San Diego Injury Lawyer Blog

Nine people were injured in a San Diego bus accident that occurred between a Metropolitan Transit System and a Mitsubishi Eclipse in the City Heights area of San Diego on March 24, 2010 around 3:40 p.m.

The car driver was apparently drunk and ran a red light at the University Avenue intersection with 37th Street. He then collided into the bus that was eastbound on the 37th Street. The car rammed into the bus just behind its front wheels which made the Eclipse spin. The drunk driver fled from the scene on foot. The collision caused back and neck pains to nine of the forty passengers.

Our office hopes for the young driver of the Eclipse is caught as soon as possible and prosecuted. He should be charged for such reckless behavior and for felony drunk driving causing injury. Driving while intoxicated is inexcusable, particularly when it causes serious injury.

Continue reading "San Diego Bus Accident Injures Nine People" »

In an unavoidable auto accident, a 40-year old San Ysidro man was severely injured when an elderly driver mistook the accelerator for the brake and rammed into the injured man’s SUV parked outside a Costco on Morena Boulevard in San Diego. The car accident took place around 3:10 p.m on March 21, 2010.

The 86-year old driver Ray Ehlers was pulling out of a disabled-parking stall but shifted to neutral instead of reverse. When the car didn’t move as he stepped on the gas and revved the engine harder. In the meantime, the gear had dropped to reverse and the car peeled backward, hitting a Mercedes-Benz before ramming into Miguel Rodriguez’s family SUV, where Rodriguez and his wife were loading plants.

The impact sent the SUV spinning, and their young sons, eating pizza in the back seat, were thrown out through an open door. Ehlers ran over Rodriguez, narrowly missing Rodriguez’s wife, because the SUV was spinning around her. Rodriguez has been admitted in Scripps Hospital and is being treated for a broken pelvis, a punctured lung and internal bleeding. His sons suffered from scrapes and minor injuries. Ehlers’ license has been revoked and he will not be charged with a crime.

Our office wishes Mr. Rodriguez a quick recovery. Yet again the driving ability of the elderly, as a whole, has come to light due to the inattention and negligence of an elderly driver. The fact of the matter remains that reaction times and motor skills diminish with age. Also, it is not unheard of for elderly drivers to mistake the gas pedal for the brake because they are confused or disoriented, the result of medical conditions, medications, or even the thickness of orthopedic shoes. Given these facts, how safe is it for elderly drivers to be driving? What additional steps and protections are reasonable for the public to be protected and rest assured that the number of unqualified elderly drivers has been reduced?

Continue reading "San Diego Car Accident Caused When Elderly Man Confuses Gas and Brake Pedals" »

A 29-year old Murrieta man died in a fatal Riverside County car accident on northbound Interstate 15 (I-15) near the Temecula Parkway. The accident happened on March 20, 2010 at around 4:30 a.m. The car crash happened primarily due to a disabled vehicle without headlights.

The victim, Miguel Vega, when his car hit the guard rail on the stretch of the downhill freeway, spun out, and stopped across two traffic lanes with no headlights. The driver of an oncoming car did not see Vega's car in the predawn darkness until it was too late to avoid the crash and struck it on the side. The car spun around and was then hit by a second car. Vega was pronounced dead at the scene.

Our office wishes to offer our heartfelt prayers and condolences to the family and friends of Vega. This accident is tragic. One wonders why Vega lost control of the vehicle in the first place and that thought will most likely haunt his friends and family. It would be reasonable to believe that, given the time the accident occurred, that Vega had fallen asleep at the wheel prior to striking the guardrail. However, nobody will ever truly know.

Regardless of the cause of the auto accident, it is a good reminder to the public to always stay alert and well-rested while driving. If you feel tired or like you are about to fall asleep, please pull over and take a quick 30 minute nap or drink some coffee and wait about 30 minutes before driving your car again.

Continue reading "Riverside County Car Accident Kills Murrieta Man" »

An Arizona tourist suffered was killed in a San Diego pedestrian accident after she was hit by a San Diego Seal Tours vehicle in Downtown San Diego on March 18, 2010. This pedestrian accident happened at West Harbor Drive and Pacific Highway around 5 p.m.

According to a SanDiego6.com story, when police officers arrived on the scene, they found a young woman lying in the street. According to police, the amphibious tour bus hit her as she was crossing Pacific Highway illegally. The bus driver on the vehicle sits about 17-feet from the ground and never saw the pedestrian coming. A passenger on the bus saw the accident and yelled “Stop”. The bus driver then exited the vehicle and started to do CPR on the woman. She was transported to UCSD Hospital with serious injuries and later died.

