Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Boy killed in boat collision

Accidents strike when you least expect it. The Sunday’s Parade of Lights was no exception to this.

It was all fun for the spectators and participants of the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights until a fatal boat accident happened.

A coast guard vessel responding to an emergency call for a grounded boat smashed into a pleasure boat. Aboard the pleasure boat were 13 people including a young boy named Anthony Cole DeWeese. Anthony died in the crash while four others sustained injuries.

Before the impact, Anthony’s father, Alan, tried to steer the boat out of the way but could not. He added that the Coast guard vessel was so fast that he had no time to respond.

Coast Guard spokesman Petty Officer 3rd Class Henry Dunphy said that an investigation will be conducted to determine the cause of the crash. Independent investigations would also be conducted by the East Coast, San Diego Fire Department and the San Diego Harbor Police.

Boat collisions are common but collision with a Coast guard vessel is a bit odd. Coast guard vessel should be responding to an accident and not causing one.

If after investigation, negligence is found to be the cause, the injured victims may file a personal injury case against the party at fault. The assistance of a boat accident lawyer is advised to recover damages.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Cause of Fatal Crash yet to be Determined

Authorities continue to probe the accident in San Francisco that killed a 21-year-old driver who was riding alone in his vehicle along Junipero Serra Boulevard and 19th Avenue.

James Hunt died instantly as the two occupants from the vehicle involved in the head-on collision was rushed to the hospital to be treated for serious injuries.

These road accidents are harder to investigate especially if those involved cannot immediately tell police what might have caused the crash and so authorities would just have to rely on witness accounts of the incident.

Friday, December 18, 2009

2 High School Students Struck by Amtrak Train

Two students were struck by an Amtrak train as they were on their way to Springfield High School in Holland this morning.

According to reports, the two teenagers tried to beat the train at a crossing next to the school.

One of the students, 15-yer-old Cody Brown, was killed while 16-year-old Briana Mullinger was critically injured after the train accident.

The family of the students should consult with a car accident attorney to have their case evaluated prior to the filing of a wrongful death and a personal injury claim against the railroad company.

Since trains are considered common carriers, they are expected to exercise higher level of care compared to other vehicles.

This applies not only to the engineer but to the railroad company as well.

It may be true that the students may have been negligent in trying to outrun a train, however, since the railroad crossing is near a high school, these situations can be and should be expected.

Additional safety features could have been placed to make sure that reckless minors will not be placed in danger.

In that context, the families of the victim may have a chance to hold the railroad company civilly liable for their loss.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Chain Accident Temporarily Closed Freeway

A four-vehicle chain accident caused injuries to several people and resulted in the traffic closure of the west lane of Interstate Highway 580 up to the Bay Bridge.

Authorities are yet to release a statement about the real cause of the accident but major crashes as the recent one in Oakland is sure to result to property damages and, of course, injuries.

In chain accidents, the liability will depend on the comparative negligence of each party involved which further complicates these accidents.

To avoid being involved in such accidents, speeding and tailgating should be avoided as well as DUI.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Car accident: A Life Altering Situation

Traffic was stopped in Beach Boulevard and was only reopened in the afternoon after a vehicle accident happened at noon involving a vehicle was driven by an 80 year old which hit a light pole. The elderly victim was in critical condition and was immediately brought to UCI Medical Center.

Vehicle accidents generally result in injuries and can sometimes lead to death. Aside from bruises, scratches, sprains, and fractures, it can also cause amputation and serious injuries such as head or spinal cord injuries. Recovery from these injuries takes a long time and expenses for the doctors’ fees and medicines are often high.

Victims can claim for damages from the negligent party. They deserve to have all the expenses from the vehicle accident. They did not want this to happen to them and because of someone’s carelessness; they were involved in an accident.

It can ruin their life because the injuries can prevent them from working again. Hiring a lawyer to deal with a personal injury case is advisable. The lawyer must have handled and won cases like this. He will need documents such as medical findings and police report to support the evidences. He will also need key witnesses who will participate during the court trial. Pictures of the accident will also help the lawsuit.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Single Mom Dies on Highway Crash

A fatal crash can be a life changing experience for the deceased’s survivors. For a one year old kid, life not only changes but is also uncertain with the death of a mother.

Kimberly Nicole Taylor-O'Dell died instantaneously when she was hit by a car on Highway 101 north of Blossom Hill Road. The incident came about when Kimberly got out of her car to check on a car trouble. While inspecting her car, she was side swept by a vehicle then by several others.

The culprit was never arrested while Kimberly’s remains took days to be identified.

