California Highway Patrol officials believe that excessive speed may have caused a San Francisco car accident that killed one person the night of March 9, 2010. According to a Bay City News report, the driver of a 1998 Ford Mustang made a sudden lane change while traveling eastbound on Highway 80 in Emeryville. The Ford then struck another vehicle and came to rest facing oncoming traffic. This started a chain-reaction collision as a Nissan Frontier crashed head-on into the stopped Mustang, killing the driver of the Mustang. At least 12 cars were involved in this crash. It is not clear if others were also injured in this car accident.
I offer my deepest condolences to the family of the deceased victim. Please keep them in your prayers. I also truly hope there were no other injured victims in this collision.
Car Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there was one fatality, and 98 injuries involving car accidents in Emeryville, California. In Alameda County as a whole, 82 deaths and 6,935 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents in 2008.
Car Accident Causes
This news report does not offer much information about whether there were other serious injuries here. The article states that the driver of the Mustang may have been traveling at a high rate of speed and may have made an unsafe lane change triggering this chain-reaction crash. If the driver of the Mustang caused the death of another driver or other injuries then the injured parties can file a claim against his estate and insurance. If an auto product defect or a mechanical problem was involved, then the auto maker or manufacturer of the defective product may also be held liable for any injuries or deaths caused.
Legal Issues
Any case that involves multiple vehicles or multiple victims can get complicated because of the number of different accounts that the accident investigators may get from those involved, as well as the inconsistent versions from eyewitnesses. Sometimes, the preliminary report can be inaccurate. It is always advisable to wait for the officials' final determination before deciding how to proceed in such cases.
If you are a victim of such a multi-vehicle accident, it would be in your best interest to contact an experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of the accident and make sure your legal rights are protected. Remember not to talk to insurance adjusters or attorneys for other parties. Do not sign documents or agree to a settlement without talking to your own injury lawyer.
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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