The couple was on their way to a tennis match in a Honda CRV as they approached the I-70 underpass. As they were nearing the underpass, the last trailer on a tractor-trailer semi rolled over the guardrail on the I-70 bridge, followed by the other trailer and the tractor. The whole rig landed squarely on the CRV and exploded into flames that witnesses said were 200-feet high.
]]> Amazingly, the two people in the CRV survived the accident with only minor injuries.The truck's driver died at the scene of the accident.
The accident required the closure of I-70 for hours. Structural engineers examined the bridge and came to the conclusion that it remained safe, although department of transportation crews have been extracting concrete samples to ensure that the structure is not compromised.
Three different agencies continue to investigate the accident--the Colorado State Patrol, the Avon Police and the Colorado Department of Transportation.
It is important that trucking accidents are investigated immediately because the trucking company is only required to hold on to the trucking log for a limited time. Trucking logs contain a great deal of information relevant to a trucking accident.
This accident tragically took the life of the truck driver and could have certainly injured or taken the lives of others on the road. Trucking companies and truck drivers have a responsibility to properly maintain big rigs and drive carefully in order to help ensure the safety of everyone else on the road.
Source: The Aspen Times, "Police: Trucker outside cab when he died in I-70 crash," Randy Wyrick, May 15, 2012
]]>Witnesses reported that the worker either fell or jumped to the ground when the beam he stood on gave way, and then the beam fell 15 to 20 feet directly onto the man.
]]> The victim was pronounced dead at the hospital's construction site, following a complicated rescue effort. Two other workers on the site were also injured.Investigators will now try to determine what happened in this tragic accident. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will study whether the worksite owner or managers were in violation of any OSHA regulations.
OSHA regulations cover working conditions and staff training to provide worker safety on job sites. Falls, crane accidents, exposure to hazardous substances, being struck by an object, explosions and structural collapses of buildings or equipment are often later attributed to OSHA violations.
When employers do not comply with OSHA regulations, their worksites are much more likely to be unsafe.
Depending on whether there were any OSHA violations in this case, and whether negligence of any kind led to this accident, the victim's family members may be entitled to seek different types of legal recourse. In order to recoup lost wages, funeral expenses and other potential damages, families of those killed in workplace accidents usually file workers' compensation claims, third-party liability claims or wrongful death lawsuits.
Which type of claim is most appropriate depends on the nature of the accident. Such legal claims are a way to hold a negligent party accountable, to the extent possible, for the accident as well as a way to mitigate the financial costs of such a loss.
Source: Fox 31, "Construction worker crushed to death in Boulder," May 8, 2012
]]>Police say a likely drunk driver caused a fatal three-car crash in Pueblo on April 28. Speeding down a city street with his daughter and her friend in the back of his truck, the man ran a red light and slammed into a compact car carrying three teenage girls. The three girls in the compact car died at the scene of the car accident.
]]> The impact of the crash threw the two girls, 14- and 15-years-old, in the back of the truck out of the truck bed and onto the road. Emergency responders took both girls to the hospital.The driver of the truck, according to police, admitted drinking beer earlier in the day. The truck driver's daughter told police that her father had been drinking vodka and that he had been speeding and driving unpredictably. Witnesses reported that the truck was traveling over 100 mph when it ran the red light.
A Toyota SUV was also hit but no one in that car was injured.
The families of the three young girls who died so tragically will never be able to completely recover from their losses. However, family members of victims of fatal car accidents may have some recourse in civil court. In a wrongful death lawsuit, possible damages include loss of companionship, medical bills incurred before death, lost of income, pain and suffering, funeral expenses and other economic losses.
The driver of the truck in this fatal crash is likely to face criminal charges. He may also be liable in civil court should the families and victims seek justice there.
Source: The Pueblo Chieftain, "Puebloan faces multiple charges in crash that killed 3 teenagers," Anthony A. Mestas, April 30, 2012
]]>Many factors can contribute to the decision to leave the scene of an accident. Sometimes, drunk drivers flee the scene so that their level of intoxication cannot be measured and proven. Sometimes negligent, reckless, or distracted drivers might be afraid to face what happened because they used poor judgment behind the wheel. Occasionally drivers might sincerely not realize what they have done.
]]> Victims in car accidents, including hit-and-run accidents, can seek fair compensation from insurance companies, but this is not easy. Insurance companies usually seek to settle cases as cheaply as possible and can be formidable opponents in negotiations.In a hit-and-run, until the offending drivers are found the victims must rely on their own insurance company to compensate for losses. Seeking help from an experienced attorney can help victims negotiate successfully with their insurance companies.
