Semi Truck Accidents attorney usa

Overweight vehicle causes crash.

2006-04-06T05:35:00.000-07:00

Mar 20, 2006

A tractor trailer that was eight tons overweight caused a multi-vehicle crash that closed the Long Island Expressway for hours yesterday morning, injuring eight parents traveling with their schoolchildren in charter buses and snarling traffic during the morning rush hour for miles, Nassau police said. The three-vehicle wreck happened at 8:45 a.m. in the westbound lanes of the LIE at Exit 39 in Old Westbury. The westbound lanes were closed for nearly four hours after the collision. Bryan Pacelli, of Syosset, who drove a car that was jammed under the rig, was flown to Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow with internal injuries. None of the injuries were life-threatening, police said. Investigators haven't determined the cause of the crash. Truck driver Jose Ortiz, 49, of Winston-Salem, N.C., was cited with multiple violations, including a missing tax sticker, bald tires and improper registration for weight. He was also cited for operating an overweight vehicle.

Families involved in the collision should consult an attorney immeditately to preserve evidence and protect their legal rights

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Semi Driver Charged in Fatal Accident

2006-04-06T05:34:00.000-07:00

Mar 20, 2006

By Jim Harris

Maryland State Police have charged a tractor-trailer driver in a pileup Jan. 20 on U.S. 15 at Mountville Road that killed an Adamstown woman. Ronald Farnsworth, 57, of Hanover, Pa., was charged with negligent driving and failure to control speed to avoid a collision, police said.

Family members for the victims should contact an attorney to pursue damage claims against the trucking company.

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Commercial Trucker Who Failed to Secure Load Sought in Fatal Accident.

2006-04-06T05:33:00.000-07:00

Mar 17, 2006

By Jim Harris

A truck driver who apparently failed to properly secure a tarp, causing a fatal chain-reaction accident, could be the first person to be prosecuted under the state's new Maria Federici law — if he's found. A 23-year-old Tacoma man was killed and a 5-year-old boy was critically injured Monday night in a multivehicle crash on southbound Interstate 5 that began when the Tacoma man swerved to avoid the large maroon tarp. State Patrol accident investigators think the tarp came from a commercial truck and probably had been used to cover a load. They are trying to track down the trucker. Sandy James Harmon was driving on I-5 just north of 56th Street in Tacoma when he swerved to avoid the tarp, said State Patrol Trooper J.J. Gundermann. This touched off a chain-reaction accident involving five vehicles, including a tow truck that was hauling a Sound Transit bus. Harmon died at the scene, Gundermann said. Also in the car was Harmon's fiancée, Christina Wheeler, 24, her 5-year-old son, Austin, and the couple's 3-month-old daughter, Violette, said Harmon's father, Tom Harmon. The family was returning home from dropping off Wheeler's other son at his grandmother's house at the time of the crash, he said. Austin was critically injured and is in a coma. Doctors removed part of his spleen, half his liver and part of his skull to relieve pressure on his brain, Tom Harmon said. Wheeler was seriously injured but was moved from St. Joseph Medical Center to Tacoma General Hospital "to be closer to Austin," who is at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital, also in Tacoma, he said. The baby was not hurt, Tom Harmon said.

Family members should consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer to investigate the accident. Commercial trucks are required to stop at weigh stations and there may be records or witnesses who can identify the truck driver who lost the tarp.

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Unsecured commercial trucking tarp causes accident.

2006-04-06T05:32:00.000-07:00

Mar 17, 2006

By Jim Harris

A 23-year-old Tacoma man died and a five-year-old boy was critically injured in a multi-vehicle crash on southbound Interstate 5 Monday night that began when the man and another driver swerved to avoid a large tarp in the roadway, setting off a chain-reaction collision. The boy and three other people were taken to local hospitals. According to the State Patrol, Sandy James Harmon was just north of 56th Street in Tacoma around 7:30 p.m., when he swerved to avoid the tarp; his vehicle collided with another car whose driver, Mathew Duran, 18, also swerved, said Trooper J.J. Gundermann. The collision sent Harmon's vehicle spinning off to the left, where it was struck by a large tow truck that was towing a Sound Transit bus, he said. The tow truck, driven by Jerry Hawbaker, 38, of University Place, pushed Harmon's vehicle into the concrete jersey barrier and then veered to the left, striking a pickup driven by Pat Davis, 37, of Spanaway. Hawbaker's truck went through the jersey barrier, pushing one of the barriers into northbound lanes and causing it to hit a car driven by Carla Levell, 51, of Fife, Gundermann said. Harmon was fatally injured in the crash and died at the scene, Gundermann said. The five-year-old boy, who was seated behind Harmon, was taken to Mary Bridge Children's Hospital with life threatening injuries; an infant girl, who was in a baby seat in the backseat with the boy, appeared to be uninjured, but was also taken to the hospital as a precaution, he said. Christina Wheeler, 24, who was in the front passenger seat of Harmon's vehicle, was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, Gundermann said. The relationship between Harmon, Wheeler and the children was not clear. Levell, the driver who was on northbound I-5 and was struck by the jersey barrier, was also taken to St. Joseph's with non-life threatening injuries, he said.

