February 1, 2013—Tracy, California—A construction worker was killed when an 1,800 pound piece of concrete fell on him, pinning him beneath its weight and crushing him, according to KCRA News
. The worker was engaged in cleaning out a concrete truck at the time of the incident.
The 47-year-old victim from Whittier was working on contract for Express Chipping at the time of the tragedy which happened on Linne Road. He was removing concrete buildup inside a truck owned by A&A Concrete supply when he was pinned inside the truck by falling concrete. He was pronounced dead at the scene by rescue workers.
Cal-OSHA is conducting an investigation into the incident.
Construction Accidents Prove Fatal for Many Each Year
Construction is still one of the most dangerous occupations according to information compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2011, 759 people were killed in construction accidents in the United States, or more than two per day. Most construction accidents involve falls, objects falling onto workers, or vehicle-related crashes.
Owners of construction firms and the owners of the sites at which they work both have an obligation to create a safe work environment for employees and visitors to the site. If they fail to do so, they can be subject to government sanctions as well as liability for personal injury.
Who Is Responsible For This Man’s Injuries?
This case may be complicated from a legal perspective because the man was apparently working for one company on another company’s equipment. That means that the liability may stem from negligence on the part of the employer in allowing the man to work in dangerous conditions, from the owner of the truck for creating the dangerous conditions or both.
A personal injury lawyer must examine the facts of the case to make a determination as to who holds liability for the man’s death in this case. Once that is established, the family may be able to file a wrongful death suit against the person or company that is deemed responsible for the worker’s death. Wrongful death suits usually include damages for lost future earnings as well as loss of love and companionship.
What Should I Do If I am Involved in a Construction Accident?
If you are hurt in a construction accident, your first responsibility is to seek medical attention. You must be sure that your health is not in danger before considering any other possibilities. However, once you have ensured that your health is being taken care of, you should consider your rights to file a personal injury suit against the employer, the work site owner, or both.
A personal injury attorney can help you recover damages for your injuries including medical bills, sums for your mental anguish, pain and suffering, and lost wages while you recover. You may also be entitled to other types of compensation so that you can pay for increased living expenses or other costs. Talk to a personal injury attorney today to protect your rights.
Most people are not aware of the incredibly large number of motor vehicle accidents and fatalities that occur every year in the United States:
- According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2010 there were 32,885 motor vehicle traffic crash fatalities in the US.
- Additionally, there were an estimated 2.24 million injuries as a result of these motor vehicle crashes.
- Every year in the past there have been at least 10 million auto accidents and in some years more than 13 million.
- According to projections, there will be at least 10 million more accidents every year.
With so many accidents occurring every year, it is quite likely that you have already witnessed one or more accidents already. And it is even more likely that you will witness one or more accidents in the future. The question is, if you witness a car accident, what are you supposed to do, if anything?
Practical Steps to Follow if You Witness a Car Accident:
- If you are in your car and you witness a serious motor vehicle accident, maintain a safe distance from the vehicle(s) – suggestions range from 100 ft. to 1000 ft. – and pull over to the side of the road.
- Turn on your emergency blinkers.
- If you have a phone, immediately call 911 and report the accident. If you don’t have a phone, ask another person to call 911.
- If you have road flares, you may choose to place them several hundred feet in front of and behind the vehicles. Make absolutely sure that the flares do not come into contact with leaking gasoline on the ground. If there is a risk of an explosion from leaking gas, do not light them.
- If there is an injured person in a vehicle who cannot get out, or if they are unconscious, many experts recommend not moving the person because of the possible harm that may result. It is usually recommended, if possible, to wait until professional emergency help arrives.
- However, if there is a fire and a very likely possibility of an explosion, or if there are other compelling reasons such as intense bleeding, this obviously raises other concerns.
- Most jurisdictions have “Good Samaritan Laws” that protect certain persons from liability if they render aid in emergency situations. In some jurisdictions, the Good Samaritan Law protects all persons. In other jurisdictions the Law protects only professionals such as emergency technicians and medical doctors.
