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Dallas Woman's Family Sues Company in Truck Accident
May 05, 2008

The family of a Dallas woman who was killed in a truck accident, in which a concrete truck landed on top of her SUV, has filed a lawsuit against the truck company.

Texas Industries, the company that owned the truck, has been accused by the plaintiff's attorneys of keeping a fleet of vehicles that was badly maintained.

The truck accident in question dates back to April 11 of this year. Maria Gamez, a Dallas real estate agent, was driving with her 5-year-old daughter, Angelica, on John Carpenter Freeway. A Texas Industries cement truck driven by Edward Magallan lost control and, loaded with 50,000 pounds of fresh concrete, flipped over the center median landing on top of Maria's SUV. She died instantly in the truck accident. Her daughter sitting in the passenger seat of the SUV was stuck in the car for more than two hours before emergency workers were able to extricate her. All the while fresh cement poured into the car from the overturned truck, terrifying the girl.

The truck accident lawsuit that has been filed mentions the pain and suffering that this little girl has suffered. It also claims that Texas Industries has a poor history of truck maintenance.

There's enough data in the truck accident case to show that Texas Industries does indeed have a bad record of fleet maintenance. The company itself has denied that its trucks were anything less than top notch, and the driver, Magellan was properly licensed and certified. It has never had an unsatisfactory compliance review, the company says. But ground realities are very different.

During a two-year period and over 1031 inspections, Texas Industries trucks were put out of service a total of 297 times. The nature of violations ranged from maladjusted brakes, bald tires, and defective brake lights, to broken wheel rims and improperly secured loads. In short, these vehicles were in a fit condition to cause truck accidents of this nature. Magellan himself does not have a clear record. He was cited for a drunk driving accident in 1999, and has a total of 5 convictions for failure to maintain liability insurance. There have also been convictions for speeding and disregarding traffic devices. He also had his license suspended twice.

A fleet that was poorly maintained, and a driver with a record of disobeying traffic rules, speeding and drunk driving - the perfect combination to cause a devastating truck accident. Magellan has claimed that another vehicle tried to cut him off, and that's what made him lose control of the truck. When you're driving a massive truck containing 50,000 pounds of fresh concrete, you better make sure that you have your vehicle under control. People cut other vehicles off all the time, it happens everyday. When you're out on the road with a massive machine, you make sure to take all precautions, and take all possibilities into consideration. There is no information about whether Magellan was speeding at the time of the truck accident, but if he was driving at a reasonable speed, then it would have been possible to control his truck, regardless of whether someone cut him or not.

Now there's a woman dead due to no fault of hers, and a little girl that's been terribly scarred, and will have to grow up without a mother - whose fault is that?

If you have a loved one who has been injured or killed in a truck accident, you need the help of an experienced California personal injury attorney. Contact a lawyer at The Reeves Law Group for a free consultation.

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Man Injured By U-Haul Truck Sues Company
April 16, 2008

At his age, Tamaradge Waldrip shouldn't have to be confined to bed for reasons that have nothing to do with age. He is an antiques dealer with an active life, and before a U-Haul truck managed to crush his body, had plans of an active life to the very end. Today, Tamaradge spends 20 hours a day in bed being tended to by his wife of 53 years. He has been that way for about a year now ever since the fateful accident.

In September 2006, Waldrip was helping his daughter move some belongings. He rented a U-Haul truck and stopped by a warehouse. The truck was in park and the engine was turned off. Tamaradge stepped down from the truck, and before he knew it, the truck had managed to roll over, crushing his body beneath the left front wheel. The truck rolled over his midsection. His back was broken, and his organs were crushed. Since that day, Tamaradge has struggled to be able to handle even his basic needs. The once energetic man is a shadow of his former self.

Now, the Waldrips have filed a lawsuit against U-Haul, and the case goes to trial next week. In the lawsuit, Tamaradge alleges poor inspection of his truck. The brakes were old, and had old worn out pads, and the gears were worn down. According to the Waldrip's attorney, the truck that Tamaradge was driving had an expired inspection sticker, and had managed to accumulate more than 200,000 miles on the odometer. The truck was 19 years old, and had a history of problems with its brakes.

The trial promises to be a tough one for U-Haul as the Waldrip's attorneys have found a video that shows another U-Haul truck moving ahead after being put in park. The attorneys allege that poor maintenance of its vehicles is a regular affair at the company. The company knows that it will be held accountable for the injuries suffered by innocent customers, and they choose to pay compensation rather than have their fleet maintained.

