California Injury Lawyer Blog

LAKE COUNTY - The Santa Rosa Press Democrat reported a 60-year-old Santa Rosa man tragically died at the scene of a head-on crash Saturday afternoon on Highway 29 in Lake County. The fatal accident was reported at 12:03 p.m., just north of the Napa County - Lake County line.

According to Highway Patrol reports, Albert Koran Jr, was driving a 2005 Toyota southbound on Highway 29, and Keith Cronin, 70 of Middleton, was driving a 2006 Chevy pickup truck northbound.

For reasons still under investigation, Cronin reportedly crossed double yellow lanes and headed northbound in the southbound lane, and struck Koran's Toyota head-on. The impact of the collision trapped Koran inside his vehicle. Passing motorists and his wife and son attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation until firefighters arrived at the scene of the crash.

According to the Press Democrat, Cronin suffered a collapsed lung and broken pelvis. He was flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital where he was reportedly in serious condition. Koran's wife and son suffered minor injuries. Two passengers in the Chevy pickup truck also sustained minor injuries.

The cause of the head-on collision Lake County car accident is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.

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Two people were injured Monday in a head-on collision near Yountville, the Napa Valley Register reported. The injury accident happened shortly before 5 p.m. on Monday, November 22, 2010. According to news reports of the incident, Iveth Guetierez, 29, of Napa, was driving a 2000 Volkswagen Jetta southbound on the Highway, while at the same time, Janice Craven, 72, of St. Helena, was driving northbound in a 2007 Hyundai Sonata. For reasons still under investigation, Guetierez lost control of her vehicle and drifted across double yellow lines and collided with Craven's northbound vehicle. Both Guetierez and Craven were taken by ambulance to Queen of the Valley Medical Center.

Cause of the Head-on Collision

The California Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the Napa head-on crash. Based on the limited information in news reports, it is not clear what caused Guetierez to lose control of her vehicle. Alcohol was reportedly not a factor in the collision. If news reports are accurate, the driver of the Sonata likely could have done nothing to prevent this crash. Accidents likely this one are very often caused by driver distraction, but there are dozens of possible causes. Without more information, it is impossible to tell what happened.

Car Accident Personal Injury Liability

While the crash remains under investigation, the family of Janice Craven may benefit from speaking with a knowledgeable and experienced California car accident lawyer about the victim's rights in a personal injury claim. If negligence was a factor in the crash - either on the part of the driver, the manufacturer of the vehicle, or even the agency responsible for maintaining the highway, the injured victim may be entitled to compensation for her injuries. A skilled lawyer who has represented numerous victims of head-on crashes on state highways can advise the victim of her best course of action to protect her rights and recover the maximum compensation she may be entitled to for her injuries.

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The CHP is investigating a head-on collision Tuesday morning in Lake County that left two women with serious injuries. The two-vehicle crash occurred shortly after 10 a.m. on Highway 29 north of Butts Canyon Road. According to reports in the Lake County News, 18-year-old Brittany Franklin of Clearlake was driving a 2008 Chevrolet pickup northbound on Highway 29, when for unknown reasons, her vehicle drifted to the right and began to leave the roadway. Franklin then apparently overcorrected back onto the roadway and veered into southbound traffic. Franklin's vehicle collided head-on with a 2004 Nissan truck driven by Suzanne Wallahan, 43, of Middleton. Wallahan's Nissan traveled down a dirt embankment, and Franklin's Chevy stopped in the middle of the highway, blocking both lanes of traffic. Both Franklin and Wallahan were airlifted to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento.

We hope both of the women hurt in this crash were not gravely injured, and wish them both the best for a full and fast recovery. Please keep them in your prayers.

Cause of the Highway 29 Head-on Collision

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the August 17th Lake County crash. Authorities have reportedly ruled out drugs or alcohol as a contributing factor. Based on the limited information provided in news reports, it is not clear why Franklin lost control of her vehicle. Was she speeding or driving recklessly, or did something malfunction mechanically with her truck? The CHP is undoubtedly investigating these and all other potential causes of the crash.

Car Accidents and Personal Injury Liability

If it is determined that the driver of the Chevrolet is in fact responsible for this crash, she may be liable for the injuries of the driver of the Nissan. In situations such as this one, where another driver may be responsible for an accident causing serious injury to another, the injured victim or their family would be well-advised to consult with an experienced and knowledgeable California personal injury lawyer about the unique legal issues involved and their rights to consultation. A skilled car accident attorney can help the injured victims seek compensation for medical care expenses, lost earnings and wages, pain and suffering, and other expenses related to the accident.

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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 " »

NAPA COUNTY - Authorities are investigating a pedestrian accident at the intersection of Main Street and Fulton Lane/Madrona Avenue Thursday evening. According to police, Elsie "Alice" Stefani, 82, was walking eastbound on Main Street (Highway 29 / Highway 128) in a crosswalk at the intersection of Fulton Lane and Madrona Avenue. Westbound traffic stopped to wait for Stefani, but a car turning left from Madrona onto Main did not yield to Stefani's right of way and struck her.

The St. Helena Star reported that Stefani was trapped under the vehicle, which was driven by a 52-year-old Calistoga woman. Stefani was extracted from beneath the car and flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, where she died shortly before 7 p.m. Her two dogs were transported to the city kennel. Police are investigating the cause of the fatal Napa County pedestrian accident. The driver was not cited at the scene.

Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family of Elsie "Alice" Stefani and everyone who knew and loved her. The St. Helena Star said that Stefani was a dog lover who took her two dogs for a walk "every day, rain or shine." Please keep her family in your prayers as they are grieving this tragic loss.

The pedestrian accident was the second fatal pedestrian accident within a day in the North Bay area. Michelle Cordova, 15, was killed in a crosswalk on West College Avenue at Link Lane in Santa Rosa on Wednesday night, just a few dozen yards from her apartment complex.

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