2010 August Archive

A California auto accident involving an Oroville police officer was caused by tire tread separation, according to a ChicoER.com story. Reportedly, the right rear tire of the officer’s vehicle separated from the rim, which caused the vehicle to veer to the right and head towards the median. The officer’s vehicle hit a light pole after spinning out of control on Highway 70. No other vehicles were involved in the crash and the officer and his canine did not sustain injury.

A California Highway Patrol spokesman stated that it is not atypical for a tire to separate due to a defect or another non-visible cause. The OPD Police Chief asserted concern over why the tire separated in the first place and wants the cause determined so that similar incidents do not happen in the future.

Comparable to other professional motor vehicles, tires on police vehicles are required to be frequently checked and properly repaired when necessary. Tire maintenance is one of many necessary steps to help ensure that a vehicle is safe to take to the road and that tire problems will not lead to an accident. While the police chief stated that the tires on police vehicles get replaced before they arrive at half the wear mark recommended for regular vehicle replacements, it is possible that either poor tire maintenance or a tire defect caused the tire disintegration that led to the Oroville crash.

Auto accidents involving tire tread separation can lead to serious injury or even death. When tires separate due to a tire manufacturing defect or design flaw, or because of an incorrectly repaired tire, injured victims or family members of wrongful death victims can seek compensation to help offset associated expenses, losses, and damages. The Los Angeles tire defect attorneys at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP have extensive experience in tire defect litigation involving tire tread separation, tire belt separation, tire failure and other tire-related defects. If you or someone you care about has been injured in an auto accident that you believe was caused by a defective tire, contact us today for a free consultation by calling 877-800-1700.

Toyota has announced the recall of 1 million 2005 to 2008 Corolla and Matrix models and 200,000 Pontiac Vibe models due to an engine defect that may cause sudden stalling. The LA Times reports that the recall has been issued to address a potentially defective engine control module, which is a vital electronic component. Due to a possible manufacturing defect, cracks may develop in or on the component which, may result in, among other problems, the engine not starting or the engine stalling while the vehicle is being driven.

The auto company has reported that the defective electronic engine control units are alleged to be connected to three unconfirmed collisions. One of the accidents may have resulted in an injury.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began a preliminary evaluation into the potential engine defect last November after receiving 26 complaints of vehicles stalling unexpectedly. By the time federal safety regulators initiated an engineering analysis of Corolla and Matrix vehicles, 163 complaints were reported. NHTSA has announced that the engine in affected Toyota vehicles can stall at any speed without a motorist being warned and not restart.

Although Toyota has been aware of the engine issue since 2005 and provided dealers with a technical service bulletin explaining how to fix the problem, owners were not informed of this potential risk until now. It was only after more extensive testing that Toyota decided to announce a recall. The auto company’s probe revealed that the engine control module was not passing about 13% of the tests conducted.

With this new vehicle defect recall, Toyota has recalled approximately 10 million vehicles in the last year worldwide, which is close to the total amount of automobiles that will be sold by all automakers nationwide in 2010.

Defective vehicle components, especially those in engines, can cause accidents that would otherwise not occur, putting motorists, passengers, and pedestrians at risk. Automakers are responsible for designing and manufacturing vehicles that are safe and do not contain defects that could cause harm to drivers or others. The Los Angeles auto product liability lawyers at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP have the experience and resources to help those who have been injured or suffered the death of a family member because of a defective vehicle. Contact us today to find out how we can build a strong case on your behalf. Call 877-800-1700 for a free consultation.

A gravel truck carrying a double load collided into a home near Santa Barbara on August 24, 2010, leaving a man, woman, and child dead. The truck driver sustained facial cuts and was treated at the accident scene.

According to an Associated Press article, the truck’s brakes may have failed as it was transitioning from State Route 154 onto State Street around 7 a.m. The truck accident destroyed the home entirely and even buried some parts of it in gravel. The man and woman were discovered dead inside the home after the collision and a child was later found dead. At the time of the article’s release, a team of rescue workers were searching the wreckage for a second child who may have been inside the home.