To have a company like U-Haul, which rents out trucks and trailers to so many Americans every year, be so blase about the maintenance of its fleet and the safety of its customers, is extremely disturbing. The Waldrip lawsuit, if they win it, could result in them being paid million of dollars, but money isn't the point here. Of what use would money be to an energetic man with a vigorous lifestyle who has been condemned to live the life of a near invalid? Having the money won't really improve the quality of Tamradge's life.

The prospect that there are thousands of people driving U-Haul trucks on highways right now - trucks that are old, unserviced, dirty, worn out and not inspected - is a frightening one.

If you have been injured in a truck accident, you need the help of an experienced California personal injury attorney. Contact a lawyer at The Reeves Law Group for a free consultation.

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California Highway Patrol Truck Enforcement Reveals Many in Non-Compliance
October 23, 2007

Truck maintenance or the lack of it can be a major causal factor in truck accidents. By the very nature of their function, traversing thousands of miles daily and under all kinds of road and weather conditions, trucks are more prone to wear and tear. A small malfunction is enough to cause a devastating accident. Proper maintenance of a truck is crucial not only to the safety of the truck itself but also the well being of other drivers on the streets.

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UPDATE: Deadly Newhall Pass Truck Fire
October 15, 2007

According to news sources, both main lines of the Newhall Pass section of Interstate 5 have reopened following Friday's big rig truck crash and fire. The Newhall Pass truck bypass tunnel remains closed following the death of three people in the accident, which involved as many as 29 semi trucks and one passenger car. On Monday, many commuters chose to take Metrolink, the Los Angeles area commuter rail line instead of risking detours around the Newhall Pass accident scene.

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Santa Clarita Big Rig Truck Crash Kills 3 on I-5
October 13, 2007

At least three people were killed and at least ten people were injured late Friday in a fiery big rig truck accident on Interstate 5 just north of the Antelope Valley Freeway in Northern Los Angeles County. The Santa Clarita crash closed the main route connecting Los Angeles to San Francisco in both directions. The truck accident occurred in a tunnel designed for semi truck traffic although cars are also allowed to use the truck route.

The truck accident occurred when two semi trucks collided, triggering a chain reaction collision of 15 big rig trucks and at least one passenger car. At least one of the trucks was carrying fuel and caught fire. The entire tunnel was eventually engulfed in flames and the resulting inferno reached 2000 degrees for several hours.

Big rig truck accidents can easily result in catastrophic injuries and wrongful death. If you have been injured in a semi truck accident or a loved-one has suffered a wrongful death due to a big rig crash, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses. It is critical to contact an experienced truck accident attorney to protect your rights. The Reeves Law Group has extensive experience helping injured victims recover the compensation they deserve.

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Driver Error May have Caused Van Crash in San Bernardino Mountains
October 11, 2007

The California Highway Patrol has blamed driver error for the US Forest Service transport van crash in which the vehicle plunged into the San Bernardino Mountains on Monday.

The Orange County Register says Adelanto resident Stanley Taylor was driving the 8 ton van on Highway 18 when the accident occurred. Eight firefighters were in the van on their way to the scene of last month's Butler-2 fire to do clean up work on the site.

The van was traveling at a speed of 35 to 45mph in a 55mph zone. Making a right turn, Taylor sideswiped the guard rail, locked up his brakes, and veered through the guardrail, plunging 235 feet into the San Bernardino Mountains. The impact caused the van to split apart separating the crew cabin from the chassis. Both parts of the van stopped 235 feet below highway 19, the Orange County Register reported. All the passengers traveling in the van sustained multiple injuries and were treated at local hospitals.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the accident was caused by Taylor's "unsafe turning movement." Taylor himself was not available for any comments.

When an accident occurs as a result of negligence of the driver, injured parties can claim compensation for injuries sustained, pain and suffering, and lost wages. Medical bills both current and future expenses (if these future expenses are certain) can also be claimed from the at-fault parties. The personal injury lawyers at The Reeves Law Group bring decades of experience handling accident and personal injury cases to the table. Call for a free consultation on your case.

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U-Haul Focuses on Truck Maintenance Issues
October 10, 2007

A series of maintenance problems that caused at least one death in recent weeks has caused U-Haul, the country's largest supplier of rental trucks and trailers to revamp its existing maintenance practices. The Los Angeles Times which earlier published a three-part series that highlighted faulty maintenance practices at the company now reports that there are indications that the management is beginning to get its act together when it comes to fleet maintenance.

