An 18-year-old who sustained injuries in a Redding car accident involving a possibly distracted driver, the afternoon of January 16, 2010, was identified as Bianca Shafer. The Redding Record Searchlight reported that 48-year-old David Johnson, who was on a phone call at the time of the crash, did not see stopped traffic ahead and rear-ended Shafer's car, triggering a chain reaction crash. The impact pushed Shafer's Jeep into a vehicle driven by 60-year-old Doug Major, which in turn slammed into a pickup driven by 56-year-old James Hanrahan. Johnson was cited on suspicion of driving on a suspended license and driving at an unsafe speed.

Driver Causes Chain Reaction Crash

I'm relieved that no one sustained catastrophic injuries in this car accident. Shafer was apparently hospitalized for cuts, scraped as well as neck and head pain. I wish her the very best for a speedy and complete recovery from her injuries.

Laws Relating to Speeding

Based on this news report, Johnson was talking on his Bluetooth headset and driving about 55 mph. He was cited for driving at an unsafe speed. California Vehicle Code Section 22350 (Basic Speed Law) states: “No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic and on surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.”

Liability Issues

In this case, despite the fact Johnson was using a hands-free device, he was still very much distracted by his phone conversation and was traveling at a high rate of speed. Shafer, the injured victim in this case, would be well-advised to contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer who will advise her about her legal rights and options. The article states Johnson did not have a valid license. I wonder if he had car insurance. An experienced car accident lawyer will also advise victims about how their own car insurance policy applies to a case where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.

We are 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 a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.