One person was killed and two others, all from Los Angeles, were injured in a Fresno car accident after their van crashed on the Interstate 5, the morning of July 27, 2010. According to a news report in The Fresno Bee, the accident, which happened near Coalinga, injured the driver, Jimmy Sanpakit, 68, of Arleta, and another passenger, Kuangrudee Kla-harn, 71, of Van Nuys. Their van was northbound on the freeway, close to Highway 145, when a tread separated from one of the tires. The driver lost control of the vehicle. A 68-year-old male passenger from North Hollywood sustained fatal injuries in this crash. His identity has not yet been released. An investigation is ongoing.
I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of this deceased car accident victim. I also sincerely hope that the two other victims were not seriously injured. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep these injured victims and their families in your thoughts and prayers.
Car Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were four fatalities and 15 injuries involving car accidents in Coalinga. In Fresno County as a whole, 127 people died and 3,323 were injured as a result of car accidents during the same year.
Possible Tire Defect
Based on this news report, it appears that the driver of the van lost control because of an auto product defect, specifically tire failure. Tire defects, whether in passenger cars, motorcycles or other vehicles, can definitely lead to serious injury accidents. When tire tread separation occurs in a van, SUV or light truck, it can have devastating consequences because these are vehicles that are prone to rollovers. Whether the defect is related to tire pressure or tire tread separation, when a vehicle's tire fails, the driver has very little control over his or her vehicle. Even an experienced driver will not be able to control his or her car if the tire tread separation occurs suddenly – especially if it happens at freeway speeds.
Auto Products Liability Issues
If a tire tread separation is proved to be the result of a manufacturing or design defect, then, the family of the deceased victim and the injured victims will have a claim against the auto maker or the manufacturer of the defective tire. In such cases, it would be a good idea to preserve the vehicle in its current condition, unaltered, so an expert can thoroughly analyze it for any evidence of defects or malfunctions. An experienced Fresno personal injury lawyer will be able to better advise victims and their families about how to pursue their legal rights.
Have you ever experienced tire tread separation? How did you react to the situation?
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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