Auto Accidents

Elderly Chino Pedestrian Injured in San Bernardino County Car Crash

June 20, 2018 Injury Lawyer San Diego 0

67-year-old Luis Octavio Castillo was seriously injured in a Chino pedestrian accident that occurred on June 15, 2011, around 7:37 a.m. along the 3300 block of Riverside Drive. According to police officials, Castillo was walking through a construction area when he was struck by a 2007 Scion TC driven by 21-year-old Lissette Carolina Menijvar.

Due to a county construction project, the eastbound lanes of Riverside Drive had been temporarily diverted to the westbound lanes. Castillo was immediately airlifted to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center for medical treatment. The investigating officers need to determine if the diversion of roads and construction area had proper signs to guide drivers along.

From the facts set forth in the news story, it appears that Menijvar may have been at fault for causing this serious pedestrian crash. Under California Vehicle Code Section 21950(a), “The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection….”

However, the construction company may be held liable for the damages as well after a further investigation. Castillo needs to consult with a San Bernardino County pedestrian accident lawyer to obtain compensation to cover treatment, medical and hospitalization costs, and other accident-related damages.

Our personal injury law office sincerely hopes and prays that the injuries suffered by the pedestrian heal soon and do not prove life-threatening.

Teen Bicyclist Struck in Escondido Bicyclist Accident

June 16, 2018 Injury Lawyer San Diego 0

An Escondido teenage boy was struck and injured in a North San Diego County car accident on June 15, 2011, around 12:36 p.m. at Grand Avenue and Rose Street. According to Escondido Police Officials, an 84-year-old elderly man, driving a Chrysler Town & Country van, made a wide turn into Grand Avenue, climbed the sidewalk, hit a traffic pole, and finally came to halt after slamming into the side of the building. The boy was waiting on his bicycle next to the pole when he was hit.

The bicyclist suffered serious injuries and was immediately transported to Rady Children’s Hospital for treatment. From the available information, it is clear that the 84-year-old driver made too wide of a turn and caused this bicycle accident. This leads us to question his driving abilities.

The investigating officers need to determine whether the driver was speeding, distracted, or was talking on the cell phone when this accident occurred. It would be in the best interest of bicyclist’s family members to seek counsel from a North San Diego County bike accident lawyer to know about their legal rights and options.

The bicyclist crash attorney would assure that the at-fault is held liable for the damage and help the victim’s family members obtain timely compensation to cover treatment, medical costs, hospitalization expenses, and other accident-related expenses.

Our personal injury law office sincerely hopes that the injuries suffered by the boy heal soon.

Ventura County Bicycle Accident Involving SUV Leaves Camarillo Man Dead

June 14, 2018 Injury Lawyer San Diego 0

76-year-old Camarillo resident John H. Dillingham Jr. was killed in a Ventura County bicycle accident that occurred on June 11, 2011, around 1:15 p.m. on Pleasant Valley Road. According to California Highway Patrol Sgt. Bob Granieri, Dillingham was attempting to make a turn onto Freedom Park Drive when he accidentally veered into the eastbound lane and was struck by an SUV driven by 63-year-old Oxnard local Eva Labrador.

Dillingham was immediately transported to Ventura County Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead two hours later. An investigation is under process. Though the victim mistakenly rode into the wrong lane, the driver failed to see the victim and safely move her car away. The investigating officers need to determine whether Labrador was speeding or distracted. If Labrador is at fault, then she may be held liable for Dillingham’s wrongful death.

Dillingham’s family members should immediately seek counsel from a Ventura County bicycle accident lawyer to obtain timely compensation to cover funeral and burial expenses, loss of love and companionship, and other accident-related damages.

Our law office offers sincere condolences to all those who knew and loved John H. Dillingham for such a heart breaking loss.

Pedestrian Injured In Riverside County Hit-And-Run Car Accident

May 29, 2018 Injury Lawyer San Diego 0

A pedestrian in his 50s suffered serious injuries when he was struck by an unidentified SUV on May 18, 2011, around 12:35 a.m. in the Homeland area of Hemet. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the pedestrian was walking across Highway 74 when an SUV struck him. The SUV was described as a dark-colored Ford Expedition or Lincoln Navigator with chrome rims, estimated to be a 2002 to 2006 model. Riverside police are searching for the driver.