Although trucks only comprise a small amount of vehicles on the road in comparison to passenger cars and other motor vehicles, they are responsible for a significant number of injury and fatality accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that one out of nine traffic fatalities in 2008 were caused by an accident involving a large truck. In the same year, 4,229 people died and an additional 90,000 were injured in truck collisions.

Due to the inherent dangers associated with operating a large vehicle that weighs 80,000 pounds or more, truck drivers and the companies that employ them must follow strict federal rules and regulations relating to proper truck operation, maximum hours of service, maintenance, and repair. If these rules are not followed and an injury or fatal truck accident occurs as a result, the negligent trucking company or truck driver can be held legally accountable.

At Panish Shea & Boyle LLP, our California truck accident attorneys have handled a wide range of large commercial truck and motor vehicle accidents in relation to driver negligence and defective vehicle parts. We have seen first-hand how devastating truck accidents can be for injury victims and family members of wrongful death victims, which is why we are committed to obtaining full and just compensation for our clients. Call 877-800-1700 today for a free consultation of your truck accident case.

A California big rig accident resulted in a load of carrots spilling along four lanes on the 5 Freeway close to the Grapevine exit near the Los Angeles County-Kern County line. The Los Angeles Times reports that the accident also lead to a 150 acre brush fire within the center divider and a larger fire that progressed up a hillside east of the highway.

The large big rig reportedly lost control while traveling along a steep downgrade of the freeway, causing the truck’s trailer to slide sideways and spill the load of carrots. The California Highway Patrol did not reveal any details regarding the truck driver’s condition or what caused the truck accident.

Although it is not certain why the truck driver lost control of the big rig in this case, truck speed or driver distraction often plays a contributing role. Whether a big rig accident is caused by truck driver fatigue, distracted driving, driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or due to a defective truck component, those involved in such accidents, especially occupants of small passenger vehicles, can endure serious injury and even death.

Commercial truck drivers are required by state and federal law to receive proper training in how to control and operate large big rigs and tractor trailers and adequately secure a load for transport. If a trucking company overlooks the importance of truck driver training or fails to comply with safety regulations regarding truck loads, it may be held liable in the event of a truck accident that causes an injury or fatality.

Truck accidents in Los Angeles put many lives in danger and can lead to several financial, emotional, and physical challenges. At Panish Shea & Boyle LLP, our Los Angeles big rig accident attorneys understand how crucial it is for injury victims and family members of wrongful death victims to receive the compensation that they deserve. With our years of experience handling a wide range of truck and motor vehicle accidents, we have obtained numerous successful settlements and verdicts for our clients. Call us today at 877-800-1700 for a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help.

CNN reports that cases of Salmonella enteritidis have nearly tripled in relation to contaminated eggs. Incidents are likely to only increase due to the fact that infections after July 17 may not have been reported yet because of a two- to three-week gap between when an individual becomes ill and when the case is reported and recorded in the system.

The salmonella outbreak impelled Galt, Iowa-based Wright County Egg to recall eggs last week, and the company increased the recall to 380 million eggs on August 18. Wright County Egg is working to determine how the shell eggs are being contaminated with salmonella. Eggs were distributed in California, Arizona and Nevada. For a complete list of recalled egg products, please refer to the Egg Safety Center’s website.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that hundreds of Americans have probably become ill from tainted eggs in recent months. 1,953 cases of Salmonella were reported from May 1 to July 31; a time period that normally contains approximately 700 cases.

A Food and Drug Administration official stated that the egg recall can be referred to as one of the largest shell egg recalls in recent history. The FDA is also claiming that the egg salmonella outbreak could have been avoided if the latest egg safety rule had been in place before July. The FDA’s new safety rules for large-scale egg producers came after the salmonella outbreak. It covers cleanliness, refrigeration of stored and transported eggs, rodent control, pasteurization, and requires a written Salmonella enteritidis prevention plan. The new preventative measures should lower the amount of infections from eggs by almost 60%.

