California Injury Lawyer Blog

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY - A 61-year-old Hesperia man critically injured in a motorcycle accident on New Year's Day has died, the Press-Enterprise has reported. The man, Herbert Snetsinger, 61, lost control of his motorcycle just before 10 a.m. Saturday, January 1st, on northbound Highway 395 near Shadow Mountain Road in Adelanto. He was taken to Loma Linda University Medical Center, where he died Thursday, January 6th.

The cause of the Hwy 395 motorcycle accident remains under investigation, and at this point, it is unclear what happened to cause Snetsinger to lose control and crash. Hopefully, the law enforcement investigation will provide answers as to what happened and why. While many fatal motorcycle accidents are attributed to rider inexperience or unsafe driving, some accidents are completely outside the realm of control of the rider. If this accident was caused by a defect in the motorcycle, such as a accelerator that sticks or breaks, or a crack in a fuel system part. Safety related defects are the reason for numerous motorcycle part recalls every year. Other solo vehicle motorcycle accidents are caused by defects in the roadway, such as potholes, uneven surfaces, lack of guardrails, and maintenance neglect.

After an accident such as this one, where the cause is unclear, it would certainly be advisable for the family of the victim to consider speaking with a California wrongful death lawyer. If a defect in the motorcycle or a dangerous roadway condition caused this accident, the family may be able to recover financial compensation for their loved one's death, including damages for final medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses, lost earnings and benefits, loss of love, care, affection and companionship, and other damages. An experienced lawyer can review the law enforcement report of the incident, and if necessary, arrange to have the motorcycle and the location of the accident inspected by an expert.

Continue reading "Motorcyclist Dies 6 Days After Highway 395 Crash " »

A 36-year-old Victorville woman died Monday in a crash on Highway 395 in San Bernardino County, the Victorville Daily Press said. The victim, Patricia Rodriguez, was a passenger in a 2003 GMC Yukon travelling south on Highway 395. According to news reports, at about 12:12 p.m., about two miles south of Bear Valley Road, the driver of the Yukon, Sergio Rodriguez, swerved to avoid rear-ending a slow-moving Chrysler PT Cruiser and apparently overcorrected. The SUV overturned several times and came to rest on its roof.

The San Bernardino Sun reported paramedics pronounced Rodriguez dead at the scene of the accident at 12:23 p.m. Other occupants of the SUV, including several children, were taken to local hospitals with moderate to major injuries. It was unclear how many people were in the SUV; the San Bernardino Sun reported there were eight or nine occupants in the vehicle.

This tragic fatal accident occurred in one of the most dangerous stretches of highway in the United States, the stretch of Highway 395 from Interstate 15 to Adelanto. Just this year, 10 people have died in this stretch of Hwy 395 in head-on collisions, SUV rollover accidents and other serious accident. In 2009, there were six deaths in this stretch of road. The Victorville Daily Press reported that skid marks from this September 6th accident intersected with an accident in April that killed a 27-year-old man.

Highway 395 Accidents & Personal Injury Liability

The San Bernardino Sheriff's Department is investigating the fatal SUV rollover accident. While the cause of the San Bernardino County accident remains under investigation, the family members of the victims of this crash may benefit from speaking to an SUV rollover lawyer about this Highway 395 crash and the unique liability issues involved. If negligence, a mechanical defect in the vehicle or a dangerous road condition was a factor in this crash, a skilled and knowledgeable attorney can help the victims recover the compensation they may be entitled to for their injuries or loved one's wrongful death. In cases such as this one, the injured passengers may be entitled to compensation for their medical treatment expenses, rehabilitation, lost earnings (if applicable) and pain and suffering.

Continue reading "Victorville Woman Killed, Others Injured in Highway 395 Rollover Crash " »

At least six people tragically died Monday night in a fiery crash on Highway 395, the LA Times reported. The August 9th crash occurred about five miles south of Bishop shortly after 8 p.m. According to CHP reports, the driver of a soutbhound SUV lost control, drifted off the shoulder and then travelled into the center median. The SUV then collided with a large van carrying athletes from California Baptist University in Riverside.

The SUV was believed to be carrying athletes from a San Diego area cross country team. The injured victims included Drew Constantine Delis, 22, of Encinitas, who was taken to San Joaquin Community Hospital in Bakersfield with major injuries. Derek Randal Thomas, 19, also of Encinitas, was flown to West Hills Hospital with major injuries.

Wendry Rice, 35, of Corona, the driver of the van died at the scene. She was apparently transporting students from California Baptist University in Riverside to a high-altitude training camp in Mammoth.

According to the LA Times, eleven student athletes from Cal Baptist were taken to area hospitals with minor to serious injuries: Alyssa Neimeyer, 19, of Temecula; David Solis, 19, of Corona; Brenda Perez, 20, of Riverside; Alicia Catanese, 21, of Corona; Jennifer McGuire, 17, of Stevenson Ranch; Kayla M. Beaudoin, 19, of Corona; Miguel Angel Gonzalez, 18, of Hacienda Heights; Marissa Benson, 18, of Gresham, Ore.; Jonathan Monteon, 18, of Chino; Jonathan Hernandez, 18, of Moreno Valley; and Hanna Ingulsrud, 19, of Ontario.

Our sincerest condolences go out to everyone who has lost a friend or family member in this horrific collision that will surely never be forgotten. We hope all of the injured victims make a full recovery.