If the truck that lost the tarp can be identified, the families of the victims of the accident may be able to recover damages from that trucking company. Failure to tie down a load is a violation of the law

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Semi Truck Driver Lost Hand Truck, Causes Accident.

2006-04-06T05:30:00.000-07:00

Mar 17, 2006

By Jim Harris

THURSTON COUNTY - A driver was killed in a crash on I-5 South in Thurston County Friday morning near the town of Maytown The State Patrol says a semi truck lost a hand truck on the roadway. That driver pulled over to get the hand truck out of the road. A car swerved to avoid hitting the semi driver, and ended up running into the back of the semi. The car driver died. The victim's name has not been released.

In cases like this, the truck company may blame the victim of the accident for failing to drive carefully. Family members should immediately contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to determine the cause of the accident, preserve evidence and protect their rights.

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Woman feared passing semi trucks

2006-04-06T05:22:00.000-07:00

Mar 17, 2006

By Jim Harris

Rosie Terry always tensed up when she passed a tractor-trailer rig on a two-lane road. The Moulton resident had a cousin killed in a head-on collision with a big truck years ago, and she was terrified it would happen to her, said her mother-in-law, Theresa Ragland. The 21-year-old's fears came fatally true Thursday afternoon when she collided with a logging truck on Alabama 33. She was on her way to pick up her husband, Ross Terry, from work at a lumber company. She suffered severe head injuries and died at 9:40 p.m. at Huntsville Hospital. Her 13-month-old daughter riding with her was injured and was treated and released from Huntsville Hospital

Family members should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer who can properly investigate the cause of the accident, preserve evidence, and protect the family's rights.

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Alcohol involved in truck - school bus accident.

2006-04-06T05:21:00.000-07:00

Mar 17, 2006

By Jim Harris

The driver of a tractor-trailer that jackknifed and was hit by a bus carrying high school students pleaded not guilty Friday to negligence and recklessness for his role in the crash, which killed five people and injured 28. Kozlowski told investigators that he last drank alcohol about midnight Oct. 14 and that he got 10 hours of sleep before embarking on the 436-mile trip to the Twin Cities about 8 p.m. Oct. 15, the complaint said. Friends who were with Kozlowski at a tavern the night before the trip indicated he stayed up until at least 5 a.m. Oct. 15, the complaint said. Killed were band director Douglas Greenhalgh, 48; his wife, Therese, 51; and their granddaughter, Morgan Greenhalgh, 11. Also killed were driver Paul Rasmus, 78, and student teacher Branden Atherton, 24, authorities said.

Family members for those injured or killed in the collision should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer immediately. Because of the significant damages involved, an attorney with skill and expertice in locating all possible insurance and assets should be retained

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Boy dies in semi - bus accident

2006-04-06T05:17:00.000-07:00

Mar 17, 2006

By Jim Harris

What do you think? Email this story to a friend Printer-friendly format Tell us what you think? Write a letter to the editor More Headlines Huge used book sale set Tony Bennett to croon at Overture No special election for Jensen seat Forums Editorial: Kohl should back Feingold Coalition to city: Time to 'buy local' Feingold move is blasted Start the debate: animals for research? Board likes 'enlightened' sick leave policy 14-year-old dies of injuries in Plainfield bus-semi crash PLAINFIELD (AP) - A 14-year-old boy has died of injuries suffered when a tractor-trailer plowed into the back of a school bus stopped along a rural highway, authorities said Thursday. David Senft was one of eight people hurt in Tuesday's crash, including six students from the Tri-County School District in Plainfield, Superintendent Tony Marinack said in a statement. Senft, an eighth-grader, died Wednesday night at University Hospital in Madison, and his family decided to donate his organs, Marinack said. Students at the school were told of Senft's death before classes Thursday, he said.

The cause of this horrible tragedy will hopefully be learned by police investigators who are trying to determine whey the semi did not stop. Family members of those injured in the collision should contact an experienced lawyer to protect their rights and make sure the investigation is done in a thorough and professional manner.

