California Injury Lawyer Blog

WEST SACRAMENTO - A man in his 20s suffered potentially life-threatening injuries early Friday morning when he was struck by a car on West Capitol Avenue, News 10 reported. The pedestrian accident was reported around 5:31 a.m. in the 4200 block of West Capitol. The victim, who was not identified, may have been walking in and out of traffic prior to being struck. The driver of the vehicle, who also was not identified, stayed on the scene and cooperated with investigators. Alcohol or drugs were not believed to be a factor. The cause of the March 16th pedestrian accident remains under investigation by the West Sacramento Police Department.

Sacramento Pedestrian Accident Liability

Injured victims of pedestrian accidents or their family members are well-advised to contact an experienced and knowledgeable Sacramento pedestrian accident lawyer who can ensure their legal rights are protected. If it is determined that the driver of the vehicle is responsible for the accident, the victim may be entitled to compensation for medical care and treatment, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages. Following a serious injury accident, it is always advisable to contact a skilled personal injury lawyer promptly, so that witness statements and other important evidence can be obtained and preserved.

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CITRUS HEIGHTS - The Sacramento Bee reported this morning that Citrus Heights Police are investigating allegations that Robert B. Adams, principal at a private school in Citrus Heights, has molested 10 children - possibly more - since 1997. Adams, 60, has not been charged. However, claims by parents and former students, and at least one employee prompted authorities to shut down the Creative Frontiers School and begin an investigation.

The Bee interviewed Imra Mertens, a receptionist at the school, who claims she witnessed Adams abusing a young girl last summer. Mertens claims she reported the incident she witnessed to school administrator Cythia Higgins the next day in detail, and assumed Higgins would report to authorities, as state law requires.

Mertens heard of another instance of molestation in May, when she decided to contact authorities herself. The Social Services agency received the complaint May 31 and notified Citrus Heights Police the same day. The Department of Social Services filed a complaint against Adams, and Higgins, for failing to report the allegations of abuse.

The Bee article states that in addition to abuse allegations, many questions have been raised about aspects of Adams' background. In a bankruptcy filing in 1998, Adams stated he received a California teaching credential from California State University, Northridge, and attended UCLA and obtained a California administrative credential in early childhood education. Northridge officials stated Adams did not receive a credential from the school and UCLA officials told the Bee they have no record of Adams' attendance.

Adams' resume also stated he obtained a Masters Degree in 199 at Pacific Oaks Teachers College. Officials at Pacific Oaks stated Adams attended the school for one semester but did not receive a master's degree.

Protecting Child Molestation Victims' Rights

In August of last year, Estey Bomberger obtained a $30 million verdict for a victim of child molestation and negligent supervision in Santa Clara County. From experience, our attorneys understand the complex emotional pain and suffering that abusers inflict on victims and their families. We fight to protect victims' rights and to hold perpetrators accountable for horrific and unthinkable crimes against innocent children. If you are a parent and believe your child has been subjected to child molestation, contact our California child molestation victim lawyers for a free consultation. Our goal is to obtain justice for victims and ensure others will not be subjected to the same abuse.

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Slip and fall accidents are often the result of negligent maintenance of a property, such as a retail store or a place of business. If the owner or occupant of the property knew or should have known, that a hazardous condition on a property existed and did not attempt to fix the problem or warn visitors about it, the owner may be liable for injuries that occur as a result. It is important to note that not all injuries that occur on a property are the responsibility of the owner or tenant. If you were not paying attention and walked into a store display, you may be responsible for your own neglect. However, if you slipped in a broken bottle of olive oil that was not cleaned up in a timely manner, the owner of the store may be responsible.

What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident

Following any slip and fall or trip and fall accident, or any other injury in a business, retail or government establishment, file a report with the property owner or manager. Just as you would with a car accident, collect witness names and contact information. If you are able to, take pictures of the site where the accident occurred, and note the exact location. If your injuries are serious, seek medical attention and go to a doctor, trauma center or hospital. Finally, contact an experienced and knowledgeable Sacramento slip and fall accident attorney to discuss your potential case and what you need to do to protect your legal rights. It is always advisable to contact a lawyer as soon as possible following an accident, while important evidence can be preserved.

