Accident Lawyers Network

Low Number of Traffic Deaths Continues

2011-12-09T07:16:00.001-08:00

According to the Department of Transportation, there were 32,885 traffic fatalities on the nation's roads in 2010. This is the lowest number of deaths since 1949. This comes despite the fact that commuters drove 1.6 percent more, 46 billion miles, than they did in 2009.

The 2010 fatality rate averages out to 1.10 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles. This is down from 1.15 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles the year before. This is also the lowest rate ever recorded, according to the DOT.

There were declines in almost all vehicle categories, including occupants of passenger cars and light trucks, as well as SUVs, minivans, and pickups. However, there were slight increases in fatalities among pedestrians, motorcycles, and occupants of large trucks.

Reasons for Drop in Fatalities

There are several contributing factors according to experts. These include changes in protecting occupants, such as rollover protection and airbags, as well as changes in driver behavior. Programs and campaigns that address distracted driving, seatbelt use, and driving under the influence would appear to be making an impact. Laws, such as graduated drivers licenses and increasing the minimum drinking age have helped, too. Enforcement of driving laws and drivers generally driving more safely are also credited.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an auto accident, please contact an experienced personal injury attorney in your area today.

Truck Accident in Washington Spills Thousands of Gallons of Fuel

2011-11-28T08:00:00.001-08:00

A passenger vehicle attempting to cross several lanes of traffic collided with a tanker truck carrying fuel on Sunday night near Bellevue, Washington. The collision caused the tanker to hit the jersey barrier, roll over and spill the fuel.

It is believed that nearly half of the 7000 gallons of fuel spilled from the truck. According to authorities, the fuel spill onto the road, into soil and storm drains and made its way into Lake Washington. However, it is unclear how much made it into the lake. Hazmat teams were on the scene, but arrived too late to prevent the gas from reaching the lake. The trucking company has hired a contractor to clean up the spill.

The truck accident closed I-405 for five hours while crews cleaned up the scene. The driver of the passenger vehicle suffered minor injuries and was taken to the hospital. There was no word on the condition of the truck driver.

Spills are just another effect of truck accidents. When the truck spills its load into nearby rivers or lakes, the toxicity of the fuel poisons the water, and can potentially harm many people who depend on the water for consumption.

If you have been injured in a truck accident, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer through the Accident Lawyers Network today.

Car Accident Gender Disparity

2011-10-25T14:36:00.001-07:00

According to a study published in the American Journal of Public Health, women are more likely than men to be seriously injured in car accidents. Researchers involved in the study say this is because safety features aren't made for women's bodies.

However, the research shows that this is most likely in vehicles made before 1998. Researchers looked at data from 1998 to 2008. According to a spokesman from the Center for Auto Safety, because the average life of a car is 12 years, the study would have had more value had it been limited to 2000 and later, which would show that all vehicles are now equipped with female friendly airbags.

While women may contend with most likely getting injured, men are more likely to be killed in auto accidents. According to a 2007 Carnegie Mellon University study, men are 77 percent more likely to die in an accident than are women. This factored in the number of miles driven.

In yet another study that looked at which sex was the safer driver, there was some debate. One group showed women were more likely to be involved in an auto accident at a T junction, slip road, and crossroad than men are. However, Carnegie Mellon's 2007 study showed that elderly women are safer drivers than teen boys. Go figure.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, please contact an experienced personal injury attorney in your area.

NTSB Recommends Banning Truckers from Texting and Calling from the Road

2011-09-13T11:25:00.001-07:00

After ruling a truck accident in Kentucky last year that killed 11 people was caused by the driver using his cell phone, the National Transportation Safety Board recommended to the federal government that all texts and cell phones, including hands free devices, should be banned.

Although the NTSB does not have the power to ban cell phone use and texting from the road, it can send its recommendation to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, as well as every state. Kentucky, the state where the tragic truck accident occurred, is one of over 30 states that bars truck drivers from texting, but does not outlaw cell phone calls. The driver in the accident, who was among the fatalities, had allegedly been texting and calling in the early morning hours before the accident.

The truck accident occurred along a stretch of highway where there was only a cable barrier separating the median. This type of barrier is not designed to stop a vehicle the size of a massive semi truck. The NTSB also determined the driver was going 70 mph when he crossed the median and hit a van head on. The van was carrying a group of Mennonites to a wedding. Killed in the accident were both the very young bride and groom. The only two survivors were two children who were in child safety seats.

Commercial truck drivers and bus drivers would be covered in the proposed NTSB ban.

If you have been involved in a truck accident anywhere in the nation, please contact the Accident Lawyers Network today.

Young Girl Bitten in Face by Pitbull in San Diego

2011-08-29T08:25:00.001-07:00

A six-year-old girl was bitten on the face, chin, and one hand and arm after a pitbull lunged at her in the backyard of a friend's house in San Diego, California over the weekend. The girl reportedly threw candy in the dog's face causing the dog to react. The dog was chained in the yard during the incident.

The dog's owner was also bitten by the pitbull while trying to help the girl.

According to animal control officials, it doesn't take much to set an animal off that is confined in the yard like the dog in this situation. A spokesman for the San Diego County Animal Services states, "A dog on a chain cannot flea which means it will react immediately and will fight. Never keep a dog on a chain, it makes a good dog bad and a bad dog worse."

The pitbull has been quarantined and its fate will be decided in the next ten days. It may be euthanized.

Although no one can condone the dog's behavior, this is also an example of just how careful adults need to be when children are around animals. Taunting animals is never a good thing, but kids will be kids.

If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, please contact the Accident Lawyers Network to find an experienced dog bite attorney in your area today.

Texas Billionaire Killed in Car Crash in Colorado

2011-08-08T08:28:00.001-07:00

The co-founder of Michaels arts-and-craft stores, philanthropist, and Republican benefactor, Charles Wyly, was killed in a car accident near Aspen, Colorado on Sunday. The 77-year-old was allegedly turning left on Airport road in his Porsche 911 Targa, and was broadsided by a Ford Freestyle SUV just before 11:00am.

Wyly died from his injuries at Aspen Valley Hospital. The driver of the SUV received moderate injuries in the accident.

Wyly has a home in Woody Creek, a community near Aspen.

Wyly gave millions of dollars to the Dallas Museum of Art and was a philanthropist of different artistic causes. His brother and their wives also gave millions of dollars to Republican political causes. He served on the boards of the United Way of Dallas, The Dallas Museum of Art, and the Dallas Summer Musicals. He is a past chairman of the Dallas advisory board of the Salvation Army.

Wyly and his brother, Sam, have been under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission since last year for illegal insider trading, which the SEC alleges has netted the Wylys over $550 million since the late 1990s.

If you have been involved in a car accident anywhere in the country, please contact an experienced car accident attorney in your area through the Accident Lawyers Network today.

New Hampshire Motor Vehicle Accident Kills One, Injures Six

2011-07-28T10:17:00.001-07:00

A three-vehicle accident on I-95 this week killed one person and injured six others according to State Police. According to the police report, just after 9:00pm, a Freightliner tractor trailer collided with a maroon Honda Accord in the north lanes of the highway. Both vehicles then crossed the median and hit a silver Honda Accord.

The maroon Honda wound up lodged beneath the truck after they came to rest in the woods next to the road. A passenger in the silver Honda was killed when it was hit by the oncoming vehicles.

The driver of the vehicle trapped beneath the truck had to have its roof cut off so the driver could be extracted. Two patients were seriously injured, while four others had less serious injuries. One of these was a young girl, a passenger of the Honda beneath the truck who was spotted limping around just after the accident occurred.

The accident closed the highway in both directions for hours.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident or truck accident, please contact an experienced personal injury attorney in your area through the Accident Lawyers Network today.

Kansas City Police Department Employee Hit by Vehicle at DUI Checkpoint

2011-07-08T11:20:00.001-07:00

Early last month, the Missouri Highway Patrol was conducting a sobriety checkpoint in Kansas City when one of the drivers tried to leave the line rather than be checked. He accelerated and swerved out of the line, hitting a KCPD mechanic. The driver also hit a police cruiser parked nearby.

The mechanic was knocked to the top of the car, but was unhurt. However, the driver began to speed up rather than slow down. Hanging onto the arm of a windshield wiper, the mechanic said he was looking eye to eye with the driver, even as he began to swerve to knock the mechanic off the car.

The vehicle hit speeds of 100mph as it was followed by patrol cars through the streets.

Eventually, the mechanic was thrown from the vehicle. His right knee was shattered when he was thrown.

Police found the vehicle abandoned nearby, but were able to track down the suspect because the vehicle was a rental.

If you or a loved one have been hit by a car, please contact an experienced personal injury attorney in your area through the Accident Lawyers Network today.

Distractedness Revealed as Cause of Tragic Boating Accident

2011-06-27T08:07:00.000-07:00

In July of last year, a barge being towed by a tugboat collided with a duck boat, an amphibious vehicle owned by Ride the Ducks International, on the Delaware River. Thirty-five passengers and two crewmembers from the sight-seeing duck boat were dumped into the water. After the waters calmed, two Hungarian students were dead and 10 others injured.

The National Transportation Safety Patrol Board (NTSB) reviewed the cause of this boating accident and released its findings on Tuesday, June 21. The NTSB blames the tugboat’s navigator, who made and received 21 calls during the two hours he was behind the wheel. He was also reportedly using a company laptop for personal use, which violates the company’s policy.

However, the duck boat was not without blame. Pictures revealed a deckhand on the boat sending a text message just one minute before the crash. The NTSB also accused Ride the Ducks for not keeping their craft properly maintained. According to the report, the crew failed to keep the duck boat’s radiator cap in place and anchored the stalled craft in the middle of an active navigation channel.

The tugboat navigator’s distraction paired with the duck boat crew’s lack of foresight led to the death and injury of many of its passengers. Families of those affected were shocked by the findings, and many are filing lawsuits against the boating companies.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a boating accident, please contact an experienced boating accident lawyer through the Accident Lawyers Network today.

Two Dead in South Carolina Truck Accident

2011-05-23T12:34:00.001-07:00

Every year in the U.S., more than 30,000 people are killed in automobile accidents. On Sunday, May 22, two more were added to the number of fatalities from truck accidents.

Early in the morning, a tractor trailer hit a highway bridge abutment heading north on I-85 in Gaffey, South Carolina. The truck damaged at least one of the bridge's support columns, causing millions of dollars in damages.

When the truck hit the abutment, it exploded into flames, and the driver, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was thrown out of the vehicle and found dead on the road's shoulder. Police found the second passenger dead inside the sleeper of the truck.

The cause of the accident is unclear, and officials are still investigating. They have not released the victim's names, but the company operating the truck, Network Communications of Lawrenceville, Georgia, did inform investigators that the truck was on its way to deliver printed materials to states in the northeast.

Currently the northbound highway drivers must take a 6-mile detour around the bridge while the damage is being repaired. Officials hope that the highway will re-open in the afternoon on Tuesday, May 24.

If you have lost loved ones in a truck accident in the U.S., contact an experienced attorney through the Accident Lawyers Network today.

Boats Collide Off Mississippi Coast, 3 Missing

2011-05-19T08:03:00.001-07:00

A fishing boat collided with a 660 foot container ship off the coast of Mississippi on Wednesday, May 18. The fishing boat called the Sandy Point sank with 16 people on board. A pilot boat rescued 11 of the people from the water, while two swam to safety. Three others are still missing.

The Coast Guard says the boats collided eight miles off the coast near Ship Island between 8:30 and 9:00 pm. They are currently searching for the missing three. According to the Coast Guard, a 25 square mile safety zone has been set up to allow for the search and rescue and pollution response. Two helicopters, a plane, two Coast Guard cutters, and several other ships are involved in the operation.

The cause of the crash is under investigation. It was dark, but there was no fog at the time of the collision. Tug boats towed the container ship away, but it was unclear where it was taken to.

Boating accidents are more common on lakes, rivers and reservoirs, but when they happen so far off the coast, they can be particularly tragic. Loved ones should know that they may be able to file a claim with an experienced personal injury attorney to get compensation.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident anywhere in the US, please contact an experienced boating accident attorney through the Accident Lawyers Network today.

Crash Test Safety Rating High for Leaf and Volt

2011-04-26T13:19:00.001-07:00

For the first time, electric cars have been tested in safety crash tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf both earned top scores for front, side, and rear-impact crashes, as well as for rollover crash protection.

The Institute says that both vehicles are protected because of the heavy battery packs. While both vehicles are classified as small cars, the weight caused by the battery packs put them closer to large sedans. They state the Volt has a mass closer to that of the Chevy Impala, while the Leaf is similar in weight to the Nissan Altima. Heavier vehicles protect the occupants because the cars are less likely to be thrown around in an accident.

However, two other electric vehicles, the Gem e2 and the Wheego Whip both performed poorly on side-impact tests. These two cars are more like golf carts, and don't have to meet federal safety standards since they run at very low speeds. The test was done for research purposes only.

The federal government has not yet released any information on crash tests of the Volt and Leaf.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, please contact the Accident Lawyers Network to find an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.

SUV Rollover in North Carolina Kills Five

2011-04-18T12:56:00.001-07:00

Five people were killed in Croatan National Forest in North Carolina when the SUV they were in apparently rolled over and sank into a canal. The dead include two infants and another young child.

