California Injury Lawyer Blog

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY - A man was airlifted to a hospital with a broken leg following a collision with a semi-truck Monday on Highway 26 near Linden, the Stockton Record reported. The accident occurred around noon on Highway 26 near Escalon Bellota Road, according to CHP reports. The victim, who was not identified by authorities, is expected to survive.

Truck Accident Personal Injury Liability

Based on the very limited information provided by the Stockton Record, it is unclear why this accident occurred. If it is determined that the driver of the truck caused this crash, the injured victim may be entitled to compensation in a personal injury claim. Following a collision such as this one where the cause is unclear, the injured victim or his family would be well-advised to contact an experienced and knowledgeable California truck accident lawyer who can help the victim determine and protect his legal rights, should he be entitled to compensation.

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SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY - Two people were injured, including one critically, in a crash Friday morning outside the Tracy Auto Mall, the Tracy Press reported. The July 8th accident was reported around 10 a.m. on Auto Plaza Drive near Naglee Road, and involved a 2006 Mercedes and a 2012 Mustang. Both cars were reportedly on separate test drives when they collided. The driver of the Mercedes was ejected and subsequently flown by helicopter to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto. One of the occupants of the Mustang suffered less serious injuries and was taken to Kaiser Foundation Hospital in Manteca. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

Test Drive Car Accident Personal Injury Liability

Generally, the party determined to be responsible for a car accident is liable. However, there may be exceptions and anytime you are involved in a car accident while driving a car that belongs to someone else, determining who is responsible for an accident and financially liable for injuries can be complex. While this accident remains under investigation, the injured victims or their family members would be well-advised to consider consulting with an experienced and knowledgeable northern California car accident attorney. A skilled and capable personal injury lawyer who understands the unique legal issues of test drive injury accidents can advise victims of their best course of action to protect their legal rights and recover the maximum compensation they are entitled to.

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LODI -A Lodi postal worker suffered very serious injuries Thursday morning when he was struck by a vehicle on Ham Lane, the Lodi News-Sentinel reported. The accident was reported at about 10:00 a.m. on July 7, 2011, according to the Lodi Police Department. The postal worker, a 50-year-old Thornton man, was in a crosswalk on the corner of Walnut Street and Ham Lane when he was hit by a vehicle. He was taken to San Joaquin County Hospital, where he was listed in in critical condition.

Cause of the July 7th Lodi Pedestrian Accident

The Lodi Police Department is continuing to investigate the incident. According to news reports, alcohol or drugs did not appear to be a factor, and the driver, who was not identified, was not suspected of speeding. It is not clear why the driver did not yield to the postal work in the crosswalk. Hopefully, the investigation will reveal exactly what happened, and who was responsible.

Pedestrian Accident Personal Injury Liability

Following any serious injury accident, injured victims or their family members are well-advised to contact an experienced and knowledgeable northern California pedestrian accident lawyer. If the negligence of the driver was a cause or factor in this San Joaquin County accident, the injured victim may be entitled to recover compensation for medical care and treatment, lost wages and earnings as a result of being unable to work, as well as compensation for pain and suffering. While this accident remains under investigation, a lawyer can help the victim protect his rights to obtain maximum compensation for his injuries in a personal injury claim.

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SAN JUAQUIN COUNTY - A Lodi man was tragically killed in a single-vehicle car accident around 2:50 a.m. Sunday morning when his Toyota Tacoma struck a guardrail and then a tree on Highway 88. The 21-year-old victim, whose name has not been released, was traveling east of Clements Road, reports the Lodi News-Sentinel.

Single-Vehicle Car Accidents

The California Highway Patrol is currently investigating the cause of the crash and will surely look at factors such as the speed of the Toyota, the condition of the road and possible driver impairment. When only one car is involved in a crash, it is not uncommon for police to cite the driver as the cause of the crash. However, single-vehicle auto accidents can be caused by defective auto parts, poor road conditions or flawed road design. In recent years, more and more reports of car accidents caused by a defective brake, steering system, acceleration system, cruise control system, or tire are surfacing.

Single-Vehicle Accident Liability

While the accident is being investigated, the family members of the man who was tragically killed would be well advised to speak to a California car accident lawyer. If the investigation reveals a defective auto part, poor road condition or flawed road design contributed to the crash, the victim's family will be prepared to make an informed decision regarding their legal options. Surviving family members may be able to file a wrongful death claim against an auto manufacturer or government agency.

