Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Contractor Falls Head First Onto Concrete Pit

A 48-year-old Boeing Campus contractor Angel Celaya died from injuries after he fell off a scissor lift that is about 15 feet above the ground onto a 6-feet deep concrete pit that is undergoing construction.

The unfortunate accident only proves that companies should provide equipments that would prevent these foreseeable accidents from happening. If it is proven that the company has been negligent in providing care for the contractor, they can face a premise liability case which can taint their reputation and affect their relationship with their workers.

Employers should be cautious and always look after the welfare of their workers to avoid accidents wherein they can be held liable for. This can assure them of a harmonious working relationship with their workers which will benefit the company.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Dangers on Highway 41

Various factors contribute to a fatal car accident. Driver’s conduct is the most common cause. However, other factors such as road conditions also increase the chances of getting into a car accident.

Highway 41 in Madera County is feared by many motorists like former Fresno firefighter Herman Hamm. Hamm is a motorcyclist who had been to dangerous terrains and treacherous mountains but when it comes to Highway 41, he had different fear.

Highway 41 is a notoriously perilous route as it is full of curves and hills and shoulders. The number of vehicles had increased to 70 percent due to the erection of the Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino and the development in the foothill communities of Coarsegold and Oakhurst. Consequently, cars and trucks crammed the two-lane road which was abruptly cut off by walls of rock or precipitous ledges.

According to California Highway Patrol, 47 people have died in crashes and 635 non-fatal accidents happened in 2003 alone. CHP and Caltrans officials said that the innate dangers that the highway brings coupled with the increase in traffic is what makes it treacherous.

Authorities were one in saying that the remedy was to widen the road. Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty said that there are "very realistic" plans to widen the 2 way lane to four lanes. But this plan has to wait for the availability of funds which is more likely to occur decades from now.

If you were involved in an accident in Highway 41 and negligence attended the crash, a car accident lawyer must be consulted to pursue a personal injury case against the party at fault.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Laws Prohibiting on Phone use while Driving

Laws are enacted for the purposes of compliance and order. Admittedly, people can be very stubborn that they neglect and continue to defy these laws.

A law that has been constantly violated is the law prohibiting cell phone use while driving. It does not take a genius or expert to know the dangers of using a wireless phone while driving.

In United Kingdom, Wales produced a graphic film involving the dangers of texting while driving. The film would be distributed initially at various schools. This was to educate mostly the teenagers of the necessity of avoiding distractions while driving.

In United States specifically in California, two laws were already implemented regarding cell phone use. First, a law that prohibited motorists from using handheld wireless telephone and second, a law that barred drivers under 18 years old from using a wireless telephone or hands-free device.

Recently, the new Wireless Communications Device Law was implemented. This law was aimed at prohibiting the writing, sending or reading text-based communication on an electronic wireless communications device while driving.

Despite these laws, car accidents due to cell phone use are still prevalent. This only shows that prevention or minimization of accidents greatly depends on the driver’s themselves.

Drivers who get into accidents due to cell phone use are punished in accordance with the penalties provided under the law. Their victims can file a personal injury case against them after hiring a car accident attorney.