SACRAMENTO - A 51-year-old Vacaville woman died Saturday in a car vs. motorcycle accident at the intersection of North 16th Street and Richards Avenue, the Contra Costa Times reported. The victim, Wanda Fay Vanriper, was a passenger on a motorcycle riding northbound on N. 16th Street at about 5:37 p.m. on Saturday, May 14th. At the same time, a Chevy Cobalt travelling westbound on Richards Boulevard crossed the intersection, possibly after running a red light. The driver of the motorcycle, who was not identified, reported attempted to stop, and T-boned the vehicle. Vanriper was pinned under the vehicle. She was rushed to a local hospital, where she died a few hours later. The driver of the motorcycle was hospitalized with "critical" injuries. The driver of the other vehicle had complaints of pain, but was not hospitalized.

Cause of the Sacramento Motorcycle Accident

Sacramento police are continuing to investigate this incident. Based on the limited information provided in news accounts, it appears that the driver of the Chevy Cobalt may be responsible, if he or she did in fact run a red light. Hopefully, the investigation by police will reveal exactly what happened, and who was responsible.

Motorcycle Accident Wrongful Death Liability

While this May 14th Sacramento motorcycle accident remains under investigation by the Sacramento Police Department, the family members of the victims of this accident would be well-advised to speak with an experienced and knowledgeable Sacramento motorcycle accident lawyer. A skilled attorney who has handled numerous motorcycle accident claims can advise the victims' families of their legal rights to hold the driver accountable and best course of action following this accident. It is advisable to contact a lawyer soon following an accident, while important evidence and witness statements can most easily be obtained.

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SACRAMENTO - A 29-year-old Fair Oaks man was killed Tuesday night when he was struck by a car on Watt Avenue, the Sacramento Bee reported. The accident occurred at about 9 p.m. near the front of the light-rail station, where Watt Avenue crosses Interstate 80. According to news accounts, the victim, identified by the Sacramento County Coroner's Office as Brandon Phillip Jones, 29, was crossing Watt Avenue when he was struck by a black Volkswagen Jetta driven by a 51-year-old Sacramento woman. The cause of the fatal May 3rd Sacramento pedestrian accident remains under investigation.

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CITRUS HEIGHTS - A 21-year-old Granite Bay man tragically died in a solo-vehicle motorcycle accident Sunday afternoon on Sunrise Boulevard, the Sacramento Bee reported. The accident occurred on Sunrise Boulevard, just north of Arcadia Drive, at 5:51 p.m. on Sunday, April 10, 2011. The victim, Brandon Graham Roth, 21, lost control of his motorcycle and was ejected from his bike. Roth died at the scene of the crash. The cause of the fatal motorcycle accident remains under investigation by the Citrus Heights Police Department.

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ELK GROVE - A rollover crash Saturday night in Elk Grove left one person dead and six others injured, the Sacramento Bee reported. According to news reports, the accident occurred on northbound Highway 99 near Sheldon Road at 7:22 p.m., when a vehicle entering the freeway lost control and struck a Dodge minivan carrying seven people. The driver of the minivan was ejected from the vehicle and killed. The other six occupants of the vehicle suffered injuries ranging from minor to moderate.

Wrongful Death and Personal Injury Liability

The cause of the January 29th car accident remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol; it is not clear why the driver of the other vehicle lost control and struck the minivan. After a fatal accident such as this one where the cause is unclear, the family members of the victims of this accident would be well-advised to speak with a Sacramento car accident lawyer, while authorities are still looking at all possible causes. If negligence of the other driver was the cause of the crash, the family members of the victim may be entitled to recover damages for their injuries or loss in a wrongful death claim. A skilled and knowledgeable lawyer can help the victims understand and protect their legal rights following this horrific Elk Grove car accident.

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CITRUS HEIGHTS - A 73-year-old woman was tragically struck and killed Wednesday night in a busy intersection, News 10 reported. The victim, Patricia Ann Erickson, was crossing the street at Auburn Boulevard and Halifax Street when she was struck by a white Nissan Altima heading northeast on Auburn Boulevard. The fatal car vs. pedestrian accident was reported around 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday, November 24, 2010. Erickson was taken by ambulance to Mercy San Juan Hospital where she died of her injuries. According to the Sacramento Bee, it was not clear whether Erickson was in the crosswalk when she was struck. The incident remains under investigation.

