California Injury Lawyer Blog

MONTEREY COUNTY -- According to ABC News, five people were reported to be killed and two others hospitalized due to a fire at a home care facility for the disabled in Marina. The fire occurred in a small coastal community in Monterey County at around 11:45 p.m. Saturday. The actual cause of the fire has not been determined, but investigators with the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives were on scene at the request of Marina Fire officials. The identities of the injured and deceased involved in this horrific incident were not immediately available.

Northern California Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Liability

While the cause of this tragic fire incident on November 5th remains under investigation, the injured victims or family members of the deceased victims would be well-advised to contact either a California personal injury or wrongful death lawyer. A skilled and competent attorney who has the handled unique and complex incidents such as this one, can help the victims and the family of the deceased victims understand and protect their legal rights, help police in efforts to determine who may be responsible, and decide the best course of action to recover the maximum compensation for funeral/burial costs, medical care expenses, pain and suffering, and other related damages in this devastating fire incident.

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MONTEREY COUNTY -- A man killed in a fatal multi-vehicle car crash early Sunday morning has been identified as Gustavo Quintero, Salinas Californian reports. Quintero, 44, of Salinas, was traveling northbound on Highway 138 near McFadden Road, when a Chevy pick-up truck, driven by Melquiadez Mota Gomez, 29, of Watsonville, struck Quintero's vehicle head-on. Witnesses who saw Gomez driving prior to the crash said he was driving recklessly and at a high rate of speed. Following this tragic collision, authorities reported Quintero had died at the scene. According to the CHP, Gomez was arrested and booked into the Monterey County Jail on charges of felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter.

Cause of the Salinas Car Accident

The accident on September 25th remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. However, based on the information provided by news reports, it appears Gomez may be is at fault for the accident due to driving under the influence. Therefore, Quintero had no way to prevent or avoid this terrible collision.

DUI Car Accident Wrongful Death Liability

Driving while drunk can have severe and catastrophic consequences to any parties involved. A person who drives under the influence will not only face criminal charges, but can be held financially liable for injured or death victims involved in the accident. Therefore, if authorities conclude that the driver who drove drunk is fully responsible for the accident, the family of the victim would be well-advised to contact a California wrongful death lawyer. A knowledgeable attorney who has the experience in DUI head-on collisions such as this one, can provide the victim's family the assistance they may need in protecting their legal rights, and help them decide the best course of action to recover the maximum compensation for funeral/burial costs, future and anticipated lifetime earnings and benefits, loss of love, care, and companionship, and other related damages in this devastating car accident.

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SALINAS - Seven people were injured, including three seriously, following a head-on collision Monday afternoon on Alisal Road, east of the Salinas airport, the CHP reported. The Monterey County crash was reported at 1:42 p.m. near Old Stage Road. According to news reports, a blue Ford Explorer was travelling southbound, while a black Volkswagen Jetta was travelling north. The CHP reported that the driver of the Jetta crossed into the southbound lane and smashed head-on into the Ford Explorer. Witnesses reported both vehicles appeared to be travelling within the 55 mph speed limit. Two occupants in the Jetta and five people in the Ford Explorer were injured. Three people were taken by ground ambulance to Natividad Medical Center in Salinas, and four were flown by helicopter to Bay Area hospitals.

Cause of the Monterey County Head-On Collision

Based on the news reports, it is not clear why the driver of the Jetta veered into oncoming traffic. The CHP reported that it is not believed that alcohol or drugs played a role. Hopefully, the investigation will reveal exactly what happened and why.

Car Accident Personal Injury Liability

While this June 20th Monterey County accident remains under investigation, the family members of the injured parties would be well-advised to speak with an experienced northern California car accident lawyer. If negligence of the driver - or a third party - caused this accident, the injured victims may be entitled to recover compensation for their injuries, including current and future medical care expenses, lost earnings due to being unable to work, and pain and suffering. A skilled personal injury attorney can advise the victims of their legal rights and best course of action to recover damages for their injuries and related expenses.