Authorities say that the accident occurred sometime between 5:30 pm and 6:00 pm on Saturday evening. Croatan National Forest is north of Camp Lejeune. Tire marks on the gravel road show that speed was probably a factor in the SUV rollover. The storms that have blasted North Carolina do not seem to have been a factor at all.

Officials said the children were found strapped in their child seats when the SUV was pulled from the canal. The woman was found in the driver seat and was also strapped in. The man was not, which authorities say could indicate he was trying to get the woman and the children out before they all drowned.

Croatan is 160,000 acres of bogs, salt water estuaries and pine forests located in the middle of North Carolina's Atlantic coastline. The road the accident occurred on is isolated and reportedly has been the scene of several fatal accidents when people run off the road.

If you have lost a loved one in an SUV rollover accident anywhere in the country, please contact the Accident Lawyers Network to find an experienced personal injury attorney in your area.

Truck Accident Kills One in Colorado

2011-03-31T08:31:00.001-07:00

A passenger in a car was killed when the vehicle he was riding in was clipped by a semi trailer on I-25, near the city of Lonetree, Colorado on March 28.

According to Colorado law enforcement, the truck accident occurred around 10:45 pm in the northbound lanes of I-25. A semi with an empty trailer was changing lanes when it clipped a Toyota Solaris. The driver of the Solaris lost control, left the highway and rolled several times and came to rest near a wildlife fence.

Officers arrived to find a passerby giving CPR to the passenger in the car. He was pronounced dead there on the side of the highway. The driver of the Solaris was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Both people in the car were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the truck accident.

The truck driver cooperated with police and was released. It is not believed drugs or alcohol was involved. Just another one of those things, as they say.

If you have been seriously injured or lost a loved one in a truck accident, please contact an experienced personal injury attorney through the Accident Lawyers Network.

Motor Vehicle Accident Kills 5 in Louisiana

2011-03-15T07:47:00.001-07:00

Five people, including three children, were killed in a head-on collision on March 6 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. According to police and witnesses, the five victims were inside a vehicle that caught fire after it was struck by a pickup truck on I-10 East. The driver of the pickup truck survived the accident, while his passenger remains in the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

A total of four vehicles were involved in the auto accident that began when a 2005 GMC pickup and a 2001 Mercedes SUV traveling west collided. It is believed they were involved in some kind of road rage incident with the pickup following the SUV closely at a high rate of speed. The pickup clipped the SUV and crossed the median where it spun and sideswiped the trailer of a semi. The pickup then plowed into a 1997 Acura that immediately caught fire on impact. The pickup split in two on the shoulder of the highway.

Police have said there was a bottle of liquor found in the pickup and that toxicology tests are pending.

If you have been seriously injured or lost a loved one in a car accident, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area through the Accident Lawyers Network today.

Accident in Lincoln Tunnel During Rush Hour

2011-02-24T09:30:00.001-08:00

The Lincoln Tunnel that connects New York to New Jersey beneath the Hudson River is one of the busiest places in the country during rush hour. However, this morning's commute was even longer after three buses and a motorcycle crashed on the New Jersey side of the tunnel.

According to reports, the motorcyclist was seriously injured in the accident. Twenty-eight other people were treated for minor or non-life threatening injuries, but 18 of them were taken to the hospital for treatment.

According to the Port Authority, a typical morning rush hour sees 1700 buses carrying 62,000 people into New York City. The accident this morning left just two lanes open for city-bound traffic, which delayed commuters by at least two hours.

Bus accidents injure and kill people because of their size, but also because passengers do not wear safety belts. Motorcycle accidents injure and kill people also because of their size, as well as the lack of protection surrounding the rider.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, please contact the Accident Lawyers Network to find an experienced personal injury attorney in your area.

Truck Hits House in Pennsylvania

2011-02-16T09:19:00.001-08:00

A tractor-trailer clipped a utility pole, veered across Route 30 and hit a house in Paradise Township, Pennsylvania on Tuesday, February 15. The truck driver was found dead in the cab of his truck.

According to witnesses and Lancaster County law enforcement, the driver may have suffered a heart attack prior to crashing into the house. He may have been slumped over his wheel before crashing through a concrete wall and transformer, which exploded. The front of the truck was heavily damaged.

A woman who was inside the house was not injured.

Although authorities are waiting on test results to see if the driver was killed in the truck accident or if he died from a medical condition, the stretch of Route 30 where the incident occurred is notorious. There have been several serious accidents over the years. The posted speed limit is 35 mph, but residents in the area say everyone drives faster than that.

Whatever the cause of this truck accident, thousands of people are seriously injured or killed every year in tractor-trailer wrecks. The sheer size makes the speed of the vehicle almost irrelevant in many cases. The woman whose house was damaged in Pennsylvania was lucky.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, please contact an experienced truck accident attorney in your area through the Accident Lawyers Network today.

Brevard County Sees Seven Auto Accident Deaths in Seven Days

2011-01-25T07:51:00.001-08:00

Since January 17, Brevard County, Florida has had six accidents with fatalities each day. Seven deaths, each day for a week. Florida Highway Patrol says every accident has been the result of driver error.

The accidents have included a tanker truck that collided with a pickup truck, resulting in an explosion, a pedestrian hit by a pickup truck, and another pickup truck that went off the interstate and crashed into a tree.

The latest auto accident involved a Toyota sedan that stopped in the right lane near Pineda Causeway and was rear ended by a box truck. The vehicle was pinned beneath the truck and the driver needed to be cut from the wreckage. Police say the driver of the Toyota could have pulled over further to the right, and it is still unclear if he ran out of gas or even had his hazard lights on when he was hit.

Since the beginning of January, there have been ten traffic accident deaths in Florida, doubling the number this time last year.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an auto accident, please contact the Accident Lawyers Network to find an experienced personal injury attorney in your area today.

Colorado State Senator Loses Appointment After Auto Accident

2011-01-11T07:55:00.001-08:00

Colorado State Senator Suzanne Williams (D-Aurora) was denied a promotion to chair the Transportation Committee because of her involvement in a fatal car accident last month in Texas. A 30-year-old pregnant woman was killed in that crash.

According to authorities, Williams was driving her Honda CR-V when she crossed into the path of oncoming traffic and hit a GMC Yukon. The pregnant victim was riding in the front passenger seat of the SUV. Williams' 41-year-old son and her two grandchildren were riding with her at the time of the accident. Her son was critically injured in that accident.

In an ironic twist, Williams has been a staunch proponent of seatbelt laws, especially for children, but none of her passengers were wearing them when the auto accident occurred. Williams alleges she can't recall the auto accident, but does have a fuzzy recollection of her son taking off his seatbelt and climbing in the back to help the children put on their pajamas.

Doctors were able to successfully deliver the victim's child, a three-pound boy. Sadly, this event will be bittersweet for the family.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident due to the negligence of another party, please contact the Accident Lawyers Network to find an experienced personal injury attorney in your area.

Three School Buses Crash in North Carolina

2010-12-21T07:39:00.001-08:00

Three school buses from Asheboro City Schools in North Carolina were involved in an accident Monday, December 20. As many as 38 eighth grade students suffered minor injuries and one was taken to the trauma unit, but that student's injury is also described as minor.

The bus accident occurred on US Highway 64 in Cary, North Carolina as the students were returning from a field trip to the North Carolina Museums of History and Natural Sciences.

According to police, the bus accident happened when one of the buses crashed into the back of another; that one then crashed into the bus in front of it. Two of the buses were unable to drive after the accident.

School bus accidents seem to occur with some frequency around the country, injuring and, in some cases, killing occupants. The federal government and state governments continue to neglect the obvious need for safety belts on buses. There are several reasons why there are not safety belts on buses, but they do protect people from being thrown around when an accident occurs.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a bus accident, please contact the Accident Lawyers Network to find an experienced personal injury attorney in your area.

North Carolina Student Struck and Killed by Car Driven by Teacher

2010-12-10T08:45:00.001-08:00

An 18-year-old was struck by a car in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina on Wednesday, December 8, as he was walking to school. He died the next day. The car was reportedly driven by a teacher at the teen's school.

Parents and others believe this was an accident that was going to happen sooner or later because there is no crosswalk where the victim and others cross to get to the school, which is right across the street. Students say the traffic in that area is "crazy." According to both parents and students, there is a small "pedestrian crossing" sign in front of the school, but it is clearly not enough. A proper crosswalk is a quarter of a mile away from the school.

The teacher who hit the student has not been charged. It may be that this is a combination of traffic speed in an area where there is no decent crossing sign, and directly across the street from a place where scores of teens will be.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a pedestrian accident, please contact the Accident Lawyers Network to find an experienced personal injury attorney in your area today.

Child Killed in Fall at Staples Center in LA

2010-11-22T12:40:00.001-08:00

An investigation is currently underway in the death of a two-year-old boy who fell from a third story box seat at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on Sudnay. The boy was allegedly taking pictures with his family in a skybox when the accident happened. A galls safety barrier is there, but varies in height. However, it is not less than several feet high at any given point.

Officials estimate the boy fell 25 to 50 feet.

According to a fire department spokesperson, the boy suffered severe head trauma. Vice president of communications at the Staples Center said witnesses saw the boy moving his arms, legs, and head when paramedics put him into an ambulance.

The boy apparently fell just minutes after the conclusion of the game where the Lakers played the Golden State Warriors.

The fall and death is being handled by the police department's juvenile division, which investigates the deaths of young children and other crimes involving children. However, there is no evidence yet that this was a crime.

If your child has been injured in a fall or you have lost a loved one and you believe it is wrongful death, please contact the Accident Lawyers Network to find an experienced personal injury attorney in your area.

34 Car Pileup in Colorado Injures 18

2010-11-16T07:49:00.001-08:00

Weather is being blamed for a 34 car pileup on the northbound lanes of a section of I-25 south of Castle Rock, Colorado Monday morning. The chain-reaction began near an exit on the highway where the grade suddenly gains about two hundred feet. Black ice caused by cold, snowy weather caused vehicles to lose control around 8:40 in the morning.

The pileup involved at least four semis and police are saying it's fortunate no one was killed. Several vehicles were caught between semis and crushed. Emergency crews had to use jaws of life to cut some of the accident victims from their cars.

One of the trucks involved in the accident was transporting race cars from the Furniture Row Racing team back from the NASCAR Spring Cup race that was held at Phoenix International Raceway. Both racecars were damaged.

Eighteen people were injured in the accident, four of them seriously. They were transferred to area hospitals.

This stretch of highway between Colorado Springs and Castle Rock is notorious for treacherous winter road conditions. Whiteout conditions are common near the Black Forest, even when snow accumulation is not a factor in the surrounding area.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an auto accident, please contact the Accident Lawyers Network to find an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.

Two Florida Teens Injured in Car vs. Bicycle Accident

2010-10-25T11:01:00.001-07:00

Two Avon Park, Florida teenagers were seriously injured last Saturday night when they were hit by a Chevy 4-door. Both teens were the same bicycle and traveling north on the shoulder of the road when they were hit from behind by the Chevy also traveling north.

According to police, one of the teens was thrown onto the road and came to rest in the center lane. The other teen was thrown onto the east shoulder of the road. The bike was lodged under the front of the Chevy. Police say it appears the teens may have crossed in front of the Chevy. Drugs and alcohol is not suspected.

Both teens were airlifted to the hospital.

When riding your bike, remember to go against the traffic so that you can see oncoming vehicles. Be sure to wear clothing that makes it easy to be seen. If you are on your bike at dawn or dusk, be aware of the limited visibility of drivers, even if you believe it should be obvious that you can be seen. Don't take chances or risks when you are on a bike. Serious injuries and death are possible if you are hit by a car.

If you or a loved one suspect injuries received in a bike accident is the result of another party's negligence, please contact the Accident Lawyers Network to find an experienced pedestrian injury lawyer in your area.

Michigan Car Accident Kills 5

2010-10-11T11:51:00.001-07:00

Five people were killed and four seriously injured when a Toyota Prius slammed head on into a Chevy Blazer on Sunday, October 10 in Michigan.

The car accident near Green Oak Township, Michigan happened around 3:30 in the afternoon. Police say the Prius carrying four people crossed the center median and hit a Blazer carrying five people. Three people were thrown from the wreckage and the others were pinned and had to be extricated.

The victims in the Prius included an 18-year-old and a 19-year-old girl. There is no information on the driver who was killed. An 18-year-old male is listed in critical condition. A 62-year-old woman and a 56-year-old man were both killed in the Blazer. Three children, ages 3, 5, and 10 were all in the Blazer and are listed in serious condition.

The four survivors were taken to the University of Michigan Hospital.

It is unknown at this time why the Prius crossed the center line. US Interstate 23 was closed for five hours while authorities were investigating.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident due to the negligence of another, please contact the Accident Lawyers Network to find an experienced personal injury attorney in your area today.

New York Van Crash Kills Six

2010-09-21T08:47:00.001-07:00

Six people were killed on Saturday, September 18, on the New York Thruway when the van they were riding in blew a tire and flipped over. There were eight survivors. All of the people in the 15-person passenger Econoline van belonged to the same church and were traveling to a church event.

According to investigators, the van's right rear tire blew causing the vehicle to go into a rumble strip. It then rolled over when it hit the grassy median. Some of the passengers were apparently ejected. All the dead were killed at the scene. Four survivors were airlifted and others were taken by ambulance.

