California Injury Lawyer Blog

Three people died Wednesday afternoon in a crash near Easton, the Fresno Bee reported. The crash was reported to the California Highway Patrol at 4:30 p.m. at the intersection of American Avenue and Fig Avenue. According to news reports, Orlando Gomez-Benitez, 20, of Fresno, was travelling northbound on Fig Avenue when he allegedly did not stop at the stop sign at American Avenue. His Pontic Sunfire was struck by a Honda Accord travelling westbound on American Avenue. The three passengers in the Pontiac, who reportedly were not wearing seat belts, were ejected from the vehicle. Two passengers died at the scene; a third died at Community Regional Medical Center. Gomez-Benitez suffered major injuries. Both the driver of the Honda, Danny Hernandez, 27, of Fresno, and a passenger, Rogelio Cinco, 16, of Fresno, were also injured.

Wrongful Death and Personal Injury Liability

Although some news outlets initially reported that alcohol was not a factor in the crash, the Fresno Bee reported that Gomez-Benitez was arrested on felony DUI charges. If this is accurate and this August 4th crash is the result of drunk driving, the driver, Orlando Gomez-Benitez, may be held both criminally and civilly liable for his actions and the wrongful deaths and injuries he caused. While this accident remains under investigation, the family members of the victims of this crash would be well-advised to consult with a northern California drunk driving accident attorney about their legal rights in a personal injury or wrongful death claim. If the driver did not have adequate insurance coverage, a skilled and knowledgeable lawyer may be able to help the victims' recover damages from their own insurance policies.

Our Commitment to Stopping Drunk Driving

At Estey Bomberger, we take a strong position against drunk driving and support all efforts to stop it, as well as maximum criminal penalties for drunk drivers. We believe accidents caused by drunk drivers are 100% preventable, and there is no excuse for drinking and driving. Visit our website, stop-drunk-driving.com, to learn more about the epidemic of drunk driving and how it destroys lives and tears apart families.

Continue reading "Three Killed, Three Injured in Alcohol-Related Crash in Fresno " »

A 4-year-old boy tragically died Friday night in a suspected DUI crash near Cutler, the California Highway Patrol reported. According to news reports in the Fresno Bee, the victim, 4-year-old Angel Lopez, was a passenger in a Toyota driven eastbound on Avenue 440 by Rodolfo Rangle, 32, of Cutler.

Rangle apparently ran a stop sign at the intersection of Avenue 440 and Road 120, and drove into the path of a northbound 2001 Dodge. The driver of the Dodge braked to try and avoid the collision, but the front bumper of the vehicle collided with the right side of the Toyota.

Lopez was flown to Community Regional Medical Center, where he died of his injuries. Rangle was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. It was not clear what the relationship was between Rangle and Lopez. The occupants of the Dodge, Evelyn Hernandez, 55, of Orange Cove, 4-year-old Destiny Raygoza of Visalia and 60-year-old Alice Hernandez of Visalia, were taken to Kaweah Delta Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

Please keep the family of Angel Lopez in your prayers as they are grieving the loss of this young, innocent boy. If news reports of this July 23rd accident are true, it is absolutely appalling that a grown adult would knowingly endanger a child by driving under the influence of alcohol.

Cause of the Tulare County Crash

Based on the news reports, it appears that this two-vehicle collision was caused by the suspected drunk driver, Rodolfo Rangle. If news reports are accurate and he is determined to have caused this crash because he was driving under the influence of alcohol, he may be facing criminal charges for his passenger's death and the injuries of the occupants of the Dodge. Additionally, Rangle may be held financially responsible for the serious personal injuries of the occupants of the Dodge, and the wrongful death of his passenger.

Continue reading "4-Year-Old Boy Killed in Suspected Drunk Driving Crash in Orosi" »

A wine-tasting outing ended in tragedy when a suspected drunk driver killed two women in a side-impact collision on Geyserville Avenue, the San Francisco Examiner reported. The Sonoma County accident, which involved a 2004 Hyundai SUV and a 2001 Subaru Forrester, occurred at about 5:30 p.m. on Geyservile Avenue, just east of U.S. Highway 101. Authorities believe the driver of the Hyundai, Lyndsay Murray-Mazany was under the influence of alchol when she drove strait through a 90-degree turn and struck the left side of the eastbound 2001 Subaru Forrester.

