California Injury Lawyer Blog

MENIFEE - An unidentified male pedestrian was very tragically killed Saturday night when he was struck by an Isuzu Rodeo on the McCall Boulevard on-ramp to the 215 Freeway, the Southwest Riverside News Network reported. The victim, who was not identified pending notification of family members, died at the scene of the accident, which was reported at about 10:15 p.m. on Saturday, August 27, 2011. The driver of the SUV reportedly attempted to avoid the collision, as the CHP said that a reporting person heard a screech of tires followed by an impact. The cause of the accident remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.

What Caused this Fatal Accident?

Since news reports provided only limited details of what happened, it is impossible to understand exactly what happened. The CHP - the agency responsible for investigating this fatal collision - will surely look at factors such as speed, the location of the pedestrian in the roadway, possible impairment of the pedestrian or the driver, and other factors in determining what happened to cause this accident, and who was ultimately responsible.

Pedestrian Accident Wrongful Death Liability

Following any fatal pedestrian accident where the cause is unclear, such as this August 27th Sun City pedestrian accident, the family members of the victim would be well-advised to speak with a knowledgeable Riverside personal injury attorney. If it is determined that the driver of the SUV was in part or in whole responsible for this accident, the victim's family may pursue a wrongful death claim and recover damages for funeral and burial expenses, lost earnings and loss of love and companionship. A skilled attorney can help the victim's family understand their options and protect their legal rights, should they decide to pursue a claim against whoever was responsible for their loss.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Struck and Killed in Sun City " »

FRESNO COUNTY - A head-on collision Sunday evening left two people with serious injuries, the Fresno Bee reported. The accident happened on Conejo Avenue, just east of McCall Avenue at about 7 p.m. According to news reports, the driver of a Pontiac Grand Prix stopped on the shoulder of eastbound Conejo Avenue. When the driver reentered traffic, the vehicle collided head-on with a Ford Explorer. The Pontiac driver suffered two broken legs was airlifted to Community Regional Medical Center. The driver of the Explorer suffered bone fractures and internal injuries. The cause of the August 21st collision remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. According to the CHP, drugs or alcohol were not believed to be a factor.

Cause of the Accident

Based on the details provided in news reports, it is unclear what exactly happened here. CHP investigators will surely look at the speed of both vehicles and other factors in determining who was responsible for this collision. It is unclear if the driver of the Pontiac failed to yield to the right-of-way of the Explorer, or if the driver of the Explorer was speeding or swerved into the path of the Pontiac. Hopefully, the CHP investigation will reveal exactly what happened and why.

Fresno Car Accident Personal Injury Liability

While this August 21st Conejo Avenue head-on collision remains under investigation, the injured victims or their family members would be well-advised to speak with an experienced and knowledgeable Fresno car accident lawyer. An attorney who understands the unique legal issues of head-on collision car accidents can advise the victims of their legal rights to compensation for their injuries, including medical care and treatment expenses, lost earnings due to being unable to work, and additional damages for pain and suffering. As a general rule, it is advisable to speak with a Fresno personal injury lawyer as soon as possible following an accident, while important evidence and witness recollections can most easily be obtained.

Continue reading "Two People Injured in Head-On Collision Near Kingsburg " »

Curved soled toning shoes, like Skechers Shape-ups, promise to get people in shape just by wearing them while walking. Toning shoe's curved sole or "rocker bottom" supposedly forces the wearer to use muscles not normally used by creating an unstable walking surface. Walking in a toning shoe has been compared to balancing on a wobble board or walking on soft sand. Despite manufacturers' claims of improved muscle tone, recent studies released by the American Council on Exercise and Consumer Reports found toning shoes did not provide superior fitness benefits and in some cases, were responsible for causing serious injuries, such as broken bone injuries.

Broken Bone Classification

Broken bones or bone fractures (they are one in the same) occur when a bone is placed under a sudden, extreme force or a repeated, unusual force. Bones can break in various ways, but are usually categorized as simple or compound bone fractures. Simple bone fractures are a type of injury in which the broken bone does not pierce the skin. Simple bone fracture symptoms include swelling, bruising, pain that does not go away, visible bone distortion, and tingling and numbness. Compound bone fractures occur when the broken bone pierces through the skin. Because there is an open wound associated with a compound bone fracture, the risk of infection increases.

Types of Broken Bone Injuries

Anyone of the body's 206 bones can break, but it is how a bone breaks that will determine the type of treatment administered and the length of recovery (if a full recovery is possible). Some of the more common types of bone fractures, include:

• Greenstick fracture - bending of the bone
• Transverse fracture - break that is at a right angle to the bone's axis
• Comminuted fracture - bone breaks into several pieces
• Oblique fracture - break that has a curved pattern
• Buckle fracture - bone fragments are driven into each other
• Spiral fracture - bone has been twisted
• Linear fracture - break that is parallel to the bone's axis.

