Fiery Los Angeles Car Accident Kills Three
An early morning November 22, 2009 Los Angeles car accident killed three people after their SUV struck a large truck loaded with lettuce, that was parked on the shoulder of the 210 Freeway. The Los Angeles Daily News reports that the fatalities included the 41-year-old driver, a 40-year-old woman who was a passenger and a teenager in the back seat, who were all killed after the SUV got lodged under the big rig and ignited.
According to California Highway Patrol officials, Good Samaritan rescued a 9-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy from the SUV before it caught fire. The 73-year-old truck driver and the two rescued children have been listed in fair condition. The deceased victims have not yet been identified.
Los Angeles Car Accidents
I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of these deceased victims for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. My thoughts and prayers are with the two children who survived this accident.
In Los Angeles, 260 people died and 27,110 were injured in car accidents in 2007, according to CHP's traffic accident statistics. Countywide, 712 fatalities and 56,475 injuries were reported in 2007 as a result of serious car accidents.
Liability Issues in Car Accidents
The question that arises here is whether the large truck, which was apparently loaded to capacity, was legally parked on the shoulder of the freeway. If it is found the truck driver wasn't legally parked, both he and his employer – the trucking company - could be held liable for this horrific accident and the injuries caused. This crash is also what is known as a truck underride crash where a vehicle rear-ends a higher chassis truck and gets wedged underneath. This can cause catastrophic injuries or fatalities to occupants in the smaller vehicle. The Department of Transportation safety standards and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards require these rear impact guards on full trailers and semi-trailers over 10,000 pounds. This applies to vehicles manufactured on or after January 26, 1998.
If I were a member of these victims' family, I'd be talking to a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles who is highly skilled in handling truck underride accidents. The family should also preserve the SUV and the big rig so they can be carefully examined by experts for biomechanical evidence.
We are 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 a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.