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Condition of child improving after semi - bus accident

2006-04-06T05:16:00.000-07:00

Mar 16, 2006

By Jim Harris

While state patrol investigators are continuing to piece together why a semi plowed into the back of a school bus in Adams County on Tuesday afternoon, one of the young survivors of the crash said that he feels lucky to be alive. The bus was stopped on state Highway 73 west of Plainfield and apparently had its lights flashing prior to the collision. The bus was carrying nearly a dozen students home from the Tri-County Area School District, and the impact left the front of the truck demolished and tore open the back of the bus. Upon impact, the two vehicles folded up, almost accordion style, WISC-TV reported. The accident happened at about 3:30 p.m., near the Adams-Waushara county line, WISC-TV reported. The driver of the semi -- Barry Jacobson, 44 -- is currently unconscious and has been put into a medically induced coma to prevent brain damage. Standard toxicology tests will be performed, according to a state patrol lieutenant. Jacobson has worked for Wayne Transportation for five years, but the owners said that he he's never had an accident or a violation in 12 years as a driver. Jacobson reportedly left the company's location about 30 minutes before the crash on a trip to Tampa. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Wayne Transportation's fleet of 27 vehicles had been involved in five crashes over the last two years, causing three injuries before Tuesday. Meanwhile, authorities said linking up the physical evidence is proving to be difficult. Investigators said that they don't know what caused the accident, and that the physical evidence is so mangled that it has been difficult to tell what happened. No physical violations were found in the first inspections of the truck.

Families for the injured should immediately contact an attorney experienced in handling serious semi truck accident claims to protect their rights

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Child's Condition Improving in Semi - Bus Crash

2006-04-06T05:15:00.000-07:00

Mar 16, 2006

By Jim Harris

The condition of at least one of the students injured in a collision between a school bus and semi in central Wisconsin on Tuesday is improving. A 13-year-old boy has been upgraded to fair condition at Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah. A 15-year-old girl remains in critical condition there. Six children and the drivers of both the semi and bus were taken to hospitals in Neenah, Marshfield and Madison. Two patients remain critical on Wednesday at St. Joseph's in Marshfield. University Hospital in Madison wouldn't disclose conditions. The semi smashed into the rear of the bus stopped along a rural highway on Tuesday afternoon in Plainfield. The bus was carrying students home from the Tri-County Area School District on Highway 73. The impact left the front of the truck demolished and tore open the back of the bus. Upon impact, the two vehicles folded up, almost accordion style, WISC-TV reported. The accident happened at about 3:30 p.m. in Adams County, near the Waushara County line, WISC-TV reported

Families for the injured should immediately contact an experienced pesonal injury attorney to investigate the cause of the accident and preserve their rights.

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Mandatory Sentences for Repeat Bad Drivers

2006-04-06T05:13:00.000-07:00

Mar 16, 2006

By Jim Harris

A proposal to curb Maine's worst drivers moved forward this week in the Maine Legislature as a committee gave its solid endorsement to "Tina's Law,'' which is named for a woman killed in an accident involving a trucker with a lengthy record of motor-vehicle offenses. The 11-0 vote by the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee enhances its chances of passage when it reaches the full Legislature. Two committee members who had yet to vote on the measure were expected to join the majority, said its co-chairman, Sen. William Diamond.

The legislation is named in memory of Tina Turcotte of Scarborough, who was killed when her car was rear-ended on the Maine Turnpike by a truck driven by a man with a record of 63 motor vehicle-related convictions, 23 license suspensions and a fatal rash in 1994. The trucker, Scott Hewitt, faces manslaughter and several other charges in connection with the July 29 accident.

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Semi Truck Accident Victim Passes Away

2006-04-06T05:12:00.000-07:00

Mar 21, 2006

By Jim Harris

Eighty-seven-year-old Laura Curry of Canton has passed away from injuries she received during an accident on Monday. Curry was the second fatality in that accident. She was a passenger in a car being driven by n 80-year-old Massilon woman who died at the scene. Twenty-five-year-old Juan Ortega, the driver of the semi-truck that hit the women's car, appeared in court yesterday. He is facing charges of vehicular homicide and could spend up to a year in prison if convicted.

Although fault seems clear in this case, the trucking company will likely try to blame Ms. Curry for part of the accident, and will likely argue that because of her age her family should not be fully compensated for this tragedy. Her family should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to handle their claim against the trucking company and make sure that justice is done.

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Serious Accidents Claim Lives

2006-04-06T05:10:00.000-07:00

The Minnesota State Patrol says 56-year-old Frances Peterson from Bethel was killed in a traffic accident on Highway 65 at 253rd Street in Isanti. The accident happened late Tuesday afternoon. In addition to the person killed, two others were injured. There is no information at this time on the severity of their injuries. The patrol says at least two vehicles were involved in the accident. The Minnesota State Patrol is also investigating a serious injury accident in Chisago County. State Patrol says the accident occurred at Highway 8 and County Road 26 just east of Lindstrom. The accident involved a car and a semi truck with a flatbed trailer. North Air Care was called along with a State Patrol Accident Reconstruction Team.

