California Injury Lawyer Blog

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY - Six people suffered injuries ranging from minor to major following a head-on collision early Sunday morning in the Lompoc area, the Lompoc Record reported. The crash was reported at about 1:50 a.m. on Highway 1 at San Antonio Road. Further information about the parties involved or the cause of the collision was not available.

Cause of the Highway 1 Head-on Crash

The cause of this December 11th Lompoc car accident remains under investigation, and based on the information provided by the Lompoc Record, it is impossible to determine why this crash occurred. Most head-on collisions are attributed to driver behavior, such as swerving to avoid an object in the road, unsafe passing, or even falling asleep at the wheel. Hopefully, the investigation by the California Highway Patrol will reveal exactly what happened and who was responsible.

Car Accident Personal Injury Liability

While the investigation into the cause of this Lompoc area car accident is ongoing, the injured victims of the collision would be well-advised to consider speaking with an experienced and knowledgeable Santa Barbara personal injury lawyer. A skilled car accident attorney can review the accident report, and advise victims of their rights to be compensated for medical care, lost income, and other damages from the party or parties responsible for the collision.

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MENDOCINO COUNTY -- According to Mercury News, an 82-year-old Mendocino avid cyclist was severely struck by a pickup truck in Casper on Sunday. This tragic accident happened along Highway 1 when a 1999 Ford F-150 driven by Sterling Bradbury, 18, of Mendocino, veered onto the shoulder of the highway and struck the bicyclist. CHP at the scene stated that alcohol or drugs, or the use of a cell phone were not a factor in the crash. However, following this tragic accident, the bicyclist, David Russell, was airlifted to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital where he was later died due to his injures.

Cause of the Bicycle Accident on Highway 1

The accident on November 13th remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. However based on the information provided by Mercury News, it is unclear what caused the teen driver to veer onto the shoulder of the freeway. Therefore, police officials investigating this devastating accident will look at factors that include and are not limited to falling asleep while driving, road conditions, vehicle malfunctions, and distracted driving.

Bicycle Accident Wrongful Death Liability

Bicycle accidents can result in serious injuries and/or death to the cyclist involved. There are numerous ways accidents such as this one can occur, such as motorists forcing bicyclists off the road, veering in front of a cyclist's path, or other negligent actions by the driver.

Therefore, while it is not determined by authorities what caused this crash and who is ultimately responsible, the family of the deceased victim would be well-advised to contact a California wrongful death lawyer. One of our understanding and dedicated attorneys at Estey Bomberger, especially Mike Bomberger who is also an avid cyclist, can ensure the family's legal rights are protected, help police in efforts to hold the responsible party financially liable for funeral and burial costs, anticipated and future lifetime earnings and benefits, loss of love, care, affection, and companionship.

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SANTA CRUZ COUNTY - A 58-year-old bicyclist was severely injured Tuesday morning after he was struck by a Toyota Tacoma on Highway 1, the Mercury News reported. The accident occurred just before 8:30 a.m. on northbound Highway 1 near Bonny Doon Road. According to the CHP, the bicyclist was riding a Giant hybrid bike that was struck from behind by the pickup truck, driven by a 65-year-old Santa Cruz man. The bicyclist, who was not identified, wore a helmet and his bike was equipped with reflectors. He suffered major injuries in the collision and was flown to Stanford Medical Center by helicopter. It was reportedly foggy at the time of the collision.

Cause of the Accident

Based on the limited information provided in news reports, the cause of the collision is unclear. However, if it is true that the cyclist was struck from behind, it appears he likely could have done nothing to prevent the collision. The CHP will surely look at the location of the collision, speed of the truck, and other factors in making their determination of exactly what happened.

Bicycle Accident Personal Injury Liability

Following a major injury bicycle accident such as this September 21st accident on Highway 1, the family members of the injured victim would be well-advised to speak with an experienced and knowledgeable Northern California bicycle accident attorney. An attorney who is also a cyclist and specializes in cycling accident litigation can advise the victim and his family of their best course of action to protect their rights following this accident, and recover maximum compensation for medical care and treatment, lost earnings / wages, and pain and suffering, if negligence is determined to be a cause of the accident. Following any serious injury accident, it is advisable to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible, while important evidence and witness recollections can most easily be obtained and preserved.