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A 22-year-old Sacramento woman was killed Sunday night in a crash on westbound Interstate 80 at the Antelope Road exit, the California Highway Patrol has reported. The crash involved a white 1993 Mercedes 190E and a 2003 orange Honda Element, and occurred at about 9:05 p.m. May 2. The Modesto Bee reported that the victim was identified Monday as Tessa Canavarro. Canavarro was driving a 1993 Mercedes that either clipped or was clipped by the Honda Element, driven by Jesse Oran, 32, of Carmichael.

The impact of the collision caused both vehicles to lose control and crash into the center median. Oran and three of his passengers, a 20-year-old woman, a 42-year-old woman, and a 25-year-old man were taken to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.

Cause of the Crash

The cause of this fatal May 2 accident remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol, and at this point, there are more questions than answers as to why this crash happened. The vast majority of collisions can be attributed to one of four factors: driver behavior, poor roadway maintenance, roadway design, and equipment failure. Many collisions involve some type of driver behavior combined with one of the other three factors. At freeway speeds, even a small collision between two vehicles can trigger a catastrophic chain of events, as we saw in this Sacramento County crash.

Wrongful Death Liability Issues

While this accident remains under investigation, the family of the young woman killed in this accident would be well-advised to contact a Sacramento accident attorney about their legal rights in a personal injury or wrongful death claim. If negligence on the part of the other driver of any other party caused or contributed to this Interstate 80 accident, the family may be entitled to compensation for their loss in a wrongful death action. An experienced attorney can look into liability issues and advise the family of their best course of action to protect their rights in a possible wrongful death claim.

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A 23-year-old Sacramento man tragically died early Sunday morning after he was struck by an SUV while riding his bicycle on Howe Avenue. The accident happened on the Highway 50 overpass at around 3:40 a.m. Sunday, April 18th. According to reports by News 10, the driver of the SUV told authorities she didn't see the victim, who has been identified by the Sacramento County Coroner as Todd Christopher Mendon. The driver reportedly pulled over thinking that she had possibly struck something in the road.

Officers who arrived at the scene moments after the crash performed CPR but were unsuccessful. Mendon, who had been riding north on Howe, died at the scene of the crash. The cause of the accident is ongoing, and authorities do not believe that the driver was under the influence of alcohol. It is not clear whether the cyclist was wearing a helmet or any reflective gear in this early morning accident.

Fault and Liability Issues

Based on the news reports, authorities have not determined if the driver of the SUV was at fault for this accident. Simply because she did not see the cyclist does not mean she was not or could not be found at fault. If it is determined that she was driving her vehicle in the bike lane, or speeding, or for any other reason should have seen the cyclist, she may be found responsible. Hopefully the investigation by law enforcement will reveal exactly how this tragedy occurred.

If the driver is found at least partially at fault, the family of the young man on the bicycle may be entitled to compensation for their loss in a wrongful death claim against the driver. While this accident is still under investigation, the family of the victim may benefit from speaking to a California bicycle accident lawyer who is experienced in handling wrongful death claims involving fatal bike accidents, especially accidents like this one that occur at night, when visibility is greatly reduced.

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One person was killed and five others were injured in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 99 early Monday morning, the California Highway Patrol reported. The crash, which occurred shortly before 1 a.m., involved a Acura MDX SUV and a four-door Chrysler Cirrus. According to the California Highway Patrol, the crash occurred on Highway 99, just north of Mack Road, and south of the Stockton Boulevard off ramp.

The Chrysler Cirrus, driven by Victor Mendoza, 37, of Sacramento, went off the right side of the road, over corrected and struck the center median. The vehicle ended up pointing southwest in the northbound lane of traffic. A passenger in the Cirrus got out, but Mendoza remained in the car. The Acura MDX, driven by a 33-year-old Lincoln woman, then struck the Chrysler, on the driver's side door. Mendoza died in the crash, and the passenger, who was not identified, was unharmed. The driver and four passengers in the Acura were taken to local hospitals.

The cause of this accident is currently under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. Based upon initial reports, the cause of the accident is not clear. It is not known what caused the initial crash where the Chrysler Cirrus went off the road and struck the median, or what caused the driver of the Acura to strike the Chrysler. The CHP will investigate whether negligent driving, speeding, or drinking and driving were factors for both drivers in the fatal crash. It is also possible that a roadway defect or vehicle failure were contributing causes of the collision. While this crash is under investigation, both the family of Victor Mendoza and the family in the Acura would be well-advised to consult with an experienced Sacramento personal injury attorney.

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