It is important that families involved in these accidents get legal help to begin investigating the causes of the collisions and make sure to preserve their rights

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Semi Truck Kills Teen in North Philidelphia Crash

2006-04-06T05:07:00.000-07:00

Mar 21, 2006

By Jim Harris

Police said John Goodwin, 19, of Feltonville, was the passenger in a car involved in a crash with a flatbed tow truck driven by Fernando Labra, 42. Police said both vehicles were driving east on Hunting Park when the tow truck attempted to make a U-turn and was hit by the car.

The PH Lawfirm represents plaintiffs in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases in Washington and across the United States according to the multijurisdictional practice and pro hac vice rules in each state. James Harris focuses on cases involving car accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, and truck accidents (semi truck, tractor trailor, big rig truck, 18 wheeler, log trucks). James Harris has successfully handled thousands of personal injury claims and has obtained numerous outstanding settlements and verdicts in complex injury and wrongful death cases.

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Tanker truck crosses median and kills two in Tennessee

2006-04-06T05:04:00.000-07:00

Mar 21, 2006

By Jim Harris

Fayette County, TN, 3/7/06 On I-40 in Tennessee, a tanker truck crossed the median and crashed into two passenger vehicles, killing the drivers of both. Catina Randall, 33 of Houston, and Michelle Cotton, 37, of Jackson, were tragically killed. The tanker truck was driven by Roberto Arriaga, 36, of Corpus Christi, Texas. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, a vehicle pulled out in front of the tanker from the shoulder, whereupon Arriaga swerved and overcorrected. The truck went through the median, hit a guardrail and went into eastbound traffic. Investigators for commercial trucking companies will quickly begin to gather or alter evidence and take steps to protect themselves from liability. It is important that an investigation be preformed for families of the victims to level the playing field, preserve evidence, and protect the families’ rights.

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Fiery Crash Injures 3 in Alabama

2006-04-06T05:02:00.000-07:00

Mar 21, 2006

By Jim Harris

Three injured in fiery crash Accident slows traffic along Interstate 65 Jimmy Simms A fiery three-vehicle crash involving an 18-wheeler injured three people and snarled northbound traffic on I-65 for miles Monday. Michael Cammon, 41, of Cullman, and his passenger, William Malcolm, 65, of Hanceville, were injured when their 1997 Dodge pickup was struck from the rear by an 18-wheeler while they were parked in the emergency northbound lane of I-65 near the 295 mile marker, according to eyewitnesses. The driver of the 1999 International, Craig Parent, 39, of Fraser, Minn., was also injured in the accident, state troopers said. Troopers said Cammon and Parent were wearing their seat belts, but that Malcolm was not. Questioned at the scene about the accident, Parent had no comment. A third vehicle, a 1987 Ford, that was parked just ahead of the Cammon truck, was also struck by the tractor-trailer rig, but that car was not occupied, troopers said. According to eye witnesses, the impact of the 18-wheeler striking the pickup truck was so severe that the vehicle literally broke in two with the cab being separated from the bed of the truck. The truck’s gas tank also exploded, covering the vehicle in fuel and flames. Truck drivers Robert Allen of Gardendale and Barry Booker of Milwaukee, Wis., were among the first individuals to stop and attempt to assist Malcolm, who was trapped inside the burning truck. Witnesses said the driver, Cammon, jumped out of the truck after the collision, staggered across the highway and collapsed in the median. “I pulled my truck over and stopped just past the 18-wheeler on the right shoulder. I stopped at the first car, which was pinned underneath the front bumper of the truck and saw there was no one inside it. I then glanced up and saw that the truck driver was apparently all right and then I heard somebody yelling that there was someone still in the pickup truck, which was on fire,” Booker said. When Booker arrived at the pickup truck, or what was left of it after the entire bed of the truck had been torn away, he said another man was already attempting to open the passenger door, which was wedged shut by the impact. “A bunch of guys, most of them truckers who stopped, ran up with fire extinguishers and began dousing the fire to keep it cool while emergency help was on the way,” said Allen, a trucker from Gardendale. “This one man came up with a concrete saw and began sawing away at the top of the door. Eventually they were able to pull the man out through the window of the truck.” Both Allen and Booker said they could tell the man had sustained some serious injuries. “He had bad burns to both legs and his left arm. He had a big laceration on his left thigh,” Booker said. “Drivers brought water and rags to try and cool him down. A woman kept talking to him. She must have been a nurse because she was telling him his pulse was good and strong and he was going to be OK. I heard him tell her he was a diabetic and I think the fear was he might go into diabetic shock.” Cullman Emergency Medical Services arrived on the scene and began treating the injured. AirEvac was called to the scene and transported Malcolm to UAB Hospital in Birmingham where he was listed in good condition. Cammon and Parent were transported to hospitals in Cullman. Their conditions, which were believed not to be serious, were unavailable. Allen, a driver for nine years, and Booker a truck driver for 10 years, both said they had never witnessed an accident that severe before. “In 10 years of driving a truck I’ve never seen anything like that before and it happened right in front of me,” Booker said. “I could tell the driver of the 18-wheeler was having some sort of problem. I watched him go off the edge of the road a couple of times prior to hitting the pickup truck. It just demolished it — spun it around like a top and then went on and struck the other car. I had to pull to the left to avoid getting involved myself.” “I saw the 18-wheeler run off the shoulder of the road twice prior to hitting the truck and it just broke it in half,” Allen said. “I had never seen anything like that before. And then people started stopping and other truckers stopped and began running up to help this guy with his truck on fire. I began running back up the interstate asking truckers to bring their fire extinguishers and they did. It was amazing no one was killed. I know the one guy is hurt really bad, but I’m hoping he’s going to make it.”