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VENTURA COUNTY - A 24-year-old Los Angeles man tragically was killed Monday afternoon when his motorcycle was struck by a car driven by a 37-year-old Oxnard woman, the Ventura County Star reported. The fatal motorcycle accident occurred on the Pacific Coast Highway at about 1:30 p.m. on July 4, 2011, near Point Mugu State Beach. The motorcyclist, Water Gutierrez, was riding southbound on PCH when a vehicle driven by Mindee Martinez pulled out of the beach parking lot in front of his motorcycle. Gutierrez died at the scene of the crash.

Cause of the Fatal Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycle accidents frequently occur because drivers are simply not looking for motorcyclists. Accidents where drivers fail to see a motorcyclist are heartbreaking and devastating, and raise a number of questions - most importantly, why did the driver not see the motorcyclist? The cause of this fatal motorcycle accident remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. The CHP reported that drugs or alcohol did not appear to be a factor. Based on the news reports, it is unclear why the driver pulled out in front of Gutierrez's motorcycle. Hopefully, the CHP investigation will reveal exactly what happened, and who was responsible.

Motorcycle Accident Wrongful Death Liability

Depending on the unique circumstances of this July 4th accident, if the driver of the car is determined to be responsible, she may be liable for the wrongful death of the motorcyclist in a civil claim. If negligence of the driver was a factor, the family of the victim may pursue a claim for damages, including funeral and burial expenses, lost earnings and benefits, and loss of love, care, affection and companionship. While this accident remains under investigation, the family members of the victim may benefit from speaking with an experienced and knowledgeable California motorcycle accident lawyer. A skilled attorney who understands the complex legal issues of car vs. motorcycle accidents can advise the victim's family of their legal rights and best course of action should they wish to pursue a wrongful death claim.

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An 8-year-old boy was the victim of a high-speed alcohol-related accident on Highway 1 early Tuesday morning in Seaside, KSBW News reported. The boy, who was not identified, was a passenger in a 1993 Lexus GS 300 sedan that was estimated to be travelling faster than 120 mph.

According to news reports, the driver of the Lexus, the father of the 8-year-old, tried to exit the freeway at the Fremont / Del Monte Blvd exit in Seaside, but was travelling too fast. The vehicle hit a guardrail and was sheared in half.

The driver of the Lexus, Zabdiel Arciga of Marina, suffered only minor injuries and was arrested on suspicion of DUI by Cal State Monterey Bay Police. His son was flown to Valley Medical Center in San Jose, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Drunk Driving Needs to Stop

This July 27th accident is appalling and heartbreaking at the same time. A young life was taken in a horrific that could so easily have been prevented. It is just another reminder of how drunk driving is an epidemic problem in California. Why would a grown adult drive 120 mph with a young child in the car? This year, there have been a number of innocent children killed as passengers in alcohol-related accidents. Just this weekend, a 4-year-old boy was killed in an alcohol-related accident in Tulare County, when the driver of the vehicle he was riding in ran a stop sign.

Make the Choice to Never Drink and Drive

At Estey Bomberger, our DUI accident wrongful death attorneys are only too aware of how drunk driving takes innocent lives and destroys families every single day. Visit our website stop-drunk-driving.com to learn what you can do to stop drunk driving in your community. The decision to not drink and drive starts with you.

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A man who climbed out of his sports-utility vehicle after a rollover accident on Highway 1 was struck by a bus Thursday morning, authorities reported. According to the CHP, the 51-year-old man initially had been driving about 55 mph on northbound Highway 1 (the Cabrillo Highway), near the 12th street exit when he saw brake lights ahead of him. In attempt to avoid a collision, he swerved suddenly, causing his SUV to rollover. The vehicle was still in the traffic lane when he climbed out of it. He was then struck by a MST bus en rounte from Monterey to San Jose. The accident occurred before 5:30 a.m., when it was still dark. The bus driver suffered minor injuries. The driver of the SUV suffered major injuries including multiple broken bones and was taken to Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula.

Injury and Liability Issues

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the April 8th accident. Accidents like this one - where somebody survives one accident and then is struck by another passing vehicle are more common than you'd think. Whenever a vehicle is disabled in the roadway, there is the potential for another collision. This is how a lot of multi-vehicle pileup or "chain reaction" collisions begin. Poor visibility situations, at night, in fog, rain or snow, increase the likelihood of accidents and injuries. In this situation, the victim injured would be well-advised to speak to a California personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Depending on the circumstances, he may be entitled to compensation from the bus company for his injuries, loss of earnings and pain and suffering.

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