Experts have been warning that extended passenger vans pose a risk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says these vans have the highest rollover rate of any vehicle on the road. They have made several public awareness statements regarding this fact.

The main thing that people should do is buckle up when riding in these vehicles. Also, be aware that tire maintenance is extremely important as is driver experience. Driving an extended passenger van is not like driving a vehicle, but many churches, hotels, airport shuttle services, athletic teams, farm workers, day laborers, the military, and more use them without giving this much thought. Sadly, the NHTSA says Saturday's New York vehicle accident was a text book case.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an auto accident, please contact the Accident Lawyers Network to find an experienced personal injury attorney in your area today.

New York Bus Accident Kills Four

2010-09-13T14:46:00.001-07:00

A Megabus discount double-decker bus travelling in a Syracuse, New York subdivision took a wrong turn and hit a low railroad bridge. The bus then tipped over and slid. Four people were killed and nearly 20 injured. Four of the injured were in serious condition following the Sept. 12 bus accident. It is believed that one of the passengers killed was thrown from the bus and the other three were on the top level.

Survivors say the bus accident occurred while many were sleeping. Some say they woke up when they heard the accident and felt the damage. One said she awoke after the crash to pain, glass all over the place and a woman lying across her. She alleges she could see a severed leg beneath the bus and an unconscious man hanging from the second level.

Authorities say the bus was at least a mile off its route when the bus accident occurred. According to police, the driver is in the hospital with head injuries. He missed his turn and did not know where he was. He was supposed to stop for a half hour at the Regional Transportation Center in Syracuse before making another stop in Buffalo. However, he wound up on the lakeside parkway.

There are warning signs that the bridge clearance is 10 feet nine inches. The bus was around 13 feet high.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident anywhere in the country, please contact the Accident Lawyers Network to find an experienced personal injury attorney in your area.

Heidi Montag Plastic Surgeon Killed in Malibu Auto Accident

2010-08-23T10:15:00.001-07:00

The doctor who performed ten plastic surgery procedures on "star" Heidi Montag was killed on Aug. 16 when his car went over a cliff in Malibu, California. Dr. Frank Ryan, was apparently texting just before the accident.

According to his ex-girlfriend, Charmaine Blake, Dr. Ryan lived on a tiny street up in Malibu and went over the edge of the highway. Police report he suffered blunt force head injuries.

Dr. Ryan was texting about his border collie Jill, who was in the car with him. The last thing he texted before going over the edge was a picture of his dog with a note that said, "Border collie jill surveying the view from atop the sand dune."

The dog survived the accident with injuries to her head, eye and paw.

Blake said her message to people was to learn from Dr. Ryan's death and that "people should not text and drive at all."

Texting while driving is illegal in most states, but that does not stop lots of people from doing it. Some studies report that three to five percent of fatal auto accidents are the result of the driver texting while driving.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, please contact Accident Lawyers Network to find an experienced personal injury attorney in your area.

School Bus Crash in Missouri Kills Two

2010-08-05T11:04:00.001-07:00

Two buses loaded with students from a high school marching band were involved in an accident with a tractor-trailer truck this morning. The students were being carried to an amusement park when the bus accident occurred. The spokesman from the Missouri Department of Transportation has confirmed that there were two deaths, but it is not known if the victims were on one of the school buses. Dozens of others were injured.

The bus accident occurred on Interstate 44 near Gray Summit, Missouri, over 30 miles west of St. Louis. News footage shows one of the school buses sitting atop the back end of the semi that was traveling without a trailer. The second school bus appears to have rammed into the rear of the first school bus. The students apparently appear to be in good condition, but are being examined nonetheless.

School buses are mostly safe, but accidents involving them occur every year. There are no seatbelts on school buses, though there are occasionally efforts to have them installed via state or federal law. Though the details in the Missouri bus accident are far from clear right now, it is apparent from the still shots of the wreck that the students in the first bus probably didn't stay long in their seats after the collision.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident, please contact the Accident Lawyers Network to find an experienced personal injury attorney in your area today.

Head-on Auto Accident Involving Two Brothers Kills One in Oregon

2010-07-14T15:30:00.001-07:00

Head-on Auto Accident Involving Two Brothers Kills One in Oregon

Two brothers driving in opposite directions were involved in a head-on auto accident Tuesday, July 13, just south of the Hood River in Oregon on I-35. The accident critically injured one brother and killed his wife. The other brother was treated for possible injuries, but they were not serious.

One brother driving a tow truck was headed south, while his younger brother was headed north in a 2007 Toyota Corolla. Authorities say both vehicles crossed into opposite lanes before the crash. It is believed the brother in the Corolla was not wearing his seatbelt. His wife, who was killed, was wearing hers.

There can be no doubt that seatbelts save lives. However, in an auto accident where a smaller vehicle is hit head on by a larger truck, it may not matter if there is a seatbelt or an airbag. It is an unfortunate truth that many people who take precautions, such as wearing a seatbelt and driving defensively, are the victims of auto accidents while others who are more cavalier survive.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident anywhere in the nation, please contact the Accident Lawyer's Network to find an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.

Wrong Way Vehicle Kills One in Auto Accident on I 25

2010-07-06T14:39:00.001-07:00

An allegedly drunk driver took the wrong ramp and began driving south in the north lanes of I-25 near Thornton, Colorado on July 5. She hit at least one vehicle on the Thornton Parkway and continued south until she hit a station wagon that attempted to get out of the way. A 22-year-old woman was killed in the passenger seat and her male driver injured.

A witness to the wrong-way driving called 911 as soon as he saw her. The witness said the wrong-way driver was traveling 50 to 55 mph in the lane closest to the median. She appeared to make no attempt to stop or exit the highway, even though vehicles were braking, flashing their lights, and getting out of her way.

The drunk driver who caused the accident was taken to the hospital and then booked. According to Colorado State Patrol, she was charged with vehicular homicide, two counts of vehicular assault, hit and run, DUI, driving the wrong way on a divided highway, careless driving, and failure to remain at the scene of an accident.

The victim who lost her life graduated in May from Colorado State University with a double major. The drunk driver has various traffic violations dating back ten years, but several of these were apparently dismissed.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, please contact an experienced auto accident attorney in your area today.

Train Accident Kills 12 in Spain

2010-06-24T14:35:00.001-07:00

Twelve people were killed and at least 14 seriously injured when a train hit them as they were crossing the train tracks. The group was part of a throng of people heading to the beach to celebrate an annual summer festival in Castelldefels Playa.

Authorities and witnesses say the group had just arrived from Barcelona on a commuter train. There is a tunnel to take pedestrians safely from one side of the tracks to the other, but at least 30 people either ignored the tunnel or didn't know it was there. One person near the tragedy said the door was closed, so they tried to get through the side of the train. There was no light and no one warned them that the train was coming.

The train that hit the group is a high speed train that does not stop at the crossing. It was on its way into Barcelona and was travelling around 87 miles an hour when the people were hit by the train.

The underpass has been used for years, but people regularly cross the tracks since there is usually a line of people waiting to cross under.

This seems to be a simple tragic mistake that this group of people made, but there is still some confusion. The station was remodeled last year and it may have played a part in confusing people who were not familiar with the area. There were signs telling the group where the underpass is, but some claim they did not see any signs.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a train accident, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.

Auto Hits Tree Killing Three

2010-06-21T14:17:00.001-07:00

An auto accident in Vermont on Father's Day Weekend killed three young people when their car hit a tree. According to police, the vehicle was driving around a corner just before 1:00 in St. Johnsbury when the driver lost control and hit the tree. The car landed on its side. Three people were pronounced dead at the scene, and one person survived.

The curve where the auto accident occurred was a well-known spot in the area and it had been mentioned to police before as a possible danger.

The three dead include a 21-year-old male, a 22-year-old male, and a 19-year-old female. No mention was made if drugs or alcohol played a role in the accident.

Auto accidents kill tens of thousands of people every year. Hundreds of thousands more are seriously injured. Every week there is mention in the news of an auto accident occurring when the vehicle rounds a corner and the driver loses control. These kinds of accidents are often due to excess speed, weather conditions, and driver impairment. These are also three very common causes of auto accidents.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an auto accident, please contact an experienced personal injury attorney in your area today.

Truck Rolls, Hits Man Walking Along Texas Road

2010-05-10T08:08:00.001-07:00

In an unusual and tragic accident, a man in Bexar County, Texas lost control of his pickup truck and rolled it. The truck took out a sign and a pole in the accident. Law enforcement officers called a wrecker to the scene of the accident, but the driver was not hurt. He was allowed to go home.

Several hours later, there was a report of a body outside the road 150 yards north of where the earlier rollover accident occurred. Investigators say it appears that when the pickup truck crashed, it hit a person walking down the road. The stretch of road is dark, and authorities believe it's possible the driver of the pickup either didn't see the man or realize he'd hit someone.

The driver of the pickup truck has not been charged, and may not be due to the circumstances. The identity of the dead individual has not been released. However tragic, this seems to be a case of a pedestrian in the wrong place at the wrong time.

If you or a loved one has been struck by a vehicle, please contact an experienced personal injury attorney in your area for an initial and free consultation.

Tractor Trailer Wheel Kills Interstate Worker

2010-05-04T09:59:00.000-07:00

A woman was killed recently on an interstate in Nebraska after being hit by a wheel that flew off a passing tractor trailer. The woman was working on the interstate when the tractor trailer passed by. Another worker was also injured and was taken to the hospital; at the time of this writing, he is in serious condition with head and back injuries. Although two wheels came off the trailer, the driver was unaware of the problem and continued driving. The truck driver didn’t become aware of the missing wheels even after he stopped to dump the truck’s load. Workers noticed the missing wheels as the tractor drove by and radioed the driver to pull over.

When Nebraska state troopers inspected the rig, 16 violations were found. The negligence of this driver caused the death of one and seriously injured another. Had the driver of this rig performed his job properly, a life could have been saved and the serious injuries of another could have been prevented. Even when truck accidents don't involve an actual collision, they can be deadly.

Tractor trailer/truck accidents are often serious and can result in wrongful death or a serious injury, as it did in this case. If you or someone you love has been the victim of a tractor trailer accident, please contact an experienced truck accident attorney in your area today to schedule a confidential, no-cost consultation.

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2010-04-26T15:24:00.001-07:00

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Lexus GX 460 SUV Rollover Risk

2010-04-13T07:44:00.001-07:00

Consumer Reports magazine has taken the rare step of giving the Toyota Lexus GX 460 a "Don't Buy" warning due to the risk of SUV rollover. The magazine says that while testing the performance of the luxury SUV, the vehicle slid sideways before the electronic stability control system kicked in on unusual turns. If the vehicle were to hit the curb or the side of the road, it might flip.

The magazine told the roughly 5000 owners of the Lexus to approach exit ramps with caution and to demand a fix from Toyota. Toyota says it is concerned with the Consumer Reports rating, but needs to duplicate the magazine's tests before their engineers can decide if a fix is needed.

The handling test was done on a test track. The driver in the test approaches a turn quickly and releases the accelerator pedal as a driver might do in a real-world situation. This causes the rear wheels to slide. Consumer Reports has tested 95 SUV models, and none of them has slipped as far as the Lexus.

What may be most disconcerting is that the Lexus GX 460, which costs around $52,000, met or exceeded federal government testing requirements.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an SUV rollover, please contact an experienced personal injury attorney in your area.

Denver Bus Accident Kills Two

2010-04-06T07:54:00.001-07:00

A Regional Transportation District bus ran a red light and hit two vehicles on Saturday, April 3, in Denver, killing two people and injuring a dozen others. According to reports, the bus ran the red light, T-boned a 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit and then hit a 1996 Ford truck. The truck was then pushed across the road and into a pole in front of a 7-11 convenience store.

Both the driver and passenger of the Rabbit were killed in the bus accident. The driver of the Ford truck was able to crawl out of a broken window. He is listed in serious condition. The rest of the injured were on the bus. This includes the bus driver.

The driver of the bus is a private contract worker who works for another company. This company has had three reported incidents in the last four years in which company drivers have run red lights and hit vehicles. Colorado law mandates that RTD use private companies to drive a fraction of their 1000 buses. The record for this particular company was listed as "average" with 1.4 preventable accidents per 100,000 miles.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident, please contact the Accident Lawyers Network to find an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.

Driver Asleep at Wheel Causes Arizona Auto Accident

2010-03-04T08:50:00.001-08:00

Arizona investigators say a driver who was asleep at the wheel caused a chain reaction auto accident in Phoenix on Wednesday, March 3. The accident occurred around 8:00am in an area of north Phoenix.

The accident apparently occurred when the driver of a pickup that was pulling a trailer nodded off and hit another truck. That truck then spun around and hit two other automobiles head-on. Rescuers had to extricate one of the drivers from their vehicle.

Three people were taken to area hospitals where one of them, a 32-year-old man, is listed in serious condition. The other two accident victims' injuries are not known as of this writing.

Falling asleep at the wheel of a vehicle is an entirely preventable auto accident scenario. We are used to hearing about semi truck operators who fall asleep due to their demanding and stressful schedule, but don't hear as much about other drivers falling asleep.

