March 28, 2008

Elderly Woman Crashes her Car into Post Office

Another bizarre car accident occurred this week, this time in Burbank, CA, a city near Sacramento's strange sister to the south, Los Angeles.

On Monday, March 24, an elderly woman drove her vehicle into a post office, injuring three people, including herself. Apparently, according to the Los Angeles Times, the woman mistook her gas pedal for her brake. The Times states:

"Typically, that's what happens in these cases," Sanchez said. "It was an accident. There was no mechanical failure and no intent to cause harm."

(Sanchez is Burbank Police Sergeant Tracy Sanchez, the reporting officer at the scene).

Three people were injured; the driver, a post office employee, and a 62-year-old man. None of them were seriously hurt although the 62-year-old man was taken to a hospital for a head injury. Officer Sanchez reported that he was "alert and conscious".

It is unknown whether anyone involved has obtained an attorney.

For the full story, click here.

Although the cause of this accident was accidental, and the elderly woman who caused it was not malicious in her conduct, she is still responsible for the injuries she inflicted on others. Thank God that no one was seriously hurt, but, as you know, that is not always the case. If you or a loved one has been seriously hurt in a car accident that was not your fault, I can help you. Please call me and my staff at (916) 444-4444 or visit our website by clicking here. We are waiting to help you.


March 17, 2008

Man Causes 4-Car Crash on Highway 20

A man caused a four car collision on Highway 20 in Grass Valley, CA, a rural town north of Sacramento, on Thursday, March 13. Steve Poston, 55, of Smartville, apparently weaved and swerved through the morning traffic scattered along the highway, reaching speeds of 80 miles per hour, despite a heavy fog that blanketed the road and reduced visibility to only 200 to 300 hundred feet.

According to witnesses and California Highway Patrol Officer, Dina Hernandez, the officer who reported to the scene, Poston lost control of his silver Dodge pickup and sideswiped the white Ford 250 of James Klauer, 42. Thus began the chaos. In the words of Hernandez, interviewed by TheUnion.com:

The ensuing wreck looked like a war zone,

After being struck by Poston, Klauer lost control of his truck and it began spinning all over the highway. While spinning, Klauer's truck struck two other vehicles, a maroon Honda Accord driven by Tong Field, 39, and a maroon Chevy pickup, driven by Mitchell Hinds, 47. Again, in the words of Officer Hernandez:

They all ended up scattered in both lanes. There was debris everywhere.

In fact, Rough and Ready Highway was such a mess that traffic had to be re-routed for over an hour.

Poston suffered minor injuries and was transported by ambulance to a hospital where he made a good recovery. None of the other drivers were substantially injured.

For the full story, please visit TheUnion.com.

According to California Vehicle Code 22350:

No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.

Steve Poston was in clear violation of this code Thursday morning. If you or a loved one has been injured because someone drove in violation of this code, or any other vehicle code, you have rights. The California Vehicle Code was put in place to keep people like you and the ones you love out of harm's way. If you have experienced this situation, call my law office, The Law Office of Moseley Collins, at 916.444.4444, or visit our website by clicking on the highlighted link. We would love to help you.

March 10, 2008

Man Dies While Helping Car Accident Victim

A 44-year-old Rio Linda, California man died this past Saturday, March 8, 2008, while trying to help a young woman involved in a car accident.

Kaili Jackson, a 20 year old woman from Sacramento, CA, was driving southbound on SR-99 when she drove her Toyota Tundra into the center median and the vehicle rolled over. News10.net reports:

Witnesses said 44-year-old Guy Pierce of Rio Linda stopped on the righthand shoulder and walked across the lanes and checked on the condition of the occupants in the Tundra.

As Pierce checked on Jackson, Christina Garner, a 31-year-old woman from Sacramento, drove southbound on SR-99 towards the scene. She saw the Tundra ahead of her in her line of traffic and attempted to change lanes but was blocked by a vehicle to her right. Garner then slammed on her brakes and veered to the right but was unable to miss hitting the Tundra. She struck the Tundra with her vehicle and then struck Pierce, killing him instantly.

Guy Pierce is remembered by his friends and family as a loving,compassionate, family man, who was devoted to his wife, Lori. His brother, Ron Johnson, told News10.net:

"My brother had a good heart on him. He loved people and he'd do what he can to help anyone,"

According to FARS, the Fatality Analysis Reporting System Encyclopedia, over 42,000 people die in car accidents every year, nation wide. Over 4,500 of those deaths are pedestrians such as Guy Pierce.

If you or a loved has been injured in a car accident and the other party is at fault, you have rights. If the actions of another cause a car accident, by California law, they are responsible for the economic and emotional damages their actions ensure; whether they are medical bills, wage loss, pain and suffering, or, as in this case, death.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, my staff and I can help you. Please contact us at The Law Office of Moseley Collins. You can visit our website or contact us by phone at 916.444.4444.

God bless you.