In the event that it is impossible to come to reasonable terms with an insurance company, car accident victims can seek justice in the courts. By pursuing a personal injury lawsuit, victims can seek compensation for damages including pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages and other economic losses.
Drivers have a duty to ensure that their conduct does not endanger the safety of everyone else on the road. A driver who leaves the scene of an accident, particularly if serious injuries were involved, abdicates that duty and can leave real chaos in his or her wake.
Source: Coloradoan.com, "Colorado bill increasing penalties for leaving accidents progresses," April 24, 2012
]]>A recent study of "non-toxic" nail products found that many actually included chemicals from what has been called the "toxic trio": formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate and toluene, potentially creating dangerous products. When a defective or mislabeled product causes an injury, victims may need to seek legal recourse.
]]> Formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate and toluene have been linked to birth defects, developmental issues, asthma and other health problems. The European Union has actually banned dibutyl phthalate and also limits the amounts of formaldehyde and toluene in nail polishes and other products.The study found that some nail products labeled non-toxic are likely unsafe. Investigators studied a random sample of 25 nail products available at salons. Five of the seven polishes that were labeled as free of the toxic trio contained significant levels at least one of the chemicals. Of the 12 nail polishes claiming to be toluene free, 10 contained the chemical.
The chemicals in the toxic trio are dangerous and nail care technicians, spending their days leaning closely over the drying products, are at the highest risk of exposure.
A scientist with the Nail Manufacturers Council concurred that the mislabeling of products was a problem but claimed that toluene levels in the tested polishes was not a health issue.
More studies are necessary to evaluate the specific risk to salon employees and customers but these findings may have shocked salon owners. Salon owners are responsible for workplace safety in providing proper ventilation and equipment sterilization. Mislabeled products, however, expose their workers and customers to proven toxins.
Manufacturers that mislabel products open themselves up to potential liability for any harm their products might cause. Consumers and employees who are harmed by dangerous products can potentially seek compensation for losses such as medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and other damages through a products liability claim.
Source: Yahoo! News, "Calif. finds toxins in 'nontoxic' nail polishes," Jason Dearen, April 10, 2012
]]>The driver of the propane truck tried to avoid the collision but reportedly could not turn his truck fast enough. The truck driver escaped without injury, and the 19-year-old driver of the car was treated and released at a Colorado hospital.
]]> The car burst into flames after the crash. Rescue workers and the truck driver worked immediately with a fire extinguisher and foam to contain the flames. If the truck's tank had caught fire the propane could have exploded.According to authorities, the accident was nearly a head-on collision and could have been much worse. Authorities are trying to determine why the car moved into the oncoming lane and they do not suspect that the driver steered to avoid an obstacle or was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
While it does not appear that anyone was seriously injured in this collision, the effects certainly could have been catastrophic. Motor vehicle accidents involving trucks can frequently present very complex insurance and negligence issues.
Many Colorado residents who are involved in a truck accidents choose to seek professional help in dealing with an insurance company after an accident to ensure a fair settlement. This process is much different than a motor vehicle accident involving only cars and it can be quite complex to file a successful insurance claim.
Source: The Durango Herald, "Crash closes Highway 3 for 2 hours," Shane Benjamin, April 10, 2012
]]>The cause of the accident remains under investigation. The instructor works for a company that provides training in skydiving, including solo and tandem jumps. The instructor seems to have been very experienced, having jumped solo at least 600 times, with at least 50 additional tandem jumps.
]]> While the cause of this tragic accident remains unclear, the family of the student skydiver may wish to pursue a civil suit against the skydiving company and/or the equipment manufacturer in order to mitigate the financial impact of such a heartbreaking and sudden loss.A claim on the behalf of the injured instructor may come forth in the form of a workers' compensation claim, as he was performing his job when the accident occurred. Workers' compensation may provide monetary relief for medical bills, pain and suffering and lost wages.
While there is some risk associated with skydiving, skydiving institutions still have a very serious obligation to keep the sport as safe as possible for their employees and students. This includes checking their equipment regularly to ensure that it is working properly and properly training all employees, among other things.
The Fremont County Sheriff's Office is reportedly very carefully examining the parachutes and harnesses to try and establish the cause of the accident. In the event that the investigation finds defective or poorly maintained equipment, the skydiving company or product manufacturer may be held liable for this tragic accident.
Source: krdo.com, "Skydiving Accident Names Released," Laurie Cipriano, April 2, 2012
]]>Two of five passengers in a Chevy Trailblazer died in the crash. A 17-year-old-man, a 2-year-old child and an adult were in critical condition as of last week.