The fix is easy: If you are exhausted, do not drive. There are warnings and signs posted everywhere, as well as public service announcements about pulling over and getting sleep if you are on the road and tired. Common sense should also tell you when you are not able to drive. However, falling asleep while driving on a city street is not like being lulled to sleep while on a straight highway, with not a lot of stimulation to keep you awake.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident due to another party falling asleep at the wheel, please contact an experienced personal injury attorney in your area for an initial case consultation.

Auto Accident in Florida Kills One, Injures Two

2010-03-03T08:43:00.001-08:00

An auto accident between an SUV and an ambulance in Ft. Pierce, Florida on Tuesday, March 2, killed one person and injured two.

The accident occurred at an intersection where the ambulance was stopped and waiting to make a left turn. According to police, a white Nissan SUV collided with the ambulance, knocking the ambulance onto its side. The driver of the ambulance was treated and released, the medic in the passenger seat is listed in critical condition. The 63-year-old driver of the SUV was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

The posted speed limit is 45mph, but witnesses say it seemed the SUV was going twice that as it approached the intersection. One witness said the SUV didn't even slow as it hit a hump in the road, seemed to lift in the air, and hit the ambulance.

Investigators closed the road for three hours after the accident, but say the investigation into what caused it will be ongoing.

SUVs are large and heavy, and drivers do not always understand that they can do so much damage if they hit something. If the SUV in this case were to hit a smaller passenger car, there may have been more people who died.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, please contact an experienced personal injury attorney in your area for an initial case consultation.

Bus Crash in Florida Kills Two

2010-02-23T07:44:00.001-08:00

An 81-year-old Florida woman did not yield while turning onto a rural highway road and struck the side of a tour bus on Monday, Feb. 22. The bus then ran off the road and rolled ejecting several people. Two people died at the scene of the bus accident and three are listed in critical condition as of this writing. Many others were seriously injured, including the driver of the bus.

Authorities say the tour bus group was made up of people from all over the US, ranging in age from 66 to 87, who were in Florida for an educational program affiliated with South Florida Community College. They were on a tour called "Discover Old Florida." They had just visited places near Lake Placid about 30 miles from Lake Okeechobee, and were headed to a nearby hotel when the accident occurred.

Police have not filed any charges against the driver yet.

Florida is notorious for its elderly drivers, as so many older people head to Florida to retire. However, elderly drivers all across the country drive when they shouldn't. Renewal of drivers licenses is either not enforced or ignored by many. It may come as no surprise that many people see their car as a necessity for errands. Imagine how serious injuries and death might decrease in this area were elderly drivers to give up their licenses when they should with the help of expanded public transportation.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident, please contact the Accident Lawyers Network to find an experienced personal injury attorney in your area.

Tanker Truck Explodes in Long Island

2010-01-25T11:14:00.001-08:00

Early Saturday, January 23, a tanker truck delivering fuel from Brooklyn to Long Island attempted to pass a car on the Long Island Expressway. The vehicle had slowed down due to mechanical problems and was preparing to pull onto the shoulder when the tanker truck driver attempted to veer around the car, but hit it instead. The tanker rolled over and exploded, killing the driver of the tanker truck.

The driver of the car was pulled from the vehicle by a passerby. She was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries and released.

The tanker driver was described as a 50-year-old man. Kittery Transport of Maine owned the tanker.

Emergency crews reportedly struggled for three hours to put out the flames with foam. Westbound lanes of the expressway reopened in the early evening, but the eastbound lanes remained closed.

Every year, hundreds of people are injured and killed due to commercial truck accidents. While a majority of these accidents injure, maim, and kill the occupants of the smaller vehicles, truck drivers are often crushed or trapped in their rigs and die of their injuries.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, please contact the Accident Lawyers Network to find an experienced personal injury attorney in your area for an initial consultation.

Former Coney Island Strong Man Struck by Vehicle

2010-01-13T11:01:00.001-08:00

A 104-year-old former Coney Island, New York strong man was struck and killed by a minivan on Monday, January 11 while on his morning walk. The man, Joe Rollino, was crossing Bay Ridge Parkway in Brooklyn just before 7:00am when the accident occurred.

Rollino was taken to Lutheran Medical Center with fractures to his ribs, chest, face, and pelvis, as well as head trauma. He died later that day.

Rollino claimed he walked five miles every day, rain or shine. He avoided cigarettes, alcohol, and meat. At the peak of his strength, he weighed anywhere between 125 and 150 pounds and stood 5-foot-5. Some of his accomplishments include lifting 475 pounds using only his teeth, biting down on and then bending quarters with his thumb, raising 635 pounds with one finger (what he once said was his proudest moment), and moving 3200 pounds with his back.

He was not officially the world's strongest man, but pound for pound was among the strongest. He had an incredible life and was among the legends of New York City. All of this gone in one accident.

Authorities say the woman who struck Rollino was not charged and that drugs and alcohol were not factors. She was given a summons for a defective horn. Rollino was not walking in the crosswalk when he was struck.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, please contact the Accident Lawyers Network to find an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.

Car Hits Horse-drawn Holiday Wagon in Virginia

2009-12-16T07:47:00.001-08:00

Fourteen people were injured on Tuesday when the wagon they were riding in was rear-ended by a car in Stanley, Virginia. Around 20 people, adults and children, were riding in the wagon that was part of a holiday tradition on benches that had wrought-iron sides and backs.

Police say the driver who hit them was in a Ford Mustang and was not paying attention when it slammed into the wagon. The wagon driver was knocked into a yard and the Clydesdale horses pulling the wagon ran another hundred yards. The wagon hit an electric pole and the horses bolted. The wagon driver and 13 others were taken to area hospitals. The wagon driver suffered internal injuries and another woman has a compound fracture of her leg.

Police have said drugs and alcohol are not suspected at this time, but are unsure why the driver didn't see the wagon. It was equipped with reflective signs and tape, flashing lights, and holiday lights, so it should have been easy to see. This is the first time in the 20 year tradition that something like this has happened.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident or pedestrian accident, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.

Three California Men Killed in Auto Accident

2009-12-01T07:38:00.001-08:00

Three young men were killed when the car they were in skidded off the road and slammed into a tree on Sunday, November 29. The driver suffered minor injuries. California Highway Patrol believes the 2006 Subaru Impreza was speeding when the teenage driver lost control just after midnight.

A16-year-old and a 20-year-old, died at the scene. An 18-year-old died later at Sutter Roseville Medical Center.

Friends who knew the group had seen them less than an hour before the auto accident and said they were going "drifting." Drifting is intentionally putting a speeding car into a spin. This is a major part of the movie The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. These same friends, some of whom were involved in drifting, now believe it to be unsafe. At least one didn't believe anyone could die from doing something like this. However, investigators have not determined if drifting was the cause of the accident. The do know that drugs and alcohol were not causes.

The combination of an inexperienced driver, speed, and attempting to perform something seen in a movie are three indicators that will more likely than not lead to an accident. The driver may be charged with vehicular manslaughter, and this is something he'll have to live with for the rest of his life. Still, this is small compared to the families whose sons or brothers were killed.

If you have lost a loved one in an auto accident due to another's negligence, please contact an experienced personal injury attorney in your area.

Tour Bus Crash Kills Two

2009-11-19T08:54:00.001-08:00

Two people were killed and 21 injured when a casino bus overturned on the highway outside Austin, Minnesota yesterday afternoon. Two of those injured are in critical condition. The bus was returning from a casino visit in Northwoood, Iowa, and heading east when it crossed the median and westbound lanes, then left I-90 and landed in a ditch on the right side of the road.

A spokesman from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety says that the weather conditions were good at the time of the bus accident and that it is still under investigation. The driver is still in serious condition and it is unknown at this time what information can be given. However, several of the passengers have given statements to investigators.

Anytime there is a bus accident involving a tour bus or casino bus, the condition of the driver and the bus itself are taken into consideration. Was the driver asleep or under the influence? Was the driver speeding? Were they even paying attention? Were the brakes working? Was the weather or angle of the sun a factor? With so many questions to answer, it may take investigators time to find answers. This may not be comforting to the victims and their families, especially to those who died.

In the meantime, it is important that those on the bus or families of those on the bus speak to an experienced bus accident attorney in their area. An attorney can help get the compensation needed to cover medical bills or future lost earnings.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident, please contact the Accident Lawyers Network to find an experienced bus accident attorney in your area for an initial consultation.

Truck Falls of San Francisco Bay Bridge Killing Driver

2009-11-09T14:46:00.001-08:00

The new S-curve of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge has seen its share of accidents since opening Labor Day weekend. Early Monday morning, a truck driver was killed when his rig crashed through the guardrail and fell 200 feet onto Yerba Buena Island.

Witnesses report the driver was travelling at least 50 mph as he approached the S-curve. The posted speed limit is 40 mph. The driver had filled his trailer with pears just before driving toward the bridge. Authorities believe that the combination of speed and the heavy load caused the truck accident. The rig exploded sending pears everywhere.

Once again, as has happened so many times since Labor Day, the highway was closed so CHP could investigate.

In addition to lowering the speed limit from 50 mph to 40 mph, flashing lights warning drivers of the S-curve have been installed. A Caltrans spokesperson has said there is nothing wrong with the design of the highway. Rather, it's the excessive speed of drivers. "Every single accident has been the result of speed," he says.

In addition to lowering the speed limit and flashing lights, reflectors and raised bumps between lanes will alert drivers if they are drifting. Radar signs will also show drivers how fast they are going.

Since the beginning of September, there have been an estimated 42 accidents just in this one stretch of I-80. Though many of the accidents can be explained as because the driver had grown used to the straight road they travelled on hundreds of time before they were now driving in unfamiliar roads, complacency is another reason people have auto accidents. Speed limits, flashing lights, radar, and highway bumps can only go so far in protecting drivers. Changing behavior will save more lives than these solutions.

If you have been involved in an auto accident or truck accident, please contact the Accident Lawyers Network to find an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area today.

Maryland Teen Hit by Train

2009-10-12T09:00:00.001-07:00

An Amtrak train on its way from New York to Florida struck and killed a 13-year-old boy outside of Elkton, Maryland on Sunday. The boy and two of his friends were walking along the tracks Sunday afternoon.

The victim's friends had already crossed the tracks when he was hit by the train. Investigators estimate the train was traveling around 100mph at the time of the incident. It took emergency workers, police, relatives, and nearby residents 20 minutes to find the victim's body.

Though it is illegal, and obviously unsafe, to walk along train tracks, lots of people do it. The law, put in place to cut down on the number of those maimed and killed by trains, is not always enforced. Rail roadways act as a direct route into many communities. They are often safer than walking alongside highways and roads. The difference is that you have a better chance of surviving being hit by a vehicle than you do a train.

Be that as it may, pedestrian accidents involving a train are uncommon, but in some areas of the country where trains tend to rumble through communities with regularity, several accidents may occur every year. People may become complacent when they hear the whistle they've heard so many times before. Crossing the tracks seems second nature after doing it for so long, and since they've never been hurt before, why should these people give any more thought to being struck than they otherwise do?

If you have lost a loved one when they were struck by a train, please contact an experienced pedestrian accident attorney in your area today.

Boat Accident Kills Three on Long Island

2009-10-05T13:46:00.001-07:00

A 40-foot boat ran aground Sunday night on Long Island killing three people. Four others were injured. All four are listed in critical condition.

The initial investigation states the most likely cause for the boat accident is speed. Witnesses report seeing the boat "tearing across the water." The boat was travelling so fast that it flew 150 feet through the marshes before coming to rest. All the occupants of the boat were ejected. The 64-year-old driver who also owned the boat died at the scene and two others, a man and a woman died later at the hospital.

Because three people were killed, Nassau county authorities are investigating the boating accident as a crime.

Though the most common types of boating accidents are collisions with other watercraft, sinking, and slip and falls on the deck, crashing into objects on or near the shore has killed a number of boaters this year. In these cases, speed is often a contributing factor. There are rarely safety belts to keep the occupants from being thrown around and sometimes people do not wear safety vests.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident, please contact an experienced boat injury attorney in your area today.

Pit Bull Shot after Cornering Mail Carrier

2009-09-28T15:11:00.000-07:00

A Jeannette, Pennsylvania postal worker called the post office after becoming trapped on a porch with two aggressive pit bulls. The post office called the police to report the incident. Officers showed up less than a minute later and witnessed the dogs barking at the postal worker.

One of the pit bulls then charged the police who shot the dog dead. The dog's owner then began screaming and yelling at the police. The police state the situation was becoming so unstable that they were going to use their Taser on the dog's owner.

The two-year-old pit bull was not licensed and did not have its rabies shots, so the owner will be cited. The owner calmed down and spoke to local media, claiming he had no idea the dogs were outside. He got them after his home was burglarized and knows the temperament of them, especially the one that was killed, and would never have left them alone in the yard. He is unclear how the dogs got out, but suspects they escaped in "a freak accident" while he was at work.

Pit bulls are consistently the number one dog breed cited as dangerous. Many cities have banned them, while some, like Denver, are considering allowing them into city limits again. However, this has not happened with other breeds many consider dangerous, such as the Rottweiler.

Regardless of the breed, if you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area for an initial consultation.