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2 Die When Semis Crash and Explode

2006-04-06T04:59:00.000-07:00

Mar 22, 2006

By Jim Harris

Highway 6 Near F.M. 2154 Closed In Both Directions Two people were killed when two semi-trucks crashed and exploded in Navasota, KPRC Local 2 reported. The accident happened at about 4 a.m. on Highway 6 near F.M. 2154. Authorities have closed Highway 6 in both directions, and said it could be closed for several hours as officials investigate the accident and clear the scene. The victims' identities and the cause of the crash have not been released. This is another tragic accident involving a semi truck. One of the truck drivers was at fault for this accident, but we don't yet know which one. My condolences to the families of both drivers.

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Driver Charged in Accident

2006-04-06T04:53:00.000-07:00

Mar 22, 2006
By Jim Harris

A Hanover man faces charges in a seven-vehicle crash that killed a woman in Maryland Jan. 20. The Frederick County State's Attorney's Office last week charged Ronald Farnsworth, 57, with negligent driving and failure to control speed to avoid a collision. The negligent driving charge carries a $280 fine and the speed charge carries a $120 fine. Maryland State Police said Farnsworth was the driver of a tractor-trailer that was unable to stop in time for a line of vehicles stopped in front of him on Route 15, just south of Mountville Road. Four vehicles had been stopped in the northbound lane for a vehicle turning left in front of them, police said. Police said Farnsworth's rig struck the rear of a 2004 Honda Accord and sent it into the southbound lane, where it hit a southbound 1998 Toyota Avalon. The driver of the Avalon, Patricia Adams, 66, of Adamstown, lost control of the car and crossed into the northbound lane, where her car was hit by a Ford F-550. Adams died from injuries she suffered in the crash, police said. Four other people were treated for injuries that weren't life-threatening. After hitting the Honda, the tractor-trailer continued forward and hit a 2004 Volkswagen Beetle, police said. The Beetle collided with a 1996 Toyota Avalon, which then hit a 2005 Ford Explorer, police said. The state's attorney's office received the investigation and decided to charge Farnsworth, police said. This horrible tragedy may not merely be the fault of the truck driver, but may have also been the fault of the trucking company, whose policies and procedures may have led the driver to drive excessively without rest. Other potential contributors to this tragedy include poor vehicle maintenance and improper training, selection, and supervision of drivers by the trucking company. Whereas the trucking company will likely attempt to blame only the driver, and potentially others involved in the accident, in a civil lawsuit discovery should be conducted to determine if the trucking company has safety problems that need to be changed to prevent additional accidents from occurring

A Hanover man faces charges in a seven-vehicle crash that killed a woman in Maryland Jan. 20. The Frederick County State's Attorney's Office last week charged Ronald Farnsworth, 57, with negligent driving and failure to control speed to avoid a collision. The negligent driving charge carries a $280 fine and the speed charge carries a $120 fine. Maryland State Police said Farnsworth was the driver of a tractor-trailer that was unable to stop in time for a line of vehicles stopped in front of him on Route 15, just south of Mountville Road. Four vehicles had been stopped in the northbound lane for a vehicle turning left in front of them, police said. Police said Farnsworth's rig struck the rear of a 2004 Honda Accord and sent it into the southbound lane, where it hit a southbound 1998 Toyota Avalon. The driver of the Avalon, Patricia Adams, 66, of Adamstown, lost control of the car and crossed into the northbound lane, where her car was hit by a Ford F-550. Adams died from injuries she suffered in the crash, police said. Four other people were treated for injuries that weren't life-threatening. After hitting the Honda, the tractor-trailer continued forward and hit a 2004 Volkswagen Beetle, police said. The Beetle collided with a 1996 Toyota Avalon, which then hit a 2005 Ford Explorer, police said. The state's attorney's office received the investigation and decided to charge Farnsworth, police said.