]]> Witnesses reported that the driver of a Toyota Corolla might have caused the accident. The Corolla left the scene and authorities are looking for it and the driver.A driver who causes an accident and flees the scene is subject to criminal charges and can also be held liable for any injuries or damage caused by the crash. Victims injured in car accidents can seek compensation from the offending driver's insurance company, including loss of income, pain and suffering, medical bills, rehabilitation expenses and other economic losses. Insurance companies are generally inclined to limit their liability as much as possible and minimize losses suffered by victims. In the event that the insurance company will not agree to a fair settlement, an experienced personal injury attorney can assist victims in taking their case to court. It is often best to enlist a personal injury attorney as soon as possible, even before filing a claim.
Family members of the victims who were killed in this accident will never receive true compensation for their loss, but may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit to seek a sense of justice and mitigate related financial strains. A wrongful death suit allows for damages including loss of companionship, medical expenses incurred before death, funeral expenses and loss of income.
Source: The Denver Post, "2 dead in car crash that closed westbound I-70 near Frisco," March 26, 2012
]]>The pickup driver allegedly turned left directly in front of the motorcyclist, who was heading in the opposite direction on a two-lane road. As the motorcyclist attempted to stop, his bike fell to one side and threw him into the truck. The bike skidded into the right side of the truck.
]]> State troopers are investigating the fatal accident, but they have cited the pickup driver's consumption of prescription drugs as a possible factor.Motorists have a responsibility to respect motorcycles on our roads. A motorcycle is generally no match for the weight of a car or truck, and frequently motorcycle accidents result in death or very severe injuries.
In this recent accident, an apparently impaired and negligent driver may not have seen the motorcycle traveling in the opposite direction on the road. Lack of motorcycle awareness is a serious problem, and in this case it may have resulted in a motorcyclist's death.
Those who are injured in motorcycle crashes may consider seeking justice with a personal injury lawsuit, by which it is possible to seek compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical expenses, cost of rehabilitation and other economic losses. The family of the man killed in the Morgan County crash could consider filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver of the truck, seeking compensation for loss of companionship, lost wages, funeral expenses and other losses. Of course, this would not begin to lessen their emotional anguish, but it would mitigate some of the financial costs related to such a tragedy.
Source: The Fort Morgan Times, "Motorcyclist dies Friday in accident east of Wiggins," John La Porte, March 19, 2012
]]>While it is not clear what caused this tragic accident, it is likely to trigger an investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. State and federal regulations, particularly through OSHA, are meant to protect workers from workplace accidents, injuries and death. OSHA has expectations for workplace safety and health and requires proper training for employees doing potentially dangerous work.
]]> For many, work carries risks for even the most well-trained and safety conscious employers and employees. Nonetheless, OSHA violations can dramatically increase the likelihood of workplace accidents resulting in injuries or death.When someone dies or is injured in a workplace accident, there are a variety of methods of legal recourse that the victim or surviving family members may follow to seek financial compensation for related expenses and lost wages.
A workers' compensation claim is the most common way to seek benefits to provide for the financial aspect of such a tragedy. In cases where a workplace accident is not covered by workers' compensation insurance, an OSHA accident claim may often be filed.
Finally, when another party's negligence contributed to the workplace accident, a third party liability claim can be filed.
Source: MSNBC, "Pile of pinto beans collapses on Colorado man, kills him," March 16, 2012
]]>The charges stem from an accident that took place late last month in which the driver lost control and rolled his car. Two passengers, both 27 year old men, were thrown out of the car. Tragically, neither of them survived.
]]> The driver, 22, could face even more charges following this horrific accident, including driving under the influence per se, DUI, reckless driving, improper lane use and possession of a schedule one substance.Riding with a driver who is under the influence of drugs and alcohol is extremely dangerous, and it should be avoided at all costs. Passengers, though, may have a difficult time assessing a driver's level of intoxication.
In additional to criminal charges, this man may also face civil litigation filed by the family members of the two victims. Although nothing can truly compensate for the tragic and untimely loss of a loved one, family members of people who are killed in car accidents can pursue a certain amount of justice through wrongful death litigation.
Wrongful death lawsuits allow family members to seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, loss of income, pain and suffering and other expenses incurred as a result of the fatal accident.
While such litigation will not lessen the emotional devastation that the family members of these two young men are likely experiencing, it will help to take care of the finances while they attempt to deal with this sad reality.
Source: dailycamera.com, "Longmont driver in fatal wreck arrested on suspicion of vehicular homicide," Mitchell Byars, March 3, 2012
]]>In Colorado, driving "high," like car accident, is against the law. But Colorado legislators are now considering a bill that would set a specific legal THC blood level, above which a driver would be considered impaired. The bill is motivated by the availability of medical marijuana in Colorado.
