Brothers Ruedi Keller and Matthias Keller sustained critical injuries in a San Francisco car accident after a 21-year-old driver rear-ended them on Highway 280 near 19th Avenue. According to a news report in the Marin Independent Journal the accident occurred the morning of December 19, 2009 as the brothers were returning home to Marin County from San Francisco International Airport. James Hunt, the driver of the car that rear-ended them, died at the scene. Authorities are performing chemical tests in order to determine whether Hunt was driving while intoxicated. The Keller brothers were not at-fault for this accident, police have determined.
My heart goes out to the Keller family that is dealing with two injured victims who are currently comatose and in critical condition. I hope and pray that Ruedi and Matthias Keller make it through these critical injuries and recover completely. Please keep them in your prayers.
San Francisco Car Accidents
According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 51 deaths and 3,632 injuries were reported in San Francisco as a result of car accidents. Also, 13 fatalities and 282 injuries were caused by alcohol-related car accidents in San Francisco during the same year.
Car Accident Liability Issues
Based on this news report, officials are saying that they saw no signs of alcohol or drug use, but have not ruled that out as a factor in this accident. A blood sample taken from Hunt is being analyzed. The driver, Hunt, seems to have been traveling at an unsafe speed before he rear-ended the car with the two brothers. Initial reports described this as a head-on collision, but later news reports confirmed that it in fact, was a rear-end collision.
Negligent and reckless drivers can be held liable for the injuries or deaths they have caused. However, in this case, the suspect -- the man who apparently caused this tragic car crash -- has himself died. In such incidents, the injured victims may be able to sue the estate of the deceased person to claim damages, and also seek compensation from the victim's liability insurance. An experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyer will be able to advise victims and their families about their legal rights and options.
The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.
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