A car accident in Hesperia has left three drivers injured, the Victorville Daily Press reports. The head-on collision occurred the morning of May 26, 2010 on Highway 395. San Bernardino County sheriff's officials say that the collision happened when the driver of a 2009 Ford pickup truck became distracted and swerved into opposing lanes of traffic, striking a Lincoln Town Car and seriously injuring the driver. Another car, a Kia, attempted to avoid the earlier pileup and went off the roadway, almost falling into an aqueduct. Only a few remaining strands of barbed fencing wire stopped that car from going into the water. The Kia's driver sustained injuries as well.
I hope none of these victims sustained any catastrophic injuries. I pray that all recover quickly and completely. They will definitely be in my prayers.
Distracted Driving
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), all forms of distracted driving caused 515,000 injuries and 5,870 fatalities in 2008, nationally. The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) reports that 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes involve some form of driver distraction.
In most cases, the institute says, the distraction occurred within three seconds before the car accident. The most common causes of distracted driving are cell phone use, texting, reaching for an object inside the car, looking at something outside, reading and applying makeup.
Liability Issues
If the driver of the Ford truck is determined to have caused this crash, then he could be held liable for the accident and the injuries. In such cases, injured victims could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, physical therapy and other related damages. It would be in the best interests of victims to contact a reputed California personal injury lawyer, who will advise them about their legal rights and options. A knowledgeable injury lawyer will also be able to advise victims about how their car insurance policy will apply to a case where the at-fault motorist is uninsured or underinsured.
What are some of the steps you would take to avoid any type of distraction while driving?
None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.