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The Monterey County Herald reported an 87-year-old man died Friday, one day after he was struck by a Monterey-Salinas Transit bus. The bus vs. pedestrian accident occurred at about 6 a.m. on Thursday, September 16, 2010, at Pacific Street and Del Monte Avenue. According to news reports, Samuel Conboy, a resident of Monterey, had been walking in the crosswalk with a green light when the bus made a left turn from Del Monte onto Pacific and struck Conboy. Conboy was able to give statements at the accident scene and at the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula. According to the Herald, immediately after the accident, his injuries had not appeared life-threatening.

Cause of the Monterey County Accident

The investigation as to the cause of the accident is ongoing. The driver, Taylor Norisett, 49, of Seaside, was not hurt. Police will not determine whether the driver will be cited or criminally charged until the investigation has been completed. Based on the news reports, it sounds as though the driver of the bus may be responsible for this fatal collision. Under California Vehicle Code Section 21950 "Right of Way at Crosswalks" (c), "The driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian within any marked or unmarked crosswalk shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of the vehicle or take any other action relating to the operation of the vehicle as necessary to safeguard the safety of the pedestrian." This section of the vehicle code gives pedestrians using a crosswalk the right-of-way.

Bus Accidents and Wrongful Death Liability

In any accident involving a public transit bus is involved in a collision causing injury to a pedestrian, bicyclist, or an occupant of a passenger vehicle, unique legal issues are involved. Because public transit authorities are organized as government agencies, anyone pursuing a personal injury or wrongful death claim must comply with the Government Code, which imposes a very short statute of limitations - typically 180 days. In other words, the family likely has only 6 months from the date of the accident to pursue a claim. After any accident such as this September 16th bus vs. pedestrian accident, the family of the victim would be well-advised to speak to a California wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. A skilled lawyer - one who has successfully obtained compensation against cities, counties, school districts, and other government agencies - can advise the victim's family of their legal rights, options and obligations should they wish to pursue compensation for the loss of their loved one in this tragic accident.

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The Monterey County Herald reported a 58-year-old Seaside man died in a three-car collision Friday evening in Monterey County. The accident occurred at about 5:20 p.m. Friday evening on CA State Route 68 (Holman Highway), west of Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, near the Scenic Drive Overpass. The CHP reported that three vehicles were involved in the collision, a 2000 Ford, a 2001 BMW, and a 2009 Chevrolet. Investigators reported that the man driving west in the 2000 Ford crossed into eastbound lanes and struck a 2001 BMW. The BMW, which was driven by the 58-year-old Seaside man, then collided with the 2009 Chevrolet. It was not clear whether the Chevrolet was travelling eastbound or westbound.

The Seaside man, who was not identified, suffered massive internal injuries and died. The driver and passenger in the Chevrolet, a man and woman from Pacific Grove, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to Community Hospital. It was not clear whether the driver of the Ford was injured.

Cause of the Fatal Holman Highway Crash

Based on the news reports, it appears that this collision may have been caused by the driver of the Ford, who for reasons still unknown, crossed into eastbound lanes. The CHP is investigating exactly what happened to cause this Holman Highway fatal crash. At this point, there are only questions as to what events led up to the crash. Was the driver of the Ford distracted or impaired? Or did he make an unsafe passing attempt, or did he lose control of the car due to a defect in the vehicle?

Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Liability

In this particular July 30th accident, if the driver of the westbound Ford was at fault for the crash, he may be liable for the wrongful death of the man driving the BMW and the injuries of the occupants of the Chevrolet. When the negligence of another can be attributed to a fatal accident, family members of the victim may seek compensation in a wrongful death claim to cover funeral expenses, loss of future income and support, and loss of love, care and companionship, and other damages. While this crash remains under investigation, the family members of the victim, as well as the injured victims in the third vehicle may benefit from speaking to a California personal injury lawyer about this crash and their legal rights to compensation.

