A man was killed in a San Bernardino car accident after his vehicle was struck by a driver who crossed double yellow lines to pass another car. According to a news report in The Press Enterprise, the fatal car accident occurred the afternoon of November 15, 2009 on Highway 95 near Needles. The driver of a Dodge Charger pulled into the oncoming lane to pass another vehicle, but ended up hitting a 1988 Chevy pickup truck. The driver of the Chevy pickup was killed in the head-on collision. His name has not yet been released. California Highway Patrol is investigating this fatal car accident.
I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of this car accident victim. Please keep them in your prayers.
San Bernardino Car Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 16 injuries were reported in Needles, California, as a result of car accidents. In San Bernardino County as a whole, 308 people died and 9,920 were injured in 2007 due to car accidents.
California law prohibits motorists from passing other vehicles by crossing solid and continuous double yellow lines. California Vehicle Code Section 21460 states: "When double parallel solid lines are in place, no person driving a vehicle shall drive to the left thereof, except as permitted in this section."
If the details of this news report are accurate, it seems to me that the driver of the Dodge Charger is at fault for attempting to make an unsafe pass on the two-lane desert highway. In this particular case, I trust CHP officials are looking into whether the driver of the Dodge was impaired or operating recklessly at the time.
Contacting an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
If that was the case, the driver could be held both civilly and criminally responsible for the victim's death. In cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased car accident victims may file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation to cover medical/funeral expenses, lost earnings and other related damages.
In any car accident that results in serious injury or death, it is in the victim's or their family's best interest to consult with an experienced California personal injury attorney, who can determine whether there was negligence or wrongdoing involved. A skilled attorney will make sure that the negligent parties are held accountable and obtain just compensation for the family of the victim.
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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