Around 1 am on Friday, June 28th, a chain reaction crash involving three vehicles occurred on Old Highway 80 in Boulevard, a town located in eastern San Diego County. The crash resulted in three deaths and one serious injury. 

According to California Highway Patrol Officer Jared Grieshaber, just before 1 am, a 45-year-old woman driving a 2015 Toyota Camry was headed east on the two-lane highway when she veered into oncoming traffic. The Toyota collided head-on with a 1995 Ford F-150, which was driven by a 65-year-old woman. 

After the head-on collision, the woman driving the Toyota exited her vehicle which had stopped in the eastbound lanes with no lights on. She was standing by the vehicle when a 2000 Honda CR-V struck her. Grieshaber reported that the driver of the CR-V did not see the Toyota or the woman who drove it. The 45-year-old woman who drove the Toyota died at the scene. 

The 65-year-old woman who drove the Ford truck and one of her passengers, a 70-year-old man, died at the hospital. A second passenger of the Ford sustained serious injuries. The 58-year-old Honda driver suffered injuries, however they were not considered life-threatening. 

Grieshaber reported that it does not appear that drugs or alcohol were a factor in the incident. Officials are continuing to investigate the incident. 

Common Causes of Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions are some of the most dangerous types of collisions, and they often result in severe injuries, sometimes even death. Some common causes include:

• Driver Fatigue: drowsy driving can lead to loss of control and veering into oncoming traffic
• Distracted Driving: using cell phones, eating, adjusting the radio, or even talking with passengers can cause drivers to drift out of their lanes
• Impaired Driving: alcohol and drugs can cause drivers to lose control and reduce their reaction times and may lead to a head-on collision
• Speeding: excessive speed reduces reaction time and increases the severity of a crash
• Wrong-Way Driving: mistakenly entering a roadway against traffic flow typically results in a head-on collision
• Weather Conditions: Poor visibility and slippery roads can lead to accidents

Some safety precautions that drivers can take to work to prevent head-on collisions include:

• Avoiding distractions
• Driving sober
• Pulling over and sleeping if tired
• Adhering to speed limits and adjusting speed according to road conditions
• Using headlights to increase visibility
• Staying alert, cautious, and vigilant

“As a personal injury lawyer, I’ve seen firsthand the devastating aftermath of head-on collisions. My heart goes out to the victims and their families involved in the Old Highway 80 collision on June 28th,” says Gerald Singleton, San Diego car accident attorney at Singleton Schreiber, “It is important that those involved in this accident, and others in similar situations, know that they may have legal recourse and could consider contacting a personal injury lawyer to learn more about their options.” 

If you have been injured or tragically lost a loved one in a car collision, contact Singleton Schreiber today by calling (619) 771-3473 or emailing info@singletonschreiber.com to learn more about your options.

Last Friday, June 28th, a 21-year-old Kona man was killed in a car crash. The man, Alvin “Kolu Boy” Godfrey Castro III, was a soon-to-be father heading to work on Mamalahoa Highway around 4:45 am. 

The crash occurred just north of the 23-mile marker when an SUV traveling in the opposite direction crossed over the double yellow lines and hit him head-on. Castro died shortly after the collision. 

According to police, the driver of the SUV, a 40-year-old woman, had crossed the double solid yellow lines in an attempt to pull over on the opposite side of the road. 

Important Driving Safety Tips 

According to the Federal Highway Administration, in 2022 there were over 42,500 deaths due to motor vehicle crashes in the US. 

While accidents happen, it is important to take care and drive cautiously in an effort to avoid causing or being involved in an accident. Car crashes can be devastating, whether occupants die or are severely injured, the aftermath of a car accident can affect the lives of those involved for years to come. 

What are some steps drivers can take to stay safe on the road?

• Obey posted speed limits: speeding can reduce your reaction time, and increase the severity of accidents. 
• Obey traffic signals: follow all traffic signals, including red lights and stop signs, to ensure the safety of all road users.
• Know the rules of the road: familiarize yourself with and adhere to all traffic laws and regulations to navigate safely and responsibly.
• Drive sober: never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Impaired driving significantly reduces your coordination and reaction time and increases the risk of accidents. 
• Avoid distractions: stay focused on the road, avoid using your phone, eating, or engaging in any activity that can divert your attention while driving. 

Legal Recourse Available To Families Who Lost Loved Ones In Car Accidents

Families who have lost loved ones in car accidents may have avenues for legal recourse. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, they may be able to file a wrongful death claim. 

“Our hearts go out to the family who lost their loved one and soon-to-be father, Alvin “Kolu Boy” Godfrey Castro III,” says Brett Schreiber, a personal injury attorney who has represented families that have lost loved ones in a car accident, “I’ve seen firsthand the profound impact losses such as this one can have on families and communities. It is important that Castro’s family, and others facing similar situations, know that they may be eligible to file a claim and could consider contacting a personal injury attorney.”

