Occupants not Wearing Seatbelts in Palmdale Accident that Killed Two, Injured Three Others

Seatbelts have been proven to lessen the number of fatalities in accidents. In fact, a lot of victims of car accidents have attributed their survival to their seatbelts.

Needless to say, the neglect of using these safety devices can have serious consequences like what happened in a recent accident.

According to reports, a pick-up broadsided an out-of-control Mercedes in Palmdale which resulted to two deaths and injuries of three other occupants. No one among the vehicle occupants was wearing their seatbelts when the accident happened.

The northbound Mercedes was reportedly speeding along the northbound lanes of Sierra Highway when its driver, a 35-year-old man from Palmdale, lost control and veered to the opposite lanes where it was hit by a southbound pick-up.

The impact of the collision killed the Mercedes driver and his 26-year-old female passenger. A 4-year-old girl who was said to be at the backseat was thrown off the vehicle. She sustained minor injuries and was taken to a hospital.

Both occupants of the pickup, on the other hand, were not as lucky as Lancaster man Miguel Lugo, 38, and a Palmdale woman identified as 26-year-old Erika Espitia were hospitalized with serious injuries.

Though it was raining in the area when the accident occurred, authorities have ruled out weather as a factor in the crash.

Though speeding and the driver’s negligence is believed to be the main cause of the accident, the fatalities and serious injuries could have been avoided if only those involved where wearing their seatbelts.

To prevent fatal vehicle accidents like this, drivers must make sure that his passengers are wearing their seatbelts before driving away.

A simple precaution like this can save lives and minimize the seriousness of injuries that can be incurred in accidents like this.

16-Year Old Crashes Big Rig in Mobile Home Park

Obviously, big rigs are dangerous – its size has the potential to cause greater damage and destruction in case of an accident. Now imagine a 16-year old driving it -- worst idea ever, right?

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) are now investigating a big rig crash in Lake View Terrace after it drove into a mobile home park. While fortunately, no one was injured, the accident was said to have been caused by a 16-year old boy at the wheel of the big rig.

The big rig truck was reportedly hauling whipped cream and a 20-year old was supposed to be driving. However, according to CHP Officer Francisco Villalobos, the 20-year old driver had gotten tired so he let his 16-year old brother drive. Two of his brothers, a 14 and 3 year old were also in the big rig with him when it crashed.

Some 300 miles from Livingston south to Ontario, the crash occurred in Foothill Boulevard at around 3:39 in the morning. Authorities believe that the 16-year old unlicensed driver fell asleep while driving. The brothers initially tried to say that the eldest was driving however they later admitted that the 16-year old was driving when the accident occurred.

A homeowner in the mobile park said that the big rig could have easily taken down his family’s bedrooms when it crashed.

Driving a car safely and responsibly is hard enough – more so for a big rig or large truck that could weigh more than 10,000 pounds. In fact, according to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, operating large trucks or buses need special skills and professionalism on the part of the driver. Standards and safety rules are actually even higher for commercial trucks -- federal regulations require carriers to test all commercial drivers for drugs before employment, after crashes, and on a random basis. Drivers with BACs at or above 0.04 percent are disqualified from driving.

The failure to operate the big rig safely is not just the liability of the driver. Under the law, even the trucking company can be made to pay damages for any injuries or property damage caused by their employee.

In this case, even if it wasn’t their employee who caused the crash but his 16-year old brother, the trucking company can still be held liable for the accident under the principle of vicarious liability. A truck accident attorney will be able to provide you more information on big rig crashes and damages.

Entertainment Company Agrees to Settle in EEOC Discrimination Case

Business owners should keep in mind that their reputation will be tainted by any complaints brought forward by their employees.

To prevent this, there must be company policies regarding discrimination and compensation to guide workers and employers of how these issues should be dealt with.

A recent settlement involves a premier entertainment company in Richmond who faced charges filed by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2009 for discriminating two of their employees.

The Paper Moon’s ownership was sued by EEOC after it allegedly discriminated against two of its black employees and subjected them to retaliation each time they complained about the unfair practice.

Desmond Lawrence and Rock Georges were working as doormen at the Florida-based strip club when they were asked by the management to work the back door so that they can’t be seen by customers of the club.

According to the lawsuit, each time someone complains about the policy, the management either cuts their working hours or wrongfully terminates them.

In the settlement, the paper Moon had agreed to pay Lawrence and Georges $95,000 to compensate for their back pays and compensate the damages that resulted from the incident.

Aside from the monetary compensation, the owner of the company, Frazier Boyd, also agreed to release a written policy regarding anti-discrimination in the strip club.

This written policy to be issued by Boyd must be implemented not only in his strip club in Stuart, Florida but to his other place of businesses and clubs as well to guarantee to EEOC that unfair and discriminatory practices won’t happen again.

This latest settlement proves that complainants don’t have to go through lengthy court proceedings just so they can be compensated for their losses and to make sure that the company won’t engage in the unfair practice again.

Suspected DUI Driver Suffers from Major Injuries after Causing Pileup

Multi-vehicle accidents or pileups often result in more injuries, considering that many people are often involved in similar accidents.

In fact, a recent multi-vehicle accident has injured three people and also closed at least four lanes along the southbound 57, south of Lincoln Avenue in Anaheim.