U-haul employees and managers many of whom for obvious reasons preferred to remain anonymous said there has been an increase in the number of safety tests and depth of inspections performed.

The Los Angeles Times series focused on a number of problems that were rampant at the Phoenix based company. While company policy mandates regular brake and tire checks, the Times found that compliance of these rules was irregular at best. At least half of the trucks and more than 80 per cent of the trailers in U-Haul's fleet were found to be overdue for a safety check. Some trucks and trailers were found to be pending inspection for more than a year.

The tragedy that can result when such gross maintenance irregularities are seen was brought out in the recent death of a U-Haul customer who died at the company's service center after a truck began rolling down and crushed him to death. Employees now say greater attention is being paid to the maintenance of the fleet. Dealers also report that U-Haul has been making increasing calls to step up safety checks.

Given the number of miles they traverse daily, trucks are subject to increased wear and tear and require regular inspections and safety. Poor maintenance can be a major causal factor when it comes to truck accidents.

If a badly repaired truck is responsible for an accident that causes injuries to the parties involved, the truck company can also be held liable for the personal injuries or damage that results from the accident. If you have been injured in a truck accident that was caused due to faulty truck maintenance call the California truck accident lawyers at The Reeves Law Group for a consultation.

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Truck Accidents on the Rise in Moorpark, California
October 05, 2007

According to the Ventura County Star, there has been a spike in big rig accidents in Moorpark, California this year. Moorpark police say there have been 13 truck related collisions on Los Angeles Avenue alone. In all of these, big rigs were at fault.

The rise in truck related accidents in the city is seen as a fallout of the increased big rig traffic activity in Moorpark, California. The city has had a spate of new development projects in the works, and these require regular truckloads of sand and gravel. There are no statistics regarding the number of trucks that actually ply Moorpark roads, but there has been an increase in accidents within the city to 280 this year from 236 during this same time last year. The California Highway Patrol also reported that there has been an increase in accidents on the stretch of highway from Moorpark city limits to Somis, California.

Highway 118, or Los Angeles Avenue, is the main highway running through town. At any given point, trucks and cars vie for space on the road. Many trucks are frequently involved in offenses like stopping by the side of the road, making an unsafe lane change, driving in an unsafe lane or speeding.

The construction boom, it appears, has already begun to make its presence felt in other not so desirable ways. New homes have poured millions of dollars into the city's property tax coffers, but residents say the increase in big rig traffic has raised questions about their safety and has already impacted their lifestyles. Some roads and avenues are a nightmare to navigate and it's not uncommon to be stopped at a light flanked by big rigs on all sides. Air pollution has increased dramatically, and the noise can be deafening at times. Some residents say they find it easier to leave their cars behind and walk through the roads than attempt to drive along streets that are packed with big rigs.

Being involved in a big rig truck accident can be a traumatic experience. By their very size, big rigs have the ability to cause major damage to the vehicle and passenger's safety. If you've been involved in a truck accident, contact the truck accident lawyers at The ReevesLaw Group.

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Vehicular Manslaughter Charges to be Filed in Santa Ana Freeway Crash
August 23, 2007

Back in May, three siblings aged between 2 and 5 were killed on the Santa Ana (I-5) Freeway, near Mission Viejo, California when their stopped minivan was hit by a big-rig truck owned by the Carson based K.W. Express. Two of the kids died instantaneously in the crash, while the third died in hospital. Their deaths sent shockwaves throughout the nation, and messages of sympathy poured in from all quarters. Their mother, Lori Coble, and grandmother, Cynthia Maestri, suffered severe injuries in the horrific accident.

Last week the California Highway Patrol submitted its report on the crash to the Orange County's District Attorney's Office, recommending that vehicular manslaughter charges be brought against the driver of the truck, Jorge Miguel Romero. The findings of the report indicate that Romero's dangerously fast driving lead to the fatal crash.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Romero told police he was driving at a speed between 55 to 60 mph in the slow lane on Interstate 5. When traffic suddenly slowed down, he couldn't decelerate the truck fast enough, and rammed through the Coble's 2006 Chrysler minivan that had stopped in a lane stacked with southbound cars. California law requires that drivers maintain a safe speed limit while driving that takes into consideration weather conditions, visibility, traffic and other factors.

Soon after the crash, investigators found that Carson, California based K.W. Express committed a series of traffic safety violations, including failing to test drivers for drugs and alcohol. Company officials failed to test Romero after the incident, whereas according to guidelines he should have been tested for alcohol within eight hours of the accident and for drugs within 32 hours.

