California Injury Lawyer Blog

MERCED COUNTY - A 9-year-old girl was tragically killed Monday night when she was struck by a 2005 Cadillac on Oak Street in Delhi, KFSN-TV ABC News Fresno reported. The fatal pedestrian accident was reported around 8:55 p.m. According to reports in the Merced Sun-Star, the victim, identified by authorities as Stephanie Sanchez-Guzman, was walking with two other children ages 12 and 13 when Manuel Mercado, 69, of Delhi, struck the three children "for uknown reasons." Sanchez-Guzman was airlifted to UC Davis Medical Center, where she died from her injuries. The other two children suffered minor to moderate injuries. Mercado was reportedly not hurt.

Cause of the Fatal Pedestrian Accident

According to reports in the Merced Sun Star, alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the collision. It is unclear why the driver struck the children. Hopefully the investigation by the California Highway Patrol will provided answers to the many questions this accident raises. The CHP will look to determine if this accident was the result of driving while distracted, falling asleep at the wheel, speeding, or other negligent operation of a car.

Pedestrian Accident Injury and Wrongful Death Liability

If it is determined that the driver could have prevented this accident, he may be cited or even criminally charged. Additionally, the driver may be financially responsible for the victims' injuries and death in a personal injury or wrongful death claim. While this August 9th Oak Street pedestrian accident remains under investigation by the CHP, the family members of the victims of this crash would be well-advised to speak with an experienced and knowledgeable northern California pedestrian accident lawyer. An attorney who has represented numerous families of young children struck by cars can help the victims' families protect their legal rights to hold the driver and any other responsible parties accountable in a personal injury or wrongful death claim.

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MERCED - A 30-year-old motorcyclist tragically died Friday morning following a collision with a school bus on Grogan Avenue, the Merced Sun Star reported. The accident occurred at about 7:55 a.m. on May 16th near MacCready Drive. According to reports, the victim, Samuel Martinez, was travelling westbound on Grogan Avenue, when bus driver Sophia Madrid, 42, pulled out of the parking lot and into the path of Martinez's motorcycle. Martinez struck the driver's side of the bus and died at the scene of the crash. No children were on board the bus at the time of the accident and no one else was injured.

Cause of the Fatal Motorcycle Accident

The Merced Police Department is investigating the circumstances of the accident and so far, the bus driver has not been arrested or cited. However, that could change pending the investigation. Based on the news reports, it is unclear why the bus driver did not see Martinez's motorcycle in time to avoid pulling out in front of him. Hopefully, the investigation by police will reveal what happened and who was responsible.

Fatal Motorcycle Accident Wrongful Death Liability

If it is determined that the bus driver was responsible for this accident, the school district employing the driver and other parties as well could be liable for the motorcyclist's death. Accidents such as this one involving school buses have unique legal implications when it comes to handling an insurance claim. While this accident remains under investigation, the family members of the victim would be well-advised to contact an experienced and knowledgeable northern California motorcycle accident lawyer. An attorney who has handled numerous claims against school districts will be able to advise the victims' family of their legal rights and options to pursue a claim, and advise them of their best course of action following this accident.

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MERCED COUNTY - A 50-year-old woman died Thursday afternoon in a solo-vehicle accident near Snelling, the Merced Sun Star reported. The victim was a passenger seated in the right rear of the vehicle, which was travelling southbound on La Grange Road, north of Merced Falls Road shortly before 2 p.m. on April 28, 2011. According to news reports, the driver, June F. Robinson, 58, failed to negotiate the curve in the road north of Merced Falls Road. The vehicle travelled onto the west shoulder and went 50 feet down an embankment and crashed with a tree. The victim, who was not identified, died at the scene of the crash. The driver, and another passenger, Jannie C Perez, 53, of Hayward, suffered minor injuries. All occupants were reportedly wearing seat belts and alcohol or drugs were not believed to be a factor. The cause of the fatal La Grange Road accident remains under investigation.

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NORTH VALLEY - Two UC Merced students were very tragically killed Saturday morning when the car they were riding in crashed into a power pole on Lake Road, ABC News reported. The fatal accident was reported around 10:30 a.m. near Atlantic Street, just a few miles from the UC Merced Campus. The details of the incident were somewhat limited; investigators reported the group of four students had left the campus to head toward Fresno to spend the Easter Holiday with their families when one of the victims who was driving veered off the roadway and struck a power pole. Two of the occupants, Jessica Paulina Lopez and Leslie Alvarez, both 19, died in the crash. Two other occupants, a man and woman ages 18 and 19, were injured. According to the CHP, all four teenagers were wearing seat belts. Alcohol, drugs, and speeding were not believed to be factors. The CHP is reportedly investigating the possibility of distracted driving, which could have caused the vehicle to veer off the road. The cause of the April 23rd Merced County accident is under investigation.

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MERCED COUNTY - A passenger was taken to a Merced-area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries Friday night, following a suspected drunk driving crash in the 2300 block of R Street, the Merced Sun Star reported. The suspected drunk driver, Shaneil Pollard, 27, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and booked in the Merced County Jail. The cause of the accident remains under investigation. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact officer Chavez at (209) 388-7713 or the Merced Police Department Tipster Line at (209) 385-4725.

DUI Accident Passenger Injury Liability

In addition to criminal charges for driving under the influence, the suspected drunk driver may also be liable for the injuries sustained by his passenger. If the investigation confirms the driver is responsible for this accident, the injured victim may be entitled to damages for medical care expenses, time away from work, and pain and suffering. While this March 18th accident remains under investigation, the family members of the injured passenger would be well-advised to speak with an experienced drunk driving accident injury victim lawyer. A knowledgeable attorney who has represented numerous victims of DUI accidents can advise the victim and his or her family of their best course of action to hold the responsible driver - and anyone else who contributed to this accident - fully accountable.

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The CHP is investigating a solo-vehicle crash Monday afternoon in Merced County, that left a 17-year-old Atwater girl hospitalized with major injuries. The accident occurred just before 1:30 p.m. on southbound Highway 99, south of R Street. The victim, Maricza Cruz, was a passenger and one of three occupants in a red 1995 Honda Civic hatchback. The driver, an 18-year-old Atwater man, lost control of the Honda in wet conditions. The vehicle spun onto the right shoulder and overturned down an embankment, coming to rest on its wheels.

Merced firefighters extricated Cruz from the vehicle. The other passenger, who was not wearing her seat belt, and the driver both received minor injuries. The CHP does not believe alcohol or drugs were a factor in the accident. Maricza Cruz suffered major injuries and was hospitalized following the crash. We wish her the best and hope that she makes a full and complete recovery quickly.

Who Caused this Highway 99 Accident?

The family of Maricza Cruz would likely benefit from talking to an experienced Highway 99 accident lawyer, who will make sure that Cruz is properly and fully compensated for her injuries. In solo vehicle accidents, the driver of the vehicle may be responsible, in which case Cruz would be entitled to compensation from the driver's insurance policy. It is also possible that a defective road condition or even mechanical failure caused the crash.

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