A 48-year-old man was killed in a San Bernardino car accident the morning of May 5, 2010 after the vehicle in which he was a passenger veered across traffic lanes and collided with a tow truck. The Press-Enterprise reports that the fatal car accident occurred on the Interstate 10 in Fontana.

The victim, who has not yet been identified, was the front seat passenger in a 1993 Nissan Pathfinder driven by 53-year-old Randall Dontabor. For an unknown reason the Pathfinder veered across the eastbound lanes near Cherry Avenue and hit a 2005 Ford tow truck that was about to haul away a BMW sedan. The tow truck's driver, 42-year-old James Cossin, and his passenger, 25-year-old Palo Diamzon, were not injured.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of this man who was tragically killed in this crash. Please keep them in your prayers. It is indeed fortunate that the occupants of the tow truck were unscathed.

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 14 fatalities and 627 injuries involving car accidents in Fontana. In San Bernardino County as a whole, 263 fatalities and 8,504 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents during the same year.

Causes and Liability Issues

Based on this news report, it is not quite clear why Dontabor lost control of the Pathfinder. Was he impaired, distracted or fatigued at the time? Was there a vehicle defect or a mechanical malfunction that caused him to swerve? Did he suffer a medical condition? Was there a dangerous condition or debris on the roadway? I trust officials are looking into these and other issues in order to shed light on what occurred here.

If Dontabor is determined to have been at fault for this accident, he could be held liable for the wrongful death of his passenger as well as the damages caused. If a vehicle defect caused the accident then the auto maker or manufacturer of the defective product could also be held liable.

Victims in such cases would be well-advised to contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer, who will advise them about their legal rights and options. It would be a good idea in such cases to preserve the vehicle in its current condition, intact, so it can be examined by an expert for vehicle defects, malfunctions and other evidence.

What are some of the steps and precautions you take to avoid car accidents?

None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.