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Semi Rear Ends Car

2006-04-06T04:51:00.000-07:00

Mar 22, 2006
By Jim Harris

The extent of injuries in this collision are not clear from the reports. However, it is yet another preventable trucking accident involving a rear-end collision by a semi truck. This is the synopsis: A four-vehicle crash on Highway 50A sent five people to the hospital Monday morning and backed up traffic in both directions. The crash occurred at 11:20 a.m. immediately west of the intersection of Highway 50A and Farm District Road in a construction zone. Westbound traffic was diverted down Farm District Road. According to the Nevada Highway Patrol, a Freightliner tractor trailer driven by Jose Garcia of Garden Grove, Calif., struck the rear of a 1990 Accura sedan, driven by Angelina Perry of Fallon, and caused it to rotate clockwise. The tractor trailer continued traveling east and struck a 1992 Ford van driven by Treion Rees of Fernley. The Ford van was pushed into the rear of a 1996 Chevrolet van driven by Douglas Martin of Fallon. NHP Trooper Joe Winchester said all drivers and passengers involved were wearing seat belts with the exception of a passenger in the tractor trailer. He said Miguel Sanchez of Stranton, Calif., was probably in the sleeper berth of the tractor trailer but sustained no injuries. Garcia, Perry and Martin were transported to Washoe Medical Center by Fernley ambulance. Alana Beech of Fallon, a passenger in the Ford van, and Barbara Martin, a passenger in the Chevrolet van, were also transported to Washoe Medical Center. Hopefully, no one was seriously injured. If injuries did occur, the family for the injured should, with an experienced attorney, look past the easy explanation of driver error as the sole cause for the collision. Often trucking companies cut corners on truck driver training, selection, supervisions, and truck maintenance. Some truck companies financially encourage truck drivers to violate Federal laws that require adequate sleep. These types of trucking companies are likely to produce deadly crashes again and again if the truth is not uncovered and if they are not held accountable for their dangerous practices

The PH Lawfirm represents plaintiffs in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases in Washington and across the United States according to the multijurisdictional practice and pro hac vice rules in each state. James Harris focuses on cases involving car accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, and truck accidents (semi truck, tractor trailor, big rig truck, 18 wheeler, log trucks). James Harris has successfully handled thousands of personal injury claims and has obtained numerous outstanding settlements and verdicts in complex injury and wrongful death cases.
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Semi Truck Runs Over Cars in Hwy 550 Collision

2006-04-06T04:49:00.000-07:00

Mar 22, 2006
By Jim Harris

Another horrible tragedy involving a semi truck not stopping in time for traffic. My condolences to the families involved. Here is the report: Two people were killed and four others were taken to a hospital following a head-on crash Wednesday morning that may have been caused by winter weather. State police say that two vehicles traveling in opposite directions on Highway 550 between San Isidro and Cuba crashed into each other at about 9:00 am. A tractor-trailer, unable to stop at the accident scene, ran over one of the vehicles. While the news is blaming weather for the accidents, I have to say that weather is only one of the causes of this accident. There are no facts available at this time regarding the facts of the initial collision. However, the fact that a semi truck ran into and over stalled vehicles tells me that more than weather is involved. A semi truck driving in icy conditions should be driving slow enough to stop for a stopped vehicle in front of it, regardless of whether the stalled vehicle was in a collision, or just stopped for traffic. The real question is why was this large truck moving too fast for conditions? Without wanting to sound like a broken record, the cause of the truck driver's error, may stretch back further into the trucking company's internal safety polices. If they cut corners on maintenance, training, driver selection, or if they encourage drivers to violate Federal laws by not sleeping enough, then the company's policies are partially to blame for this tragedy. It is important to find the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so that accidents of this type can be prevented.

The PH Lawfirm represents plaintiffs in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases in Washington and across the United States according to the multijurisdictional practice and pro hac vice rules in each state. James Harris focuses on cases involving car accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, and truck accidents (semi truck, tractor trailor, big rig truck, 18 wheeler, log trucks). James Harris has successfully handled thousands of personal injury claims and has obtained numerous outstanding settlements and verdicts in complex injury and wrongful death cases.
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Semi Rear Ends Car on Avondale in Fatal Crash