Two passengers and close friends in the Subaru, Beverly Jones and Nancy McBride, both 77 and from Cloverdale, were killed on impact. The driver of the Subaru, Katherine Hinzman, 56, of Cloverdale, and two other passengers, Alice Sheperia, 82, and Barbara King, 70, both of Cloverdale, suffered moderate to major injuries. All were taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. Neither Murray-Mazany or the three passengers in her Hyundai were hurt. The CHP is investigating the crash. According to the Press Democrat, the CHP was retracing the route of the Murray-Mazany and the wine-tasting group, to see if any people in the tasting rooms had observed signs of impairment or intoxication.

Our deepest condolences go out to the family of all of the victims of this crash, a tight-knit group of women from Cloverdale who were headed to dinner after watching a play in Santa Rosa. Please keep all of their families in your prayers.

DUI Accidents and Liability Considerations

When a driver under the influence of alcohol causes an accident, that driver is responsible for the consequences of her actions, and in addition to criminal charges for drunk driving, may be held financially liable for the injuries or death that occur. While this accident remains under investigation, the family members of all of the occupants in the Subaru would be well-advised to speak to a northern California personal injury attorney as soon as possible about a civil claim for this drunk driving accident. A skilled lawyer can help the victims of this accident protect their legal rights to hold the driver (and any other parties that may be liable for this crash) fully responsible for the serious injuries and wrongful deaths that occurred in this crash.

Advocates for Stopping Drunk Driving

At Estey Bomberger, we believe every accident caused by a drunk driver is 100% preventable. Our attorneys are advocates for reducing the number of serious accidents that are caused by drunk drivers by raising awareness about how drunk driving destroys lives and tears apart families. The decision to stop drunk driving can start with you. Visit our website, stop-drunk-driving.com to learn more about what you can do to stop drunk driving in your community.

Continue reading "Two Cloverdale Women Killed in Suspected DUI Crash Near Geyserville" »

A motorcyclist died Monday night after suffering critical injuries in an intersection collision in Taft, the Midway Driller reported. The Kern County accident occurred at the intersection of Kern Street (West Side Hwy / CA-33, and 8th Street, at about 8 p.m. According to news reports, a motorcycle was travelling eastbound on Kern Street, while at the same time an SUV was making a left turn from northbound Eighth Street to westbound Kern Street.

The motorcycle and the SUV collided at the intersection. The driver of the SUV was not hurt; the motorcyclist suffered major injuries and was rushed to Kern Medical Center, where he died at 9:29 p.m. The Kern County Sheriff-Coroner identified the victim as Steven Mason, 22, of Bakersfield. Mason was wearing a helmet, authorities reported.

Cause of the Crash

Based on the news reports, it appears that the driver of the SUV pulled out into the path of the motorcyclist. The motorcyclist did not have a stop sign at the intersection, while the driver of the SUV did. However, the official cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Motorcycle Accidents Involving Left-Turns

This type of collision involving a motorcycle with the right of way and a vehicle making a left turn is fairly common. On June 28th, a motorcyclist died in a Butte County motorcycle accident when a teen made a left turn in front of him. In May, a motorcyclist died in a similar motorcycle crash in Madera County involving a pickup truck making a left turn on Highway 41. While these failure-to-yield motorcycle accidents are common, unless excessive speed is involved, they are almost always the fault of the driver of the vehicle making a left turn.

