovered did not have burns does not mean no explosion happened.

As the plane’s black box is still missing, vital information could not have been verified and retrieved to determine the cause of the crush. Many believed, however, that the box was at the deep end of the ocean.

Recent developments made investigators hopeful to finally uncover the cause of the crash. Although still uncertain, the current situation is more advantageous than the first few days of the crash.

To date, this incident could be considered one of the worst both in aviation accidents and in accident investigations. As none survived, people could still speculate as to the reason of the crash until the plane’s flight data and voice recorders are found.

Although it happens rarely compared to land or water accidents, aviation accidents leave horrific and devastating results. If negligence was found to be attendant in the crash, the victim’s loved ones can file a personal injury case against the parties at fault. Justice may be recovered speedily if an aviation accident attorney is employed.

One Died, Two Injured in a Rollover Accident

Oftentimes, driver’s neglectful behaviors cost them life changing consequences.

Driving under the influence, speeding and not wearing seatbelts are common mistakes that motorists commit which could lead to death or injury.

In a rollover accident that happened on Antelope Road, just north of Scott Road, Harry Martinez died and two others were seriously injured. Martinez was ejected from the vehicle for his failure to wear seatbelt.

Sgt. Cheryl Evans of the Perris sheriff's station stated that the car was traveling south on Antelope Road at a high rate of speed when the driver lost control. The survivors of the crash were taken to the nearest hospital for treatment. Reports said that drugs and alcohol attended the crash.

Driving under the influence has been a prominent and fatal trend for motorists.

Everyday, the road is besieged by horrific scenes of car accidents or collisions due to DUI drivers.

Despite reminders on safety driving, drivers still neglectfully operate their vehicles. They are also oblivious to the penalties that may be imposed once negligence is established.

Sadly, other innocent people are harmed due to their careless acts. In case of death or injuries, victims or their loved ones may engage the services of a car accident attorney to lead them through the intricacies of the laws.

Though life and limbs may not be taken back, parties at fault are punished and expenses are recovered. These maybe little consolations but could greatly help surpass the ordeal.

Canjon Road Chain Car Crash

Just recently, a 30-vehicle pile-up happened on the I-15 near the summit of the Cajon Pass which caused a number of injuries as well as closing the northbound lane for hours.

Officials had placed a sign warning of fog, but people were just driving too fast that when a big-rig lost control, everyone else slammed into him.

According to the California Highway Patrol, when the driver of a big rig tried to hit his brakes because the traffic in front of him slowed because of the reduced visibility, he swerved his vehicle causing it to jackknife. All the other vehicles from behind, as a chain reaction, piled into the big rig.

At least 15 people were injured. One victim had major injuries and nine had moderate injuries. 10 patients were being taken to hospitals and paramedics assessed five others who declined medical treatment.

The road was completely shut down for several hours. After all the vehicles and debris were removed, some 150 gallons of diesel fuel were removed from the road to prevent another accident.

California law mandates that "No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable... and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property."

Thus, even if the speed limit of the highway is 50mph, in certain conditions such as the fog in Canjon Pass, drivers are required to drive more slowly.

The high speed increases the drivers’ stopping distance. Thus, in case of a motor vehicle crash up ahead, drivers who are speeding are more prone to end up in the same crash—it would sometimes be too late for them to stop the momentum.

The faster you go, the less time you have to avoid a hazard or accident. Drivers should take the accident at Canjon Pass as a reminder, to drive at a reasonable speed because a little less speed could prevent such a huge accident like a chain reaction crash.

Police chase ends up in a crash

Police chases happen either after a traffic violation or criminal act. If a motorist speeds off after being stopped, chances are a chase follows and ends up in a violent car crash.

In a chase between a car driven by a 47 year old woman and police patrol car at Interstate 805, the conclusion was predictable – violent and chaotic.

The chase ended at the Harbison Avenue north of Division Street in Alta Vista after the woman’s car collided with the patrol car. The cops used a police immobilization technique to disable the SUV. The incident left an officer injured.

The authorities failed to report if the woman was driving under the influence or not. However, she was taken at the nearest hospital for mental health evaluation.

Driving entails a lot of skills. The fact that you know how to drive does not warrant you to take on the wheel. Drivers must be physically and mentally fit to take responsibility and liability.

A responsible driver observes traffic rules and regulations. In case of violation, a responsible driver should stop when told to do so and accept the consequences thereof.

Conversely, an irresponsible driver runs away from fault and even harms others in the process. In case of negligent driving, all victims – by standers, innocent passengers, police officers – have recourse against the party at fault for monetary reimbursement of injuries.

A personal injury lawyer can assist the victims in pursuing their claims against the defendant.

Unidentified man dies in a head on collision

Oftentimes, accidents happen due to carelessness. Carelessness can be often attributed to drug or alcohol intake of the driver.

However, in a fatal accident occurred in Lakeside, California, neither drugs nor alcohol played a part.

California Highway Patrol Officer Brian Pennings said that an unidentified Chula Vista man driving a 2003 Dodge Dakota maneuvered his car on the wrong side of Lake Jennings Park Road over a hill near Jack Oak Road.

Fifty one year old Benjamin Jessop who was driving a 2004 Dodge truck was on the west of Lake Jennings Park saw the approaching car, swerved to the left and braked but failed to prevent the fatal collision.

The head on accident left the Chula Vista man dead. Jessop was brought to the hospital to treat his back pains.

Authorities were puzzled as to the cause of the accident. Neither driver was under the influence at the time of the collision. Neither weather nor road condition was reported to be a factor in the crash.

Head on collision accidents result to the most number of fatalities. While both cars are traveling at the normal speed, their combined speed may result to great impact causing serious injury or death.

Victims of car accidents are left without no recourse. Personal injury lawyers can pursue a claim against the negligent party. Although life and limbs have no monetary value, reimbursement of medical costs and other expenses may at least be recovered.