2006-04-06T04:27:00.000-07:00

Mar 22, 2006
By Jim Harris

My condolences to the families involved in this tragic accident. Yet another horrible accident where a semi truck is moving too fast for conditions and fails to stop in time for traffic stopped in front of it. Here is the report: One woman was killed and five others were injured when a tractor-trailer hit a car Tuesday in Avondale. State police said Lynne Marie Hart, 48, of Nottingham, was driving the tractor-trailer south on Pa. 41 toward the intersection with 5th Street about 3 p.m. and didn't stop fast enough to avoid hitting a 2005 Nissan Maxima that was stopped in front of her. The Maxima, driven by Phyllis J. Stahl, 53, of Avondale, was pushed into the northbound lane of Pa. 41, where it collided with a 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier. Inside the Cavalier were the driver, Donna Lee Chandler, 55, Hersey Chandler, 81, and Pauline Chandler, 75, all of Cochranville, and Francine Riley, 73, of Honeybrook. Stahl was flown to Christiana Hospital with multiple injuries, as were Hersey Chandler and Pauline Chandler, neither of whom were wearing seat belts. Pauline Chandler was pronounced dead at the hospital. Hart suffered minor injuries. From the report, it seems clear that the truck driver is at fault. The trucking company will likely adit that, but blame the occupants of the vehicles who were not wearing seatbelts for the severity of the injuries. The truth regarding the original cause of the injuries, and the driver's error, may lie behind the closed doors of the trucking company's offices. Did they maintain policies that were dangerous? Did they maintain their trucks? Did they properly select and train their drivers? Did they look the other way while they knew their drivers were violating Federal law by driving too many hours without sleep? To prevent accidents of this type from happening, the families involved should get a trucking accident attorney involved who will uncover the truth about the company and make sure there is full justice.

The PH Lawfirm represents plaintiffs in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases in Washington and across the United States according to the multijurisdictional practice and pro hac vice rules in each state. James Harris focuses on cases involving car accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, and truck accidents (semi truck, tractor trailor, big rig truck, 18 wheeler, log trucks). James Harris has successfully handled thousands of personal injury claims and has obtained numerous outstanding settlements and verdicts in complex injury and wrongful death cases.

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Driver sought after fatal motorcycle crash

2006-04-06T04:24:00.000-07:00

Mar 22, 2006
By Jim Harris

TITUSVILLE -- Titusville police are searching for the driver of a blue Chevrolet Caprice who might have been drag racing when he hit and killed a motorcyclist, investigators said Tuesday. The 1986 Caprice was speeding south on State Road 405 south of Singleton Avenue late Monday when it slammed into the rear of the black Honda Shadow, officers said. David C. Young, 31, of Titusville was thrown from the motorcycle and died at the scene. The driver of the car ran from the accident and was still being sought. Police are investigating whether the car was racing another when it struck the bike, said police spokesman Warren Van Vuren.

"The PH Lawfirm represents plaintiffs in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases in Washington and across the United States according to the multijurisdictional practice and pro hac vice rules in each state. James Harris focuses on cases involving car accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, and truck accidents (semi truck, tractor trailor, big rig truck, 18 wheeler, log trucks). James Harris has successfully handled thousands of personal injury claims and has obtained numerous outstanding settlements and verdicts in complex injury and wrongful death cases."

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Six Semi Trucks Involved in Deadly Accident

2006-04-06T04:22:00.000-07:00

Mar 23, 2006
By Jim Harris

WAMSUTTER -- A crash involving six tractor-trailers on Interstate 80 killed one person and injured two others Wednesday, the Wyoming Highway Patrol said. The crash occurred around 6 a.m. and blocked the westbound lanes about 11 miles east of Wamsutter. Traffic was periodically let through in one lane while crews cleared the wreckage. The highway had fully reopened by late morning, according to the patrol. The road was icy at the time of the crash, and light fog had reduced visibility to around a quarter-mile. "Apparently a semi jackknifed in the roadway. Another semi behind had either been slowing or was stopped. Some other semis came up behind him and started crashing into the first two semis there," patrol Sgt. Stephen Townsend said. The person killed was a co-driver in one of the trucks. The victim's identity was not immediately available. Two others were taken to Memorial Hospital of Carbon County in Rawlins. One was treated and released, and the other remained hospitalized with unknown injuries. After the first crash, six other vehicles were involved in three separate crashes in the westbound lanes. No one was hurt in those crashes. Townsend said drivers might have been going to fast for the slick, foggy conditions. He said troopers were investigating.

The PH Lawfirm represents plaintiffs in wrongful death and catastrophic
injury cases in Washington and across the United States according to the
multijurisdictional practice and pro hac vice rules in each state. James Harris
focuses on cases involving car accidents, product liability lawsuits, and truck
accidents (semi truck, tractor trailor, big rig truck, 18 wheeler, log trucks).
James Harris has successfully handled thousands of personal injury claims and
has obtained numerous outstanding settlements and verdicts in complex injury and
wrongful death cases.