What to do if you have sustained a Skechers Shape-ups Broken Bone Injury

After sustaining a Skechers Shape-ups broken bone injury, it is important that you do not move or allow anyone else to move you so as to avoid making the injury worse. If you sustained a simple bone fracture injury, remove any tight clothing or jewelry to promote blood circulation. Also, elevate the affected area and apply an ice pack to reduce swelling. If you sustained a compound bone fracture injury and are bleeding, clean the wound with soap and water. Regardless of the type of broken bone injury, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Contact a Skechers Shape-ups Injury Attorney at Estey Bomberger

As a victim of a toning shoe related injury, you may be entitled to monetary compensation from the shoe manufacturer. To learn if you are able to take legal action, contact a Skechers Shape-ups injury attorney at the law firm of Estey Bomberger. You will not have to pay a fee to discuss your case with one of our skilled attorneys and we can be reached seven days a week, at anytime. We will give you an honest assessment of your case in the privacy of your home, office or hospital room.

Continue reading "Types of Skechers Shape-ups Broken Bone Injuries" »

WASHINGTON - In personal injury news, the Tacoma News Tribune reported a Washington jury awarded $2.2 million to a woman who suffered bites to her face and arms while trying to pull a neighbor's pit bull off of her small dogs. The jury found the owners of the pit bull 52% responsible; Pierce County was found 42% to blame because animal control officials neglected to take action even after getting more than a dozen complaints about the animal. The victim, Stephanie Gorman, filed two complaints about her neighbors dogs running loose in the months before the attack in August 2007. Gorman was found 1% responsible for leaving an open sliding-glass door open, through which the dogs entered her home.

Dog Bite Liability & Personal Injury Claims

Dog owners are responsible for controlling their pets, and for the consequences of their pets' actions. In certain cases, such as this 2007 dog mauling, other parties may be liable for dog bite injuries, if their negligence contributed to a mauling or attack. If you or your child has been bitten by a dog in California, contact a California dog bite lawyer to discuss your legal rights with an attorney. You may be entitled to financial compensation for medical care expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Continue reading "Washington Dog Mauling Victim Awarded $2.2 Million" »

CHULA VISTA - An 82-year-old man tragically died Thursday night, about three hours after he was struck by a car while trying to cross Third Avenue in Chula Vista, the San Diego Union Tribune reported. The fatal pedestrian accident was reported at about 8 p.m. on Thursday, August 11, 2011, on Third Avenue at Quintard Street. The San Diego County Medical Examiner identified the victim as Jose Luis Contreras. According to 10 News, Contreras was struck by a northbound Toyota Corolla. He was taken by ambulance to UCDS Medical Center in Hillcrest, where he later died, despite aggressive prolonged resuscitative efforts. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Pedestrian Accident Fault & Liability

Based on the information provided in news reports, it is not clear whether the driver of the Toyota could have prevented striking Contreras. The investigation by Chula Vista Police will surely seek to determine how fast the vehicle was travelling and precisely where the victim was when he was struck, and whether the collision could have been prevented. Following any accident where the cause is unclear, the family members of the victim would be well-advised to speak with an experienced and knowledgeable Chula Vista personal injury lawyer. An attorney who has successfully represented families of victims of fatal car vs. pedestrian accidents can help the family protect their legal rights and determine whether they may be entitled to damages in a wrongful death claim.

Continue reading "Elderly Man Struck and Killed in Chula Vista " »

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY -- On Tuesday, a 33-year-old Soquel woman was arrested and booked in Santa Cruz County Jail on suspicion of causing a hit-and-run accident that killed bicyclist Noel Hamilton on June 27th, Fox Reno reported. Sandra Joy Wertz was driving a white 1999 Infiniti QX4 on Soquel-San Jose Road just near O'Neill Lane at about 10:10 p.m. Monday night when she fatally struck and killed Hamilton. Wertz initially fled the scene, but later returned to provide a statement to California Highway Patrol officers. Hamilton, 31, who was a silk screener and sculptor, was reported dead at the scene.

CHP officer Sarah Jackson explained that Wertz was a suspect in the accident, but took investigators roughly 6 weeks to corroborate her story with the evidence. Investigators have also discussed Wertz's arrest to Hamilton's family.

Cause of the Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accident

The reasons as to why and how the accident occurred remains to be unclear. However, based on the limited information provided by Mercury News and Fox Reno, it appears the driver will be held accountable for the hit-and-run bicycle accident. According to the California Vehicle Code § 20001, a driver involved in any accident that results in an injury or death, other than to himself or herself, is legally obligated to stop at the scene of the collision. And in a hit-and-run accident such as this one occurring on June 27th, the driver is usually charged with a felony.

Bicycle Accident Wrongful Death Liability

In addition to criminal charges, the driver will most likely be held liable for the hit-and-run accident that killed the victim. Therefore, family members of the victim would be well-advised to seek a skilled Northern California wrongful death attorney. A knowledgeable attorney who has the expertise in tragic hit-and-run bicycle accidents can help the family understand and protect their legal rights, hold the driver fully responsible for the incident, and may be entitled to receive the maximum compensation for final medical care expenses, support, loss of a loved one, and funeral/burial costs relating to this fatal and devastating hit-and-run bicycle accident.