Parties who may be held responsible may include:

• Negligent drivers: if another driver’s negligence or recklessness caused the accident, they could be held liable for the wrongful death.
• Employers: if the driver was operating a vehicle as part of their job, the employer might be held responsible under certain conditions. 
• Vehicle manufacturers: if a defect in the vehicle contributed to the accident, the manufacturer could be held liable.
• Government entities: in cases where road conditions or faulty traffic signals contributed to the accident, a government entity could be held responsible. 
• Service providers: if a mechanic or service provider failed to properly maintain or repair a vehicle, leading to the accident, they may be liable. 

Families may seek compensation for:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of future earnings
• Loss of companionship
• Emotional distress
• Medical expenses incurred prior to death
• And more

If you lost a loved one in a car accident, you may have legal recourse. To learn more about your options contact Singleton Schreiber today by calling (808) 582-8062 or emailing info@singletonschreiber.com.

Around 11:30 pm on June 30th, Albuquerque Police dispatch began to receive calls about a collision that occurred involving three vehicles. The accident resulted in one death and left two others injured. 

The accident occurred at the intersection of Coors and Montano when a man, identified as Jesus Sandoval-Martinez, driving a 2008 Dodge Dakota pickup traveling at a high rate of speed ran a red light while heading north on Coors. 

Just before the accident occurred, a black 2021 Tesla was at the intersection waiting to turn south onto Coors. Next to the Tesla, a Toyota Corolla was waiting to continue westbound on Montano. When their light turned green, both the Tesla and the Toyota entered the intersection. This is when Sandovaol-Martinez ran the red light and collided with the Tesla on the driver’s side, and also impacted the rear driver’s side of the Toyota. 

When emergency responders arrived on the scene they transported the Tesla driver and passenger, who were both critically injured, to UNMH. The driver of the Tesla died from their injuries in the hospital, and the passenger remains in critical condition. The driver of the Toyota sustained only minor injuries in the crash. 

Police were able to obtain real-time camera footage of Sandoval-Martinez operating the 2008 Dodge Dakota pickup and traveling at a high rate of speed heading north on Coors. Eyewitnesses also verified they saw Sandoval-Martinez run the red light at the intersection of Coors and Montano. 

After the collision bystanders and witnesses saw Martinez flee the scene on foot, however, several witnesses were able to detain him until police arrived. According to reports, Martinez was slurring his words and looked to be impaired. When police searched his pickup they found several open alcoholic containers. 

An investigator interviewed Martinez after the crash, using a translator. Martinez admitted in the interview that he had consumed two Corona beers and fled the scene out of fear. The investigator identified several signs of impairment such as bloodshot eyes, a strong odor of alcohol, and slurred speech. He also performed poorly on the sobriety tests conducted and was not in possession of a valid driver’s license. 

A warrant for a blood draw was granted and the draw was executed, MArtinex was booked around 7 am July 1st. He was charged with two counts of Homicide by Vehicle (DWI), Reckless Driving, and more. 

Avenues of Legal Recourse For Victims and Families Involved

Accidents such as the one that occurred in Albuquerque on June 1st, can be devastating, not only emotionally, but financially and physically as well. 

“Our hearts go out to the families who lost their loved ones and the victims who were injured in this accident,” says Brian Colón, attorney at Singleton Schreiber, “as a personal injury attorney who has represented families who have lost loved ones to drunk drivers I’ve seen the catastrophic toll an accident like this can take on all those involved and their families. It is important that the victims of this accident and their families know they may have legal recourse, and could consider contacting a personal injury attorney to learn more about their options for legal recourse.”

Families and victims of this accident may be able to file claims for compensation to help them recover after this devastating accident. Claims they may be able to file include:

• Wrongful Death Claim: this will allow the family to obtain compensation for costs associated with funeral and burial costs, income their loved one would have otherwise provided for them had they not died, and any medical costs from life-saving treatment they may have received before death. 
• Personal Injury Claim: this will allow victims to obtain compensation for property damage, lost income, medical bills, medical treatment, pain and suffering, and more. 

If you lost a loved one or have been injured in a DWI accident, you may have grounds for compensation. To learn more about the options available to you, contact Singleton Schreiber today by calling (505) 605-2076 or emailing info@singletonschreiber.com. 

Around 3 am on Thursday, June 27th, multiple vehicles were involved in a chain-reaction crash on I-5 South near Las Pulgas Road, leaving three dead. California Highway Patrol reported six vehicles were involved, a Jeep, a Sprinter van, and four motorcycles. 

California Highway Patrol Officer, Hunter Gerber, reported that the crash took place just after 3 am. The driver of the Jeep Wrangler was traveling south on I-5 when the vehicle veered off the freeway, slamming into the guard rail. The Jeep then returned to the southbound lanes and was struck by a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van, which then overturned. 

According to Gerber, after the Jeep and Sprinter van collided, four motorcyclists, who were traveling together in a group, crashed into the vehicles. 

CHP’s online log shows that motorists who witnessed the collisions called 911 and told dispatchers there was at least one motorcycle that had caught on fire. 

Gerber said there are three confirmed deaths due to the crash. Five others were injured and transported to hospitals for treatment, two of the five injured sustained life-threatening injuries. 