Continue reading "Bakersfield Man Killed In Taft Intersection Crash " »

Two children were taken to Enloe Medical Center following a crash Wednesday afternoon on Highway 99E at South Avenue, near Corning. According to news reports in the Red Bluff Daily News, at about 12:15 p.m., Marcos Rendon, 20, of Corning, made a left turn from Highway 99E onto South Avenue, directly into the path of a southbound vehicle driven by Mark Fowler, 49 of Paradise. Fowler swerved, but was unable to avoid the collision. The impact sent Fowler's vehicle into a third vehicle driven by Angelita Melendrez, 33, of Orland, who was turning from South Avenue onto Hwy 99E. A 9-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl in Melendrez's vehicle were taken to Enloe Medical Center.

Cause of the Highway 99 Crash

The cause of the Tehama County crash still remains under investigation. However, if news reports are accurate, the 20-year-old man turning onto Corning Avenue may have caused this crash by failing to yield to the right-of-way of Mark Fowler's vehicle.

Continue reading "Two Children Injured in Highway 99E Crash Near Corning " »

A 58-year-old man tragically died Friday night in north Stockton when the driver of a U-Haul lost control of the vehicle and collided with his Honda Civic, News 10 reported. The crash occurred at 5:35 p.m. on July 2nd, at the intersection of Hammer Lane and Richland Way. According to news reports, a man driving a U-Haul truck was traveling westbound on Hammer Lane, when for unknown reasons, he lost control of the vehicle, went onto a sidewalk and struck a tree.

The U-Haul then continued into the intersection of Richland Way, where it broadsided the Honda Civic that was waiting to turn westbound onto Hammer Lane. The driver of the Honda Civic died in the crash. The driver of the U-Haul was not injured. Based on the limited information in news reports, it is not clear why this crash occurred. Stockton Police are investigating the cause of the collision, including whether drugs or alcohol were a factor in the accident, or if the crash was caused by a mechanical failure in the truck.

Wrongful Death Liability Considerations

Regardless of whether the San Joaquin County crash was caused by negligent driving, drunk driving, a mechanical failure in the U-Haul truck, or some other cause, if news reports are accurate, the driver of the Honda Civic was the victim. While this crash remains under investigation, the family of the man killed would be well-advised to contact a California wrongful death lawyer who has handled serious accidents involving rented U-Haul trucks.

An experienced attorney can review the official accident report, explain the unique legal issues of the accident, and help the family protect their legal rights to hold the at-fault party accountable and financially responsible for their loved one's death in a wrongful death claim. Damages awarded in a wrongful death action can include compensation for funeral and burial expenses, anticipated future earnings and benefits of the decedent, and loss of love, care, and companionship.

Continue reading "Man Killed in Crash with U-Haul Truck in North Stockton " »

One person was arrested and another person was taken to a hospital following a two-vehicle accident Sunday evening in Penngrove, the Press Democrat reported. The June 27th collision occurred at about 6:20 p.m. at Petaluma Hill Road and Valley House Drive.

According to news reports, Rush Bowers, 31, of Santa Rosa, crashed his Toyota 4-Runner SUV with a Toyota Camry driven by Ann Stafford, 70, of Petaluma. Stafford suffered non-life threatening injuries and was taken by ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. Bowers was arrested on suspicion of felony drunken driving and child cruelty, and booked in the Sonoma County Jail. Bowers had two children and one adult in the car at the time of the accident. They were not injured.

Cause of the Sonoma County Crash

If news reports are accurate, the driver of the 4-Runner is responsible for the Petaluma Hill Road collision. However, the crash remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.

DUI Accidents and Personal Injury Liability

In addition to criminal charges for drunken driving, a drunk driver may also be held financially liable for injuries sustained in an accident in a civil claim. While this accident remains under investigation by law enforcement, the family of Ann Stafford would be well-advised to consult with a California personal injury attorney who is experienced in representing victims of drunk driving accidents. Victims of car accidents may be entitled to financial compensation for medical care expenses, any lost earnings, emotional pain and suffering, and other accident related expenses. In some cases, punitive damages may also be recovered.

Continue reading "Petaluma Woman Injured in Suspected DUI Crash in Penngrove " »

The Press-Enterprise reported that one person died and at least five others people were injured in a multi-vehicle accident Thursday afternoon in Menifee. The June 10th crash occurred at about 1:34 p.m. on Newport Road, about 75 feet east of the on-ramp to northbound Interstate 215.