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MORADA - The driver of a black Chevrolet Tahoe suffered serious injuries Monday morning when his vehicle struck the center divider on southbound Highway 99 near the Morada exit, the Lodi News-Sentinel reported. The accident occurred around 10 a.m. on Monday, June 6, 2011. The driver of the SUV, described only as a man in his mid-40s, was taken to the hospital by ambulance with serious injuries. Drugs and alcohol were not believed to be a factor in the crash. The CHP reported the driver was believed to have been going the speed limit. The cause of the San Joaquin County crash remains under investigation.

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STOCKTON - According to CHP reports, two teenagers were tragically killed in a single vehicle accident Friday night in Stockton. A 17-year-old female driver and a 15-year-old boy were killed when the driver lost control of the vehicle on West Lane, north of Morada Lane, at about 7:20 p.m. Witnesses reported seeing the vehicle heading southbound at speeds between 80 and 100 mph just before the collision. The vehicle struck a concrete wall on the opposite side of northbound West Lane and overturned. Both the driver and passenger died at the scene. The cause of the May 20th Stockton car accident remains under investigation.

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STOCKTON - A 51-year-old Stockton man tragically was killed Thursday when his 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee went off the road and struck a tree, the Lodi News-Sentinel reported. At about 8:18 a.m. on Thursday, January 27, Kevin Gormly, 51, was driving southbound on Highway 99 near Morada Lane when his vehicle left the road. The CHP does not believe drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash. The cause of the fatal San Joaquin County car accident is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.

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TRACY - A woman suffered serious injuries Friday night when she was struck by a car while crossing Grant Line Road at Tracy Boulevard, the Tracy Press reported. The accident was reported just before 7:30 p.m. on Friday, October 29, 2010. According to police reports, the woman, who was not immediately identified, was struck by a vehicle heading east on Grant Line Road. The victim was airlifted to Memorial Medical Center and later to UC Davis with critical injuries. The cause of the accident remains under investigation by the Tracy Police Department.

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A 14-year-old Acampo girl died early Wednesday morning after she was struck by a vehicle in Lodi, CBS 13 News reported. The San Joaquin County pedestrian accident occurred around 5:45 a.m. on East Highway 99 Frontage Road just north of Woodbridge Road. The girl, who was not identified, was apparently crossing the road with her sister to catch a school bus when she was struck. Her sister, who made it across the road and was not hurt, witnessed the accident. The victim was airlifted to Lodi Memorial Hospital with major injuries, where she died.

Cause of the Accident

The cause of the accident remains under investigation by the CHP. Based on the limited information provided in news reports, it is not clear why the girl was struck. The CHP will surely look at the speed of the vehicle, possible driver impairment or distraction, evidence of braking, such as skid marks, and other factors in determining whether the driver could have prevented the fatal pedestrian accident. At this point, there are more questions than answers as to what happened and why.

Pedestrian Accident Liability

Whenever a pedestrian is struck by a moving vehicle there is always the potential of very serious injury. Pedestrians do not have the protection of a seatbelt, airbag, or steel walls of a vehicle, or even a helmet that a cyclist may have. If the driver of the vehicle is determined to be responsible for the crash, he or she may be liable for the victim's death, including funeral and burial expenses, loss of love, care and companionship and other accident-related expenses. In situations such as this September 1st Lodi pedestrian accident, the parents of the victim may benefit from speaking to a California pedestrian accident lawyer about their legal rights following this accident. A knowledgeable lawyer can review the facts of the accident, explain the unique legal issues relevant to a potential wrongful death claim, and advise the victim's family of their best course of action going forward to protect their rights.

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Two people tragically died early Monday morning in a head-on collision on Interstate 580, the Tracy Press reported. The accident occurred at about 2:55 a.m. on westbound I-580, west of Bird Road. According to news reports, a 34-year-old Tracy man was driving a 2000 Toyota Tundra westbound on Interstate 580. At the same time, a 30-year-old Tracy woman was driving her 2004 Dodge Caravan east in the westbound lanes. The two vehicles collided head on, and both drivers, the sole occupants of their vehicles, died at the scene.

Cause of the Interstate 580 Head-On Crash

If news reports are accurate, the driver of the Dodge Caravan caused this collision by travelling the wrong way on Interstate 580. The California Highway Patrol did not immediately determine how the driver of the Dodge Caravan ended driving in the wrong direction. There was reportedly no immediate indication that drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash. Head-on collisions frequently occur on two-lane highways, when a driver momentarily drifts into oncoming traffic, often due to unsafe passing or falling asleep at the wheel. However, when head-on collisions occur on a divided interstate, it is usually due to a wrong-way driver suffering some kind of impairment or confusion.

