California Injury Blog
Kevin Vigil, 45, was killed in a Modesto car accident after the vehicle in which he was a passenger was struck by a pickup truck on Highway 108 near Knights Ferry. According to a news report in the Union Democrat, Vigil was a passenger in a 1988 Honda Accord driven by 27-year-old Joseph Lopez, the morning of May 13, 2010. Their Honda was struck by a 2001 Chevy S-10 pickup truck driven by 30-year-old Jason Wood. The pickup truck drifted across the double yellow lines and collided head-on with the Honda. Investigators determined that Wood had fallen asleep at the wheel when his vehicle crossed over traffic lanes. Lopez sustained moderate injuries.
Fatigue Was a Factor in this Crash
My heart goes out to the family and friends of Kevin Vigil for their profound loss. I offer them my deepest condolences. I also wish Lopez the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Both men worked for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and were on their way to work when this tragic crash occurred. Please keep these victims and their families in your thoughts and prayers.
Car Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, there were eight fatalities and 1,163 injuries involving car accidents in Modesto. In Stanislaus County as a whole, 45 people died and 2,583 people were injured as a result of car accidents during the same year.
Liability Issues
If the details of this report are accurate, the driver of the Chevy pickup truck fell asleep at the wheel and drove into opposing lanes of traffic. If an investigation determines that the driver of the pickup truck was at fault, he could be held liable for Vigil’s wrongful death and Lopez’s serious injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2007, fatigue was a factor in at least 18 percent of all fatal car accidents and accounted for about 7 percent of all traffic accidents.
Fatigued drivers, depending on the circumstances of the accident, may or may not face criminal charges. However, injured victims and their families would be well-advised to contact a reputed Modesto personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of the incident and make sure that the negligent parties are held accountable.
What precautions do you take to lessen fatigue while driving?
The Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys 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.