Cause of the Highway 395 Crash

The CHP is investigating the cause of the accident. It appears that the driver of the southbound SUV lost control, but it is unclear why. Based on the limited information available in news reports, there are more questions than answers at this point. According to the California Highway Patrol, the accident took place on a part of Highway 395 that had four lanes and a center divider. Investigators are looking at skid marks and other evidence to determine the speeds of each of the vehicles involved.

Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Liability

Highway accidents such as this one have very unique and often very complex legal issues. Determining liability and fault will be challenging to say the least. Investigators will look at not just the actions of the driver of the SUV, but the condition and maintenance of all vehicles and even the condition of the roadway where the crash occurred. If this crash was caused by a defect in the sport utility vehicle, the manufacturer of the SUV could be liable for all victims' deaths and injuries. While this accident remains under investigation, the family members of the victims of this crash would be well-advised to consult with an experienced and knowledgeable California personal injury attorney who has represented victims of Highway 395 accidents. A skilled lawyer can help the victims' families understand and protect their legal rights, and advise them of their best course of action handling communications with the insurance companies.

Continue reading "6 People Killed, 12 Injured in Hwy 395 Crash near Bishop " »

A 30-year-old Bakersfield woman died following a horrific head-on collision on Highway 395 Monday afternoon in Hesperia, the San Bernardino Sun reported. The June 7th collision was reported on Highway 395 at Eucalyptus Street at about 4:55 p.m. According to news reports, Cynthia Guerra was driving a 2004 Nissan Quest minivan on Hwy 395 when a 2005 Chevy Silverado truck drifted into her lane and struck her vehicle head-on. Guerra was flown to Desert Valley Hospital in Victorville, where she died of her injuries. The San Bernardino Sheriff's Department is investigating the cause of the accident

The Victorville Daily Press reported that five vehicles, including a tractor trailer were involved in the collision. Further information about the other vehicles involved was not available. Five ground ambulances and four helicopters responded to the accident. Along with the one fatality, three people suffered critical injuries and three others suffered moderate injuries. The victims were taken to Arrowhead Regional Center and Loma Linda University Medical Center, fire officials said.

Continue reading "Bakersfield Woman Killed, Six Others Injured in Head-on Crash on Highway 395 in Hesperia " »

Three people critically injured in a head-on crash Saturday night in Adelanto died Sunday at area hospitals, the San Bernardino Sun reported. The head-on collision was reported at 11:34 p.m. Saturday night on Highway 395, north of Rancho Road.

According to reports, Brandon Vinson, 34, of Hesperia, was travelling south in a 1995 Chevy on Highway 395 when he veered into a 2003 Hyundai SUV driven by Denise Jackson 42, of Victorville. Both Vinson, Jackson, and another passenger in the Hyundai, Patrice Spead, 20, also of Victorville were ejected from the vehicles. Vinson died at St. Mary Medical Center in Apple Valley shortly before 1 a.m. Jackson died shortly before 9 a.m. at Loma Linda University Medical Center in Loma Linda, and Spead died just after 10:30 a.m. at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton.

Inland Empire Accidents

The weekend was a rough one for traffic accidents the Inland Empire. A total of eight people died in traffic accidents. In addition to the three killed in this Adelanto accident, a bicyclist was struck and killed in San Bernardino, a Rialto man died in a crash with a big rig on Interstate 10, a 45-year-old Moreno Valley man was killed when his semi-truck went off of Interstate 15 in Riverside County, a motorist was killed in a crash with a light pole in Corona, and a driver died in a pickup truck died in a crash in Desert Hot Springs. The previous weekend, nine people were killed in accidents in the Inland Empire.

Highway 395 Accidents

Between 2003 and 2005, 28 people died in accidents on Highway 395 in San Bernardino County. NBC's "Dateline" has called Highway 395 one of the most dangerous roadways in the country. Head-on collisions such as this most recent February 20th crash on Hwy 395 often cause multiple fatalitiles. The 44-mile section for Hesperia to State Route 58, which travels through Adelanto, where the accident occurred, is perhaps the most dangerous part of Highway 395.

Continue reading "Three Killed in Head-On Crash on Highway 395 in San Bernardino County " »

One person was killed and three people were injured in an unsafe passing accident on Highway 395 near Barstow. At about 8:15 p.m. Friday, Maureen Fisher, 50, of San Diego was driving northbound on Highway 395 near mile post marker 61 in Rural Helendale. An SUV passed her 2005 Honda Odyssey on the left.

Meanwhile, Justin Chang, 23, of Hacienda Heights was driving southbound. He swerved off the highway to avoid the oncoming SUV and then into the northbound lane of Highway 395. His 2007 Toyota Scion was then broadsided by Fisher's Honda Odyssey. The SUV that caused the collision was not struck, and did not stop at the scene. Justin Chang died at the scene of the crash. Fisher, and her two passengers, an 18-year-old and a 14-year-old, were all injured and taken to nearby hospitals. The California Highway Patrol is investigating this multi-vehicle accident.

Not stopping at the scene of an accident that you were a party to is against the law. Under the California Vehicle Code § 20001, "The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident." It does not matter that the driver of the SUV did not physically collide with either of the two vehicles. He or she had a responsibility to stop at the scene. This driver could be facing hit and run and even possibly vehicular manslaughter charges. He or she is urged to contact law enforcement officials as soon as possible.

Continue reading "One Killed, Three Injured in Hwy 395 Crash January 15 Near Barstow " »