Stephen Gilbert, 42 and Ronald Johnson, 41, were injured in a Butte County car accident, which police say, involved a distracted driver. According to a news report in The Chico Enterprise-Record, the three-vehicle car accident occurred on Highway 99 near Chico the night of February 7, 2011. A 2001 Chrysler 300, driven by 24-year-old Caitlin Miller, veered into oncoming traffic where it collided with a 2006 Dodge Ram pickup, driven by Gilbert and a 1994 Lexus driven by Johnson. Witnesses have reported that they saw Miller talking on her cell phone shortly before the accident. All three drivers suffered moderate injuries. An investigation is ongoing.
My thoughts and prayers are with the injured victims of this car accident. I wish them all a complete and speedy recovery.
Car Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 26 people were killed and 401 were injured as a result of car accidents in the unincorporated areas of Butte County. During that same year, there were 30 fatalities and 761 injuries reported due to Butte County car accidents.
The Dangers of Distracted Driving
According to California Highway Patrol's statistics, the number of citations issued for hand-held cell phones has increased in California - from 7,779 in July 2008 to 12,761 in July 2009. Since the hand-held law became effective, CHP officials have issued a total of 173,616 citations for violations. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), all forms of distracted driving caused 515,000 personal injuries and 5,870 fatalities in 2008, nationally.
California law prohibits drivers from texting or using a handheld cell phone while driving. According to California Vehicle Code Section 23123 (a): "A person shall not drive a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone unless that telephone is specifically designed and configured to allow hands-free listening and talking, and is used in that manner while driving."
Liability Issues
Victims of negligent and distracted drivers may pursue compensation for the injuries they have suffered by filing a personal injury claim. At-fault drivers may be held civilly liable for losses including medical bills, time away from work, physical pain and mental anguish. An experienced California personal injury lawyer will be able to better advise injured victims of distracted drivers about their legal rights and options.
Seriously injured in a California car accident? Want to know if you have a case? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation for your injuries? Want justice? Want to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to someone else?
Call your best friends in the legal industry after a Butte County car accident. Call 800-561-4887. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.
Call a BISNAR | CHASE California personal injury attorney for a free professional evaluation of your case by attorneys who have represented over 6,000 clients since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a friendly law firm in a comfortable environment.
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