According to the Menifee Police Department, the initial investigation determined that a white Hyundai Santa Fe that had been traveling northbound on the I-215 freeway and had exited the Newport Rd. freeway offramp. The vehicle went through the intersection and struck the center divider of Newport Rd., causing the vehicle to become airborne where it collided with a Mazda minivan in the number one westbound lane of Newport Rd. Another vehicle rear-ended the minivan, and several other vehicles were involved in minor fender-benders trying to avoid the wreckage.

The driver of the minivan, Roland G. Seneff, 69, of Hemet, died as a result of his injuries at Menifee Valley Medical Center. The front passenger in the minvan suffered serious injuries. Three children in the minivan were taken to the hospital and later released. The driver of the Hyundai suffered a broken neck. It was not clear if anyone else was injured.

Cause of the Menifee Crash

According to the Press-Enterprise, the driver of the Hyundai told authorities that when she exited northbound Interstate 215 at Newport Road, she was unable to slow down at the end of the offramp. Regardless of whether the driver of the Hyundai was negligent, or if her vehicle somehow malfunctioned, the driver of the minivan and all of the occupants in his vehicle were victims of this crash.

Continue reading "Hemet Man Killed, At Least Five People Injured in Crash on Newport Road in Menifee" »

Two people suffered serious injuries following a head-on collision in Riverside County Tuesday night, the Press-Enterprise reported. The accident occurred around 6 p.m. at Corydon Avenue and Sunny Hills Drive, and involved a Honda sedan and a Toyota sedan. According to the Press-Enterprise, the driver of one car and a passenger in the other vehicle were taken to a local hospital with moderate injuries. Both are expected to survive.

Cause of the Accident

Based on the limited information provided in news reports, it is not clear what exactly happened in this June 8th Norco crash, who was responsible, or even what direction the vehicles were travelling. In most head-on crashes, one vehicle crosses into oncoming traffic, resulting in a collision. These "lane departure" accidents occur for countless reasons, including unsafe passing, street racing, the driver being distracted, fatigued, or drunk, or due to the driver losing control of the vehicle due to a tire blowout or mechanical malfunction.

Head-on Crash Personal Injury Liability

The family members of the injured victims of this crash would be well-advised to speak to a Riverside personal injury attorney as soon as possible, while the accident remains under investigation. An attorney can help the victims understand and protect their legal rights following this Riverside car accident, and obtain full and fair compensation from the party responsible for their injuries, including monetary damages for medical expenses, lost earnings and wages, and pain and suffering.

Continue reading "Two People Hurt in Head-on Collision in Norco " »

A 28-year-old Bakersfield woman died Wednesday night after the car she was riding it was struck by a suspected drunk driver, ABC News reported. The victim was identified as Perla Gonzalez, 28, of Bakersfield. The accident occurred at about 10:40 p.m. at the intersection of Mt. Vernon Avenue and Kentucky Street. KERO ABC News reported that 23-year-old Marcus Trevino of Fallbrook (San Diego County) was speeding in an orange Mitsubishi on Kentucky Avenue toward Mount Vernon Avenue.

Authorities believe Trevino ran a stop sign, broadsiding an Infiniti driven by Cherie Marie Lopez, 19. Lopez, passenger Perla Gonzalez, and her 1-year-old Jayden Gonzalez were pinned in the Infiniti and were rescued by bystanders. Lopez suffered minor injuries. Perla Gonzalez died of her injuries at Kern Medical Center. Trevino, the suspected drunk driver, was not hurt. He was arrested on charges of felony DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter.

Drunk Driving Liability

Crashes caused by drunk drivers are 100% preventable. Drunk driving destroys not just lives, but entire families. While this absolutely devastating crash is under investigation, the family of Perla Gonzalez would be well-advised to contact a Bakersfield wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney can help hold the driver responsible for his actions in a wrongful death suit, and obtain compensation for the victim's unexpected loss, including damages for funeral and medical expenses, lost earnings, and loss of love, care and companionship.