Groom Killed in Automobile Accident Morning of Wedding

2009-09-15T15:55:00.001-07:00

A North Carolina man headed to breakfast with his groomsmen on his wedding day was killed when he was ejected from the vehicle he was riding in after it was t-boned. The 28-year-old man was riding in the backseat of his best man’s car when a 17-year-old driver ran a red light and hit them. The groom was ejected and then run over by a third vehicle. He was taken to the hospital where he later died.

North Carolina media reports that guests arriving at the wedding had no idea the groom had been killed in an auto accident until the minister told them. The wedding became a memorial service where the bride-to-be spoke to the audience.

The 17-year-old driver was charged with a red light violation and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. Authorities have not determined if the groom was wearing his seatbelt before he was ejected.

While the news story does not elaborate on whether the teen driver was alone in the vehicle when he ran the light, this is yet another example of a reason for the push for graduated drivers licensing. The more teens are involved in accidents like this, the more the public will want safety measures in place to keep teens from being dangers on the road. However, if the groom was not wearing his seatbelt and may have avoided ejection by wearing it, then this is another sad story of why you should always wear a seatbelt, even if you are in the backseat.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an automobile accident, please contact an experienced auto accident attorney in your area.

Boston Area Man Hit by Car while Out Walking

2009-08-21T15:31:00.001-07:00

A car fatally hit a Boston man out for an early morning walk on Saturday, August 15 while he was attempting to cross a street. The accident happened at about six in the morning. Police are still investigating the man who was responsible.

According to the police report, the man driving the car during the accident traveled onto the sidewalk and struck the pedestrian. After suffering serious injuries, the man was taken to a local Boston Hospital where he later died.

Pedestrian accidents are serious events, which is why you should do everything in your power to avoid them. If you are going for a walk, make sure you wear reflective clothing so drivers can see, stay as far away from the edge of the road as possible, and choose times during the middle of the day to go for a walk so that drivers can see you more easily.

If you’ve been involved in a pedestrian accident, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries through a personal injury lawsuit. A personal injury lawyer can help you hold the person responsible for your pedestrian accident injuries so you can recover damages to pay for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages.

Please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer near you today to schedule your initial consultation.

Michigan Accidents Injure One and Leave Another Dead

2009-08-19T15:29:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, two different accidents left one husband mourning the loss of his wife, and another man nursing serious injuries in a Michigan hospital. The first accident was a fatal motorcycle accident while the second man was injured during an ATV accident

The motorcycle accident occurred as a man and his wife were riding their motorcycles on a northbound highway in Michigan when the wife lost control. The motorcycle turned over onto its side, throwing the woman to the ground and sideswiping the her husband’s motorcycle. Although the woman was wearing a helmet during the motorcycle accident, she was badly injured and died as a result of her injuries.

The second Michigan accident involved two men and an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV). Reports of the ATV accident say that the two grown men were riding the ATV at the same time until it rolled over. One of the men suffered an injured spleen and fractured shoulder. The other died.

Accidents such as these are difficult for families to handle, which is why an experienced personal injury can help. In the time following accidents, personal injury lawyers can help determine if another party or factor caused the injuries and they can hold those parties responsible.

If you’ve been injured in any type of accident, please contact one of the experienced personal injury lawyers near you to schedule an initial consultation and determine if you can recover compensation for your injuries.

Woman Dies in Boating Accident

2009-07-17T07:39:00.000-07:00

A Canadian woman was killed after being struck by a Sea-Doo during a late night boat ride. The wrongful death is still under investigation by police, but they suspect alcohol may have been a factor in the boating accident.

The woman was standing on the back of the boat when the Sea-Doo came up from behind and hit her. The other passenger on the boat was also hit by the jet-ski, but was released from the hospital after only suffering minor injuries.

The operator of the Sea-Doo apparently lost control of the jet-ski and the personal watercraft went airborne when he fell off and hit the woman in the boat. Initially the man was believed to be lost at sea, but later turned himself into authorities.

The accident report says that the jet-ski came out of nowhere and she had little chance of avoiding it. The woman and her friend were in the ocean for a late-night boat ride; police are unsure what the man was doing on the jet-ski that night.

Boating accidents such as this can be hard on any family, which is why a wrongful death attorney can be a huge help. A wrongful death attorney will find who is liable for the boating accident and help you get compensation for your injuries. If you have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another party, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.

Illinois Man Killed in SUV Rollover Accident

2009-07-15T07:38:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, July 11, 2009 a 35-year-old man was driving his 1991 Suburban when he swerved to avoid another car and was involved in an SUV rollover accident. The man was taken to the hospital, but was pronounced dead when he arrived.

The police investigating the Illinois rollover accident say that a 1998 Cadillac Deville was parked partially on the road facing the wrong direction. When the man driving the Suburban came around a corner, he saw the Cadillac and swerved to avoid hitting it. While the Suburban avoided the head-on auto accident, the driver lost control of the vehicle and it rolled over.

When the SUV rolled, the driver was partially ejected from the vehicle and was fatally injured. The driver of the Cadillac that was in the road said they had parked there to get their mail. Police are still looking into whether the SUV rollover was caused by drunk driving or drugs.

An SUV rollover accident such as this could be hard to handle without the assistance of an accident lawyer. An SUV rollover lawyer could help determine if the accident was caused by a product defect with the Suburban, or if the driver of the Cadillac is responsible for the accident.

If you have been injured in an SUV rollover accident, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries. Please contact an experienced accident lawyer to schedule an initial case evaluation.

Construction Accident Lawsuit Filed After Wrongful Death

2009-07-14T07:37:00.000-07:00

In January 2009, a Las Vegas, Nevada man was killed after his pickup truck crashed into a construction vehicle a 4 a.m. The victim turned onto a road and hit the large piece of equipment. According to a lawsuit filed by the victim’s family, the Caterpillar scraper the man hit weighed over 100,000 pounds and that it had no reflective materials.

The construction accident lawsuit is holding the city of Henderson, Nevada, the sub-contractor, the construction company, resort, and resort builder responsible for the wrongful death. The lawsuit is holding these parties responsible because the road is owned by the city, and the auto accident occurred because of a lack of safety on the part of the construction project or because they were negligent in implementing their safety plan.

The lawsuit says that in addition to not having any reflective materials, there were no signs, lights, people, or barriers to warn drivers that there was construction in the area or that a huge machine was blocking the road.

Negligent construction companies like this deserve to be held responsible for the wrongful deaths they cause. If they had implemented a safety plan correctly, the man’s family would not be dealing with his death. If you have lost a loved one in a construction accident, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.

Two Injured In New York Boating Accident

2009-07-10T15:47:00.000-07:00

During the Fourth of July holiday, thousands of people go to local lakes and beaches to enjoy the sun and the water. Unfortunately for some, the holiday weekend can end in pain and suffering when accidents occur. For one New York man, the fun ended on July 5, 2009 when he was sent to the hospital with broken ribs after a boating accident.

The man was allegedly racing another jet ski operator around a slalom course they did not have a permit to setup. During the race, the man’s jet ski spun out of control and the man was hit by the other jet ski operator.

Both men were cited for reckless operation of watercraft. It is unknown if alcohol played any part in the accident.

Boating accidents can be very dangerous because people think that drinking and operating watercraft is perfectly acceptable. There are also no restrictions for people who want to operate watercraft without floatation devices. Many boating accident victims are knocked unconscious during their accidents and then drown in the water.

If you or your loved one has been injured in a boating accident, you can recover compensation for your injuries with a boating accident lawsuit. Please contact an experienced boating accident lawyer today to schedule an initial claim evaluation.

13 Injured in Florida Bus/Truck Accident

2009-07-08T15:47:00.000-07:00

On Monday July 6, 2009, 13 people were injured when a man driving a pickup collided with a Florida bus. The bus accident occurred when the driver of a pickup truck failed to stop at a red light, smashing into the bus, injuring multiple people.

While most of the injuries were minor, the driver of the bus, one bus passenger, and the driver of the pickup truck were seriously injured. At the moment, the man driving the pickup truck has been cited for not stopping at the red light. Fortunately, police have determined that this is not a drunk driving accident.

Bus accidents such as this are very difficult to handle, for the 12 people injured by the driver of the pickup truck, injuries could prevent them from working, and medical bills can pile up into thousands of dollars worth of debt. With an experienced personal injury attorney, the victims of the bus accident can file lawsuits holding the driver of the pickup responsible for their injuries.

Through their bus accident lawsuits, they could recover compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Negligent drivers like the one who caused this auto accident deserve to be held responsible for their actions, and a personal injury lawsuit will help you recover from all your injuries.

If you’ve been injured in a bus, car, or even pedestrian accident, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer near you today to schedule a free claim evaluation.

Man Dies in Tennessee Construction Accident

2009-07-07T15:45:00.000-07:00

With all the new attention car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and other types of accidents receive, many people forget that simply working on construction sites can put people in harm’s way. On July 6, 2009, two men suffered serious injuries after a concrete form collapsed and buried them.

The men were working on an expansion of a Tennessee sewage treatment plant when the construction accident occurred. According to witnesses, the men were pouring a wall that was nearly 30 feet high when the form of the wall collapsed. The cement contents of the form spilled and buried the victims.

Co-workers who saw the accident happen pulled both of the victims from the cement as soon as possible using rappelling equipment and baskets. One man was freed almost immediately while the other was buried for about ten minutes. Both of the men suffered critical injuries and were airlifted to a local hospital.

One of the two men died from the injuries he suffered and the other remains in critical condition.

A wrongful death like this can take a serious toll on the family, which is why an experienced construction accident attorney should be retained for help with the matter.

If you or a loved one has been injured or has died on the job and you need to recover compensation for the accident, please contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible to schedule your free consultation.

Wisconsin Car-Bicycle Accident Leaves One Dead

2009-07-02T14:30:00.000-07:00

In the evening of June 26, a vehicle struck a man riding his bicycle in Madison, Wisconsin. Police are still working to determine the cause of the bicycle accident, but there is no indication that the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Many bicycle accidents occur because bicyclists are unfamiliar with the rules of the road they should be following. Riding on sidewalks, riding on the wrong side of the road, and riding without reflectors or lights may all be illegal depending on the state and city you are riding in.

At the same time, drivers fail to see bicyclists while changing lanes, running red lights, or even rear-end them at stop signs. Since there can be a lot of blaming other parties after bicycle accident, a bicycle accident attorney is essential for anyone who wants to receive compensation for their injuries.

A Bicycle accident attorney will work with police and insurance companies to find out exactly who was at fault for your injuries. They will take your lawsuit to court and fight for you so that you can recover completely from all the injuries you’ve suffered.

If you’ve been hurt in a bicycle accident, please contact an experienced bicycle accident attorney near you to schedule your initial case evaluation.

Florida Teacher Killed in Boating Accident

2009-07-01T14:27:00.000-07:00

The summer months send thousands of people flocking to local lakes and coastlines so they can get out on the water and enjoy time on their boats, jet skis, or other watercraft. For many families, however, boating accidents can turn deadly and leave the surviving family members dealing with a wrongful death.

According to reports, a teacher drowned on June 25, 2009 after being taken over a dam on a river while riding on a raft. The passengers on the raft were allegedly drinking alcohol and having fun until the small accident turned deadly. While everyone was reportedly wearing a floatation device, the recirculating water at the base of the dam kept the victim under for too long and she drowned.

Alcohol plays a huge part in many boating accidents because people feel like driving a boat isn’t as difficult as a car and there are fewer rules. The fact is boating accidents can be just as serious as auto accidents. Recently, the number of alcohol-related boating accidents has been on the rise.

Boating accidents are very difficult to handle without the guidance of an experienced boating accident lawyer. An attorney will help determine who is at fault for the accident so that the surviving family members of the victim can recover compensation for their losses.

If you’ve been involved in a boating accident, you could recover compensation, but you first have to contact an experienced boating accident lawyer in your area today to schedule an initial consultation.

Nine People Killed and 76 Injured in Washington, D.C. Metro Train Accident

2009-06-29T14:23:00.000-07:00

It’s been a week since a commuter train in Washington, D.C. collided into the back of another parked train on the Metro line. The train accident left nine families suffering from the wrongful deaths of their loved ones and 76 other people suffered injuries from the train accident.

The Washington, D.C. train accident happed on the Metro system’s red line, which is the busiest line in Washington, D.C. due to running the length of the Maryland border. According to reports, one train stopped short on the tracks when it was smashed from behind by another train. It is still unclear why the second train could not stop, but authorities are looking at computer malfunctions and not the train operator’s actions.

Nearby witnesses say that the train accident was so loud and severe it sounded like thunder. Passengers on the train were thrown against other seats, people, windows, and walls giving them serious injuries. Investigators are already saying that the train accident is the worst in Washington, D.C.’s history.

Metro accidents such as this are very complex events because there are numerous victims and people who could be held responsible for the injuries. If you or one of your family members has been injured in a train accident, please contact an experienced train accident attorney near you to find out if you can recover compensation for your injuries.

Two People Die in Vehicle Accident in Hawaii

2009-06-26T15:23:00.000-07:00

A three-vehicle auto accident occurred in Kauai, Hawaii last week leaving two dead and one injured. The police report states that the commercial truck accident was caused by a motorcycle accident.

