LA Councilman Arrested following Boyle Heights Car Accident

A few days after Sen. Harry Reid was reportedly involved in a car accident in Las Vegas, another community leader was apparently involved in a car accident somewhere in Los Angeles. Nevertheless, this case is different from the senator’s since the second case allegedly involved alcohol.

According to recent reports, Los Angeles City councilman Jose Huizar was involved in an accident that resulted in multiple car crash in Boyle Height just near his house last October 25.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) claimed that the said incident involved three vehicles, including Huizar’s car.

Subsequently, Huizar was initially arrested following the incident on suspicion of driving under the influence. However, he was given a breathalyzer test which he successfully passed. Therefore, no charges were filed before the police department, according to an LAPD officer.

Meanwhile, succeeding reports claimed that one person was treated at the scene but the injuries were said to be minor and non-life threatening.

Incidentally, Huizar represents the 14th District, which includes Boyle Heights, downtown Los Angeles, Eagle Rock, and Highland Park.

So far, authorities are still conducting further investigation to determine the main cause of the accident.

In the meantime, the injured victim should have to wait until the final result of the investigation to determine who is at fault and who will be held liable before seeking for legal remedies available through the help of a legal expert like a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles.

4-car Crash Leaves Woman Dead after Being Struck by Flying Concrete

A 52-year-old woman from Antelope reportedly died from a four-car accident after the car she was driving was hit by a flying concrete.

Reports said that the incident was a chain reaction accident that occurred early afternoon last Thursday on Highway 99 in Modesto. The identity of the woman killed from the incident has not been released pending notification of next of kin.

Meanwhile, a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer said that based on their initial investigation, the accident started when a 25-year old driver sideswiped a box truck, which subsequently struck into a concrete center divider. Due to the strong impact, concrete debris flew through the air and a huge chunk hit the windshield of the woman’s pickup truck.

The CHP were subsequently forced to shut down several lanes of Highway 99, which paralyzed traffic flow for more than a couple of hours, the Modesto Bee reported.

Accordingly, chain accidents are just among the many types of car accidents. Chain accident obviously means that there are more than two vehicles involved and more often than not, the impact caused by the collision is strong. Its impact almost always creates a chain reaction where the vehicles involved are pushed forward, thereby hitting another vehicle.

Generally, determining who is at fault in such chain accident is simply a matter of common sense. However, when it comes to relating the negligence act to a specific traffic law, it would require some legal advice from experts.

In some instances, insurance companies cover the costs resulting from the accident, provided that there is sufficient evidence that you were not at fault. Nevertheless, in some cases, the insurance policy does not cover the driver, particularly when proving who is at fault seems to be not straightforward as it should always be, explained a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles.

NHTSA’s “Click It or Ticket” Campaign to Curb Fatal Car Accidents

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently launched a campaign called “Click It or Ticket,” addressing drivers who refuse to wear seatbelts.

The “Click It or Ticket” campaign was said to be the most successful seatbelt campaign ever launched by the NHTSA.

The 2012 national "Click It or Ticket" seat belt enforcement mobilization will commence on May 17 and will last until June 3 to help save lives by enforcing strict measures on those who don’t wear seatbelts.

Many state traffic enforcers and highway safety advocates are joining the NHTSA’s campaign in deaths of motorists by strictly implementing seatbelt laws day and night.

The NHTSA’s 2010 statistics revealed that 61% of the 10,647 people who were killed in night time vehicle accidents were not wearing seatbelts while 42% were killed during day time.  Most of the victims are younger motorists.

NHTSA Chief Kevin Crews explained that many drivers and passengers on the road during night time are not wearing seat belts, that is why fatality rate resulting from vehicle accidents during night time is higher compared to day time. 

Crews further said that the NHTSA’s campaign aims to save more lives and that said seatbelts law will be implemented round the clock.

Moreover, based on the NHTSA’s 2010 statistics, seatbelts saved approximately 2,546 lives across the country. However, the NHTSA stressed out that many motorists still need to be strictly reminded to religiously wear seatbelts.

Although the said seatbelt law will be implemented all throughout the year, the campaign will be eagerly pushed from May until June.

Therefore, the NHTSA warns motorists who prefer not to wear seatbelts that traffic enforcers will be on the lookout day and night to catch violators. Additionally, “Click It or Ticket” offenders will be ticketed during the first violation without warning and consideration.

On the other hand, a personal injury lawyer said that said “Click It or Ticket” campaign indeed might save thousands of lives. Said lawyer also anticipates that the said seatbelt program will be strictly implemented not only this season, but until the rest of the year, to avoid more injuries and fatalities resulting from vehicle accidents.

Metropolitan Bus Involved in Tragic LA Accident

Drivers and operators of public transports like buses, trains and taxis have to comply with high standard of care to prevent catastrophic accidents. This stringent requirement is necessary to safeguard large number of passengers each day. When bus drivers fail to abide with existing traffic laws, authorities can impose penalties.

On Tuesday, another bus accident occurred in Los Angeles when a Metropolitan Transportation Authority bus collided with a car.

According to reports, the bus was traveling on 6th Avenue and West Adams when it crashed onto a car. A pregnant bus passenger sustained serious injuries while her three young daughters suffered minor injuries.

On the other hand, six other passengers suffered minor back pain and bruises. Rescuers arrived and rushed them to a local hospital.

Reports said Los Angeles firefighters had to use a hydraulic equipment to extract the 30-year-old car motorist out of the crashed vehicle. Paramedics arrived and transported him to hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

If results of police investigation show that the driver failed to exercise duty of care, he and the bus operator can face legal consequences. The employer will have to compensate for the losses of the injured passengers and involved motorists. Also, the driver may face court penalties.

For more information on bus accident lawsuit, you may consult with a Personal Injury lawyer in Los Angeles. Your attorney will help you clarify the causes of events in the accident. You may dial our toll free number at 1-866-772-2889, or email us at info@mesriani.com for free case analysis.