Motor Officer Seriously Injured in Ontario Crash

This morning a police officer aboard a motorcycle in Ontario was badly injured when he collided with a tractor trailer.  According to KABC News, the officer sustained serious injuries and had to be airlifted to a hospital.  The collision occurred at about 7:15 a.m. while both the motor officer and semi truck were traveling northbound on Archibald Avenue.  Reportedly, the truck driver was making a right-hand turn into an IHOP parking lot when the crash happened.

Right Hand Turn Law

In general, both the approach for a right-hand turn and the right-hand turn itself are to be "made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway", with certain exceptions.  From the aerial photograph of the accident scene on KABC News, it would appear the driver of the tractor trailer began his right-hand turn from the number 3 lane, and not the one designated for right-hand turns.  As can be seen on the Google maps image, there is actually a designated right-hand turn lane for northbound traffic on Archibald.  Depending on the precise circumstances, it would appear the truck driver may have made an unsafe turn.

Accident Reconstruction Issues

With serious injuries having been suffered by the motorcycle officer, there can be little doubt the accident above will be carefully reconstructed in order to determine who was at fault for the collision.  Assuming the police officer was riding his motorcycle at a safe speed in the right-turn lane when the semi truck began its turn from the number 3 lane, it would appear the majority of the fault would rest with the truck driver.  Issues of speed and turn signal usage will also play a role in the ultimate determination of liability for the accident.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an automobile or motorcycle accident, a free consultation with an experienced auto accident attorney is perhaps the best way to learn more about your right to compensation for any injuries and damages sustained.

SOURCE:  Officer on motorcycle injured in Ontario semi-truck crash, KABC News, October 8, 2013

101 Freeway Accident - One Killed and Two Seriously Injured in Suspected DUI Crash

On Sunday morning at about 4:00 a.m., a 24-year-old man was killed and his two passengers were badly injured in a rear-end accident on the 101 Freeway in Encino.  According to the ABC News Report, the victim's car, a Toyota Scion, had stalled on the freeway just before  the fatal accident.  The driver of the Scion, Alfredo Alvara, got out of his vehicle before he and his car were struck by a Toyota Forerunner, driven by a suspected drunk driver, 30-year-old Robert Graves of Reseda.  The two passengers in the Scion, 30-year-old Erica Monge and 23-year-old Teresa Oporto, were critically injured.  Graves and his passenger suffered only minor injuries.  According to the news report, Graves is now facing DUI and manslaughter charges.  

Dangerous Times to Drive

The accident above happened at about 4:00 a.m., when there are generally fewer cars on the road.  In fact, the fewest crash-related deaths occur between 4:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  However, the instances of drunk driving, speeding and driving without a safety belt all significantly increase during the night hours and each contributes directly to increased fatality rates, according to a Forbes report.  In the case above, the driver who rear-ended the stalled vehicle is suspected of driving drunk, and 54% of crashes occurring at night are alcohol-related.  While it is conceivable that intoxication may not have played a role in the accident, the suspected drunk driver would have to convince a jury that he could not see the Alvara vehicle stalled in the roadway in sufficient time to avoid a collision.  Whether the Scion's lights were on, whether the emergency flashes were illuminated and the amount of artificial/street lighting in the area will all be factors in making this determination.

If you have been injured or a loved one killed in a DUI-related accident, contacting an experienced auto accident attorney is perhaps the best way to learn about your rights and the merit of a claim.

SOURCE:  101 Freeway crash in Encino: Driver of stalled car hit, killed, ABC Los Angeles News, July 28, 2013, by Amy Powell

Moreno Valley Accident May Be DUI Related

The Press Enterprise has reported that alcohol is suspected as a factor in a major injury collision over the weekend in Moreno Valley.  The accident occurred on Saturday night at about 10:30 p.m. at the intersection of Heacock Street and Parkland Avenue.   According to the report, a man driving south in a Toyota Camry ran a red light and collided with a Chevrolet Cavalier turning left from Heacock onto Parkland.  The Camry's driver had to be cut from the wreckage and was taken to the hospital in critical condition.  The female driver and her passenger in the Cavalier, as well as the passenger in the Camry, were taken to the hospital as well for treatment of minor injuries.  If you have any information regarding or actually witnessed the crash, you should contact traffic division deputies at (951) 486-6900.

Scene of the Accident

The intersection of Heacock and Parkland in Moreno Valley is controlled by traffic signals, and those drivers making a left turn from Heacock onto Parkland have a protected left turn.  It would not appear the man driving south on Heacock would have any impediment to seeing the light for his direction of travel was red, as the roadway is relatively flat and straight.  Assuming the light for southbound traffic was red, then the driver of the Camry will likely be found 100% at fault for the accident.  The female driver of the Cavalier has the lawful right to assume that oncoming drivers will obey the law.

The DUI Issue

From the limited information in the news report, we do not know which of the two drivers was suspected of driving while under the influence.  However, given the accident description, it seems a reasonable inference the male driver was most likely the one suspected of driving while intoxicated.  If he is found guilty of operating his vehicle while under the influence, thereby causing injury, any civil case against him would be relatively simple to prove.

If you or a family member have been injured in a collision, an auto accident attorney with experience at handling these types of claims can be of great assistance in securing compensation.  It is always best to make an informed decision regarding your rights whenever you have been involved in a personal injury accident

.

SOURCE:  MORENO VALLEY: Alcohol suspected in major injury wreck, Press Enterprise, March 3, 2013, by Richard Brooks