Symptoms of salmonella poisoning may include headache, fever, diarrhea, chills, vomiting, muscle pains, and abdominal cramps; all of which usually start to affect a person within 12 to 72 hours of consumption and may last for four to seven days. Salmonella contamination is not to be taken lightly, especially since the elderly, infants, and those with weakened immune systems are at a greater risk of developing more serious illnesses and even life-threatening complications.

The California product defect attorneys at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP are leaders in consumer law and have obtained several large verdicts and settlements for family members who have lost loved ones and those who have suffered injury or illness due to dangerous, contaminated, or defective products. If you or someone you care about has developed salmonella poisoning and believe that contaminated eggs included in the recall are to blame, you may be able to seek compensation from negligent parties. Call our personal injury and product liability attorneys at 877-800-1700 today for a free consultation.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has announced that 109 commercial bus and truck drivers have been taken off the road and over 175 carriers face enforcement action due to drug and alcohol use. The FMCSA conducted its yearly two-week drug and alcohol crackdown between June 21 and July 2.

In promoting road safety and accident prevention, the FMCSA plays an important role in removing unsafe commercial drivers and carriers from the road who put themselves, other motorists, and pedestrians at risk of injury and death. This is especially important with commercial bus drivers who may transport hundreds of passengers on a daily basis and school bus drivers who have the lives of young children in their hands.

The recent investigation focused on examining the drug and alcohol safety records of commercial drivers employed by bus and truck companies, including school bus drivers, interstate passenger carriers, hazardous material transporters, and basic freight long-haul truckers. One of the FMCSA’s goals was to identify commercial truck and bus drivers who go from carrier to carrier in order to avoid federal drug and alcohol testing and reporting requirements and to remove them from the road. The FMCSA also focused on identifying motor carriers that violated federal drug and alcohol testing requirements.

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, more than 1,000 people were killed in California alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents in 2008. Accidents involving commercial buses and trucks are often more serious than those involving smaller vehicles because larger, heavier vehicles are more difficult to maneuver and control and more likely to severely damage other vehicles that are impacted in a collision.

Large commercial truck and bus drivers who cause accidents as a result of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and the companies that employ them can be held liable for the injuries and fatalities of others involved in those crashes. Truck and bus accident litigation is complex, requiring the legal skills and resources of Los Angeles truck accident lawyers and bus crash attorneys who have a significant success record in large commercial vehicle accident cases. At Panish Shea & Boyle LLP, our aggressive lawyers have obtained numerous seven and eight figure settlements and verdicts for those injured in truck and bus accidents as well as family members of wrongful death victims. For more information about our firm and how we can help you, please call 877-800-1700 or visit www.psblaw.com.

A North Carolina Amtrak train headed to Charlotte collided with a dump truck on Monday, August 16, according to NewsObserver.com. No passengers were injured and the driver of the truck escaped injury when the trailer detached upon impact, allowing him to drive to safety. The train sustained considerable damage and the section of railroad where the crash occurred has been shut down for the remainder of the day.

The Amtrak train accident is still being investigated since it is unclear whether or not the truck driver went through the barricades or if the crossing arms failed to deploy. The 33 passengers were redirected to a bus that would take them the rest of the way to Charlotte.

Although no one was injured in this accident, most train accidents end much more tragically, often with many people sustaining serious injury or, in the worst cases, death. Between 2006 and 2009, there were 367 train accidents in the United States. Although compared to car accidents, the number of accidents is low, because multiple passengers usually are onboard these trains, a single accident can cause injury or death to many people at once. Those who have been injured in an accident caused by the negligence of others have the right to seek compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering and other damages. Families of those killed in a train accident also are entitled to compensation for their loss if someone else is at fault.

The skilled and aggressive train accident injury attorneys at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP have extensive experience in train accident and personal injury litigation. With the resources necessary to handle the most complex cases and a reputation as one of the top plaintiffs’ law firms in the country, Panish Shea & Boyle LLP has what it takes to hold negligent parties accountable for their actions. Call us at (877) 800-1700 to learn more about how we can help.

Basic Food Flavors has instituted a recall on thousands of types of processed foods that contain an ingredient contaminated with the Salmonella bacteria. The Washington Post reported that the recall might grow to be one of the largest food recalls ever issued in the United States.