Apparently, the driver of the motorcycle lost control, and fell off his motorcycle. The motorcycle, which was lying in the middle of the roadway, caused the driver of the commercial truck to swerve, hitting a passenger car next to it, and pushing both vehicles into a ditch on the side of the road.

The large truck then flipped over onto its roof, killing the driver instantly. The driver of the passenger car also died. There is no word as to what caused the motorcycle accident to occur in the first place, setting the chain of events into motion.

This complicated form of traffic accident with multiple injuries and wrongful deaths is a clear example of why an experienced auto accident attorney is essential. In this case, there may be a few possible parties who could responsible for the accident. In addition to this, there are different insurance companies involved who could deny coverage or compensation.

If you have been involved in an auto accident caused by another party’s negligence, you could recover compensation. To learn more about your potential auto accident lawsuit, please contact an experienced auto accident attorney near your to schedule an initial case evaluation.

Rollover Accident Leaves One Texas Man Dead

2009-06-24T15:21:00.000-07:00

The witnesses of a truck rollover accident say that the victim of a rollover accident in Texas could have been saved if he was driving his truck appropriately. Witnesses believe that the 30-year-old man was racing his pickup truck against another down the highway when he lost control of the vehicle and it rolled over.

When witnesses of the accident came upon the wrecked vehicle, the other pickup truck driver was already at the scene of the accident. The driver told them no one was inside the truck and then sped off. Witnesses didn’t believe the man and went to the truck to find the victim severely injured.

Although witnesses attempted to get the rollover accident victim help in time, he died while waiting for paramedics. Witnesses also think that the two trucks were racing or doing something else illegal, which cased the rollover accident.

Many people choose to purchase SUVs and pickup trucks because of their large engines and cargo capacity, but the vehicles can be unsafe. Trucks and SUVs are more prone to rollovers than passenger cars, and people can suffer very serious injuries or wrongful death when they lose control of the vehicles.

If you have been injured after a truck or SUV rollover accident, you may be able to recover compensation. Please contact one of the experienced personal injury attorneys in your area to schedule a case evaluation and find out if someone is responsible for your injuries.

Industrial Accident in Lakeville, Minnesota Kills One

2009-06-23T15:14:00.000-07:00

A 49-year-old Minnesota man has died from operating industrial equipment on June 21, 2009. The victim was working at a local Stone and Soil company when he fell into an auger and was killed instantly.

The police report states that the man was working on feeding mulch into a hopper for the auger when the auger became jammed. While investigating the clogged auger, the man fell into the machine. At the moment it is unknown whether or not it was the auger or an unsafe workplace caused the death

Workplace accidents occur all the time and they don’t always result in such tragedies. For many accident victims, traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and other injuries can lead to huge medical bills and even loss of work.

When you are injured while at work, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your injuries. This can help you pay for medical bills and cover any wages lost while you recover.

If your workplace is denying you’re the money you need after being injured at work, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against them to gain the compensation you need. For families who have lost a loved one from a workplace accident, a wrongful death lawsuit can help cover medical and funeral costs.

Please contact an experienced personal injury attorney in your area today to find out if you can gain the compensation you need.

Dump Truck Driver Loses Control and Hits Multiple Vehicles

2009-06-19T07:28:00.000-07:00

A Massachusetts dump truck driver lost control of the commercial truck he was driving at on June 13. The driver was a 74-year-old man who is also the owner of the dump truck.

The police report says that the older driver of the dump truck was driving through Cohasset, Massachusetts when he lost control of the dump truck. The man then went onto the sidewalk and hit a large trash container before swerving into oncoming traffic and colliding with an SUV and three parked cars.

At the moment, the truck accident is under investigation by the Cohasset Police. The police are looking into possible mechanical failures that could have caused the accident; no citations have been issued until the police know how the accident happened. In order to help them find out what exactly happened, an accident reconstruction specialist was brought in to help them find the cause of the accident and determine how so much property was damaged.

In a very lucky aspect of the truck accident, no pedestrians were injured when the truck went onto the sidewalk and then smashed the parked cars. The driver of SUV was also uninjured after the truck accident.

Truck accidents can cause incredibly serious car and bodily damage. If you or your loved one has been injured by a truck accident, please contact an experienced truck accident attorney to schedule an initial case evaluation.

Teen Slips and Dies in Freak Kentucky Lake Accident

2009-06-17T07:20:00.000-07:00

While on a family trip to Lake Cumberland, a 17-year-old high school slipped, hit his head on a dock, and then fell under water. The slip and fall accident gave the boy such a severe hit to the head that we was unconscious when he went underwater, drowning before his family or witnesses could save him.

According to the surviving family, the boy took a small aluminum boat to get ice for the rest of the family. After returning with the ice, he went to a nearby slip. While exiting the boat, he slipped, hitting his head on a concrete portion of the dock, knocking him unconscious. He then sank in the lake.

Although his father jumped into the water to save him, the water was too deep, and the boy fell to the bottom of the lake, more than thirty feet below the surface. Rescuers later recovered his body.

At the moment, it is unclear if the dock was defective or if anyone beside the boy is at fault for the accident, but if the family were to pursue a slip and fall claim, they should obtain a personal injury attorney.

Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common ways people injure themselves in the United States. Slip and fall accidents can occur because of dangerous property, construction defects, or even wet surfaces that are unmarked.

If you or your loved one has suffered injuries from a slip and fall accident, please contact an experienced slip and fall attorney as soon as possible to schedule a free case evaluation.

Florida Street Racers Kill Pedestrian in Hit and Run

2009-06-16T07:42:00.000-07:00

A car full of street racers in Florida hit a pedestrian, killing the 18-year-old. The police say that a large group of street racing enthusiasts were crowding around waiting for a race early in the morning on June 15. When the police arrived on the scene, large groups of street racers began to flee the scene.

Witnesses say that one car, filled with four men hit the victim, causing his body fly and slide 70 feet before coming to a stop. After killing the pedestrian, the car fled the scene. The car that was involved in the pedestrian accident was apparently a silver or grey Acura.

Racing high performance cars is something many young men and women take part in, but it is illegal. As a result, when law enforcement officials arrive on the scene of a street race, many of the racers try to flee to avoid fines and tickets. The street racers involved in this pedestrian accident deserve to be held accountable for their illegal actions. In addition to pedestrian accidents, street racing can cause motorcycle accidents, car accidents, and property damage.

If your loved one has been injured as a result of a street racing accident, you may be able to recover compensation for their injuries. Please contact an experienced pedestrian accident attorney to help you get compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and even lost wages.

Victim of Construction Accident Dies at Walmart

2009-06-12T08:44:00.000-07:00

An HVAC construction worker died in a construction accident at a Kansas Walmart on June 4, 2009. According to the accident report, the man fell off a ladder and hit the concrete floor with his head. No one saw the actual construction accident occur, but the man was found bleeding from the head on the floor.

The HVAC worker was working for a subcontractor for the Walmart and was applying sealant to the ceiling of the building when he fell from the ladder. As soon as coworkers found the man on the floor they rushed him to the hospital, but it was too late, and the man pronounced dead upon arrival.

The hospital staff reported to authorities that the man died from severe brain injuries after the fall off the ladder. In situations like this, a construction accident attorney is essential. As more evidence is discovered, the family may find out that another party is liable for the wrongful death of their loved one.

With an experienced wrongful death attorney, you can recover compensation for your loved ones death, medical bills, and even lost wages. Please contact an experienced wrongful death attorney in your area today to schedule your initial consultation.

Hawaii Pedestrian Killed after Bus Accident

2009-06-10T08:43:00.000-07:00

In the early morning on June 8, 2009 a Honolulu, Hawaii woman died after being involved in a school bus accident. The woman was crossing the street when the school bus hit her and killed her at the scene.

Police have not said if children were on the bus at the time of the pedestrian accident, but the intersection had to be closed to thru traffic. The bus driver is in his 30s, and there is no information about his past driving experience.

Pedestrian accidents involving a wrongful death like this involve many different parties and can be very difficult to handle without an experienced pedestrian accident attorney. Your pedestrian accident attorney will work with insurance companies, hospitals and authorities to determine who is at fault for the accident.

With accidents like this, the bus driver, school that hired the bus driver, or the bus mechanic could be at fault for the pedestrian accident. With a pedestrian accident lawsuit, you can recover compensation for injuries you or a loved one has suffered.

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident, please contact an experienced accident attorney today to schedule an initial consultation.

Jeff Hanson Found Dead In St. Paul, Minnesota

2009-06-09T15:06:00.001-07:00

Jeff Hanson, singer and songwriter, was found dead in his home on June 5, 2009 in St. Paul, Minnesota. The musician was 31 years old. Family members say that Jeff has never had any problems with substance abuse, so the idea of a drug overdose is essentially out of the question.

At the moment, the family and authorities believe that Hanson suffered a serious injury from some sort of home accident. According to reports from the family, Hanson was preparing to have his mother and father over to see his new home. When the family arrived, the rising singer was found dead. Jeff Hanson’s sister believes he died from a fall in the concrete-floored apartment.

Some of the most common accidents that injure people at home include slip and fall accidents and dangerous product accidents. Many people don’t realize how drastic slip and fall and other home accidents can be. Although in this case, the result of the slip and fall was death, other slip and fall injuries can include spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and neck injuries.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a slip and fall accident at a business or someone’s home, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries. Please contact an experienced slip and fall attorney near you to find out if you have a valid slip and fall lawsuit.

Pennsylvania Pedestrian Accident Send Two to the Hospital

2009-06-05T08:20:00.000-07:00

Early this week, a Western Pennsylvania woman was across the street with her two children when a motorcycle struck her. The motorcycle accident caused the woman and the motorcyclist to suffer serious injuries. They were both taken to the hospital

Police in the area are still investigating the motorcycle/pedestrian accident to determine the cause of the collision. At the moment, the individual with the most severe injuries is the motorcycle rider who is fighting for their life. There is no word yet on whether or not the motorcyclist was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident or not.

Motorcycle accidents are often very serious for several reasons:

• Lack of Safety Devices – Motorcycles don’t have the protective frame or airbags that cars have, leaving riders exposed to outside forces and injuries.

• Higher Speeds – Motorcycle riders often ride faster than cars, giving them less time to react to road conditions and hazards. This may be the case in this motorcycle accident.

• Lack of Experience – As soon as riders learn how to drive a motorcycle, they often purchase bigger, faster, heavier bikes that are above their experience level.

In most situations where a pedestrian is injured in a car accident, bus accident, or motorcycle accident, the fault is that of the driver of the vehicle. Sometimes, however, pedestrians can be at fault if they jump into traffic.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a pedestrian accident, either driving a vehicle or getting hit by a vehicle, compensation for injuries may be recovered. To learn more about pedestrian accident, please contact an experienced pedestrian accident attorney in your area to schedule an initial consultation.

Post Offices Ask Local Residents to Help Prevent Dog Bites

2009-06-03T08:18:00.000-07:00

It’s a common joke on television and in movies that dogs don’t like letter carriers, but the sad fact is dog bites injure thousands of post office employees every year. Post offices all over the country are requesting aid from dog owners so that letter carriers are not injured as much this year.

The most recent dog bite statistics show that 3,100 letter carriers from the post office were bitten in 2008. These bites were serious enough to report them to the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration to receive workers’ compensation. With that in mind, there are probably thousands of other incidents all over the country that go unnoticed.

These dog bite statistics show that on average, letter carriers are bitten about ten times per day across the nation. That is just one occupation; in the United States, over 4.5 million people suffer dog bites every year. Around 33 people are killed every year in ferocious dog bite attacks. Texas is the state with the highest number of dog bite wrongful deaths. In 2007, seven people died from dog bites.

Dog bites occur because dogs are protective in nature and when they are surprised or feel like their owners are in danger, they attack. Postal carriers request that families keep their dogs restrained when the mail is delivered and that children do not collect mail in the presence of the family dog because dogs can be more protective of them.

If a dog has attacked you or your loved one, or if your family member has been killed in a vicious dog attack, you may be able to recover compensation for injuries suffered. Please contact an experienced dog bite attorney in your area today to schedule an initial consultation.

New Hampshire Motorcyclist Collides with State Trooper Police Car

2009-06-02T15:54:00.000-07:00

A New Hampshire motorcyclist ran into the police car of a state trooper IN New Hampshire seriously injuring the rider. According to witness and police reports, the state trooper was making a U-turn to attend to a broken down car when the motorcycle accident happened.

The man driving the Yamaha motorcycle was in the middle of holiday weekend traffic, heading home. The state trooper was apparently attempting to make a U-turn in the middle of the road to work with some other drivers when the man collided with the police car.

The motorcycle rider hit the driver-side rear quarter panel of the police car and then tumbled down the road after the collision. The man had suffered serious injuries to his abdomen and was flown to a Maine hospital to be treated. At this time, police are still investigating the accident to find out who was at fault and what exactly happened.

This type of motorcycle accident shows that police officers and state troopers are not exempt from being involved in, or even causing, motorcycle accident and car accidents. While on the road, police are held to the same rules, if not more strict rules, as other drivers. However, motorcyclists need to remember that they are harder to see due to the size of their motorcycles. Don’t assume you will be seen by everyone on the road.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, you may be able to recover compensation for injuries suffered. Please contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney today to schedule an initial consultation.