Under the law, in case of an accident, a driver is obliged to stop. This is an obligation imposed on him regardless of whether the driver is at fault or not. Otherwise, they may be liable for hit and run.

Claims for injuries or deaths resulting from car accidents are better pursued with the assistance of a car accident attorney. The victim or his surviving family members may be compensated for the expenses incurred in a car crash.

Single Mom Dies on Highway Crash

A fatal crash can be a life changing experience for the deceased’s survivors. For a one year old kid, life not only changes but is also uncertain with the death of a mother.

Kimberly Nicole Taylor-O'Dell died instantaneously when she was hit by a car on Highway 101 north of Blossom Hill Road. The incident came about when Kimberly got out of her car to check on a car trouble. While inspecting her car, she was side swept by a vehicle then by several others.

The culprit was never arrested while Kimberly’s remains took days to be identified.

Under the law, in case of an accident, a driver is obliged to stop. This is an obligation imposed on him regardless of whether the driver is at fault or not. Otherwise, they may be liable for hit and run.

Claims for injuries or deaths resulting from car accidents are better pursued with the assistance of a car accident attorney. The victim or his surviving family members may be compensated for the expenses incurred in a car crash.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Minimizing Road accidents

Road safety must be observed by every motorist to prevent injuring or killing innocent people. A female teenager was in a very bad condition after she was hit by a minivan when she was crossing the street in Santa Ana. She was walking in the afternoon when the 78 year old man’s Dodge minivan hit and dragged her afterwards.

Drivers should be more careful when driving. They should follow strictly traffic rules and regulations because what happened above can happen to anyone.

When someone is involved in a car accident, the medical response team must be contacted immediately. The names and contact numbers of the victims should be gathered as well as those of the witnesses of the car accident. Pictures may be taken of the cars involved.

The police and the insurance company should be contacted immediately. The information gathered in the accident scene such as the pictures and police report will help the investigation. The victim may file a claim to receive reimbursements for all the damages sustained such as medical treatment for the injuries, salary lost, damages of the properties, pain and suffering.

A good lawyer must have credible track record in handling cases and specializes on car accidents. He will guide his clients in every stage of a lawsuit.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

December Ushers in Dangerous Road Conditions Due to Black Ice

Unsafe speed plus unsafe road conditions equals road mishap.

We might see a lot of that equation this December with the heaviest effects of winter coming in.

Just yesterday morning, a man died in a rollover accident in San Jose.

According to reports, the Mustang driven by the man went down an embankment off Almaden Expressway and rolled over several times before resting in a nearby parking lot.

The man was pronounced dead on the scene.

The suspected culprit?

Unsafe speeds and black ice.

CHP has issued a warning earlier about possible icy conditions that day and the driver either did not know the announcement or just plainly ignored it.

Black ice is a dangerous condition where an almost invisible strip of ice forms on the road.

It is called black ice because it takes the color of the road and makes it almost impossible to detect until it’s too late when you are already careening off the road.

This road hazard is usually formed during cold weathers on long strips of roads and bridges.

The safest way to avoid these car accidents is by avoiding driving altogether.

If you really have to travel, avoid bridges and high speed roads like freeways.

You should also drive in a safe speed where you will be able to maneuver your car out of danger in case you hit a black ice.

If you have been injured due to a black ice related accident, consult a car accident attorney to help you in making a personal injury claim.

Monday, December 7, 2009

DMV Employee Struck by Unlicensed Driver while Conducting Driving Test

In one of the more ironic car accidents I’ve come across recently, a DMV employee conducting a driving test was injured when the car he was riding was broadsided by an SUV whose driver apparently needs a driving test.

The victim, who was identified as 63-years-old Roberto Mascardo of Sausalito, remains hospitalized after sustaining serious injuries from the collision.

According to reports, Mascardo was a passenger in a Camry driven by Maria Adela Morales-Monterosa, 57, of Richmond, who was taking her driving test.

As the Camry was making a left turn from Sonoma Parkway to Rainer Avenue, a Ford Explorer driven by Alvaro Sanchez, 41, slammed into the passenger side of the car.

Morales-Monterosa and Sanchez were not seriously harmed but Mascardo suffered major injuries.

Turns out, Sanchez was driving without a license.

Makes you want to say, “Should be you who’s taking a driving test!!”

Hopefully, Mascardo makes a full recovery from his injuries.

He can also file a personal injury case against Sanchez who, from the looks of it, is willing to take liability for the actions.

Sanchez did volunteer the information that he has insurance (which he really should because it is required by California law).

Well, that’s the least of his problems and his insurance company should be able to take care of that.

What he should worry about is being charged with driving without a license and probably reckless driving that resulted to bodily harm.