The accident caused CHP officers to close all southbound lanes of I-5 near Camp Pendleton, causing a major traffic jam and backing up vehicles traveling south from Orange County. Traffic heading north on I-5 has been impacted as well. Gerber reported that CHP will conduct their initial traffic investigation and hopes to have I-5 southbound lanes reopened by 9 am Thursday.

What Factors Can Lead To Car Accidents?

Car accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Drowsy driving – driving while fatigued can significantly impair a driver’s ability to react quickly to changing conditions and their ability to make sound judgments. Drowsiness can lead to falling asleep at the wheel, resulting in serious accidents. Studies have shown that being awake for 17 hours has similar effects on the body as having a BAC of 0.05%
• Distracted driving – distractions like texting, talking on the phone, eating, adjusting the radio, or even talking to passengers can take away a driver’s attention from the road. Even a few seconds of distraction can lead to a serious collision. 
• Drunk or drugged driving – alcohol and drugs impair a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely by affecting their coordination, judgment, and reaction times. Driving under the influence is a major cause of traffic fatalities. In the US, the legal BAC limit is 0.08%, but even lower levels of intoxication can impair driving abilities. 
• Speeding – driving at speeds higher than the posted limits or too fast for road conditions greatly reduces a driver’s ability to react to obstacles and increases the severity of accidents. Speeding is one of the leading causes of traffic accidents and fatalities. Traveling at higher speeds results in longer stopping distances and reduced effectiveness of safety features like seat belts and airbags. 

“Our hearts go out to those involved in the devastating accident that occurred Thursday morning, and our thoughts are with the family and friends who lost their loved ones,” says Gerald Singleton, attorney at Singleton Schreiber, “As a personal injury lawyer I’ve seen firsthand the impact an accident like this can have on all of those involved. It is important that the victims and their families know they may have legal recourse and could consider contacting a personal injury attorney to learn more about personal injury and wrongful death claims.” 

If you’ve been injured in a car accident or lost a loved one in an accident, contact the San Diego motor vehicle accident attorneys at Singleton Schreiber at (619) 771-3473 or by email at info@singletonschreiber.com to learn more about how they may be able to help you.

Monday evening, a manufactured home haul ended in a multi-vehicle collision in Pasadena, California. The collision occurred around 7 pm on Monday, June 24th. 

According to authorities, a semi-truck transporting a manufactured home was traveling westbound on I-210 when it collided with another semi and a Honda CRV. 

The driver of the second semi-truck, Tarane Black, told authorities he had pulled off the roadway onto the shoulder before the crash because he was experiencing mechanical issues with his truck. 

Black spoke with CBS News saying, “All of a sudden that load came through, I guess he couldn’t slow down or something and ran into the back of me there.”

A woman was resting in the sleeper area of Black’s truck when the crash occurred, she was transported to the hospital for treatment as she was thrown from the bed when the collision happened. 

News footage of the wreck shows the collision caused considerable damage to Black’s trailer, and the manufactured home was also damaged, littering the roadway with debris. 

According to the California Highway Patrol, the collision caused major traffic backups. All lanes were reopened by 9 am Tuesday. 

Why Truck Accidents Are Dangerous

While all vehicle accidents are dangerous, accidents involving large trucks are particularly dangerous. This is due to the vast size and weight of large trucks. 

The sheer size and weight of semi-trucks make them much harder to stop quickly, and when a collision occurs, the force of the impact is much greater and has the potential to be devastating. In a crash that involves a truck and a smaller vehicle like a car or SUV, the occupants of the smaller vehicle are at a significantly higher risk of severe injury or even death. 

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

There are many reasons a truck accident may occur, including:

• Driver Fatigue: truck drivers often work long hours and may drive for extended periods of time without adequate rest, leading to fatigue and reduced reaction times. 
• Mechanical Failures: mechanical issues can cause unexpected stops or loss of control, leading to accidents.
• Poor Weather Conditions: weather conditions like rain, fog, and ice can make driving conditions hazardous, especially for large trucks which are more difficult to maneuver and stop on slippery roads.
• Driver Error: mistakes made by the truck driver or other motorists can lead to catastrophic collisions. This includes speeding, improper lane changes, and failure to yield. 
• Improperly Loaded Cargo: if the cargo is not loaded or secured correctly, it can shift during transit, causing the truck to become unstable and increasing the risk of a rollover or jackknife accident. 

“Our thoughts are with all those who were involved in the multi-vehicle collision that occurred earlier this week in Pasadena,” Says Brett Schreiber, attorney at Singleton Schreiber, “Collisions involving large trucks have the potential to be devastating. We hope that everyone recovers swiftly and without complications. It is important that those involved know they may have legal recourse and could consider speaking with a personal injury attorney to learn more about the options available to them.”

Those involved may be able to file a personal injury claim. Who may be held accountable? 

• The truck driver
• The trucking company that employs the truck driver
• The truck manufacturer
• Government or municipal entities responsible for maintaining the roads
• And more

To learn more about who may be liable, contact an attorney.

If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident with a semi-truck, contact the San Diego, CA semi-truck accident lawyers at Singleton Schreiber by calling (619) 771-3473 or via email at info@singletonschreiber.com to learn more about they can help you.