Truck driver does not see cyclist along side of truck and causes death. Seattle company pays millions.

A construction company in Seattle agreed to settle a case involving their truck, when it struck and killed bicyclist giving rise to a wrongful death claim. Although the settlement is confidential, it is likely in the Millions of dollars.

It is not infrequent that bicyclists are injured or killed from trucks on the road. One such incident with our firm settled for a substantial sum when an Ironman triathlon competitor was struck and injured severely.

Trucks do not see cars or cyclists while the driver is making right turns. The driver frequently does not look for, or cannot see cars or cyclists approaching between their truck and the curb line. As a result, the injuries that occur are immediate and devastating. Fortunately for this victim, and for our client, a Competent personal injury attorney assisted the families.

More programs are needed to increase truck driver awareness. Additionally, with modern technology, a device that warns the driver would be in order. Given the injury and death that occurs, it would be a small price to pay to prevent most of these types of accidents.

Allen, Flatt, Ballidis & Leslie is devoted to car and truck accident victims. We are also a California truck injury attorney firm, and work with injury victims to represent their rights. All consultations are of course free.

TWO YOUNG TEENS DIE IN UNNECESSARY CRASH

Friends and family gathered last week at two popular Orange County churches to say good bye to Zachary Rafferty and Mark Motley, two teen friends who loved life but died unfortunately way too soon.

The car they were driving smashed head-on into a tree, killing them both instantly. Although the California Highway Patrol has not finished their investigation, speed and inexperience may play a part in this deadly crash. In addition, Live Oak Canyon, is known to this California Personal Injury Attorney for its winding, narrow roads has been the scene of far too many deadly accidents during the past few years.

Sometimes rural roads are not maintained as well as larger more public roads and this can cause accidents. Was it partly at fault in this case? We’ll have to wait for the final investigator’s report or it is hoped the family will obtain an attorney to conduct their own review. Officer's try to do a good job but some officers are biased and sometimes they do not have enough experience to complete an investigation.

Have you experienced an accident while traveling on rural, country road? It’s important to discuss the facts of your accident with an experienced California accident attorney to get answers to all the puzzling questions that may give rise to an accident. They can explain your rights and discuss any further options that you might have.

RIALTO RESIDENT KILLED WHILE CHANGING A TIRE BY A PASSING TRUCK. DOES THE TRUCK DRIVER HAVE INSURANCE?

Rialto resident Jose Castellanos, was killed on April 18, 2009 according to the Orange County Register. Mr. Castellanos was trying to change a tire on his vehicle when struck by a passing truck. Castellanos reportedly died at the scene.

Truck drivers are required to demonstrate a higher level of vigilance because their vehicles are so deadly when involved in an accident. Truck accidents account for many fatalities on our Southern California Roads.

When a truck driver notices a stranded motorist along the side of the road, he or she must take precautions not to strike that car says Orange County Truck Accident Attorney James Ballidis. "Truck drivers must recognize that they are a danger to motorists on the side of the road. High speeds, width and the mass of these vehicles dictate that they remain very aware of possible injury to stranded motorists and move to the left most part of the lane in the event they must negotiate such a vehicle".

Truck accidents are increasing in Southern California because of congestion and narrow roadway surfaces. In a CHP study two years ago, the number of deaths increased to 175 on our roadways with trucks causing a significant number of those deaths.

To add insult to this wrongful death, there has been a noted increase in the number of trucking companies that claim that the driver was an independent contractor and therefore not their responsibility to insure. It is unclear in this accident whether that is a contention. Laws were enacted to prevent truck companies from shirking their responsibility but enforcement is difficult. "The best thing a family can do is consult with a competant personal injury attorney or truck accident attorney" says Attorney Ballidis. Otherwise the family may suffer from financial ruin in addition to the loss of their loved one.

To make our roads safe, we must make sure that those that use them carry reasonable insurance and also that large carriers train their drivers, and remind them routinely of the dangers they pose on our roads.