Automobile Accidents

• Dense Fog can lead to multi-vehicle pile ups.

  Steve Lombardi | January 23, 2008 12:00 AM | 0 CommentsDes Moines, IA

  Another reported death in December caused by dense fog. Scott Nelson, 42, was transported to Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque, where he was pronounced dead, according to the Iowa State Patrol. According to state troopers, a semi-tractor trailer driven by Kendall Tews, 45, of Palmer, Iowa, was eastbound on U.S. 20 at around 2:45 p.m. when it struck the rear of a car, causing both vehicles to go into...

• Is inattention ever a viable excuse under the law?

  Steve Lombardi | January 22, 2008 12:00 AM | 0 CommentsDes Moines, IA

  Two people were sent to the hospital after a collision on Old Lincoln Highway. The driver following says to the Iowa State Trooper that he didn't notice brake lights when the pick-up truck in front of him slowed to turn into a driveway. So you ask yourself, is that excuse good enough to avoid liability? Well ask yourself first if you were the person whose pick-up truck was hit from behind, would...

• A frosty windshield leads to a cold hard lesson.

  Steve Lombardi | January 19, 2008 12:00 AM | 0 CommentsDes Moines, IA

  The frosty excuse goes cold in a court of law...It's early, cold, you'd rather stay under the warm covers but duty calls. You do all that needs to be done to get ready for work, head out the door and notice upon entering the car that it's damn cold. For whatever reason you didn't turn the car on to warm up, you're sitting there shivering and figure I'm going to start driving so the engine will...

• Wet Roads, Loss of Control, Rounding a Curve, Roll Over Resulting in Death and Serious Injury

  Steve Lombardi | January 18, 2008 12:00 AM | 0 CommentsDes Moines, IA

  Question: If when driving on wet pavement when rounding a curve the driver loses control, the car rolls and a back seat passenger is ejected, is the driver responsible for his death?Answer: The operative word is "driver". The driver is responsible for driving; meaning how fast to drive, when to steer, how to steer, when to slow down, when to stop among all others facets of driving. If the driver...

• Iowa City Police Officer Struck and Injured

  Steve Lombardi | December 19, 2007 12:00 AM | 0 CommentsDes Moines, IA

  The Iowa City Press-Citizen reported Doug Hart, an Iowa City police officer was struck and injured as he swept up debris in an intersection. This is an example of a driver clearly being distracted while driving her minivan. The women said the impact tossed Hart back several feet, slamming him into the pavement. Drea said he got up momentarily before falling back onto the curb. Hart was easily...

• Rear-ender pushes vehicle into path of oncoming semi-truck.

  Steve Lombardi | December 15, 2007 12:00 AM | 0 CommentsDes Moines, IA

  This is an example of why we all need to slow down, leave more room between us and the car in front and to avoid distractions. The Buena Vista County sheriff's report says it all. We have a car slowing down on US Highway 71 to check her mail; the van behind her slows and is struck from behind by a pickup truck. The van is then pushed into an oncoming semi-truck and three occupants of the van are...

• Iowa School Bus Collision

  Steve Lombardi | December 07, 2007 12:00 AM | 0 CommentsDes Moines, IA

  It was reportedthat the poor Vunk girl who collided with a school bus ended up in the hospital. Police were speculating about what may have contributed to the collision. They speculated the sun may have been a factor. I just recently handled a similar collision between a Bremer County dump truck and a Waverly School District bus full of children. That driver alleged the sun was also a factor. A...

• Iowa Motor Vehicle Collision - Jaws! The Sequel, Not Quite

  Steve Lombardi | December 05, 2007 12:00 AM | 0 CommentsDes Moines, IA

  I had previously reported on an accident in the 3800 block of Hubbell involving Veronica Brown and Rex Hill. In that collision the police used the Jaws of Life to rescue both drivers. This is the kind of news that can keep me pretty busy thinking about various things. For one thing the Jaws of Life...The Jaws of Life is actually a brand of tools that is trademarked by the Hurst Jaws of Life...

• I'm hurt! How long should I wait to see a lawyer?

  Steve Lombardi | December 02, 2007 12:00 AM | 0 CommentsDes Moines, IA

  How long should I wait to sue? Wait too long and you have no case and no one in the Court system will offer your any sympathy. The best advice is you shouldn't wait even one week. Why? Because there are so many rules created to defeat your case that only those who are trained in the law can possibly know the rules and how to preserve your claim.How long should I wait to sue? Wait too long and...

• Concerned about being arrested for OWI?

  Steve Lombardi | November 30, 2007 12:00 AM | 0 CommentsDes Moines, IA

  Criminal Law Problem - Are you concerned about driving after having a couple of drinks? Concerned about the embarrassment and hassles associated with being arrested for OWI? Just don't want to deal with the hassle of an OWI stop or worse yet an arrest? The State of Iowa estimates costs to be around $5,000.00 for a first OWI stop.Civil Law Problem - How about the costs associated with driving...