The recall involves foods containing hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP), which is used to give foods a meaty or savory flavor. Officials suspect millions of pounds of HVP have been contaminated. So far, 56 food products are included in the recall, though this number is expected to grow substantially in the coming weeks.

No instances of illness due to infection have been reported, and officials say the risk of contracting the illness is low. Most of the foods containing HVP require cooking at high enough temperatures to kill the bacteria. However, ready-to-eat products are included in the recall and carry a higher risk of potential infection.

Salmonella infection manifests in three different ways: gastroenteritis, typhoid fever and bacteremia. Symptoms of these infections include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, nausea and vomiting. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and suspect you have consumed a food product containing contaminated HVP, seek medical attention immediately.

Although curable with antibiotics, Salmonella infection can be serious, resulting in large medical bills and preventing a patient from working. If you have contracted an illness from a contaminated food product, you may be entitled to compensation for any financial losses you suffer as a result. Call the experienced Los Angeles product liability attorneys at Panish Shea and Boyle LLP today at (877) 800-1700 for a free consultation of your potential case.

A multi-vehicle accident near Bishop involving an SUV, a small passenger car and what appears to be a 12 or 15 passenger van carrying California Baptist University cross-country team members has left three people dead and 15 injured. The Los Angeles Times reports that the University’s 2009 ford Econoline van was transporting 13 students on their way to high-altitude training near Mammoth.

The cheerleading coach from California Baptist University who was driving the van was among those killed in the fiery collision. Two college-age women were also killed after their SUV rolled through the center divider and into oncoming traffic, colliding with the van. A passenger in the SUV is reported to have been ejected from the vehicle. One passenger in the van endured severe head trauma and others involved in the accident have suffered serious burns and other major injuries.

12 and 15 passenger vans are widely used by schools, universities, church groups, and other organizations to transport groups of people at once for the sake of convenience and affordability. However, the design of these vehicles can put passengers at risk of ejection and serious injury from rollover accidents. While these vehicles are generally safe, their large size, design, and weight can make it more challenging for a driver to control the vehicle when avoiding other cars or objects in the road. Similarly, due to their design, SUVs are susceptible to rollover because of their high center of gravity and passengers may be at risk of ejection.

Auto accident cases involving 15 passenger vans and SUVs can be complex, especially when a vehicle’s design or a manufacturing flaw may have contributed to the cause of the collision. At Panish Shea & Boyle LLP, our California rollover accident lawyers have years of experience in auto product liability litigation relating to 15 passenger vans, SUVs, and other vehicles. Our aggressive attorneys have assisted auto accident injury victims and family members of wrongful death victims in holding auto manufacturers, rental companies, and other negligent parties accountable for their actions. To find out how we can help, call 877-800-1700 today for a free consultation regarding your case.

Honda issued a press release announcing a recall of approximately 344,000 of its Odyssey models and 68,000 of its Element models. These vehicles are said to have issues with their Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) modulator. The press release states that Honda has received customer complaints about the brake pedals feeling “soft,” and getting increasingly softer over time.

According to Honda, some of the VSA modulators were constructed in such a way as to allow air into the device. Over time, air will accumulate, resulting in the “soft brake pedal” or “low brake pedal” condition. Reuters reports that several accidents and at least three minor injuries attributed to the defect have been reported to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

The recall covers vehicles from the 2007 and 2008 model years, although Honda has said that not all vehicles covered by the recall were defective. The company is urging all owners of the vehicles indicated in the recall to visit their local Honda dealer and have the problem repaired as soon as notification letters are released towards the end of April.

It is unclear at this juncture how serious the VSA defect can become; however, consumer concern is at an all-time high due to the recent Toyota sudden unintended acceleration accidents and massive recalls. It is likely that Honda will also suffer financial losses due to this recent product defect.

The Los Angeles auto product liability attorneys at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP are currently investigating cases related to Toyota unintended acceleration accidents and have a wealth of experience in dealing with auto product defects and recalls. If you have been injured in an automobile accident involving a recalled Toyota or Honda, please call (877) 800-1700 to speak with a product defect attorney about your potential case.