California Injury Lawyer Blog

ANTIOCH -- A woman on a bicycle suffered major injuries after her bicycle crashed into a center divider Monday evening at the corner of Hillcrest Avenue and Bellflower Drive, Mercury News reported. The accident was reported just before 7 p.m. on July 11, 2011. According to police, the 23-year-old Antioch woman was riding down the steep hill on Bellflower Drive and went through the intersection, striking the center divider. The woman, who was not identified, was airlifted to a local hospital. It was not clear whether or not she was wearing a helmet.

Bicycle Accident Personal Injury Liability

Solo bicycle accidents such as this one - where no other vehicles are involved - are often attributed to driver error or negligence. However, many accidents are actually the result of manufacturing and design defects in bicycles. Every year, several dozen bicycles are recalled by their manufacturers and retailers for dangerous flaws and defects. Following an accident such as this one, the injured victim or her family would be well-advised to speak with a California bicycle accident attorney. While the accident is under investigation, a bicycle recall lawyer can investigate whether the bicycle involved in the accident needs to be inspected for a defect, or if the bicycle has been previously recalled. If a defect in the bicycle caused this Contra Costa County bicycle accident, the injured woman may be entitled to compensation for her injuries in a product liability claim.

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ANTIOCH - Three people were injured Friday morning in a head-on collision on Deer Valley Road, the Contra Costa Times reported. The crash was reported north of Empire Mine Road, just after 10 a.m. on Friday, February 25, 2011. According to reports, a 28-year-old Pittsburg man was driving a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt northbound on Deer Valley Road. At the same time, a 55-year-old Antioch woman was driving a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier southbound. For unknown reasons, the driver of the Cobalt veered across the double yellow line and struck the Cavalier head-on.

The woman driving the Cavalier suffered two broken legs and was airlifted to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek. A female passenger in the Cavalier and the driver of the Cobalt were taken to hospitals for less serious injuries.

Cause of the Contra Costa County Crash

The cause of the February 25th Contra Costa County crash remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. The CHP reported that the road was wet at the time of the crash, but it was not raining. The driver of the Cavalier was reportedly driving the speed limit, but the man driving the Cobalt appeared to be speeding. If news reports are accurate, the driver of the Cobalt will likely be found responsible for this head-on collision.

Car Accident Personal Injury Liability

Head-on collisions such as this one on Deer Valley Road commonly involve significant injury. When a car accident is caused by negligence of another driver, the at-fault party may be liable for the victim's injuries, including medical expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages. While this crash remains under investigation, the injured parties in the Cavalier would be well-advised to speak with an experienced California car accident lawyer. A knowledgeable attorney who has represented numerous victims of head-on collisions can advise the victims of their legal rights and best course of action to protect them.

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A woman sustained major injuries Friday morning after her Toyota Tacoma was rear-ended by a Lexus travelling "at freeway speeds," a California Highway Patrol spokesman reported. The April 9th accident happened at around 9:26 a.m. on Highway 4, east of Hillcrest Avenue. According to the CHP, the impact caused the pickup truck to veer off the road, through a fence off the side of the freeway, and into a grassy field where it overturned before coming to rest on its wheels about 100 feet off the highway. The driver of the pickup truck was identified as Nanci Lenoci, 56, of Oakley. She was flown to John Muir Medical Center with major injuries. The driver of the Lexus suffered less serious injuries and was also taken to the hospital.

The CHP reported that a crash had happened shortly after 9 a.m. on Highway 4 near G Street caused the traffic delay that led to this collision. The driver of the Lexus, Marvin Ownsby, 35, of Antioch, likely was not prepared for the sudden stopping of traffic, resulting in the chain reaction crash.

Fault and Personal Injury Liability

If the news reports of this accident are accurate, the driver of the Lexus was likely responsible. In almost all cases, the law presumes rear-end collisions are the fault of the rear driver. In other words, if you are the driver of the vehicle that was hit from behind, you are most likely not at fault. There are some exceptions, however it is not clear that any apply in this case. Drivers have the responsibility to give the car in front of them plenty of space, in case they need to stop suddenly. The family of the woman in the pickup truck would be well-advised to speak to a Bay Area auto accident attorney as soon as possible, who can ensure her rights are protected and she receives full and fair compensation for her injuries, lost earnings, pain and suffering and other expenses related to this accident.

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A single vehicle accident early Sunday morning in Antioch left a passenger with serious injuries and a driver with moderate injuries, police reported. The accident, which involved a gray Buick sedan, occurred at about 3:10 a.m. Sunday on southbound Auto Center Drive at Costco Way. According to reports in the Contra Costa Times, the vehicle crossed a sidewalk and some landscaping before striking a large concrete pillar, causing it to overturn and come to rest on its roof. The vehicle caught fire and was engulfed in flames by the time officers arrived. The driver, a 22-year-old Antioch man, was able to get himself out of the vehicle on his own. Officers had to pull the passenger, a 32-year-old Antioch woman, out of the vehicle. She suffered multiple serious injuries and was hospitalized in critical condition.

Police are investigating the cause of the accident, but believe that the driver was under the influence of alcohol.

The driver of the vehicle likely caused this accident and is also likely responsible for the injuries to the woman. The family of the woman seriously injured in this Contra Costa County accident would be well-advised to speak to a drunk driving passenger injury attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help the victim recover maximum compensation for her injuries from the other driver, and possibly also her own insurance policy, if she has one. A lawyer can also explain how to best handle communications with the insurance adjustor and advise the victim and her family of their best course of action to ensure she is fairly and fully compensated for her injuries, including all medical expenses, loss of earnings, and pain and suffering.

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