The pedestrian suffered major injuries and was immediately transported to Riverside County Regional Medical Center for medical treatment. It is absolutely inhuman that the SUV driver did not stop and fled from the accident scene, leaving the elderly pedestrian unattended.

Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious violation under California law. California Vehicle Code 20001 (a) states:

“The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident.”

Morally, the SUV driver should have remained at the accident scene and waited until authorities got there.

The pedestrian’s family members should immediately seek counsel from an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer serving Riverside County to learn about their legal rights and obtain fair compensation to cover treatment, medical and hospitalization costs, and other accident-related damages. A Riverside County pedestrian lawyer would assure that the at-fault SUV driver is apprehended and brought to justice.

Our sincere prayers go out to the injured pedestrian and we hope that he recovers quickly.

Bicyclist Killed in Ventura County Hit and Run Accident

May 14, 2018 Injury Lawyer San Diego 0

An unidentified bicyclist was killed and three others suffered serious injuries in a fatal hit-and-run bicycle crash that occurred on May 11, 2011 in Ventura County. According to the responding California Highway Patrol Officers, the driver of the Hummer struck four bicyclists in two separate locations around 6:51 p.m. Wednesday.

One bicyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. The other three were immediately transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. The investigating officers are trying to determine whether the Hummer driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, distracted by cell phone or had any medical issue.

If found guilty of driving under these circumstances, then he may be held liable for the victim’s wrongful death and the injuries suffered by the other bicyclists.

Regardless of the reason, the victims’ family members should immediately seek counsel from an experienced personal injury attorney in Ventura County to obtain compensation to cover medical bills, loss of future income, loss of love and companionship and other accident-related expenses. A personal injury attorney can help get the justice they deserve and would ensure that the driver of the Hummer is held responsible.

Our law office offers sincere condolences to all those injured in this tragedy.

Pedestrian Struck And Killed In Los Angeles County Crosswalk Accident

May 9, 2018 Injury Lawyer San Diego 0

Aurelia Arciniega, 47, was struck and killed in a fatal Los Angeles pedestrian accident that occurred on May 4, 2011, around 6 p.m. in the 6300 block of Florence Avenue. According to Coroner’s Office Assistant Chief Ed Winter, the pedestrian was struck by a motorist in the Bell Gardens neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Arciniega was immediately transported to a nearby hospital for treatment and was later pronounced dead. From the limited information available, it is quite evident that the negligent driving of the motorist leads to this fatal car accident. From the facts set forth in the news story, it appears that the motorist failed to notice the pedestrian crossing the intersection in a crosswalk and hit her. This leads us to question his alertness while driving. Was the driver using a cell phone? Was he driving under influence? Did he do enough to avoid the accident?

In any case, striking a pedestrian legally in a crosswalk is negligence per se under California law. Under California Vehicle Code Section 21950(a), “The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection….”

The pedestrian’s family members should consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles to discuss their legal rights and options. An experienced lawyer can help the family obtain fair compensation to cover for funeral and burial costs, loss of future earnings, loss of love and companionship, and other accident-related expenses.

Our law office offers sincere condolences to all those who knew Arciniega for their loss. If it is found that the driver was operating his care illegally, either because he was driving under the influence of alcohol or without a valid driver’s license, we hope that he is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Pedestrian Struck And Killed After Being Hit by Car in Sacramento

May 4, 2018 Injury Lawyer San Diego 0

An unidentified 29-year-old man fatal threatening injuries in a solo vehicle-pedestrian accident that occurred on May 4, 2011, at 9 p.m. on Watt Avenue in Sacramento. The California Highway Patrol Officers report the pedestrian stepped out into the traffic lane and was struck by a black Volkswagen Jetta driven by a 51-year-old Sacramento woman.

California Highway Patrol Spokeswoman Lizz Dutton said that the female driver stopped at the accident scene until the rescue crew arrived. Paramedics responding to the pedestrian accident immediately pronounced the victim dead.

From the limited amount of information, it is unclear what lead to this fatal car accident that took the pedestrian’s life. Based upon a reading of California Vehicle Code Section 21950, it is quite possible that both the driver and pedestrian may be responsible for this deadly pedestrian accident. Further, because the pedestrian may not be 100% at fault and the driver may not be 100% fault-free under their responsibilities set forth by California law, the family of the pedestrian may still be able to recover damages for the loss of their loved one in this accident.