According to court records, Romero seems to have a track record of speeding. He was cited on two occasions, in 2002 and 2006, for speeding while driving a tractor-trailer. He was ticketed back in 1997 for driving on a suspended license, and again in 2005 for driving without the lights on. This was not the kind of man who should have been allowed to drive an 80,000 pound machine, and especially not on a stretch of highway that's known to have some backed up traffic.

According to the Cobles' attorney, the family is exploring the possibilities of legal action against Romero, K.W. Express and Caltrans. Hopefully they will proceed with a wrongful death claim. This would send a powerful message to truck operators and drivers about the absolute necessity of strict safety guidelines, and prevent similar tragedies.

If you have been involved in a truck accident, you need the soundest and most experienced representation to proceed with your case. Call the personal injury attorneys at The Reeves Law Group for a free consultation.

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Safety Concerns may Overturn Newport Beach Waste Disposal Trucking Bid
August 08, 2007

As if the increasing frequency of truck accidents in California was not enough, it now appears that the Newport Beach City Council awarded a 10 million dollar waste disposal contract to a company that has a history of poor truck maintenance.

New documents based on police and California Highway Patrol reports and a complaint filed by the Orange County District Attorney have come to light. These reveal a multitude of maintenance problems with the truck fleet operated by Newport Beach based Ware Disposal which won the hefty 10 year contract.

In 2005, the company received poor ratings on California Highway Patrol inspection reports. The infractions included the use of bald tires, faulty brake systems, and lights and turn signals that were in need of repair. Inspectors back then went as far as to warn that the company's trucks presented an "imminent danger to public safety." The matter was then referred to the Orange County District Attorney's Office and consequently, Ware Disposal pled guilty on various counts and was fined $11,000.

Even more appalling is the number of California Highway Patrol and police citations that the company has received since 2003 - reportedly more than 110. According to the Orange County Register, Ware Disposal's was the lowest bid and that city staff actually wanted to go with a more experienced, higher bidder. Cost factors seem to have taken priority over safety concerns here.

Ware Disposal claims that they have made recent efforts to improve their fleet, but some find it difficult to trust company that in 2005 had inspectors saying they "continue to show a complete disregard for regulatory and statutory (safety) requirements," even after numerous citations. Astoundingly, officials in Newport Beach admitted that the safety record of bidders was not a factor during the bidding process, and are only now examining contractors' safety history since these revelations about Ware Disposal.

Nationwide, approximately 170,000 people are injured every year by truck accidents. These are especially prevalent in California, which is always among the top 3 states with the maximum number of trucking accidents. If you or your loved ones have been injured in a truck accident, it's extremely important that you waste no further time fighting for your rights. Call the car accident lawyers at The Reeves Law Group for a free consultation.

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Riverside Fire Fighter Crash Due to Defective Truck Design
July 27, 2007

Defective truck design and a faulty weight distribution mechanism may have caused the death of a Riverside County firefighter on August 6, 2005. The Los Angeles Times in its July 26 edition reported that investigations now reveal that the flawed design of the truck caused it to careen out of control resulting in the death of 23-year-old firefighter Christopher Kanton.

On the day of the fateful crash, Michael Arizaga was driving two fellow fire firefighters on a call to a home in Beaumont, California. Road conditions were nasty due to a sudden rainstorm, and Arizaga had to drive a backup engine that he had never driven before because his usual truck was out for repairs. As he rounded a curve the truck careened out of control and overturned, skidding across three lanes of traffic and hitting a drainage pipe and some trees before falling down a mud covered embankment. Arizaga suffered severe injury, but survived. Kanton wasn't as lucky - he was thrown out of the open window, hit by the truck, and killed.

Manslaughter charges were initially filed against Arizaga. But last Wednesday the Riverside County District Attorney's office announced that it was dropping the charges after defense investigations revealed a long list of defective design problems in the 1987 Spartan engine. Expert witnesses for the defense included a physics professor, who was willing to testify that the weight distribution mechanism of the truck caused it to be skid prone thereby causing the tragic accident. Officials at Spartan declined to comment, but you can expect that this won't be the last you hear of this story. Gross negligence by corporate America is something all citizens have become tiresomely familiar with - from dangerous toys to faulty vehicles. It's shameful that a public servant was put through hell for an accident, which as it turns out was due to the negligent and defective design of the engine in question.

At The Reeves Law Group, our personal injury lawyers have substantial expertise with cases in which injuries have been caused by a defective product or service. If you've experienced a similar situation or know some one who has call our California law offices for a consultation.

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