Maggie Clark, a 44-year-old elementary school teacher in Monrovia, was killed in a Riverside car accident after a pickup truck traveling on Gilman Springs Road crossed the center divider and hit her vehicle head-on. According to a report in the Pasadena Star-News, Clark and another teacher, Jan Dunbar, were on their way to a teacher's conference the morning of May 8, 2010, when the fatal car crash occurred in Morongo Valley. Dunbar sustained a broken leg, but did not suffer any life-threatening injuries. Dunbar told reporters that the driver of the truck that collided with their vehicle crossed the double yellow line and didn't even slow down after that. Clark, who was driving an SUV, could not get out of the truck's way in time to avoid the collision.
I offer my deepest condolences to the family, friends and students of Maggie Clark, who by all accounts, was a dedicated, and well-respected teacher. Tragic! Please keep Clark's grieving family in your thoughts and prayers.
Car Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 121 deaths and 2,615 injuries involving car accidents in the unincorporated areas of Riverside County. Also, countywide, car accidents claimed 220 lives and caused 8,561 injuries during the same year.
Causes and Liability Issues
Based on this news report, it is not quite clear why the driver of the pickup truck crossed over the double yellow lines. There are more questions than answers here. Was the driver drunk or under the influence of a controlled substance? Was he distracted or inattentive? Did he suffer a medical condition? Did he fall asleep at the wheel? Was he speeding or driving recklessly? I trust officials are examining these and other issues in order to determine precisely what occurred here. If the driver was under the influence or driving recklessly, he could also be looking at criminal charges.
If it is determined that the driver of the pickup truck was at fault for the accident, then, he could be held liable for the wrongful death of Maggie Clark as well as for the serious personal injuries caused to Jan Dunbar. In such cases, injured victims and families of deceased victims would be well-advised to contact an experienced Riverside personal injury lawyer, who will stay on top of the official investigation and make sure that the negligent parties are held accountable. A knowledgeable car accident attorney will also advise victims and their families about how their own car insurance policy applies to an accident where the at-fault motorist is uninsured or underinsured.
What defensive driving tips would you offer to drivers?
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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