]]> Regardless of what the legal limit of THC exposure is in Colorado, driving while high is illegal and dangerous. Studies show that driving while under the influence of marijuana is more than twice as likely to result in a fatal car accident as driving while sober. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that while alcohol is involved in about one-third of fatal car accidents, other drugs were implicated in about 20 percent of traffic-related deaths. This is a significant number of accidents and represents a serious danger to the driving and pedestrian public.People who make the poor choice of drinking or smoking marijuana and driving put everyone else on and near the roads in danger. Victims of accidents where a driver was drunk or high can seek compensation from the driver and the driver's insurance company for pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages and other losses. If a drunk or high driver kills someone in an accident, the victim's family might consider a wrongful death lawsuit.
Victims of such accidents and their families can consult an experienced personal injury attorney for advice on how to best move forward and seek justice.
Source: Colorado Springs Gazette, "Colorado revisits marijuana DUI standard," Kristen Wyatt, Feb. 27, 2012
]]>The accident took place on Colorado Highway 50, outside of Pueblo, on Thursday afternoon when an SUV and a sedan collided. One person died on the scene and emergency workers took seven people with a variety of injuries to a hospital.
]]> Police were looking for a third car, potentially a white Chevy Malibu or Impala, which apparently left the scene. The Colorado State Patrol does not appear to have reported whether the accident was a hit-and-run, how exactly the accident happened or why they are looking for that vehicle.The patrol did take the opportunity to remind Colorado drivers that courteous driving means not only minding manners but also driving safe. Reckless drivers are dangerous, and frequently leave victims in their wake.
Families of victims who die in car accidents can file wrongful death actions if the accident involved negligence of another party. Sometimes, the State Patrol's investigation reveals negligence, but often such information is recovered by a personal injury attorney who performs a separate investigation on the victim's behalf.
Wrongful death actions cannot lessen the emotional anguish of losing a loved one in a tragic accident, but it can provide compensation for funeral and medical expenses, loss of income and pain and suffering. Once these financial difficulties are taken care of, it is often easier for families to focus on the healing process.
Source: La Junta Tribune-Democrat, "Two car crash leaves one dead on Highway 50," Feb. 23, 2010
]]>A 79-year-old woman reportedly suffered internal injuries and many broken bones in the car accident. She is now in a coma. The woman's 75-year-old husband, who sustained a broken collarbone, vows to wait by her bedside in the hospital until she wakes up, according to news reports.
]]> The 22-year-old driver had reportedly been speeding, and he left the scene of the accident. Police later arrested the driver, charging him with felony hit-and-run as well as vehicularThere is currently a proposal, Colorado House Bill 1084, that would increase the penalty for hit-and-run offenders. The penalty for leaving the scene of an accident, which caused serious injuries, would be punishable as a class 4 felony--the equivalent of drunk driving.
Some say that as the law currently stands, some drivers actually have an incentive not to stop and call for help for the injured parties. This is because the penalty for hit-and-run is sometimes less than the penalty if they were apprehended at the scene of the crash while under the influence.
The victims of this accident were planning to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary this summer, according to a news report. The couple's entire family, 44 people including children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren gathered at the hospital after the car accident.
According to a news report, the couple's oldest grandson said that he is thankful that the occupants of the van stopped at the scene and called 911. If not, the grandson said, his grandparents would not have survived.
Source: 9news.com, "Hit-and-run leaves great-grandmother in a coma," Will Ripley, Feb. 14, 2012
]]>The truck accident occurred on a truck route that passes through Walsh, Colorado. Commercial vehicles, including large trucks, often use this route to get through town. The pickup truck in this incident was pulling the trailer that carried the two tanks of fertilizer containing the poisonous gas. The truck's axle broke, and caused the tanks to slide off the trailer. When the tanks fell to the ground, one of the tanks fell directly onto its top. A valve broke from the tank, sending a plume of toxin toward the town of Walsh, Colorado.
]]> No one was injured, and the evacuation order was lifted after about four hours, allowing people to return to their homes.It was not reported what might have caused the axle to break. Truck accidents have many causes, including unsafe driving, oversized loads, inadequate safety practices and poor truck maintenance. And, trucking accidents can be extremely complex, because there are many levels of ownership, insurance and responsibility involved in the trucking industry. Sometimes the driver is at fault. Sometimes the policies of an employer or the shipper are to blame. Poor roads can also contribute.
An attorney experienced in litigating trucking accident cases can usually provide a comprehensive analysis of possible grounds for legal action when a trucking accident causes injury.
Source: Reuters, "Colorado fertilizer spill forces evacuation of homes," Keith Coffman, Feb. 8, 2012
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