Continue reading "Woman Arrested on Suspicion of Causing Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accident" »

MERCED COUNTY - A 9-year-old girl was tragically killed Monday night when she was struck by a 2005 Cadillac on Oak Street in Delhi, KFSN-TV ABC News Fresno reported. The fatal pedestrian accident was reported around 8:55 p.m. According to reports in the Merced Sun-Star, the victim, identified by authorities as Stephanie Sanchez-Guzman, was walking with two other children ages 12 and 13 when Manuel Mercado, 69, of Delhi, struck the three children "for uknown reasons." Sanchez-Guzman was airlifted to UC Davis Medical Center, where she died from her injuries. The other two children suffered minor to moderate injuries. Mercado was reportedly not hurt.

Cause of the Fatal Pedestrian Accident

According to reports in the Merced Sun Star, alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the collision. It is unclear why the driver struck the children. Hopefully the investigation by the California Highway Patrol will provided answers to the many questions this accident raises. The CHP will look to determine if this accident was the result of driving while distracted, falling asleep at the wheel, speeding, or other negligent operation of a car.

Pedestrian Accident Injury and Wrongful Death Liability

If it is determined that the driver could have prevented this accident, he may be cited or even criminally charged. Additionally, the driver may be financially responsible for the victims' injuries and death in a personal injury or wrongful death claim. While this August 9th Oak Street pedestrian accident remains under investigation by the CHP, the family members of the victims of this crash would be well-advised to speak with an experienced and knowledgeable northern California pedestrian accident lawyer. An attorney who has represented numerous families of young children struck by cars can help the victims' families protect their legal rights to hold the driver and any other responsible parties accountable in a personal injury or wrongful death claim.

Continue reading "9-Year-Old Girl Struck and Killed in Delhi " »

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY -- A man was rushed to a Santa Barbara Hospital Monday after a Jumbatron television fell on him at the Earl Warren Showgrounds, KSBY reported. David Howard Mann, 49, was helping install the big screen T.V. prior to a rodeo event when for unknown reasons the T.V. fell and landed on him. Bystanders at the scene were able to lift the T.V. off of Mann before medics arrived. According to KEYT, Mann was given CPR and transported to Cottage Hospital where he later died due to his injuries.

Cause of the Jumbotron Accident

The accident occurring on August 8th remains under investigation by authorities. However, based on the limited information provided by KSBY and KEYT, it is unclear why the Jumbotron television fell on Mann. Hopefully, authorities can come to a conclusion of what happened and why.

Fault and Wrongful Death Liability

Accidents such as this one have unique and complex issues. The general contractor, and all subcontactors and supervisors at the site where the T.V. was being installed, have a duty to make the working environment as safe as possible. If for any reason a party shows negligence in maintaining a safe work area, they will be held liable for injuries or fatalities that occur. Therefore, family members of the victim are well-advised to seek a California wrongful death attorney. A knowledgeable attorney who has the expertise in these particular accidents can hire a private investigator to take pictures, interview witnesses, and gather evidence to determine who is at fault. The attorney can also protect the families legal rights and possibly receive compensation for funeral/burial expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages relating to this horrific tragedy.

Continue reading "Man Dies from Injuries after Jumbotron Falls at the Earl Warren Showgrounds " »

TULARE COUNTY - The Visalia Times-Delta reported a horrific collision killed at least two teenagers and the driver of a pickup truck Tuesday afternoon, at the intersection of Highway 190 (Avenue 144) and Road 152. According to reports by the California Highway Patrol, a Tulare County juvenile probation van was headed east on Highway 190, and the pickup truck was headed northbound on Road 152. The preliminary investigation indicates that the driver of the pickup truck failed to stop at the intersection.

The van was headed back to the Tulare County Probation Department in Porterville when the collision occurred minutes after 11:00 a.m. A 16-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl in the van were killed in the collision. Six other teenagers and the driver of the van suffered major injuries. Some of the van occupants were reportedly ejected. The driver of the pickup truck, who was not identified, also died.

Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Liability Issues

This August 2nd car accident presents a number of possibly complex legal issues due to the fact that the probation van is owned by a county, and the threshold for proving liability is higher. Lawsuits against government agencies have strict timelines, and require technical procedures that are not required in a typical car accident lawsuit. While this accident remains under investigation, the parents of the teenage victims of this accident would be well-advised to contact an experienced California car accident lawyer.

An attorney who has handled car accident injury and wrongful death claims arising from accidents involving government owned vehicles can help the families affected by this crash protect their rights to ensure that the responsible parties are held accountable. Families may be entitled to compensation for victims' injuries and medical expenses, or the wrongful death of their loved one.

Continue reading "Tulare County Juvenile Probation Van Involved in Fatal Collision " »