According to reports, the accident was triggered by a black vehicle that overturned and struck a guardrail along the right shoulder at around 11:53 p.m.

California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers stated that at least three to five vehicles were involved in the accident.

A 2003 Ford driver who was identified as Candice Brannigan, 27, from Riverside, was moving in the No.1 lane when she struck the concrete center divider after swerving to the left. Reports said she then swerved back to the right, causing her vehicle to hit a 2001 Chevrolet that was moving in the No.2 lane.

According to authorities, a Chevy passenger Jesus Rodriguez, 29, from La Puente, was rushed to Kaiser in Anaheim with minor injuries.

Meanwhile, Brannigan sustained major injuries in the accident. She was brought to UCI Medical Center in Orange and was then arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Her passenger Malachi Banales, 33, from Ontario, also suffered from major injuries and was brought to the same hospital.

Reports said lanes 1, 2, and 3 as well as the car-lanes were closed after the accident. The lanes were reopened after more than an hour.

Brannigan should have refrained from driving the vehicle as she knew herself that she was drunk. By insisting on driving despite being drunk, she only endangered not only the lives of other people, but also herself. If found guilty of DUI, she may now be required to compensate everyone who suffered from injuries or property damages as a result of her negligence.

Father Accidentally Runs Over, Kills Toddler

Motorists should be careful in maneuvering the vehicle even in their own driveway especially when children are around. They should always check the rear-view and side mirrors to see if anyone is obstructing the path.

A 32-year-old father should have been more cautious as it could have prevented the recent death of his 23-month-old son.

Reports show that Armando Medina was driving a vehicle in front of his residence with his 4-year-old son shortly before noon to accommodate another vehicle that was pulling out of his driveway. He then reportedly thought he hit a speed bump but continued going until he heard his neighbors screaming.

It is very likely that Medina didn’t notice that his youngest son, Alexis, was standing in front of the vehicle before he drove off. Alexis was rushed to a local hospital. Unfortunately, he was declared dead after sustaining severe head injuries.

Sadly, this tragic accident proves that no child is safe when left unsupervised. A lot of accidents similar to this have happened before and will continue taking young lives unless parents will be more careful at keeping their children in sight.

Everyone is a victim in this tragedy. Mr. Medina may blame himself for it but these accidents really do happen. The least he could do now is to be more careful so that his other children will be safer.

Aside from car accidents, children are also likely to be involved in fall accidents, drowning, and electrocution. Keep them safe by keeping them supervised at all times.

EEOC Files Disability Discrimination Case against Mental Health Center

Disabled people have the right to work and earn money, just like normal people. They should be provided with equal employment opportunities if their condition does not prohibit them from doing their job duties.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, covered employers, local and state governments, labor unions, and employment agencies cannot discriminate against qualified disabled applicants or employees. This means employers cannot make employment decisions which are based on a person’s medical condition.

ADA also requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to a disabled employee, as long as it will not create undue hardships on the company.

A mental health center is in a middle of controversy after it allegedly failed to provide reasonable accommodation to a worker who is asking to take a leave of absence in order to acquire medical treatment for breast cancer.

According to reports, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently filed a disability discrimination case against Northern Indiana-based Tri-City Comprehensive Community Mental Health Center in the US District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Hammond Division.

The lawsuit claimed that Felicia Nichols, a former employee at a Tri-City facility in Hammond, asked if she could take a leave of absence because she needed to acquire breast cancer treatment.

However, the company fired her after she failed to go to work.

The agency further alleged that the intentional actions of Tri-City violated the woman’s “protected rights.” It is now seeking both punitive and compensatory damages as well as back pay from Tri-City. In addition, it is also seeking other relief like permanent injunction so that the company will not be able to discriminate against qualified disabled individuals in the future.

Fresno Police Officer Hospitalized after Crashing into Tree

Part of police officers’ duty is to respond to emergency calls. When they received reports about a car accident or any unlawful incident, they are supposed to go to the scene as soon as possible in order to help injured individuals or assist other police officers who were trying to detain a suspect.

When responding to calls, many police officers tend to speed up while on the roads in order to provide immediate assistance to those who need it and sometimes ended up getting involved in accidents themselves.

This may be the reason why a female Fresno police officer lost control of her vehicle and crashed into a tree along Peach Avenue, near Fresno Yosemite International Airport and McKinley Avenue.

The woman was on her way to help another officer, who was reportedly fighting with a suspect. However, instead of rendering help, she was the one who was placed in a dangerous situation because of the accident.

According to reports, the woman was rushed to Community Regional Medical Center. She was not seriously injured in the accident and is now in a good condition.

Authorities face many dangers just to serve the people. In order to avoid being involved in an accident while they are responding to an emergency call, it is advisable that they follow these tips:

• Use your sirens. This device will enable you to make your presence felt while on the roads. In addition, drivers who see approaching patrol cars will allot space for them. Under the law, you are required to use this device when there is an emergency situation.
• Do not move at a speed which can make you lose control of the vehicle. Although you need to provide immediate assistance to other people, you should also think about your own safety.
• Avoid passing along crowded areas in order to reduce your chances of colliding with another vehicle or hitting a pedestrian.