He should really consider getting an attorney to advocate in his behalf.

DMV Employee Struck by Unlicensed Driver while Conducting Driving Test

In one of the more ironic car accidents I’ve come across recently, a DMV employee conducting a driving test was injured when the car he was riding was broadsided by an SUV whose driver apparently needs a driving test.
The victim, who was identified as 63-years-old Roberto Mascardo of Sausalito, remains hospitalized after sustaining serious injuries from the collision.
According to reports, Mascardo was a passenger in a Camry driven by Maria Adela Morales-Monterosa, 57, of Richmond, who was taking her driving test.
As the Camry was making a left turn from Sonoma Parkway to Rainer Avenue, a Ford Explorer driven by Alvaro Sanchez, 41, slammed into the passenger side of the car.
Morales-Monterosa and Sanchez were not seriously harmed but Mascardo suffered major injuries.
Turns out, Sanchez was driving without a license.
Makes you want to say, “Should be you who’s taking a driving test!!”
Hopefully, Mascardo makes a full recovery from his injuries.
He can also file a personal injury case against Sanchez who, from the looks of it, is willing to take liability for the actions.
Sanchez did volunteer the information that he has insurance (which he really should because it is required by California law).
Well, that’s the least of his problems and his insurance company should be able to take care of that.
What he should worry about is being charged with driving without a license and probably reckless driving that resulted to bodily harm.
He should really consider getting an attorney to advocate in his behalf.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Police Investigates Fatal Single-Vehicle Crash in San Jose

The privilege given to drivers to operate a vehicle also comes with a responsibility of doing it in the right way. However, many drivers only enjoy the privilege they have and completely ignore the things that they are supposed to do.

This statement may be seen in the recent death of a 48-year-old man, from San Jose, in a single-vehicle accident that happened on northbound Interstate 680 in San Jose.

According to authorities, he was traveling in a 2005 Toyota Camry at a speed of 65 to 70 mph when he drifted into the concrete center divide along south of the Capitol Expressway.

The man did not have noticeable injuries when the emergency crew arrived at the scene, police said.

The unidentified driver was pronounced dead at the accident scene. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of his death.

The state should implement different programs that will teach drivers the importance of driving responsibly. It may be an additional way of informing them regarding the serious effects that negligent driving can cause.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

19-Year-Old Driver Who Caused Fatal Car Accident Had Previous DUI Conviction

The 19-year-old driver, who caused a fatal car accident last Saturday that killed a family of four on Highway 37, previously had a DUI conviction.

According to California’s Department of Motor Vehicles, Steven Culbertson was involved in a car accident in Lake County in 2007.

His license was suspended a month after.

Culbertson died Sunday, a day after his Mini Cooper ran a red light and plowed through a minivan at 70 to 90 mph.

The crash killed Jonathan Maloney, his wife Susan and their two children.

There were no signs of drugs or alcohol but Police are still awaiting results of toxicology tests.

Now that the liable party died, does that mean that that the family of the victims cannot go after Culbertson?

Well, criminally, there is no more need as Culbertson has already paid the ultimate price for driving recklessly.

However, the family can still file a wrongful death claim against Culbertson.

His death does not mean that he escaped civil liability towards his victims.

Hopefully he has a car accident insurance policy that will take care of the damages he left behind.

If not, the courts will go after his assets and properties.

Beyond that, the victims won’t be able to collect anymore even if it does not meet the amount of damages warded by the court.

They will have to settle for the knowledge that the law recognized that the victims were wronged by Culbertson and he paid for it with his life.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Athletes Dealing with Personal Injury Accidents

Sports is fun and it keeps a person healthy. However it also poses risks to people, especially athletes who are often exposed to these risks when they encounter accidents during play.

In San Jose, a football player suffered a head injury during a game between his team and their school rival. He collapsed on the sideline. His skull was fractured and went under surgery in Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. He was at the ICU recuperating from the injury he sustained. It was horrible for his parents to see their son suffer such terrible ordeal. They never expected this to happen to their son.

Head injuries are often traumatic and devastating injuries which automatically disable victims His future changes dramatically because he will not be able to do things or activities he usually do nor will he not be able to work anymore and continue earning money.

People have to be careful when they are playing sports because accidents can happen anytime. It would be very expensive to pay for the medicines, emotional trauma and wages lost if he gets into an accident. When someone is responsible for the personal injury, he has to pay for all the damages of the victim. They may file a claim against the negligent party.

The victim may hire a lawyer who will be able to help him with the case to claim for damages. A good lawyer has to have a record of winning cases that are similar to the one that will be filed by the victim.