The pedestrian’s family members should immediately consult with an experienced Sacramento pedestrian accident lawyer to obtain compensation to pay funeral and burial costs, loss of anticipated earnings, loss of love and companionship, and other accident-related damages.

Our personal injury law office offers our sincere condolences to all those who knew and loved the victim for such a tragic loss.

Self-Driving Cadillacs May Hit Market in 2015, Say Developers

April 25, 2018 Injury Lawyer San Diego 0

Cadillacs that can pilot themselves on the road and navigate traffic safely may be available to purchase as soon as 2015, according to the vehicle’s developers. The system, known as “Super Cruise,” incorporates automatic steering, automatic braking, and a system that centers the vehicle in its lane. Using the system to drive the vehicle is optional, and the driver can switch it on or off at any time.

Components of the system will be available in some 2013 Cadillacs. These vehicles will include features like reverse-gear auto-braking and a driver’s seat that vibrates to warn the driver of certain dangers, like leaving the lane or getting too close to another vehicle.

General Motors, which makes the Cadillac, has been working on auto-drive safety features since 1997, when it started by covering vehicles with magnets used to sense the vehicle’s distance from other magnet-covered cars. A significant breakthrough came in 2007, when the company developed a way to integrate information from multiple sensors fast enough for the vehicle’s computers to “understand” and react so as to avoid a motor vehicle collision.

Vehicle sensors and other safety technology help drivers avoid accidents by letting them know what’s going on around the vehicle, alerting them to possible dangers, and making it easier to steer or stop the vehicle safely. However, every driver still has a responsibility to pay attention to the road and avoid accidents. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, the experienced auto accident lawyers in San Diego can help. Call us today for a free consultation.

Teen Bicyclist Dies In Los Angeles Hit-And-Run Auto Accident

April 23, 2018 Injury Lawyer San Diego 0

Alex Romero, 17, suffered fatal injuries in a Los Angeles bicycle accident that occurred on April 20, 2011, about 9 p.m. in the right lane of De Soto Avenue. According to Officer Rosario Herrera, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Police Department, Alex Romero was riding his bike on the far right lane of De Soto when a gray Toyota Corolla rear-ended his bicycle. Romero was pronounced dead at the accident scene.

The death of a young member of the family is devastating. If I were a member of his family, I would want to know how this accident took place. Who was at fault? Did the Toyota driver do enough to prevent the accident? Was he driving under influence of drugs or alcohol? If my daughter or brother had lost his life due to someone else’s negligence, I would go to any extent to ensure that the guilty were punished and that my family received maximum compensation for the loss of life—money that could be used to help family members grieve or fulfill something positive.

It would be wise for Romero’s family to seek counsel from an experienced Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyer to learn about their legal right and options, even if they ultimately decide not to file a claim. As family members of the deceased, they might be able to obtain compensation to pay for funeral and burial costs, loss of future earnings, loss of love and companionship, and other accident-related damages.

Our law office offers our sincere condolences to all those who knew and loved Romero for their tragic loss.

NHTSA Proposes Accelerator-Override Systems to Improve Car Safety

April 17, 2018 Injury Lawyer San Diego 0

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently proposed new regulations that would require passenger cars, trucks, and vans sold in the U.S. to come with automatic accelerator-override systems. The system would kick in if the accelerator became stuck or if the accelerator and brake pedals were pushed at the same time. It would stop the vehicle’s acceleration and slow it down, helping to prevent a serious car accident.

The proposed regulations would require new cars sold in the U.S. to have accelerator-override systems that would slow the car down, regardless of what caused the acceleration to go out of control. Electrical problems, stuck floor mats, auto product defects, and accelerator pedals stuck in the floor carpeting have all caused out-of-control acceleration and vehicle crashes in recent years, according to the NHTSA. The systems would have to prevent the car from accelerating in each of these situations.

Some vehicles already come equipped with similar systems, according to the NHTSA. However, the agency is interested in requiring them on all motor vehicles, especially since stuck accelerators in various Toyota models have caused serious accidents or deaths in recent years. Toyota was fined $50 million for unnecessarily delaying the recall to fix the problem. The recall was eventually issued in February 2011 and it affected over 2 million U.S. vehicles.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, a skilled San Diego car crash lawyer can help. To learn more about your legal options, call our office today for a free, confidential consultation.