Michael Charles McAdams, 51, was killed in a car accident on Highway 101 the night of June 20, 2010. According to a news report in the Santa Barbara Daily Sound, McAdams was traveling north in a 2001 Mercedes SLK320 when he swerved to the left, drove across the center divider and then entered the opposing lanes of the highway near the Hobson Road undercrossing. The Mercedes was then hit by two other vehicles — a Toyota 4Runner and a Dodge Ram truck. McAdams died at the scene. The Dodge’s driver, a 52-year-old woman, suffered serious injuries and the driver of the 4Runner, a 29-year-old man, was uninjured. An investigation is ongoing.

I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved McAdams. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 21 fatalities and 632 injuries involving car accidents in the unincorporated areas of Ventura County. Also, countywide, 63 people died and 3,785 were injured as a result of car accidents during the same year.

Causes and Liability Issues

Based on this news report, it is not clear what occurred here that caused McAdams to lose control of his Mercedes. Was there a vehicle defect or mechanical malfunction, which caused this car accident? Was there a dangerous condition on the roadway, which may have caused or contributed to this accident? Did McAdams’ vehicle go out of control because of another driver? Were speed, alcohol or fatigue factors in this accident? I trust officials are trying to explore these as well as other issues in determining exactly what caused this tragic accident.

If this accident was caused by an auto product defect, then the auto maker or the manufacturer of the defective product can be held liable for the accident and injuries. If this accident was caused by a dangerous or defective roadway, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway could also be held liable. Please remember that any claim against a California governmental entity must be properly filed within 180 days of the accident or injury.

An experienced California personal injury lawyer will be able advise families of deceased victims about how to pursue their legal rights. In these cases, it would also be a good idea to preserve the vehicle in its current crashed state, unaltered, so it can be examined carefully by an expert for defects, malfunctions and other evidence.

In your opinion, what types of vehicles are the most dangerous to drive?

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

Dung Hua, 50, of San Jose, was killed and three members of his family were injured in a car accident after Hua lost control of his 2005 Toyota Tundra pickup truck and crashed in Napa Valley. According to a report in the San Jose Mercury News, the fatal car crash occurred the afternoon of April 25, 2010 on Highway 29. Napa police officials said Hua was traveling south on the highway close to Butler Bridge, when the truck suddenly moved left for unknown reasons and entered the dirt median. Hua then over-corrected, attempting to get back onto the roadway.

The pickup truck rolled over about five times. The cab of the driver’s side caved in causing fatal injuries to Hua. His wife, 41-year-old Chi Mai sustained moderate injures as did 15-year-old Quan Hua and 12-year-old Stanley Lam. All three were taken to a local hospital. Police say speed or alcohol were not factors in this crash. An investigation is ongoing.

I offer my deepest sympathies to the members of this family who have suffered a devastating blow. I wish the injured car accident victims the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep them in your prayers.

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were three fatalities and 354 injuries involving car accidents in Napa. Countywide car accidents claimed 15 lives and caused 770 injuries during the same year.

Accident Causes

Based on this news report, it is not quite clear what caused this fatal car accident. Was there a vehicle defect or a mechanical malfunction in the Toyota Tundra that may have caused Hua to lose control? Was there a dangerous condition on the roadway that led to this accident? Was there another vehicle involved here? Was Hua run off the road by another driver? I trust investigators are looking into these and other issues in order to determine how or why this tragic crash occurred.

Auto Product Liability Issues

In such cases, it would be in the family’s best interests to preserve the crashed vehicle intact so it can be carefully examined by an expert for vehicle defects, malfunctions and other evidence. If this accident was caused by an auto product defect, the auto maker or the manufacturer of the defective product could be held liable. Where auto product liability issues are involved, families of deceased victims can file a wrongful death claim against the auto maker or defective product manufacturer. Such claims seek compensation to cover medical or funeral expenses, lost future earnings, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages.

What are the most common auto product defects you have encountered?

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.