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Ambulance Driver Injured in Semi Accident

2006-04-06T04:20:00.000-07:00

Mar 23, 2006
By Jim Harris

Let's all breathe a sigh of relief that this accident was not more serious than it was. Any time you are involved in an accident with a semi truck, you are lucky to survive. Here is the report: A crash involving an ambulance and two tractor trailers that nearly killed a medic Monday night. Troopers say a rig blew a couple of tires ahead of the ambulance. It struck that rig and then another as it swerved in attempt to avoid crashing. Tri-County Ambulance officer Jackie Ellington thanked Angel Ministries and Fort Oglethorpe emergency workers for their work at the scene of that crash. Ellington credits the emergency crews with saving the life of Dewayne Reece. Jackie Ellington, Tri-County Ambulance "We've been very blessed, because he did not lose his legs. And, it was though during the accident that was a possibility. He sat up this morning. He's breathing on his own, he's talking, and he's wanting to come home... Get to a regular room, and get better as soon as possible."

The PH Lawfirm represents plaintiffs in wrongful death and catastrophic
injury cases in Washington and across the United States according to the
multijurisdictional practice and pro hac vice rules in each state. James Harris
focuses on cases involving car accidents, product liability lawsuits, and truck
accidents (semi truck, tractor trailor, big rig truck, 18 wheeler, log trucks).
James Harris has successfully handled thousands of personal injury claims and
has obtained numerous outstanding settlements and verdicts in complex injury and
wrongful death cases.

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Dairy Fined in E. Coli Outbreak

2006-04-06T04:18:00.000-07:00

Mar 24, 2006
By Jim Harris

An unlicensed dairy operation that was the source of an E. coli outbreak that sickened at least 18 people late last year will be fined $8,000, the state Department of Agriculture announced Thursday. Raw, unpasteurized milk from Dee Creek Farm in Woodland, near Vancouver, Wash., sickened at least 18 people in southwestern Washington and northern Oregon in December. Three children were admitted to local intensive-care units. According to the state's report, none of the farm's five cows had the required tests that certify the animals to be free of tuberculosis or brucellosis. The farm also had purchased a cow in Oregon and transported it into Washington without the proper animal-inspection certificates. "These E. coli illnesses were the result of disregard for the law and poor sanitation practices," said Claudia Coles, the state Agriculture Department's food-safety officer. Now that the state has issued a notice of intent to assess a civil penalty, the farm can request a hearing before an administrative-law judge to contest the investigative findings and the penalty. A message left at Dee Creek Farm on Thursday was not returned. The farm has been under a cease-and-desist order since the outbreak and not allowed to distribute milk products.

The PH Lawfirm represents plaintiffs in wrongful death and catastrophic
injury cases in Washington and across the United States according to the
multijurisdictional practice and pro hac vice rules in each state. James Harris
focuses on cases involving car accidents, product liability lawsuits, and truck
accidents (semi truck, tractor trailor, big rig truck, 18 wheeler, log trucks).
James Harris has successfully handled thousands of personal injury claims and
has obtained numerous outstanding settlements and verdicts in complex injury and
wrongful death cases.

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Both Drivers are Killed in Illinois Crash

2006-04-06T04:15:00.000-07:00

Mar 24, 2006
By Jim Harris

Autopsies were performed Thursday on two people killed when a tractor-trailer truckloaded with 70,000 pounds of concrete collided head-on with a pickup on U.S. 45 near Stonefort, Ill. William Henson, 47, of Stonefort, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Saline County Coroner's office. Steven Mitchell, 50, of Huntingburg, Ind., was Lifeflighted to Deaconess Hospital, where he later died. Both men likely died of massive blunt trauma, Vanderburgh County Coroner Don Erk said. Results from an autopsy were not available. The wreck occurred around 12:35 p.m. Wednesday on U.S. 45, about one mile north of Stonefort. Stonefort is located near the Saline-Williamson county line. Henson was southbound on U.S. 45 when for an unknown reason he lost control of his 2006 Ford F-150 pickup and veered into oncoming traffic, colliding with the semitrailer, driven by Mitchell, Illinois State Police said. The semi broke into several parts and caught fire, trapping Mitchell inside, Erk said

The PH Lawfirm represents plaintiffs in wrongful death and catastrophic
injury cases in Washington and across the United States according to the
multijurisdictional practice and pro hac vice rules in each state. James Harris
focuses on cases involving car accidents, product liability lawsuits, and truck
accidents (semi truck, tractor trailor, big rig truck, 18 wheeler, log trucks).
James Harris has successfully handled thousands of personal injury claims and
has obtained numerous outstanding settlements and verdicts in complex injury and
wrongful death cases.

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