Continue reading "Bakersfield Woman Killed, Two Injured in Suspected Drunk Driving Crash in Kern County " »

An 85-year-old Rodeo woman died following a two-vehicle collision on Highway 29 over Memorial Day weekend, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat reported. According to news reports, Helen R. Valentine, 85, was a passenger in a 2001 Toyota Corolla driven by Angelo Accurso, 85, of Hidden Valley Lake.

While attempting a turn from westbound Hartmann Road onto Highway 29, Accurso's Corolla was struck by a southbound 1998 Ford Windstar van driven by Vidal Montanez, 51, of Clearlake. The crash occurred at around 8:30 a.m. May 29th. Montanez was not injured in the collision. Both Valentine and Accurso were flown by helicopter to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. Valentine died of her injuries; Accurso suffered a broken hip. The cause of the collision is still under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.

Highway 29 Accidents

Last August, two people died in an accident on Highway 29 at Spruce Grove Road, about two miles away from the location of the May 29th accident. In January of this year, a 82-year-old pedestrian was struck and killed on Highway 29/Highway 128 in Napa County.

Continue reading "Elderly Woman Dies Following Weekend Crash in Lake County " »

Two passengers in a Honda died Wednesday evening when a large hay baler truck struck the vehicle they were riding in, the Visalia Times-Delta reported. The Tulare County accident was reported at 5:55 p.m., at the intersection of Avenue 232 and Road 36, west of Tulare.

According to the Tulare County Fire Department, the two men who were killed were back seat passengers in the Honda. The driver of the Honda, Ullses Bello Gomez, 27, was travelling west on Avenue 232 (Tulare Avenue) when he attempted a left turn onto Road 36. The Honda was then struck by a hay baler going east on Avenue 232, driven by Robert Alavarado Jr., 55, of Tulare. Alvarado was not injured in the crash. Gomez was airlifted to Community Regional Hospital in Fresno with major injuries. One of the victims was identified as Alfredo Salado, 20.

Cause of the Accident

The cause of the fatal May 27th crash remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. However, the Times-Delta reported that the driver of the Honda was booked on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. The investigation is ongoing and it was not clear how CHP officers determined the driver was under the influence.

Continue reading "Two Passengers Killed Southwest of Visalia in Suspected DUI Crash with Hay Baler Truck" »

A 51-year-old Sebastopol man was critically injured Saturday in a two-vehicle intersection crash in downtown Santa Rosa, fire officials reported. The Sonoma County crash, which involved a red Jeep and a blue Suburu Legacy, occurred just after 5 p.m. at the intersection of Fourth Street and Brookwood Avenue. The Subaru was travelling south on Brookwood when hit broadsided the Jeep at the intersection.

The Santa Rosa Press Democrat reported that firefighters had to extricate the driver of the Jeep, 51-year-old Robert McGuire of Sebastopol. Witnesses at the scene reported that the driver of the Subaru sped through the intersection and broadsided McGuire's Jeep, causing it to overturn. McGuire was partially ejected and had to be cut free from his vehicle. Both McGuire and the driver of the Subaru, a 38-year-old St. Helena woman, were taken by ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with serious injuries.

Cause of the Crash

Although investigators have not reported the official cause of the crash, news reports indicated that the driver of the Subaru sped through the intersection and likely caused this crash. Hopefully the investigation by law enforcement will reveal what exactly happened, and if negligence was a factor in this collision. If it is determined that the driver of the Subaru caused this accident, she may be liable for the injuries sustained by the driver of the Jeep, including damages for all current and future medical expenses as a result of his injury, lost earnings due to the accident, pain and suffering and other accident related expenses.

