Victims trapped in multi-car crash

The more vehicles involved in a single accident, the ruinous the outcome will be. Oftentimes, this scene could be seen in chain accidents.

Further, if the vehicles involved in chain accidents are huge like trucks and big rigs, deaths may even take place.

In Los Alamitos, a chain accident involving three vehicles closed the south and west bound of Katella Avenue and Los Alamitos Boulevard. A RAV 4 and big rig truck were among those involved in the accident.

Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Greg McKeown said that three people including a child were trapped inside a vehicle. Rescuers were called on the scene to cut open the vehicle to free the people inside.

One woman was in a critical condition while the other was in a serious state. The child sustained minor injury. The victims were all taken to Long Beach Memorial Hospital for treatment.

The authorities were still investigating the cause of the accident.

The common causes of road accidents are drunk driving, speeding, automobile defect, road or weather conditions. In any case, someone has to answer for the injuries or damages sustained by the innocent victims.

In this particular case, the injured victims can sue the driver who was the proximate cause of the accident. A personal injury case can be properly handled by trained legal professionals. There are many Los Angeles lawyers specialized in car accident cases who can represent you in your case effectively.

Hospitalized Driver Arrested for Freeway Pileup

Driving under the influence does not only pose threat to the life or limbs of those involved but it also invites property ruins.

In Anaheim, a Yorba Linda man was allegedly driving under the influence. Aside from injuries caused to him and three others, he also caused a chain accident resulting to the damage of several vehicles.

California Highway Patrol officer Devon Boatman stated that they began receiving calls about the reckless driving of a black Dodge Durango SUV driven by the 33 year-old Richard Hildreth in the FasTrak lane of the eastbound 91.

In the course of his care free driving, Hildreth rear ended a Hyundai Elanta driven by a 57 year-old woman, hit at least 15 plastic yellow polls that separate regular traffic from toll lanes, struck the divider between the truck lanes and eventually careening through all lanes and hitting several other cars before coming to a stop.

After stopping, Hildreth refused to heed the command of the police to get out of his car. He was forcefully removed from it after his car caught fire. He was rushed to the hospital with handcuffs on his hands.

For the injured victims, a personal injury case may be maintained against Hildreth while a property damage suit may be filed by the owners of the damaged vehicles. Either way, a car accident attorney can help them through the process.

Class Action Suit Protagonist Files One for Himself

Life can be so ironic sometimes. The man who strongly opposed class action suits filed one for himself.

Fred Heistand is the general counsel for the business-backed Civil Justice Association of California. He is known to be the protagonist of consumer-oriented class-action lawsuits.

When Heistand filed a case in Superior Court over a parking spat, various form of ridicule came his way. In a 10 page suit, he alleged that the City of Sacramento illegally towed his car which was parked at a no-parking zone. He further claimed that the city signs failed to warn owners that cars parked in those areas would be towed.

The suit also accused the city of regularly charging “erroneous fines and towing costs while engaging in a financially beneficial relationship with private towing companies.”

Heinstand refused any settlement.

John Sullivan, President of the association and speaking in behalf of Heinstand, said that Heistand vowed to contribute any winnings to the association.

One files action because he wants to vindicate his right. If Heinstand felt that the city violated his right, he could file a case just like any other. Whether the case has merit or not would be decided upon by the court.

Even personal injury lawyers themselves could be plaintiffs in a suit. The courts cater not only to ordinary litigants but to lawyers as well who have cause of action.

Woman on Her Way to Work Hits by a Car

Pedestrians are always open to harm and therefore susceptible to injuries. Admittedly, authorities know the dangers that pedestrian are exposed to everyday so they designated crosswalks where pedestrian can safely cross the street.

With this precaution, accidents still happen.

In Stanton, a 64 year old woman identified as Gail Connelle was hit by car as she was crossing the street. Connelle was crossing Beach Boulevard just north of Chapman Avenue when a Lexus driven by a 65 year old man struck her.

The authorities were still investigating whether Connelle was walking within the crosswalk at the time of the accident or not.

According to the National Highway Traffic Association, deaths among pedestrians account for 11 percent of the total motor vehicle fatalities. Every eight minutes, a pedestrian is injured in a traffic accident or one death for every 111 minutes.

Pedestrian injuries happen mostly at the intersections. It also occurs on locations where driver is travelling at a higher speed and not expecting any stops.

While crosswalks could help prevent a car-pedestrian collision, extra precaution should be observed when crossing them as some drivers may tend to be oblivious of its existence.

For Connelle’s loved ones, a wrongful death case may be filed against the Lexus driver. They could seek the assistance of a personal injury lawyer to go about the case.

Unsecured Transmission Cover Causes Crash

Human error accounts for most aerial accidents. Past accidents indicated that error in aircraft’s maintenance has been the more popular cause of crash around the world.

In the May 5 helicopter crash, investigators revealed that an unsecured transmission cover was to blame. The unsecured cover flew off during the flight and struck the tail rotor causing it to break off.

The two Miramar-based Marines Capt. Jessica Conkling, 27, and 1st Lt. Aaron Cox, 26 forgot to tell the mechanics about it. Consequently, the oversight caused them their life.

The investigating report recommended no disciplinary action against the mechanics and the commanding officer.

Securing a transmission cover may be less important that flying a helicopter itself. But the Conkling and Cox’s accident showed otherwise.

As shown by the report, no one was blamed but the pilots themselves.

However, the pilots’ loved ones may bring the matter in the ordinary courts for damage suit. A mere preponderance of evidence is required to win the case. With the help of personal injury lawyer, a suit for compensation could prosper.

Police chase ends in death

High speed chases are risky and dangerous not only to the vehicles concerned but to innocent motorists and bystanders as well.

On the part of the chasing police officers, they should know when to stop the chase to maintain the higher concern for public safety and order. While pursuing criminals is their job, they also have the responsibility to protect civilians especially children from harm.

In a police chase gone bad, police pursued fleeing criminals aboard the stolen Dodge Neon in Dinuba. The crooks refused to stop. In the course of the chase, the Dodge Neon hit a pick up carrying a family of seven including five children. All children in the pickup and three men in the Neon were instantaneously killed.

California Highway Patrol found out that all children were ejected in the crash as they were not wearing seatbelts nor their seats had restraints or boosters.

Nevertheless, the fact remained that, upon sound judgment, the police officers could have foreseen the dangerous outcome of the chase. Their experience could have told them to stop chasing the criminal.

Let this be a hard and painful lesson to all. Not all criminals must be pursued at high speeds. They may get away but they could always be apprehended in another time and place less dangerous to the public. Sometimes allowing them escape means saving more lives.

As for the victims, they can file a personal injury case or a wrongful death case upon assistance of an accident attorney.