Crossing the Center Line and Head-on Car Crashes

What do I do if the at-fault driver is a nice guy or even a family member? Well you still have deal with the facts of the case. Lombardi Law firm

Whatever happened after November 8, 2009?

Those are the questions muddling around in my mind and at times like now at 3:00 a.m. I'm wrestling with thinking and worrying about my own clients whose lives have been overturned with economic challenges brought on by a car accident. These aren't people lawyers that write blogs hear from. Many think we care only about making money while handling the case, and while money is important sometime knowing is more important; at least to some of us. So whatever happened to the two in the Austin car and the surviving family of the Zuercher vehicle hopefully they've been able to move on.

I-29 Motorcycle Accident Kills 4

The Iowa State Patrol has identified the four motorcyclists killed in a Monday night crash on Interstate Highway 29. Officers also named Andrew Schlichtemeier, 21, as the pick-up driver who reportedly swerved into the oncoming lane in a construction zone and struck the bikers just south of Little Sioux. Schlichtemeier was treated at Burgess Hospital in Onawa and released, the State Patrol said in an online report. The motorcyclists are: – Dennis Chaney, 62, of Glenwood. – Steven L. Benscoter, 62, of Pacific Junction. – Jay C. Bock, 48, of Omaha, Neb. – Dale E. Aspedon, 49, of Glenwood.

Clear indication of negligence in Roseville’s woman’s motorcycle accident

The news item has a woman from Roseville riding her 1993 Honda motorcycle west on Highway 18 at about 9:40 a.m. A semi truck driver, Brian Hanley, 43 of Buda, Illinois crosses the center line causing Diane Mackenzie, 56 to maneuver to avoid hitting him; she losses control goes off onto the shoulder and when coming back onto the road losses control, crashes and is killed.

Louisa County, Iowa Crash Demonstrate Why Crappy Insurance Coverage Isn't In Your Best Interest

Four people died in this crash Saturday night in Louisa County on Highway 70. The Iowa State Patrol investigative report points towards a 1995 Honda Civic (driven by one Francisco Chariz-Ortiz, as having crossed the center line and causing a head-on crash with Ezra’s 1993 Toyota Camry. The State Patrol officer, Andreason drew no firmer conclusions about what might have caused that vehicle to cross the center line. The preliminary report doesn’t give much information about what cars the four were in. The driver of each car died. A 21-year-old male was life-flighted to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. A 20-year-old, a 42-year-old female and two other males, ages 25 and 29 were all taken by ground ambulance to the Stacy Lewis Funeral Home.

Texting while driving, a broken hip and delayed start at ISU.

Imagine you’re 16-years old, driving east on Highway 20 in Iowa, the weather is not a factor and you’re in high school. There is a car coming towards you and the driver can’t see what you’re doing. He can see your face, looking down, eyes focused on something of great importance. Well at least important enough to direct your attention away from the road ahead; the same one he’s driving on. What is so important that would direct your attention from the road ahead?

Paying attention while driving means staying on your side of the road

What caused 21 year old Travis Scott to veer straight into oncoming traffic?

That is the question Council Bluffs police are asking after the accident in the late hours of October 9^th 2009 between Mr. Scott and Pottawattamie County Deputy Jahn Kirlin that left Mr. Scott, his two passengers and the deputy injured. The accident happened on 23^rd St.; the driver Travis Scott and passenger Leah Wenninghoff were in serious condition, another passenger Anthony Biggert was listed in stable condition, and the Deputy was treated for hand and arm injuries. The case remains open for investigation. Yeah ... I guess you could say that.

This accident happened just before midnight on a Friday, involving two 21-year-olds and another one of 20 years. So what was the driver doing that caused this young driver to cross the center line and crash into the deputy? What were the distractions? Answer that question and the deputy will probably have an answer to what made them cross over the center line. Let’s see crashing head-on into a deputy sheriff’s car. I’d have to say that’s not the best day you can expect in your life.

In this instance the legal questions are:

1. Who was at fault and why?

2. Will the deputy sheriff file a workers' compensation claim and a personal injury claim against the other driver?

3. Will the passengers file claims against the young driver or were they also at fault for what was going on that created the distraction for the driver?

The threat of injury to law enforcement is about being on-the-road as much as it is in making an arrest.

Head-on Collision in Clayton County, Iowa

It’s reported that a vehicle being driven by Sarah Austin, 21 or Luana crossed the center line on U.S. Highway 52 at 5:45 a.m. on November 8, 2009 killing a 41-year-old man. The man Lee Zuercher was reported to not be wearing his seatbelt. His passenger, 18-year-old Coedy Zuercher was and apparently survived. So what did cause the car driven by Ms. Austin to cross the center line? That is the question any legal claims will be required to answer. As a lawyer I’d focus on whether she had a cell phone in the car and whether she was texting or talking. She may have spoken to the police and they may know the answer to that question. Any good investigation would require a search of the accident scene before first snow falls. My suggestion to the incident injured passenger and estate is to act fast.