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Two teen girls from Salinas were killed in a crash on Las Palmas Parkway Friday night, the California Highway Patrol reported. The April 9th crash, which involved a 2000 Lexus RX300 and a 1994 Mazda pickup truck, occurred at the intersection of River Road and Las Palmas Parkway at around 11:50 p.m. The driver of the Lexus, a 16-year-old Salinas girl, and one of her passengers, a 17-year-old Salinas girl, died at the scene. Another passenger, a 17-year-old Salinas girl, was taken to Salinas Valley Memorial hospital with non-life-threateing injuries. The 19-year-old man driving the Mazda pickup truck, a Soledad resident, suffered minor injuries in the accident. Both vehicles were severely damaged.

The cause of the Monterey County accident remains under investigation by the CHP. Authorities did not believe alcohol was a factor in the collision.

Who Was At Fault?

According to reports in the Salinas Californian, an hour after the crash it was still unclear which vehicle had the right of way at the intersection, in other words, whether the Lexus or the pickup truck had a green light. The Lexus was making a left-hand turn onto River Road from Las Palmas Parkway, and the truck was heading south on River Road. In this particular accident, it is not clear who was at fault. The families of the deceased teenagers would be well-advised to speak with a California personal injury attorney who is skilled and experienced in the area of fatal intersection accidents and intersection accident reconstruction. While evidence can still be preserved (i.e. skid marks), an attorney can hire an investigator to determine exactly what happened and who was at fault. The damaged vehicles are important evidence that may yield clues and answers as to what happened.

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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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A 12-year-old was killed Saturday night in an ATV crash in Monterey County near Gonzales, the CHP reported. The accident happened around 7 p.m. near the intersection of River Road and Sanchez Road. According to reports, the 12-year-old, who was not identified, was riding the ATV on private property with two other boys near the intersection when he lost control and crashed. The 12-year-old who was driving died at the scene of the crash. Two other 11-year-old boys suffered moderate injuries and were taken to Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital.

The news reports of this accident did not mention the type of ATV involved in this April 2 accident. Some ATVs in the class of utility terrain vehicles, also known as UTVs, have been recalled for dangerous design flaws, because they may rollover on flat surfaces and at relatively slow speeds.

ATV Rollover Accidents Injuries and Fatalities

The family of the young boy killed in this accident and the families of the boys injured may benefit from discussing their legal rights with a California ATV rollover accident attorney. Depending on how the accident occurred and the type of vehicle involved, the families of the victims may be entitled to compensation from the vehicles' manufacturer. The attorneys at Estey Bomberger have successfully represented numerous victims of UTV rollover accidents, including Yamaha Rhino rollovers, in personal injury and wrongful death claims.

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The California Highway Patrol is investigating the death of a man who was killed while walking on the side of Highway 1 last week near California State University Monterey Bay. The pedestrian, identified as David Armstrong, 50, of Seaside, was walking on the northbound side of Highway 1, north of Light Fighter Drive just before 8:30 p.m., when he was struck by a passing vehicle. Armstrong was then struck again by several other vehicles and died at the scene of the crash.

The CHP is attempting to identify all vehicles involved in the fatal hit-and-run accident. Several motorists contacted the CHP on Friday and said they had struck something but could not identify what it was. The cause of the accident remains under investigation. We hope that law enforcement will be able to identify the vehicle that struck David Armstrong, and understand the facts surrounding this tragic accident. Leaving the scene of an accident that results in injury or death is against the law, and there are no exceptions. According to Section 20002 of the California Vehicle code, [a] driver must stop and locate owner or person in charge and exchange driver documentation. If owner of damaged property cannot be located, the driver is not permitted to leave the scene of the accident until the following actions have been completed:a) Leave a note with facts surrounding the case and driver documentation information; or b) Report the accident to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) or local police." In this case, the driver should have stopped at the scene.

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