- Some Good Samaritan Laws actually require a person to offer reasonable aid at the scene of an emergency situation. What is “reasonable aid?” In some circumstances, calling 911 is all that a person can do. Obviously not everyone is capable of offering physical assistance, nor should they.
You may choose to take photographs of the accident scene with your cellphone camera, as well as take notes of what you observed. Record the license plates, makes of cars, persons in the vehicles, and other important points. When help arrives, you may offer this information to the authorities. You may be issued a summons to testify as a witness if there is a future case in court. You also may be questioned by attorneys, insurance adjusters and/or other persons who have a legitimate interest in the accident. Your observations may be of extreme importance to the parties in the case and to law enforcement. Just be as clear and truthful as possible. If you or someone you love is involved in a car accident caused by the negligence of someone else, contact an experienced Dallas accident attorney for a free legal consultation.
Southern Florida is a trendy area of the United States, and it’s known for its vibrant cultural scene and warm, sandy beaches. Unfortunately, South Florida is also known for something else – traffic accidents. Whether minor or severe, traffic accidents can cause injuries, financial difficulties, legal complications and more. Anyone involved in an accident there, regardless of fault, will best be served by partnering with an accident attorney.
Hazards Unique to South Florida
Because Florida has a lot to offer, people from all over the world travel to the area each year to take in the sights and sounds. Sadly, tourists rarely know the road rules and directions, putting drivers in the area at a much higher risk of getting into an accident. In addition, South Florida experiences some heavy storms coming in from the Gulf Coast each year, and these storms can make driving very difficult, even for experienced drivers. Finally, like many areas of the country, it also has its share of poorly-maintained roads, many of which contain potholes and cracks. These hazards can cause accidents and injuries, and one might not even notice them until they’re right up on them.
Was it Truly Your Fault?
If you’ve been told that you were at fault in an accident, it’s important to remember that you really might not have been at fault at all. As mentioned, there are a number of roadway hazards that are unique to the area, and they may have actually been to blame in your accident. Unfortunately, proving this in court can be difficult, and that’s why it’s important to work with an accident attorney. By consulting with Miami auto accident lawyers, you can help them investigate the specific circumstances of your accident, and they can then go on to prove your innocence in court by pointing out the real culprit.
Can’t I Defend Myself?
While you certainly have the right to defend yourself in court, most people feel that doing so is a bad idea. Unless you have experience in the courtroom, the process can be complex and difficult. First, you’ll need to know the courtroom’s procedures, and even though you’ve watched plenty of crime shows on television, the reality of how things work when in front of a judge is often much different. In addition, you’ll need to understand the rules regarding evidence, witnesses, presenting your case, obtaining police reports, filing motions and more. On your own, all of this can be time consuming, expensive and confusing.
What Else is on the Line?
Aside from offering you legal expertise in court, an attorney can also help you in other ways. If you’re found guilty of a serious motor vehicle crime, such as reckless driving or vehicular manslaughter, you’ll likely have the conviction on your criminal record for the rest of your life. This can ultimately affect everything from future job prospects to your right to drive. By receiving a solid defense from an attorney, you can potentially avoid these consequences as your attorney will do everything he or she can to prove your innocence.
Finally, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and use common sense when driving in South Florida or anywhere else. Because of the unique hazards in the South Florida area, drivers are encouraged to use extra precaution, especially during the tourist and storms seasons.
Ann Bailey is a frequent driver in Southern storm road hazards, and urges motorists to seek professional help in any related accident situation. TheMiami auto accident lawyers at Steinger, Iscoe and Green aggressively work to exonerate their clients when road conditions have grievously contributed to car accidents in Southern Florida.
The idea behind the red light camera isn’t a new one. As a matter of fact, the first red light ticketing camera was installed in New York City all the way back in 1993, a full 18 years before the first one was installed in my neck of the woods. Since the first one went in, 24 states have adopted similar systems, citing their effectiveness in reducing the number of accidents that occur at exceptionally busy intersections. So, do they? Reduce the number of accidents?