Personal Injury Liability Issues

While this May 8th Santa Rosa accident is being investigated, the family of Robert McGuire would be well-advised to talk to a California auto accident attorney about this accident. An experienced attorney can help the family understand the victim's legal rights and advise the family of their best course of action in a personal injury claim. If another driver's negligence is determined to have caused this crash, a skilled lawyer can protect the victim's rights to ensure he is fully and fairly compensated for his serious injuries from the at-fault driver and any other negligent parties.

Continue reading "Sebastopol Man Critically Injured after Weekend Crash in Santa Rosa " »

Two people died early Friday morning in a crash in La Quinta, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department reported. The accident occurred on Washington Street, north of Calle Tampico, at an entrance to the Village Shopping Center, shortly after 2 a.m. The crash involved a Ford Focus and a Dodge Truck, the Desert Sun reported. The Ford was headed eastbound and pulling out of the shopping center when it was struck by the southbound Dodge truck.

Officers responding to the scene of the crash found two people trapped in a Ford Focus. The victims, Erica Alonzo, 27, and Eleuterio Valenzuela, 31, were both taken to local hospitals, where they died. The 24-year-old driver of the truck, a La Quinta resident, was not injured. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, and it was not clear who was at fault. Police said that drugs or alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the collision. Anyone who witnessed the crash to call Sgt. David Walton at (760) 863-8990.

Fault & Wrongful Death Liability Issues

Based on the news reports of this crash, it is not clear who was at fault. News reports did not say how fast the truck was travelling when the collision occurred early in the morning. If the driver of the truck was speeding, he may be at fault for this crash. While the investigation is ongoing, the families of the two victims in the Focus would be well-advised to speak to a California wrongful death lawyer about their legal rights. An attorney can advise the families of their best course of action handling communications with the insurance companies and fully explain their legal rights, options and obligations in a wrongful death action against the driver and any other at-fault parties.

Continue reading "Two Killed April 30th in Crash in La Quinta on Washington Street " »

A man died Tuesday morning and three others were injured in a horrific chain-reaction crash on River Road in Santa Rosa, authorities reported. The accident occurred at the intersection of River Road and Sommers Street at about 10:25, and involved a Nissan Sentra, a Toyota Tercel, and a Lexus.

The Nissan Sentra was heading west on River Road and stopped to turn left onto Sommers Street. Behind the Nissan was the Toyota Tercel driven by Linden Reed, 20, of Guerneville. According to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, Reed had looked down to adjust his radio and did not see the stopped Sentra until it was too late to avoid the collision. The impact from the Toyota Tercel striking the Nissan Sentra pushed the Sentra into eastbound lanes of River Road. A eastbound Lexus then struck the Nissan, killing the passenger, who was not identified.

After the accident the driver of the Nissan, who was bleeding profusely and seriously injured, ran about a half mile away into a nearby vineyard. CBS News reported that it was unclear why the driver, who was not identified, ran away from the scene since he was not at fault. Sheriff's deputies found him about 30 minutes after the crash and he was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with reportedly life-threatening injuries. His actions and why he fled the scene are under investigation.

The driver of the Lexus, a 30-year-old Santa Rosa woman and her 13-year-old son both suffered moderate injuries and were taken to Memorial Hospital. Reed, the driver of the Tercel suspected of causing the rear-end collision that pushed the Sentra into the intersection, was not injured. River Road was closed between Fulton Road and Laughlin Road while the cause of the accident was investigated.

Fault and Liability Issues

The cause of this April 27th Sonoma County crash is still under investigation. However, if the news reports of the incident are accurate, the driver of the Tercel caused the accident, as he reportedly admitted to law enforcement that he was distracted by the radio in his car. It is possible that the driver of the Lexus was partially at fault if she was speeding, but there is nothing to indicate that based on news reports. While this accident is still under investigation, it would be in the best interests of the families of the two men in the Sentra and the mother and son in the Lexus to contact an experienced California auto accident lawyer about their legal rights to compensation in a personal injury or wrongful death claim as a result of this accident. An attorney can advise the victims of their best course of action following this accident, and explain their legal options, rights and responsibilities.

Continue reading "One Killed, Three Others Injured in Three-Car Crash on River Road in Sonoma County " »