Car Accidents

Seven people were injured in a San Diego car accident involving multiple vehicles. According to a news report in U-T San Diego, the multi-vehicle collision occurred on the eastbound Interstate 8 in Alpine, the night of January 7, 2012. California Highway Patrol Officials say a wooden table fell off a pickup causing an SUV and a sedan to collide. Another two vehicles collided a minute later and one witness stated that a tire on one vehicle exploded as well. The injuries suffered by the seven victims appear to have been non-life-threatening. It is not clear if anyone will be cited for the pile-up. An investigation is ongoing.

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an auto defect recall for 2011 and 2012 model year Ford F-Series pickup trucks, which apparently have defective automatic transmission interlocks. NHTSA officials say the faulty transmission interlocks can be found in about 16,091 pickup trucks. Drivers can shift the trucks from "park" into rear without stepping on the brakes increasing the risk of car accidents or even injury to nearby pedestrians.

These auto defects are also in violation of federal safety standards. The recall affects the 2011 model year Ford F-150 pickup trucks and 2012 model year Ford F-250, F-350, F-450, and heavy duty F-550 trucks, all manufactured last September. Ford will start notifying owners to bring their recalled trucks to dealerships. The affected brake shift interlock switches will be inspected and replaced at no cost to consumers.

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an auto defect recall for certain Nissan 2010 and 2011 model year sedans because of vehicle defects that could potentially cause the vehicles to stall or crash. According to Consumer Reports, about 33,800 cars are involved in this recall. NHTSA reports state that these vehicles may have faulty battery terminals that cause an unexpected engine stall while the cars are in motion. Also, the defect may prevent an engine restart, increasing the risk of a car accident.

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Ford Motor Company and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have issued an auto defect recall for 2010-2011 model year Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans because of defective wheel studs. According to Consumer Reports, the vehicles involved in this recall may have defective wheel studs that can break and cause the wheels to separate from the cars, increasing the likelihood of a car crash. This problem could involve as many as 128,615 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan cars that are equipped with 17-inch steel wheels.

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an auto defect recall involving approximately 7,365 Nissan Rogue vehicles due to power steering issues. According to a report in Consumer News, the vehicle recall involves Rogue crossover vehicles manufactured from August 2010 to October 2010. The report states that the electric power steering circuit board was installed improperly. This manufacturing defect puts an additional strain on the circuit board, and could result in a sudden loss of power steering, if the board breaks.

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Domingo Nava, 61, was killed in a Fontana car accident after he was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street, the afternoon of December 3, 2011. According to a news report in The Press Enterprise, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred near the intersection of Sierra Avenue and Reed Street in Fontana. Officials say Nava was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Officials are still looking into whether Nava was in a crosswalk at the time of the collision. An investigation is ongoing.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Domingo Nava for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

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Mike McCoy, 42, and Patrick Ryan, 22, were killed in a Riverside car accident after their vehicles collided head-on, the morning of November 27, 2011. According to a report in The Southwest Riverside News Network, the fatal accident occurred on Winchester Road near 9th Street in Winchester. California Highway Patrol officials say Ryan, who was driving a Toyota Scion south on State Route 79 swerved into the opposing lane of traffic and hit a Toyota Camry driven by McCoy. Both Ryan and McCoy were pronounced dead at the scene of a crash. A female passenger in the Camry was taken to an area hospital with severe injuries.

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Five people were injured, one severely, in a Santa Ana car accident involving a car and an Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) bus. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the injury collision occurred the night of October 31, 2011 at the intersection of Westminster Avenue and Clinton Street. Officials say the male driver of the vehicle that hit the bus was transported to a trauma center in serious condition. Four passengers in the bus suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The cause of this collision is under investigation.

My heart goes out to the injured victims of this car versus bus accident. I wish them all the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

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Three people were injured in a Los Angeles car accident, which officials say, involved three vehicles, the afternoon of October 28, 2011. According to a news report in The San Gabriel Valley Tribune, the injury accident occurred at the intersection of San Bernardino Road and Irwindale Avenue in an unincorporated county area near Covina. Officials have stated that the collision involved a pickup truck, a car and a third vehicle. A man, a woman and her child were hospitalized following the crash. Their injuries have been reported as non-life-threatening. The cause of the collision remains under investigation.

My thoughts and prayers are with the injured victims of this Los Angeles County accident. I wish them all the very best for a complete and speedy recovery.

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Halloween is one of the most common nights of the year for children to be involved in serious pedestrian versus car accidents. It is important that parents play an active role in supervising their children and in teaching them safe habits while they are out in the neighborhoods trick-or-treating. Children under 12 should not be left alone or allowed to cross the street unsupervised. Sidewalks should be used at all times. Children should look for cars while crossing a driveway. Children should also be more "visible" as they trick-or-treat. If, for example, their costumes are dark, they should be supplied with reflective tape, glow sticks, flashlights or other bright accessories to make them more visible to motorists.

There are steps drivers can take to help avoid being involved in a Halloween car accident as well. Extra caution should be taken in and around residential neighborhoods. Drivers should be on the lookout for children who may dart into traffic. If dropping off a child, drivers should pull over at a safe location with the hazard lights on. It is also important for drivers to put away their cell phone and to stay attentive.

Halloween Accident Statistics

According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in the year 2009 there were 73 fatal traffic accidents between 6 p.m. on October 31, 2009 and 5:59 a.m. on November 1, 2009. At least 35 of those fatal Halloween car accidents involved a driver who was operating with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or greater. That means that nearly 50 percent of all fatal Halloween traffic accidents were DUI collisions.

Potential Causes of Halloween Accidents

Anytime a child is injured in a Halloween car accident, it is crucial that investigators seek out the answers to a number of questions. Did the child dart into the roadway? Was the victim crossing at a crosswalk or intersection? Why was the driver unable to avoid the collision? Was the motorist distracted, speeding, intoxicated or fatigued? Was there a dangerous condition on the roadway which may have caused or contributed to the incident?

Liability Issues

We wish you a safe and happy Halloween. However, if you or someone you love is injured by a negligent driver or as the result of a dangerous roadway condition, please remember that you do have legal rights. An experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer can help you better understand your legal rights and options in such cases.