California Injury Lawyer Blog

MADERA COUNTY - Two people were injured in a crash early Monday morning involving a big rig, ABC 30 News reported. The accident occurred on Highway 41 near Avenue 14 when the driver of a big-rig tried to make a U-turn and pulled out in front of oncoming traffic. The driver of the van was unable to stop in time to prevent the collision. Two people in the van were taken to the hospital. Further details about the cause of the Highway 41 accident were not immediately available.

Left-Turn Accident Liability

Although the CHP is continuing to investigate the cause of the collision, based on the information reported, it appears that the driver of the big-rig may be responsible for this accident. The law pertaining to left turns is found in California Vehicle Code Section 21801: "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."

Truck Accident Personal injury Claims

Accidents involving commercial trucks can be complicated legal matters. Following an injury accident such as this September 20th truck accident on Highway 41, the injured victims or their family members would be well-advised to consult with an experienced and knowledgeable California truck accident lawyer. An attorney who specializes in representing victims of truck accidents can advise the victims and their loved ones of their legal rights, options and responsibilities, should they wish to pursue a personal injury claim against the truck driver, trucking company, or any other responsible parties. Damages recovered in a personal injury claim may include compensation for medical care and treatment, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages.

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FRESNO COUNTY - A 35-year-old Lemoore man was tragically killed Wednesday morning in a head-on collision on Highway 41, the Fresno Bee reported. The victim, who was not identified, was driving a Jeep Wrangler southbound at Harlan Avenue when he tried to pass a slower moving vehicle at about 11 a.m. He slammed into a pickup truck and then struck a Dodge Neon and Chevy Cobalt. The impact caused the driver to be ejected and he died at the scene. Two people were taken to the hospital with unknown injuries. Traffic was stopped for three hours while emergency crews responded and authorities investigated the cause of the July 6th Highway 41 crash.

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COARSEGOLD - Three people, including a four-year-old girl were injured in a head-on collision on Highway 41 south of Coursegold, the Fresno Bee reported. The accident was reported just north of Road 200 at about 12:16 p.m. on Wednesday, June 22, 2011. According to news reports, A 53-year-old Oakhurst man lost control of his Ford truck when a front tire blew out. His vehicle collided head-on with a car driven by a 28-year-old Coarsegold woman. She suffered major leg injuries and was taken to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno. A 4-year-old girl suffered major injuries to her arm. A baby in the vehicle was not injured. The two young girls were taken to Children's Hospital Central California. The driver of the Ford truck suffered minor injuries and was not taken to the hospital.

Cause of the Madera County Head-On Collision

Based on the news reports, it appears that the woman likely could have done nothing to avoid this head-on crash on Highway 41. If the accident was caused by a tire blowout, the driver of the pickup truck may be responsible for this crash. Tire blowouts can be attributed to a number of causes, including manufacturing defects, road debris, maintenance neglect, and tire underinflation. Following a major injury crash caused by a suspected blowout, an inspection of the damage tire may reveal why the blowout occurred.

Car Accident Personal Injury Liability

If this accident was caused by negligence of the driver, the tire manufacturer, or another third party, the injured woman and children may be able to recover compensation for their injuries in a personal injury claim. While this Madera County accident remains under investigation, the family members of the injured victims would be well-advised to speak to an experienced and knowledgeable Fresno personal injury lawyer. An attorney who understands the unique legal issues of head-on collisions caused by tire blowouts can advise the victims and their families of their best course of action to protect their legal rights and recover maximum compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages in a personal injury claim.

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A crash likely caused by an unsafe left turn has left a 71-year-old Fresno man with major injuries, the Fresno Bee reported. The two-vehicle collision happened on Highway 41, north of Avenue 14 ½, at about 8:20 p.m. on Tuesday, November 16, 2010. According to the CHP, Maxwell Gross, 18, of Fresno attempted to turn a Jeep into a private driveway when he collided with a GMC driven southbound by Jim Gagliardi, 71, also of Fresno. Gagliardi suffered major injuries and was airlifted to Community Regional Medical Center, where he underwent surgery.

Cause of the Madera County Car Crash

The California Highway Patrol is the agency investigating the cause of the accident. Although the cause of the accident is still under invetigation, the CHP stated that the driver of the Jeep did not yield to the right of way of Gagliardi's vehicle. If news accounts of the incident are true, Gross is likely responsible for the collision. The law pertaining to left turns is found in California Vehicle Code Section 21801: "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."

Car Accident Personal Injury Liability

In situations such as this one, where a car accident resulting in serious injury is suspected to be caused by another driver, the family of the injured victim would be well-advised to consult with a qualified California personal injury attorney. A skilled lawyer can help the victim protect their legal rights following the collision, and advise him of his best course of action to hold the at-fault driver and any other negligent parties financially accountable for medical expenses and pain and suffering resulting from the accident.

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A motorcyclist was killed Wednesday after his Harley Davidson collided with a pickup truck in Madera County, authorities reported. The crash occurred at the intersection of California State Route 41 and Avenue 15 around 2:15 p.m. on May 5th. According to reports by CBS47, the driver of the pickup truck was turning left from Hwy 41 onto Avenue 15, and the Harley Davidson motorcycle was travelling southbound on Highway 41 when it collided with the side of the truck. The driver of the pickup truck suffered minimal injuries. The motorcyclist was identified as 56-year-old Gary Stephen Mederios of Ranchos Santa Margarita, CA.

Madera County Fatality Accidents

In 2008, there were 12 fatalities in 11 different accidents in Madera County. Official statistics for 2009 are not yet available, but there were a number of very serious accidents in Madera County last year. Three people were killed in a suspected alcohol-related accident in August 2009 on Highway 41. A 19-year-old was killed in a 3-car crash on Avenue 7 near Avenue 12 on May 12, 2009.

Cause of the Motorcycle Accident

The California Highway Patrol is still investigating the cause of the May 5th motorcycle accident, but a spokesman for the agency reportedly said it appears the driver of the pickup truck failed to yield to the right of way of the biker. If the driver is found to have caused this crash, he could possibly face charges. Even if he is not cited the accident, he may be financially liable for the motorcyclist's death. Depending on how this accident occurred, the family of the victim may be entitled to compensation for the wrongful death of the their loved one in a civil claim. In cases such as this one, the family of the victim may benefit from speaking to a California motorcycle accident lawyer about their legal rights in a possible wrongful death claim.

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