The answer is a bit complicated. It takes a lot of research, reading, interpretation and postulating to come to a real conclusion. The good news for us is that Jonathan Ramsey, special correspondent for AOL Autos has done the legwork for us. He’s reviewed 10 studies, both for and against the argument at hand and here is what he’s found:
So, do red light cameras really reduce accidents and potential injuries? The jury is still out. Yes, most studies will say that the more severe accidents are reduced, the overall number of accidents remains much the same with the increase in other types of collisions. From the Virginia study (as quoted by Jonathon Ramsey): “These results cannot be used to justify the widespread installation of cameras because they are not universally effective. These results also cannot be used to justify the abolition of cameras, as they have had a positive impact at some intersections and in some jurisdictions. The report recommends, therefore, that the decision to install a red light camera be made on an intersection-by-intersection basis. In addition, it is recommended that a carefully controlled experiment be conducted to examine further the impact of red light programs on safety and to determine how an increase in rear-end crashes can be avoided at specific intersections.
So, why do cities continue to use them?
The short answer is because the one thing that all red light cameras do is generate revenue. As long as these cameras continue to make money, you can bet your bottom dollar that they will remain. One key item that was noted by studies that back the red light camera opposition was the length of the yellow light cycle. Studies have shown that by increasing the length of the yellow light duration and installing a delay in the cross traffic’s signal to green you can reduce the same number of accidents as the red light cameras, without the benefit of the additional income.
Andrew Miller is an avid legal blogger and manager of over 20 attorney blogs. This article was written on behalf of Paul J. Tafelski.
The answer is a bit complicated. It takes a lot of research, reading, interpretation and postulating to come to a real conclusion. The good news for us is that Jonathan Ramsey, special correspondent for AOL Autos has done the legwork for us. He’s reviewed 10 studies, both for and against the argument at hand and here is what he’s found:
- Red light cameras are effective in reducing the number of T-bone or broadside accidents that occur at the intersection where they are installed. This is really good news since this is the worst type of accident to be involved in, according to the IIHS. Not all of the studies agreed on just how much, but a greater portion of the studies agreed that overall, there was a reduction in this type of accident.
- Red light cameras are minimally effective in reducing other types of accidents including cross traffic accidents and right turn on red accidents. But the evidence isn’t incredibly overwhelming in these instances either.
- Red light cameras are universally responsible for increasing the instance of rear end collisions at intersections where they are installed. Yes, you read it right. You are more likely to be involved in a rear end collision when stopping at an intersection with a red light camera installed. As a matter of fact, the Federal Highway Administration conducted a very thorough study of this situation and noted that rear end collisions rose nearly 15% at intersections where these cameras were installed.
So, do red light cameras really reduce accidents and potential injuries? The jury is still out. Yes, most studies will say that the more severe accidents are reduced, the overall number of accidents remains much the same with the increase in other types of collisions. From the Virginia study (as quoted by Jonathon Ramsey): “These results cannot be used to justify the widespread installation of cameras because they are not universally effective. These results also cannot be used to justify the abolition of cameras, as they have had a positive impact at some intersections and in some jurisdictions. The report recommends, therefore, that the decision to install a red light camera be made on an intersection-by-intersection basis. In addition, it is recommended that a carefully controlled experiment be conducted to examine further the impact of red light programs on safety and to determine how an increase in rear-end crashes can be avoided at specific intersections.
So, why do cities continue to use them?
The short answer is because the one thing that all red light cameras do is generate revenue. As long as these cameras continue to make money, you can bet your bottom dollar that they will remain. One key item that was noted by studies that back the red light camera opposition was the length of the yellow light cycle. Studies have shown that by increasing the length of the yellow light duration and installing a delay in the cross traffic’s signal to green you can reduce the same number of accidents as the red light cameras, without the benefit of the additional income.
Andrew Miller is an avid legal blogger and manager of over 20 attorney blogs. This article was written on behalf of Paul J. Tafelski.
