A car accident in Merced the evening of June 7, 2010 claimed the life of 69-year-old Liane Gertrud Hocking, 69, the Merced Sun-Star reports. Officials say Hocking was driving her car north on Bert Crane Road when she stopped at a stop sign at the intersection of Atwater Jordan Road. When she pulled out of the intersection her car collided with a pickup truck driven by Carlos Eduardo Vieira. Hocking was taken to an area trauma center where she was pronounced dead. Vieira was not injured in the crash. California Highway Patrol officials are looking into the cause of the accident.
My heart goes out to everybody who knew and loved Liane Gertrud Hocking for their devastating loss. They will be in my prayers.
The Law Relating to Stop Signs
California law requires drivers to come to a complete stop at a stop sign and proceed with caution. According to California Vehicle Code section 21802 (a): "The driver of any vehicle approaching a stop sign at the entrance to, or within, an intersection shall stop as required by Section 22450. The driver shall then yield the right-of-way to any vehicles which have approached from another highway, or which are approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to those vehicles until he or she can proceed with reasonable safety."
Dangerous Intersection?
At-fault motorists could be held liable in such cases for any personal injuries or fatalities that result. It is also important here, to look into whether there was a dangerous condition on the roadway. Some of the commenters to the news report, who are area residents, have responded in the newspaper's website saying that this is a dangerous intersection for drivers because it is tough for the driver stopping at the stop sign at Bert Crane Road to see vehicles that are passing by on Atwater Jordan Road. Some others are also saying that vehicles that are passing by the intersection on Atwater Jordan tend to travel at a high rate of speed.
If this accident was caused by a dangerous intersection, then the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could be held liable. Under the provisions of California Government Code section 835 a public entity is liable because of a condition of public property when the injured person proves that there was a dangerous condition on the public property at the time of injury; that the injury was caused by the dangerous condition and that the public entity had constructive notice of the dangerous condition.
Any claim against a California governmental agency must be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury. An experienced California personal injury lawyer will be able to advise victims and their families about their legal rights and options.
What do you believe causes a majority of street intersection accidents?
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.
