Whittier Truck Crash Leaves Car Driver Seriously Injured

A truck driver making a u-turn at the bottom of a freeway exit in Whittier apparently caused an accident early this morning, resulting in serious injuries.  According to KTLA News, citing official sources, the big rig driver made an illegal u-turn at about 1:15 a.m., and the driver of a Dodge Challenger was unable to avoid hitting the trailer, ripping the roof off of the car.   The truck driver then went back onto the freeway and kept going, at least until he was stopped and arrested by deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.  The driver of the Dodge was hospitalized in serious condition as a result of the collision.  

Scene of the Accident and Determining Fault

The stretch of Pioneer Boulevard where the accident occurred is in a residential neighborhood, and the only traffic control device at the 605 freeway exit is a stop sign for those leaving the freeway.  Consequently, the truck driver was obligated to enter Pioneer Boulevard only when it was safe to do so, and the driver of the Dodge would likely have had the right-of-way.  The speed of the Dodge will be a factor in reconstructing the accident and determining fault. The speed limit in the area is 35 mph, and given the damage to the car it stands to reason the driver was traveling at or near the limit.  Apart from the speed of the Dodge, there will also be an issue as to headlight usage on both vehicles and whether the injured driver should have been able able to see the truck in time to avoid the collision.   The truck driver's flight from the scene would suggest he was conscious of the fact he was at fault for the accident and evidence of flight can be used to prove "consciousness of guilt."

What to Do After an Injury Accident

After an injury accident that wasn't your fault, while it certainly won't the first thing on your mind, evidence gathering is one of the most important things you can do to protect your right to compensation.  Nearly everyone has a cell phone camera that can be perhaps the most useful tool in these situations.   If at all possible, you would want to document not only the damage to the vehicles but their points of rest after the collision.  In addition, taking pictures should assist in establishing the lighting conditions that existed at the time.  Also, taking pictures of the interior of your vehicle may help to establish the severity of the impact, seatbelt usage and air bag deployment.  Once those pictures are taken, they should be preserved not only on the cell phone but also in a hard copy and in an e-mail, so as to greatly lessen the chances the evidence will be lost or destroyed.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an automobile accident, contacting an Orange County car accident attorney may be the best way to ensure your right to compensation will be vigorously pursued and protected.

SOURCE:  Roof of Car Cut off When it Collides with Big Rig on 605 Freeway in Whittier, KTLA News, November 11, 2013, by Ann Pride

Stranded Vehicle Accident in Redlands Results in Serious Injuries

A 51-year-old motorist was seriously injured yesterday when he was struck while standing behind his disabled vehicle on Southbound Alabama Street in Redlands.  According to the Press Enterprise, the the accident happened after the motorist had apparently run out of gas at about 4:00 p.m.  While standing behind his Ford pickup truck, the driver was hit by a Honda Accord, being driven by an 18-year-old from Diamond Bar.  The victim was rushed to Loma Linda University Medical Center where he is listed in serious condition. The precise cause of the accident is still under investigation.  Alcohol was apparently not involved.

Area of the Accident

The accident above appears to be a demonstration of a common problem: driver distraction.  Given that the accident happened at about 4:00p.m. it was certainly light outside, and there does not appear to be a reason for the driver of the Honda not to see the victim before the accident. However, there is a rise in the roadway on this portion of southbound Alabama which could impede a driver's ability to see cars ahead, until they are perhaps too close.  If the point of the impact is just over the rise as one is headed toward Industrial Park Lane, then the driver of the Honda may have at least some explanation for his inability to see the victim in sufficient time to avoid the accident.  In all likelihood, this would not be the sole cause of the accident.

Disabled or Stranded Vehicles

In the accident above, the driver of the Ford truck had apparently pulled over and stopped because he had run out of gas.  In that situation, assuming his vehicle was within a travel lane, he had an obligation to activate his emergency flashers or do something else to let other drivers know his vehicle was blocking the travel lane.  This assumes, of course, that he had the time to do this after the truck ran out of gas but before the collision occurred.  Any failure to comply with this Safe Driving Practice might well be considered negligence on the part of the truck driver.

If you or a loved one have been in an accident involving a stranded or stopped vehicle, consultation with an experienced auto accident attorney may help you understand your right to compensation for any injuries and damages suffered.

SOURCE:  REDLANDS: Man struck behind disabled vehicle, the Press Enterprise, September 11, 2013, by Darrell R. Santschi