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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

If you or a loved one has been hurt or killed in an Orange County personal injury accident, please order your free copy of Mr. Jurewitz's book, The Ten Biggest Mistakes that can Destroy Your California Accident Case. It is full of helpful information that will help you protect your legal rights and it is free to all California residents.

The victim, Tom Atkinson, said he was finishing a jog on Rock View Glen in the Emerald Heights development when he noticed two loose pit-bull mix dogs growling at a neighbor and his leashed dog. He joined the neighbor and fought off the dogs. However, as Atkinson continued up the street, the dogs turned around and charged. He was bitten several times by the pair of animals, leaving him with one bad bite to the forearm that required stitches to close the wound and another deep bite to the thigh.

One of the dogs was impounded by a San Diego County Animal Control Officer but was later released to the owner, who promised to keep it on a 10-day quarantine. The other dog also was allowed to stay with the owner but was not quarantined. There may be an administrative hearing to determine whether the dogs are potentially dangerous under the law.

Our office wishes for a speedy recovery for Tom Atkinson. We are indeed glad more serious harm was not done! Some of you may know from prior posts that I am not a fan of breed specific dog laws, particularly those that target Rottweilers or Pit Bulls. While these breeds are most commonly involved in dog bite attacks, it is my own belief that these attacks are the fault of poor owners who are attracted to owning these breeds due to their menacing appearance and strong physiques. Certainly if you own either of these breeds, you must be a strong and dominant owner—more so than if you own another, less physically imposing breed. Dogs are pack animals and will submit to a pack leader that it respects. Respect, for dogs, comes from an owner who has strong mental discipline and will discipline their pet when it gets out of line.

In this case, how could the owners of these dogs allow them to run free in this neighborhood? This is particularly true of the owner of the dog with the prior bite history. This is completely inexcusable. It is bad enough that Mr. Atkinson was attacked and severely wounded. However, what would have happened—as we normally see in these cases—if these dogs would have attacked a child? Typically, the result is massive traumatic injury and perhaps even death for the child who cannot defend itself against such strong animals. Dog owners must always be responsible, but even more so when they own potentially lethal breeds.

Ross Jurewitz is a San Diego personal injury lawyer and the managing attorney of the Jurewitz Law Group, a California law firm dedicated to representing people seriously injured and the families of people killed by the negligence of others. If you or someone you love has suffered a dog bite or dog attack in San Diego County, please contact our office and order a copy of The Ten Biggest Mistakes That Can Destroy Your California Accident Case. It is free to all California residents and is full of helpful information to assist you and your family with your injury claim.

The motorist, an El Cajon woman in her early 50s, told investigators she did not see the jogger until she ran directly in front of her car.

Our office wishes to convey our sincere prayers and condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. We urge the joggers in San Diego County to be more careful. It is better advised to jog in parks rather than on roads when possible. But if you are jogging on roadways, please look out for motorists who may not expect to see you run across intersections. And please, motorists, keep an eye out for the unexpected—including pedestrians, joggers, and bicyclists.

Ross Jurewitz is an San Diego pedestrian accident lawyer and the managing attorney of the Jurewitz Law Group, a San Diego law firm dedicated to representing people seriously injured and the families of people killed by the negligence of others. If you or a loved one has been hurt or killed in a San Diego auto accident, please call Mr. Jurewitz at 888-233-5020 for a free consultation.

In addition, if you would like more information to help you or your family following an San Diego car accident, please order your free copy of Mr. Jurewitz's book, The Ten Biggest Mistakes that can Destroy Your California Accident Case. It is free to all California residents.