Jim Gagliardi, 71, was seriously injured in a Fresno area car accident, which police say, was caused by a driver who failed to yield right-of-way. According to a news report in The Fresno Bee, the serious injury accident occurred on Highway 41 in Madera County the night of November 16, 2010.
Gagliardi was driving a GMC southbound on the highway when a Jeep turned in front of him to enter a private driveway. Gagliardi suffered major injuries in the car accident. He had to be rescued from his vehicle and was transported to an area hospital. It is unclear at this time if the 18-year-old driver of the Jeep, Maxwell Gross, will be cited for the car accident. An investigation is ongoing.
My thoughts and prayers are with Jim Gagliardi following this Madera County car accident. I wish him the very best for a complete and speedy recovery from his injuries.
Car Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 21 people were killed and 464 sustained personal injuries as a result of car accidents in the unincorporated areas of Madera County. During the same year, there were 32 fatalities and 626 injuries reported due to Madera County car accidents.
Right-of-Way Issues
Based on this news report, it appears that the young driver of the Jeep failed to yield right-of-way to oncoming traffic before making a left hand turn into a private driveway. California Vehicle Code Section 21801 (a) states: "The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left or to complete a U-turn upon a highway, or to turn left into public or private property, or an alley, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to the approaching vehicles until the left turn or U-turn can be made with reasonable safety."
Liability Issues
If the teen driver is determined to have been at fault in this case, he could be held liable for Gagliardi's injuries. Injured victims in such cases could seek compensation for medical expenses, loss of earnings, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. It would be in the best interest of an injured car accident victim to contact an experienced Fresno personal injury lawyer who will better advise them about their legal rights and options.
Seriously injured in a Fresno 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 Madera County car accident. Call 800-561-4887. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.
Call a BISNAR | CHASE Fresno personal injury lawyer 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.
What are some of the precautions you take as a motorist before making a turn?
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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