Madera County Car Crash Injures Two
Madera County Car Crash Injures Two
A pregnant woman and a Madera County Sheriff's deputy sustained injuries in a car accident the evening of August 16, 2010. CBS News reports that the collision happened at the intersection of Dorstan Drive and Road 222. Madera County Sheriff's Deputy Homar Puga was responding to an emergency call when he collided with a car driven by Cameron Taylor. Officials say Taylor was making a left turn when he was struck by Puga's police cruiser which was going in the same direction. Puga sustained major injuries while Taylor's girlfriend, Melissa Skallerud, who was seven months pregnant escaped with minor injuries. An investigation is ongoing.
I'm relieved to hear that Skallerud and her baby were unharmed. I pray for Deputy Puga's speedy and complete recovery. Please keep these injured victims in your prayers.
Car Accidents
There were 32 fatalities and 626 injuries involving car accidents in Madera County as a whole in 2008, according to California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In the unincorporated areas of Madera County, 21 people died and 464 sustained personal injuries as a result of car accidents.
Who was at Fault?
This news report does not clearly state who was at fault here. In fact, law enforcement officials are still looking into who or what caused this accident. We know Puga was on the way to an emergency call, but it is not clear if he had lights or sirens on. It is also not clear whether Taylor failed to yield to an emergency vehicle
According to California Vehicle Code section 21806, when emergency vehicles with lights and/or sirens approach, "the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to the right-hand edge or curb of the highway, clear of any intersection, and thereupon shall stop and remain stopped until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed." However, police and other emergency vehicles are also required to follow protocols and policies set by their own department and the state of California.
Liability Issues
In such cases, injured victims would be well-advised to contact an experienced Fresno personal injury lawyer who will explain their legal rights and options. If the police officer was at fault, both he and his employer, could be held liable for the injuries caused to the woman. If the other driver caused the crash, then the injured officer can claim compensation from the at-fault driver in addition to claiming worker's compensation benefits because he was on-the-job at the time. Under California Government Code section 911.2, any personal injury claim against a governmental agency must be filed within 180 days of the incident.
What precautions do you take when you encounter emergency vehicles on the roadway?
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.