Boston-Area Man Dies in Elevator Accident

2009-05-26T07:24:00.000-07:00

A tragic elevator accident in Boston, Massachusetts, killed a man who was working on a freight elevator. The accident occurred when the elevator fell on the man after he had apparently rigged it to stay in the air while he performed some kind of maintenance.

According to the police report, the elevator accident happened at about 4:10 p.m. in a warehouse at State Garden Inc. The warehouse is used to hold produce. The man who was attempting to perform maintenance on the elevator does not work for an elevator company, but was working on the machine anyway.

At the moment the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as well as the district attorney’s office are investigating the workplace accident. While this victim was killed in the elevator accident, there are many other elevator accidents that happen all over the country where people suffer serious and life-altering injuries.

If you or one of your loved ones has been involved in an elevator accident, you deserve to recover compensation for injuries, loss of work, medical bills, and pain and suffering. To help you with your elevator accident claim, please contact an experienced elevator or workplace accident attorney to help you identify areas of compensation.

Tourists Die in California Bus Accident

2009-05-15T16:38:00.000-07:00

A bus accident in California recently involved a tourist bus with 36 passengers on board. The bus was about 100 miles southeast of San Francisco, California on U.S. 101 when it overturned on an overpass, ejecting four passengers and killing at least five.

At the moment it is believed that the bus is the only vehicle involved in the bus accident. The bus crashed into the guardrail on the overpass, tipping onto its side and injuring dozens.

If you’ve been involved in a bus accident, you may be able to recover damages for your injuries. Injuries from a bus accident can be very serious, some of the most common injuries people suffer include:

• Broken Necks
• Broken Arms
• Broken Legs
• Head Injuries

Bus accidents are very difficult to handle without the help of an experienced bus accident attorney. Injuries from a bus accident can change your life forever, and you deserve to recover what you can from those responsible for the bus accident.

To learn more about bus accidents and to find out if you will be able to recover damages for your injures, please contact the Accident Lawyers Network today to schedule an initial consultation with a bus accident attorney near you.

Man Dies in Construction Accident

2009-05-12T16:37:00.000-07:00

In Calgary, Alberta, a man was killed when metal forms shifted, slipped, and fell on him. Other workers at the building said they could feel the entire building shake when the construction accident occurred.

Unfortunately, construction accidents occur all the time whether the construction site is a house, building, or office, being injured on the job can be terrible. If you’ve ever been injured in a construction accident, it’s important that you contact an experienced construction accident lawyer.

Construction accidents can be very confusing. Often times, construction accident cases involve worker’s compensation, medical history, employment background, and even wrongful death. Since construction accident cases can be so difficult to handle, meeting with an experienced construction accident lawyer is the best thing to do if you’ve been injured.

In addition to construction accidents, people can be injured as a result of many other accidents while at work, including slip and fall accidents, elevator accidents, and pedestrian accidents.

If you or a loved one has been injured after a construction accident or any other kind of accident, please contact the Accident Lawyers Network today to schedule a free initial construction accident consultation.

Tips for Avoiding Motorcycle Accidents

2009-05-11T15:32:00.000-07:00

Unlike passengers in car accidents who have airbags and the frame of the vehicle to protect them in case of an accident; a motorcyclist is completely vulnerable if they are involved in an accident. Some of the ways motorcycle riders can do to avoid motorcycle accidents include:

· Wait at least 15 minutes after rain – If it’s been raining outside recently, the moisture can draw out oil and other liquids in the pavement left behind by cars. When this occurs, the roads can become very slick and riding can be dangerous. By waiting for a few minutes after it rains, you can make sure the roads are dryer and your ride is safer.

· Stay out of blindspots – While this can be impossible sometimes, staying away from the blindspots around other cars will make sure cars see you. Many motorcycle accidents are caused when drivers fail to take small motorcycles into account when driving.

· Wear bright clothing – Again, wearing brighter clothes or clothing with reflective strips will help you stay visible.

If you’ve suffered an injury after being involved in a motorcycle accident, it’s important that you contact the Accident Lawyers Network to schedule an initial consultation with a motorcycle accident lawyer in your area.

Tips for Avoiding Motorcycle Accidents

2009-05-10T16:36:00.000-07:00

As the summer months approach, there are going to be more and more people hitting the roads on their motorcycles. With more riders getting onto the roads every year, the number of motorcycle accidents also rises. If you are a motorcyclist, paying attention and avoiding a motorcycle accident is the most important things you can do.

Unlike passengers in car accidents who have airbags and the frame of the vehicle to protect them in case of an accident; a motorcyclist is completely vulnerable if they are involved in an accident. Some of the ways motorcycle riders can do to avoid motorcycle accidents include:

• Wait at least 15 minutes after rain – If it’s been raining outside recently, the moisture can draw out oil and other liquids in the pavement left behind by cars. When this occurs, the roads can become very slick and riding can be dangerous. By waiting for a few minutes after it rains, you can make sure the roads are dryer and your ride is safer.

• Stay out of blindspots – While this can be impossible sometimes, staying away from the blindspots around other cars will make sure cars see you. Many motorcycle accidents are caused when drivers fail to take small motorcycles into account when driving.

• Wear bright clothing – Again, wearing brighter clothes or clothing with reflective strips will help you stay visible.

If you’ve suffered an injury after being involved in a motorcycle accident, it’s important that you contact the Accident Lawyers Network to schedule an initial consultation with a motorcycle accident lawyer in your area.

Wisconsin Traffic Deaths Down

2009-05-09T15:30:00.000-07:00

Not only are traffic fatalities down in Wisconsin, they’re at their lowest level since World War II. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Bureau of Transportation Safety reported an 11 percent drop this year compared to the same time frame for last year. As of April 2009, 135 people have been killed in traffic accidents, compared to 151 in April 2008. Forty-two people were killed in the month of April; though this may seem like a lot, it is the fourth safest April in over 60 years.

However, every silver lining has a touch of grey, as they say. Motorcycle accident deaths are on the rise. Three motorcycle deaths were reported as of April 2008, but there have been ten as of this April. There are several factors that could be the reason for this: gas prices are still high in many areas so more people are riding motorcycles, motorcyclists refusal to wear helmets, and warmer weather bringing out more inexperienced riders. Because May is Motorcycle Awareness Month in Wisconsin, as it is in most parts of the country, the Bureau of Transportation Safety is reminding motorcyclists about safety.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.

Motorcyclist Hits Turkey in New York

2009-05-06T13:37:00.001-07:00

Of all the road hazards we learn about when we get our driver’s license, turkeys are not usually mentioned as a danger. Of course, it probably depends on the location; for most of us, moose and bears are not a problem, but they can be in Alaska. So, take the wildlife of Palermo, New York as yet another cautionary tale.

State police there say a 22-year-old man was injured when he collided with a turkey while travelling down Route 3. Technically, the turkey hit the motorcycle when it flew into the path of the rider. The man lost control of his motorcycle and slid off the road. Fortunately, his injuries are not life threatening. There is no word on the turkey.

The wild turkey can grow to nearly 20 pounds, be almost four feet in length, and has a wingspan between four and five feet. Hitting one of these on a motorcycle doesn’t seem like such a small thing when you consider this. On a related note, this is further proof that the efforts to reintroduce the wild turkey in areas where it was overhunted have been successful. They now roam over most of the US and into Canada and Mexico.

If you are ever injured in a motorcycle accident when you hit a large game bird, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. Though you may not get anything from the turkey, an attorney can help you with any insurance claims you may have to file or other issues that come up.

Tour Bus Crashes in California

2009-05-04T13:34:00.000-07:00

Less than a week after a tour bus accident in California killed five people, another tour bus has crashed. The most recent bus accident occurred in Southern California on Saturday after the bus hit a freeway divider south of Los Angeles near the town of Perris.

All 25 people aboard the tour bus were injured. Six passengers sitting at the back of the bus were trapped and needed to be extracted by emergency personnel. Eight of the 25 are in critical condition and the other 20 had moderate injuries. The accident shut down the highway for hours.

The cause of the accident is under investigation. However, authorities have said the travelers are from the town of Colton and had gone to San Diego for a Cinco de Mayo festival. They were returning home at the time of the accident.

Both this accident and the accident in Soledad, California last week are only similar in that they were both tour buses. It is unknown if these accidents were the result of driver error, mechanical malfunction, or something else.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.

Olympic Sprinter Involved in Jamaica Car Crash

2009-05-01T15:12:00.001-07:00

Bolt won the 100 and 200 meter sprint and was part of the Jamaican 4x100 relay team, which won the gold at the Beijing Olympics.

A combination of weather conditions and speed causes thousands of accidents a year across the country. However, while we remain focused on things at home, other nations have accident statistics that can be just as startling as those here, and they are caused by the same things as they are in the US. Put a man behind the wheel of a vehicle, and he’ll inevitably crash it at some point in his life.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.

Olympic Sprinter Involved in Jamaica Car Crash

2009-04-30T13:29:00.000-07:00

Usain Bolt, a champion Jamaican Olympic sprinter, was involved in an auto accident in Kingston, Jamaica on Wednesday. Jamaica police say Bolt was speeding on a wet highway when he lost control of his BMW M3 and went off the road. Though the vehicle was heavily damaged, neither Bolt nor his female passenger was seriously injured. However, they were both taken to a Spanish Town hospital to be checked out by doctors.

Bolt won the 100 and 200 meter sprint and was part of the Jamaican 4x100 relay team, which won the gold at the Beijing Olympics.

A combination of weather conditions and speed causes thousands of accidents a year across the country. However, while we remain focused on things at home, other nations have accident statistics that can be just as startling as those here, and they are caused by the same things as they are in the US. Put a man behind the wheel of a vehicle, and he’ll inevitably crash it at some point in his life.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.

Pittsburgh Woman Attacked by Two Pit Bulls

2009-04-29T16:05:00.001-07:00

As the debate continues over whether pit bulls are simply bad seeds, or their owners are simply irresponsible comes another story of an attack. This time, a woman walking down a street in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her beagle-terrier mix was set upon by two pit bulls. The woman has said the pit bulls went after her dog, named Lassie. The woman was also injured, suffering cuts and bruises to her arms as she clung to Lassie during the attack.

The woman said she had no time to react and that the pit bulls jumped her and Lassie so fast that she couldn’t get away. She claims the pit bulls would have ripped Lassie apart had she not been there. Neighbors came to the rescue and took the owner and Lassie to a vet, but the dog died of its injuries.

It is unclear how the two pit bulls got out, but their owner said he was already thinking of getting rid of them because his wife is pregnant. Turns out he worried about his child’s safety around the pit bulls.

Perhaps it is because pit bull attacks are so publicized that we find out more about them than attacks by Labradors or Dalmatians. However, while many pit bull owners or owners of “dangerous breeds” claim their pet would never hurt another person or animal, we all know that what these breeds are capable off if they attack someone or someone’s pet.

If you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.

Four Die when Car Crashes through Dutch Crowd

2009-04-28T13:32:00.000-07:00

A car slammed into a crowd gathered to watch the Netherlands’ Queen Beatrix and her family at a holiday parade today. Four people were killed and 13 were injured. Eight of those injured are in serious condition. The crowd was lined up five and six deep as the royal family passed in a bus on their way to the Het Loo palace for the Queen’s Day holiday.

Dutch police say this doesn’t appear to be an accident, but was a deliberate act. The 38-year-old driver was injured. After crashing into a monument only a few yards from the queen and her family, he was quickly removed from the vehicle and put into an ambulance. He was reportedly slumped over his seat and bleeding when approached by authorities.

The crash was caught on camera and shows many people flying through the air before they hit the pavement. Other photos show several people on the ground and being worked on by bystanders, authorities, emergency crews, and military personnel.

Festivities that had been planned around the country were either cancelled or scaled back in response to the tragedy. Police believe this was the actions of a lone individual and not a terrorist event, but shows just how much a small country is affected when one person’s actions have a public viewing. Of course, in the US, this kind of thing often just seems par for the course and rarely gets front page treatment.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a vehicle, please contact an attorney with experience in car versus pedestrian accidents in your area.

New Jersey Turnpike Crash Kills Five

2009-04-27T09:31:00.000-07:00

An accident involving ten vehicles killed five people on the New Jersey Turnpike over the weekend. Several other people are reported to have been injured.

According to police, the accident involved nine cars and a tractor-trailer in the southbound lanes near the suburbs of Philadelphia. All five people killed were in one vehicle. It is believed the vehicle they were in was stopped in the right hand southbound lane when it was hit by the tractor-trailer. It was sent to the center lane and caused several other vehicles to crash. The five people, all in their 70s, were trapped in the car when it burst into flames.

Three other people in another car were seriously injured. One was taken by helicopter to a hospital in critical condition.

The New Jersey Turnpike, one of the nation’s busiest highways, was closed for hours.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation and the driver of the tractor-trailer was given a blood test. This is standard when there is a fatal accident.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, please contact an experienced injury lawyer in your area.

Car Salesman’s Family Awarded Millions in Wrongful Death Suit

2009-04-24T15:29:00.000-07:00

The family of a BMW salesman who was killed during a test drive was awarded $13.7 million by a Cook County, Illinois jury this week. The 2004 auto accident occurred as the result of the driver flooring the pedal of the BMW 530i to 95 mph, and losing control. The car, which was traveling twice as fast as the posted speed limit allowed, hit a vehicle turning into a church parking lot and then hit a light pole. The BMW burst into flames. The driver and his two friends who were sitting in the back survived. The 22-year-old salesman sitting in the front seat did not.

