Driver cited in connection with 5-vehicle accident in Dallas

A 30-year-old Texas man has been cited for failing to control the speed of his vehicle and for not having proof of insurance after his 2007 Ford F-350 caused a multi-vehicle accident. As the driver traveled west at a high speed, authorities said, his truck hit a westbound Nissan Armada, initiating a chain-reaction collision that ultimately involved five vehicles. The Nissan, in turn, stuck a Dodge Ram also traveling west, and the Dodge truck then hit a 2012 Ford F-350 in the westbound lanes. Meanwhile, the Nissan crossed into eastbound traffic and was hit by another Dodge Ram that was traveling east. This Dodge truck rolled multiple times as a result of the impact with the Nissan, also striking the 2012 F-350.

Although several individuals were affected by the incident, only the driver and passenger of the eastbound Dodge truck were transported to local medical facilities for care along with the 30-year-old driver thought to be responsible for the incident. Their injuries were not deemed life-threatening, and the men have since been released from the hospital. A family, including four children, occupied the Nissan, and all reportedly escaped injury in the auto accident.

According to officials, the driver of the speeding truck has been cited but not arrested. A recent announcement by local officers indicated intentions to arrest more individuals involved in reckless driving incidents. However, officers investigating this case indicate that none of the witnesses reported reckless driving on the part of the individual cited in the case. Texas laws do not provide for arrest for speeding. Reckless driving in Texas is the operation of a vehicle with willful disregard for the safety of individuals or property.

While the driver in this case hasn"t been arrested, his actions have caused a great deal of damage and stress for others involved. Those injured may face unexpected medical costs as well as loss of work because of the automobile accident. An attorney assisting an injured plaintiff in such a case could examine accident investigation results and the responsible driver"s previous driving record to paint a picture of negligence to prove liability in a personal injury suit.

Source: OA Online, "Man cited with failure to control speed after five-vehicle accident," Audris Ponce, March 20, 2014

Motorcycle crash kills California man

According to the California Highway Patrol, an accident between a motorcycle and a pickup truck resulted in the death of a 63-year-old Cottonwood man. The fatal motorcycle accident occurred in Happy Valley on the night of March 24.

A driver in a Ford F-350 was headed westbound at an undetermined speed on Palm Avenue when he attempted to turn left into a residential driveway. The truck allegedly turned into the pathway of an oncoming motorcycle, causing the collision. The rider was thrown from his motorcycle, according to officers with the CHP.

The driver was reported by police to be under the influence of alcohol when the collision occurred. Officers took him into custody on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and driving under the influence causing injury. Police will be requesting the charges to be filed by the Shasta County District Attorney"s office as their investigation progresses.

The accident described in this article can be fairly common as drivers can sometimes have a difficult time judging an oncoming vehicle"s distance when making a left turn. Motorcycles have a smaller profile than motor vehicles, which makes their distance more difficult to judge. Lastly, impaired drivers have slower reaction times than non-impaired drivers. These factors can increase the odds for a serious accident.

If the police report concludes that the driver was intoxicated at the time of a fatal accident, the victim"s family may have substantial grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver. A personal injury lawyer might assess the accident report and answer questions regarding California personal injury law.

Many lawsuits can be resolved out of court through negotiation with the at-fault driver and his or her insurer. However, there are some instances in which a case may move into the litigation phase in civil court. This can happen when an insurer repeatedly denies a legitimate claim or is not willing to pay a fair settlement. It may also be necessary to litigate the case in civil court if the plaintiffs want to pursue exemplary damages.

Source: The Redding Record-Searchlight, "UPDATED: One dead in Happy Valley car vs. motorcycle crash," March 24, 2014

Pennsylvania woman killed in 2-car accident

According to police, a Lancaster woman was killed in a two-car collision that took place on the night of March 13 in East Lampeter Township in Lancaster County. The accident took place about 8:20 p.m. in the 1800 block of Old Philadelphia Pike near Chateau Hill.

A driver reportedly crossed into the path of a 1978 Chevrolet Caprice after hitting the right curb at the intersection and struck the vehicle almost head-on. The Caprice"s driver was taken to Lancaster General Hospital where she was pronounced dead. Police say that a passenger in the Caprice suffered severe injuries and was transported to the hospital where he was listed in serious condition.

The driver of the car that struck the Caprice suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the same hospital for treatment. At the time of the report, law enforcement officers were continuing to investigate the accident and sought information from the public.

It may be several weeks before investigators complete the accident investigation and report. Law enforcement officials may perform an accident reconstruction for accidents involving fatalities and critical injuries. The reconstruction might answer questions such as whether speed or alcohol were factors in the accident. In addition, the reconstruction may help officials determine whether a particular area of the road or intersection may be dangerous or has contributed to an accident.

The family of an accident victim seek compensation from an at-fault driver. The state or county might also be requested to pay compensation if the accident was at least partially caused by unsafe road conditions. A personal injury lawyer might interpret an accident report and determine the family’s eligibility for filing a claim according to Pennsylvania statutes. Additionally, the lawyer may work with the at-fault driver"s insurance company to negotiate an acceptable settlement. If the insurer will not pay a fair settlement or denies the plaintiff"s claim, the lawyer might file a request for a trial in civil court.

Source: ABC 27-WHTM, "Woman dies after 2-car crash in East Lampeter," Myles Snyder, March 14, 2014