Our office sends our prayers and condolences to the pedestrian’s family. The loss of any human life is always tragic and this accident is no exception. We once again urge all pedestrians to be vigilant while on the road, especially when you are crossing it. Always cross the road at an intersection after you have checked that no vehicle is coming. Following these simple rules can save your life.

However, many questions still remain. Why couldn't this bus driver see the pedestrian from his very high vantage point? Did the design of the bus itself block the view or diminish the driver's ability to see the pedestrian as she was crossing the road? Was the driver distracted by the other passengers in his bus?

Continue reading "San Diego Pedestrian Accident Kills Woman After Being Struck by Tour Bus" »

The Jurewitz Law Group, a California personal injury law firm with offices in San Diego and Carlsbad, recently launched the latest version of its very useful and helpful website designed to assist people injured in serious accidents. The new website design includes 20 new videos, additional helpful articles for consumers, and FAQ articles intended to answer common questions and concerns for injury accident victims.

The launch of the new website also coincides with the release of the law firm's new helpful e-book for motorcycle accident victims, The Ultimate California Motorcycle Accident Book: How to Protect Yourself from Day One. As a public service to motorcyclists and their passengers, this book is free to all Californians.

Be sure to stop by and look around the new site!

39-year old San Diego County Sheriff’s Deputy, Ken Collier, lost his life on February 28, 2010 in a San Diego car crash while attempting to stop a drunk driver who was speeding in the wrong direction on Interstate 15 (I-15).

The accused in this deadly car accident, Jose Pedro Lopez Jasso, 22, was found to be under heavy influence of alcohol and marijuana while he was driving the wrong way down the freeway. Last week Jasso pleaded not guilty. He has been charged with driving the wrong way, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and DUI causing death.

Our office hopes that Jasso is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We also extend support and condolences to the family and friends of Deputy Collier.

Continue reading "Fatal San Diego Wrong Way Driver Appears In Court" »

A pedestrian was left injured in San Diego hit and run auto accident that took place on March 8, 2010, in the Midway area of San Diego. The pedestrian accident occurred around 6:15p.m.

The victim was found lying face down near the intersection of Rosecrans Avenue and Cauby Street by the San Diego Police Department and a white pick-up truck was seen speeding away from the scene of the accident. The injured pedestrian was taken to UCSD Medical Center for treatment.

Our office prays for a quick recovery for the injured pedestrian. Though it’s yet unclear whose negligence caused this accident, it goes without saying that both the driver and the pedestrian need to be careful while on the road. Pedestrians must always cross the street from a designated crosswalk or at an intersection. As for drivers, besides respecting the speed limit, it is well advised to keep a look out on both sides of the road.

Continue reading "San Diego Hit And Run Car Accident Leaves Pedestrian Injured" »

An intoxicated 50-year old man in a wheelchair was struck by a car on March 7, 2010, when he rolled into a street from between two parked cars. The San Diego pedestrian accident took place about 2 a.m. in the 2800 block of University Avenue.

The victim, whose name has been withheld by police, was hit by a Honda sedan driven by a female motorist, reported San Diego Police Officer David Stafford. He suffered serious injuries to one of his legs and was taken to a hospital.

Our office wishes a quick recovery to the victim. However, this accident is a good reminder that people need to be more careful and alert while crossing road. Attempting to cross a road, when you are not in full view of a driver, especially from between two parked cars, is very dangerous. The safest place to cross the street is at a designated crosswalk. If that is not available, then the next best place is to cross at an intersection. In either case, even if the pedestrian has the right of way via a traffic signal, a pedestrian should not cross the street before checking to make sure it is safe from crossing vehicles.

Continue reading "San Diego Pedestrian Accident Injures Man in Wheelchair" »

An 18-year old pedestrian lost his life in a Carlsbad pedestrian accident on March 5, 2010. The incident took place along Palomar Airport Road between El Camino Real and Camino Vida Roble, near where Carlsbad, Vista, and San Marcos intersect in North San Diego County, around 9:45 p.m.

A witness to the accident called in the paramedics immediately following the auto vs. pedestrian accident. According to reports, the man was struck by two cars as he was crossing Palomar Airport Road. The first vehicle did not stop and the driver of a second vehicle was stopped by the Carlsbad Police after it struck the man in the road. The second driver did not realize he had struck the man in the road. The Carlsbad Police is continuing investigation after inspecting the crime scene.