The wrongful death suit’s verdict came after a weeklong trial. The driver’s attorney said that the salesman contributed to his own death by violating company policy and letting the driver outside of an established test-drive route, as well as encouraging the driver to speed. There is no word on an appeal. The driver was also cited for driving 40 mph over the speed limit. Though the defense team sees it this way, an attorney representing the salesman’s family who lost their only son, says this “went way past negligence.”

If you have lost a loved one due to the recklessness or negligence of another, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.

Five Children Die in Texas Auto Accident

2009-04-22T15:47:00.000-07:00

The body of a four-year-old girl was pulled from a bayou tributary on Tuesday, three days after the car she was in plunged into water in Texas. Four other children were also killed and their bodies recovered on Saturday and early Sunday.

Authorities say that eight people were in a car when it left the road near Bush Intercontinental Airport. An adult passenger in the vehicle says that the driver, and father of three of the dead children, reached for his cell phone and lost control. In addition to the two adults, a ten-year-old girl was able to escape.

The tributary was swollen from recent rainstorms and crews began searching a mile downstream from the automobile accident, but the vehicle was found not far from where it went into the water.

The driver failed a sobriety test and was taken into custody. He is facing four charges of intoxication manslaughter, and will likely be charged with a fifth count. Prosecutors are waiting on tests to find out if he had drugs in his system.

In addition to the four-year-old girl, the dead include a one-year-old girl, a three-year-old girl, and three boys, ages four, six, and seven.

If you have lost a child in an automobile accident, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.

Auto Accident Kills Two in Kentucky

2009-04-20T15:45:00.000-07:00

A four vehicle accident near Louisville, Kentucky injured four and killed two people late last week. An adult and a 16-month-old girl were both killed, and three children between the ages of one and nine-years-old were taken to the hospital.

The auto accident occurred when a northbound vehicle hit an SUV that was in the center turn lane. The vehicle then hit a southbound car. Authorities say two other vehicles then somehow became involved in the accident. The driver of the northbound vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene. The toddler reportedly suffered a traumatic brain injury and died.

Many people are killed and injured every year due to a vehicle turning in front of them. Whether the vehicle turned suddenly, or another vehicle was speeding or didn’t otherwise see the turning vehicle, the end result is the same: an auto accident that could have been avoided.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, please contact an experienced injury lawyer in your area.

Two Teens Killed by Amtrak Train

2009-04-15T08:53:00.000-07:00

Two teens standing on the tracks were struck and killed Tuesday night by an Amtrak train near Woodland, Washington. The teens were standing on the northbound tracks as a freight train passed by on the southbound set of tracks. It is believed the teens couldn’t hear the approaching passenger train because of the sound of the freight train when the accident occurred.

A woman living near the tracks said she heard the train blowing a warning that was “blaring a lot longer and a lot more often.” She didn’t know it was a warning to get people off the track. The Amtrak was traveling between 75 and 79 mph when it hit the teens. Around 50 trains use the rail lines in that area every day.

The area where the two teens were hit is private property owned by the railroad and that pedestrians are forbidden from being on the tracks.

Trains hit and kill pedestrians more often than many think. Almost all of them are believed to have not been able to hear the train approaching for different reasons. However, if you believe the death of a loved one was the result of negligence on the part of the train operator or railroad company, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.

Florida Boat Accident Kills Five

2009-04-13T15:08:00.000-07:00

A boat accident Sunday evening killed five and injured at least seven people on the Intracoastal Waterway in Jacksonville, Florida. Authorities say the 22-foot boat was carrying between 12 and 14 people when it hit a tugboat that was tied to a dock under construction at a home along the waterway.

The victims are all in their 20s, but beyond asking who they are, the authorities would also like to know why there were 14 people on a 22-foot boat, were they wearing life vests, was alcohol involved, and how fast was the boat going when it hit the tugboat.

Florida has more registered recreation vessels than any other state, nearly 987,000 of them. They have over a million registered vessels total. In 2007, there were just under 668 accidents reported. This number has been virtually stagnant for the last few years. However, this may also be due to a change in the way boating accidents are reported in 2003. Instead of requiring a report if the damage exceeds $500, the damage must now exceed $2000. So, perhaps it isn’t that accidents are getting fewer; it’s that more accidents do not meet this threshold.

Boating accidents occur many times a year all over the country. While boats are obviously different in many ways from other vehicles, the same kinds of things cause accidents. Speed, alcohol, level of experience, and more contribute to all accidents investigated equally.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.

Rookie MLB Pitcher Killed in California Auto Accident

2009-04-09T14:18:00.000-07:00

Just hours after pitching six scoreless innings in his first start of the season for the Los Angeles Angels, rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed in an auto accident in Fullerton, California. The accident also killed two other men and sent a fourth to the hospital in critical condition.

The accident occurred just after midnight on April 9 at an intersection. Witnesses say a red minivan ran a red light and struck two vehicles. A grey Mitsubishi carrying Adenhart and three others then slammed into a power pole. Two of the four in the vehicle died at the scene, and one died later at the hospital. A passenger in the minivan was treated for minor injuries, but the driver left the scene on foot.

The 22-year-old minivan driver was arrested a short time later now faces charges of manslaughter, felony driving under the influence, and hit-and-fun.

Auto accidents kill and maim hundreds of thousands of people a year. Drunken driving accidents certainly add numbers to these grim statistics. Yet it’s the standouts, like Nick Adenhart, that make the news when tragedy hits. This does not mean your auto accident is any less meaningful and if you are injured or lose a loved one, you may be able to seek compensation.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident due to the negligence of another party, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.

Truck Driver Arrested for Causing Accident while Texting

2009-04-08T09:51:00.000-07:00

Seven months ago, a semi truck hit a school bus in Florida. The accident caused the school bus to burst into flames, injured 11 and killed one 13-year-old student. The truck had rear ended the school bus, trapping the student in the flames. Passersby could do nothing to get her out in time to save her.

Now, seven months later, the 30-year-old driver of the truck has turned himself into the Florida Highway Patrol. He admits that just before the crash he had been texting on his cell phone. He has been charged with vehicular homicide and reckless driving with serious bodily injury in Marion County. There are no charges regarding the text messaging while driving.

Many states have made it illegal to send or receive text messages on the cell phone while driving in response to accidents that were caused by such an activity. Other states have banned speaking on the cell phone at all, unless you have a hands free device.

Though many states, including Florida, do not have a law regarding texting while driving, the evidence shows that it is a dangerous activity, which should be obvious to anyone. Anyone who has their license has been told in driving classes that it only takes a second for something to go wrong on the road. Taking your eyes off the road for longer than this can get others, or you, killed. Unfortunately, the 13-year-old girl killed in this accident will never find out what driving classes are like.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.

Tour Bus Crash in California Kills One

2009-04-06T15:25:00.000-07:00

A resort employee shuttle bus crashed in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains 20 miles outside of Reno, killing one and injuring 27 others. One was listed in critical condition and six were listed in serious condition.

California State Patrol said the bus veered to the right then hit the guardrail. The bus then rolled more than once. The driver sustained serious injuries, and some of the 30 people aboard the bus were ejected. Most of those injured suffered bruises, broken bones, or head injuries.

The bus is operated by the Resort at Squaw Creek. It was transporting employees on a run it makes daily between Reno and the resort. According to a resort spokesperson, the driver has a good record and the bus has no mechanical problems.

Because most buses do not have seatbelts, when accidents like this occur, occupants are thrown around like rag dolls. Ejections are common and deadly in many cases. Though there has been some discussion at the national level about installing seatbelts on school buses, not much has been said about other kinds of buses.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.

2005 Wrongful Death Suit Comes to Close

2009-04-03T15:11:00.000-07:00

A Wausau, Wisconsin wrongful death suit involving a young student who was run over by a school bus is drawing to a close. In December 2005, a mother watched as her 13-year-old son tried to flag down his school bus he was trying to catch. He waved his hands and yelled, but the bus driver apparently did not see him, and the boy was run over as the bus rounded the corner. He died later that day of his injuries.

The boy’s parents filed a wrongful death suit against the bus company, which was scheduled to go to trial this past March. However, the court ordered the two parties to try to settle out of court. The family has settled for $1.2 million.

The boy’s mother says that the money was never the issue, but they wanted the bus company to accept responsibility, and that they want people to know that her son did not slip and fall beneath the bus. She believes her son would still be alive had the bus driver checked his mirrors, or if the bus stop was further from the corner than it was.

A spokesperson for the bus company says that one of their regulations stipulates their buses stop no less than 100 feet from a corner, but that was not the case when the boy was killed. Because of this, one thing that has been looked into is whether the bus driver was looking around for traffic at the intersection rather than noticing the boy as he ran toward the bus.

If your child has been hit by a school bus, please contact an experienced personal injury attorney in your area.

Student Struck by Train in Arkansas

2009-04-02T13:47:00.000-07:00

A 21-year-old University of Arkansas student who was struck by a freight train early last Thursday morning is still clinging to life in critical condition. It is believed he was following the train tracks back to his fraternity house after leaving a bar. Authorities and the train’s engineer believe the man may have passed out or fallen asleep on the tracks.

The train saw the man on the tracks, tried to alert him by blowing the whistle, but ultimately ran over him. It takes trains almost a mile for them to come to a complete stop. The man was found beneath the train’s third engine by authorities just after 2:00am. They had to back the train up to get to the victim.
The man, a junior kinesiology student, lost his left hand at the wrist and is suffering severe head and body trauma.

Though accidents like this do not happen very often, there has been a rash of them across the country lately. Authorities have once again had to tell the public that it is against the law to walk on or even near train tracks. You should also be able to listen for oncoming trains, and not wear headphones with music playing too loud. You should also not attempt to circumvent gates that have come down across roads, or try to beat the train by crossing the tracks.

If you or a loved one has been injured when hit by a train, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.

Fast Moving Storm Kills 3 on Front Range

2009-03-31T11:24:00.001-07:00

A spring snowstorm just in time for Monday morning's commute is being blamed for numerous auto accidents along Colorado's Front Range. There was an 18 car pileup, a school bus crash, and at least three deaths. Though there wasn't much accumulation in the Denver area, the roads were slick enough to hamper driving on all major roads and highways.

The Colorado State Patrol said the three reported deaths occurred in three separate accidents. In two of the three accidents, the drivers lost control of their vehicles and crossed into oncoming traffic. The third fatality occurred when the driver slid into a ditch.

Other accidents reported include a pileup on I-70 near Strasburg, Colorado. State Patrol has said that was caused by one car, which had stopped to help a stranded driver, and was then hit by a truck. One person was critically injured.

The 18 vehicle pileup involved four tractor-trailers and several passenger vehicles. Only minor injuries were reported.

While many states had an extremely dry winter, including Colorado, and spring is officially here, snow and freezing temperatures are still a hazard for those who have to drive to work every day. Colorado just had a foot of snow dumped on it last week, which melted quickly over the weekend. The Monday morning snowstorm may have caught many off guard after a storm of that size.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.

Arkansas Joining States with Seatbelt Laws in June

2009-03-30T09:33:00.001-07:00

It might be hard to contemplate that some states don't have primary seatbelt laws given their track record for saving lives. A primary seatbelt law means the driver of the vehicle can be pulled over simply because they were not wearing a seatbelt. As of today, there are 27 states and a number of territories with primary seat belt laws, and 22 with secondary seat belt laws. Secondary seat belt laws mean that the driver can be ticketed if occupants are not wearing seat belts, but must have been pulled over for another infraction.

Arkansas is the latest of the states to join the primary seat belt law majority. Beginning at the end of June, drivers will now be pulled over if they are observed driving without wearing seatbelts. However, many states seem to have joined this trend in order to receive federal money as part of a highway grant. For example, Kansas may lose out on $11.2 million if they do not pass a seatbelt law by the end of June. However, New Hampshire has no primary or secondary law. Incidentally, New Hampshire is also one of four states without a helmet law for motorcycles.

It is estimated that in states with the primary seatbelt law, drivers wear their seatbelts 88 percent of the time. In those states without a primary law, drivers wear their seatbelts only 75 percent of the time. Nationwide, it has been estimated that 82 percent of drivers wear their seatbelts, no matter what the law is.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has said that in 76 percent of fatal auto accidents, the occupants were totally ejected from the vehicle.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.

Kansas City, Missouri Police Officer Hit by Car

2009-03-30T08:45:00.001-07:00

A police officer is in serious condition after being hit by a car Sunday morning in Kansas City, Missouri. Authorities have said the female officer was helping a driver who had lost control on I-470 when another vehicle spun out and struck her.

The injured police officer is being treated for head injuries.

According to one KCPD officer, traffic enforcement and control on the highways is one of the most dangerous parts of the job. Because the officers are so close to vehicles going very fast, injuries received in the event of a pedestrian accident are very serious.

Police have also said the stretch of I-470 where the officer was struck is accident prone. This accident is being blamed on slick roads, and this part of the highway is elevated and tends to become icier than other parts of the road. This was just one accident that slowed traffic on I-470 Sunday morning.

If you or a loved one has been struck by an automobile and seriously injured, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.