Wrongful Death Liability

While this I-580 crash remains under investigation, the family members of the driver of the Toyota would likely benefit from discussing this fatal head-on collision with an experienced California Interstate 580 accident attorney. When another driver causes an accident resulting in death, the family members of the victim may be entitled to damages in a wrongful death claim, including money for funeral and burial exneses, loss of future earnings and benefits, and loss of love, care, companionship and support. An experienced attorney can help the victims' family hold the at-fault driver accountable for this accident (and any other parties that contributed to it), and the devastating loss of life that it caused.

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A 58-year-old man tragically died Friday night in north Stockton when the driver of a U-Haul lost control of the vehicle and collided with his Honda Civic, News 10 reported. The crash occurred at 5:35 p.m. on July 2nd, at the intersection of Hammer Lane and Richland Way. According to news reports, a man driving a U-Haul truck was traveling westbound on Hammer Lane, when for unknown reasons, he lost control of the vehicle, went onto a sidewalk and struck a tree.

The U-Haul then continued into the intersection of Richland Way, where it broadsided the Honda Civic that was waiting to turn westbound onto Hammer Lane. The driver of the Honda Civic died in the crash. The driver of the U-Haul was not injured. Based on the limited information in news reports, it is not clear why this crash occurred. Stockton Police are investigating the cause of the collision, including whether drugs or alcohol were a factor in the accident, or if the crash was caused by a mechanical failure in the truck.

Wrongful Death Liability Considerations

Regardless of whether the San Joaquin County crash was caused by negligent driving, drunk driving, a mechanical failure in the U-Haul truck, or some other cause, if news reports are accurate, the driver of the Honda Civic was the victim. While this crash remains under investigation, the family of the man killed would be well-advised to contact a California wrongful death lawyer who has handled serious accidents involving rented U-Haul trucks.

An experienced attorney can review the official accident report, explain the unique legal issues of the accident, and help the family protect their legal rights to hold the at-fault party accountable and financially responsible for their loved one's death in a wrongful death claim. Damages awarded in a wrongful death action can include compensation for funeral and burial expenses, anticipated future earnings and benefits of the decedent, and loss of love, care, and companionship.

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A 21-year-old man tragically died and two others were seriously hurt early Thursday following a head-on collision caused by a suspected drunk driver, the Manteca Bulletin reported. The San Joaquin County crash occurred shortly before 2 a.m. Thursday July 1st , south of Yosemite Avenue. According to news reports, the CHP received calls from motorists shortly after 2 a.m. Thursday who had seen a Ford Explorer travelling southbound in the northbound lanes of the freeway, near French Camp road. Officers were dispatched to the area, but unfortunately, before they could head the driver off the road, a head-on collision occurred.

The SUV, a 1996 blue Ford Explorer, was driven by Tiffany Holmes, 35, of Stockton. Holmes collided head on with a 1997 Honda Accord travelling in the northbound lanes of Highway 99 in Manteca. The female driver and male passenger, both 21, were taken to regional trauma centers, where the man later died. The 3-year-old girl in their vehicle was airlifted to U.C. Davis Medical Center. The man and woman in the Honda were wearing seat belts, and the 3-year-old girl was properly restrained. Holmes suffered two broken legs, but is expected to survive. The CHP reported she is being charged with vehicular manslaughter and felony driving under the influence causing injury.

Cause of the Highway 99 Crash

If news reports are accurate, the driver of the Ford Explorer is at fault for this collision, although the California Highway Patrol is still investigating the incident. Drunk driving accidents are especially heartbreaking because they are 100% preventable. Our condolences go out to the family members of the young couple and the young girl, whose lives are forever changed as a result of this accident. Please keep their families and in your prayers.

Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Liability

In addition to criminal charges for drunken driving causing injury and death, the suspected drunken driver may also be held financially responsible for the injuries and death resulting from this collision. While this July 1st Highway 99 accident remains under investigation, the family members of the victims would be well-advised to talk to a California personal injury attorney about their legal rights and holding the at-fault driver responsible for her actions in a personal injury or wrongful death claim. An attorney who has successfully represented victims of drunk-driving wrong-way collisions can help the victims understand and protect their legal rights, and obtain the maximum compensation they may be entitled to following this accident.

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