Our office forwards our condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased. We also wish that the police will track down and arrest the driver of the first vehicle—the one that struck and killed this pedestrian. There is nothing more infuriating than a careless and negligent driver who causes significant injury or death who does not stop to assist the person they just hurt. We understand that it is scary when you realize that you have injured someone with your car, but there is no excuse to ever leave the scene of an accident. Your presence is necessary to contact emergency service personnel and to perhaps provide basic life saving techniques until the ambulance can arrive. When you leave the scene of an accident, you take away that hope.

Continue reading "Carlsbad Pedestrian Accident Kills Teenager" »

The Marine Corps announced that it significantly reduced the number of fatal motorcycle accidents involving Marines in 2009. In 2008, the Marines reported a record high of 25 deadly motorcycle crashes. They year before, the Marine Corps 19 Marines were killed in motorcycle wrecks. However, in 2009, the total number of Marines who lost their life was reduced to only 14--a reduction of more than 40%.

San Diego has three Marine bases--Camp Pandleton, Miramar Air Station, and the Marine Corps Recruiting Depot. Camp Pendleton and MCAS Miramar accounted for 4 deaths each during 2009. In 2008, 9 Camp Pendleton Marines and 2 MCAS Miramar Marines were killed due to motorcycle accidents. No data was released for MCRD San Diego.

In the wake of the rising Marine casualties from motorcycle crashes, the USMC hired contractor Cape Fox Professional Services to provide suitable training programs to Marines in motorcycle riding and safety. In the past five years, the number of Marine motorcycle fatalities has constantly increased from 13 in 2005, to 16 in 2006, 19 in 2007, 25 in 2008, before significantly reducing to 14 in 2009. Citing the significant drop as a success of Cape Fox Professional Services, Washington has renewed their contract for the 2010 fiscal year. The Marine Corps will soon also launch an interactive website, SemperRide.com, where professionals featured in $500,000 safety movie, Semper Ride, can be contacted by Marine motorcyclists.

Our office celebrates and appreciates the effort of our local San Diego Marine community to be safe motorcyclists and hope that the new safety program will continue to reduce the number of motorcycle accident fatalities. However, two issues are still concerning. First, 14 Marines were killed due to motorcycle accidents--which is still far too many to have lost their lives. Second, 8 out of the 14 fatal motorcycle wrecks involved San Diego based Marines--that is nearly 60% of all Marine motorcycle deaths occurring in San Diego! Our office supports the Marines and their mission and recognize the risk and sacrifice they make when they put themselves in harms' way defending our country. It is therefore tragic when Marines unnecessarily lose their lives in motorcycle accidents that can be avoided.

Continue reading "Fatal Motorcycle Accidents by Marines Reduced by Nearly Half in 2009" »

A 76-year old man was arrested on February 26, 2010 for suspicion of being involved in a San Diego hit-and-run car crash in which a pedestrian was seriously injured. The injured woman, 56, had been struck by a car while walking across Market Street at 42 Street around 11 p.m. in the Mount Hope area of San Diego.

According to San Diego Police Officer David Stafford, the car's driver had run a red light when the pedestrian accident occurred. The driver then sped off, only to be later found and arrested in Santee. The driver’s name was not immediately released. The woman suffered severe injuries and was taken to a hospital.

Our office wishes a speedy recovery for the injured pedestrian. Unfortunately, pedestrians always lose when faced with cars violating their right of way. As for the arrested man, we have to say that it is really disheartening to know that he first broke ran the red light and violated the pedestrian’s right of way and, then, sped away after injuring her. At least, stop to help! The driver is now most likely facing felony hit and run charges. Prosecutors will typically charge drivers with this crime when a serious injury such as a broken bone occurs or when the victim needs surgery and the driver flees the scene of the auto accident.

Continue reading "Man Arrested in San Diego Hit-And-Run Car Wreck" »

A 57-year old California man faced grave injuries in an Orange County train accident as he fell onto the tracks at a station in Irvine on February 23, 2010. Ironically, the man was hit exactly two weeks before by a train in Laguna Nigel in which he got dragged 90 feet causing amputation of his wrist.

Although the man’s injuries are said to be serious, they are not life-threatening. He is also being mentally evaluated. Being struck by trains twice in two weeks indicates a heightened possibility that the man played a part in causing one or both accidents. He may have, in fact, been trying to commit suicide. However, such conclusions are premature and we have to wait for the treatment and evaluation to be completed.

Trains are extremely dangerous. They have a huge mass capable of seriously injuring or killing multiple persons at one time given the speed at which they travel and that they cannot stop quickly to avoid collisions. It is always a smart idea to give trains and trolleys wide berth and to stand back away from train tracks when trains pass.

Continue reading "Orange County Man Struck and Seriously Injured by Trains Twice in Two Weeks" »