California Injury Lawyer Blog

SANTA CRUZ -- According to NBC Bay Area News, a cyclist was fatally struck by a motorist on a Santa Cruz highway. The accident was reported at about 10:40 a.m. Saturday, when the male cyclist was struck by a vehicle while riding north on Highway 1 south of Coast Road. The vehicle, which police describe as a possible 1999 to 2002 green model sedan or small sport utility vehicle with front-end damage, left the scene before authorities arrived.

The cyclist, whose name was not released but believed to be around the age of 50, was found 12 hours later when another bicyclist spotted the man's body, his severely damaged bike, and his dog. The dog was reported not to be injured in the dreadful collision.

Cause of the Fatal Hit-and-Run Collision

It is not clear why the driver hit the bicyclist or why he or she did not stop following the crash. Under the California Vehicle Code Section 20001(a): "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." Anyone who witnessed the collision, has information about the accident or the driver, should call CHP officers M. Contreras and S. Jackson at (831) 662-0511.

Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accident Liability

While law enforcement officials are investigating the accident and searching for the driver involved, the family of the victim would be well-advised to speak to a Santa Cruz personal injury lawyer regarding their rights in a wrongful death claim. An aggressive attorney experienced in hit-and-run accidents, can keep up with the investigation and aid police in locating the driver.

In the event the driver cannot be found, an attorney can help the victim's family protect their legal rights by recovering the maximum compensation through the victim's insurance, if he has one. Compensation in a tragic and fatal accident such as this one May 5th, can include funeral and burial expenses, anticipated lifetime earnings and benefits, loss of love, care, support and companionship.

Continue reading "Cyclist Struck and Killed by Car in Santa Cruz on Highway 1" »

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY - A 58-year-old bicyclist was severely injured Tuesday morning after he was struck by a Toyota Tacoma on Highway 1, the Mercury News reported. The accident occurred just before 8:30 a.m. on northbound Highway 1 near Bonny Doon Road. According to the CHP, the bicyclist was riding a Giant hybrid bike that was struck from behind by the pickup truck, driven by a 65-year-old Santa Cruz man. The bicyclist, who was not identified, wore a helmet and his bike was equipped with reflectors. He suffered major injuries in the collision and was flown to Stanford Medical Center by helicopter. It was reportedly foggy at the time of the collision.

Cause of the Accident

Based on the limited information provided in news reports, the cause of the collision is unclear. However, if it is true that the cyclist was struck from behind, it appears he likely could have done nothing to prevent the collision. The CHP will surely look at the location of the collision, speed of the truck, and other factors in making their determination of exactly what happened.

Bicycle Accident Personal Injury Liability

Following a major injury bicycle accident such as this September 21st accident on Highway 1, the family members of the injured victim would be well-advised to speak with an experienced and knowledgeable Northern California bicycle accident attorney. An attorney who is also a cyclist and specializes in cycling accident litigation can advise the victim and his family of their best course of action to protect their rights following this accident, and recover maximum compensation for medical care and treatment, lost earnings / wages, and pain and suffering, if negligence is determined to be a cause of the accident. Following any serious injury accident, it is advisable to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible, while important evidence and witness recollections can most easily be obtained and preserved.

Continue reading "Santa Cruz Bicyclist Severely Injured in Highway 1 Accident " »

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY -- On Tuesday, a 33-year-old Soquel woman was arrested and booked in Santa Cruz County Jail on suspicion of causing a hit-and-run accident that killed bicyclist Noel Hamilton on June 27th, Fox Reno reported. Sandra Joy Wertz was driving a white 1999 Infiniti QX4 on Soquel-San Jose Road just near O'Neill Lane at about 10:10 p.m. Monday night when she fatally struck and killed Hamilton. Wertz initially fled the scene, but later returned to provide a statement to California Highway Patrol officers. Hamilton, 31, who was a silk screener and sculptor, was reported dead at the scene.

CHP officer Sarah Jackson explained that Wertz was a suspect in the accident, but took investigators roughly 6 weeks to corroborate her story with the evidence. Investigators have also discussed Wertz's arrest to Hamilton's family.

Cause of the Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accident

The reasons as to why and how the accident occurred remains to be unclear. However, based on the limited information provided by Mercury News and Fox Reno, it appears the driver will be held accountable for the hit-and-run bicycle accident. According to the California Vehicle Code § 20001, a driver involved in any accident that results in an injury or death, other than to himself or herself, is legally obligated to stop at the scene of the collision. And in a hit-and-run accident such as this one occurring on June 27th, the driver is usually charged with a felony.

Bicycle Accident Wrongful Death Liability

In addition to criminal charges, the driver will most likely be held liable for the hit-and-run accident that killed the victim. Therefore, family members of the victim would be well-advised to seek a skilled Northern California wrongful death attorney. A knowledgeable attorney who has the expertise in tragic hit-and-run bicycle accidents can help the family understand and protect their legal rights, hold the driver fully responsible for the incident, and may be entitled to receive the maximum compensation for final medical care expenses, support, loss of a loved one, and funeral/burial costs relating to this fatal and devastating hit-and-run bicycle accident.

Continue reading "Woman Arrested on Suspicion of Causing Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accident" »

A Scotts Valley teen has filed a lawsuit against the county of Santa Cruz following a serious head-on collision accident that left her paralyzed last spring. Alexandria Pomianowski, 19, of Scotts Valley, suffered a life-changing spinal cord injury on April 7 in Santa Cruz County. Pomianowski was driving her 1999 convertible Ford Mustang out of Felton on Mount Hermon Road when she lost control of her car and was struck head-on by a utility truck. She broke three vertebrae in her neck in the crash and is paralyzed from the chin down.

Pomianowski graduated from San Lorenzo Valley High in 2007 and was working at a preschool in Scotts Valley. The lawsuit, which alleges Mount Herman Road is not safe, seeks yet-to-be determined damages for medical expenses (which in seven months have already exceeded $1 million), attendant care, and future loss of earnings. Pomianowski lives at home and requires around-the-clock care. Defendants named in the suit include Santa Cruz County, which maintains Mount Herman Road, as well as the driver of the county vehicle that that struck Pomianowski, and Ford Motor Company.

Continue reading "Teen Paralyzed in Car Accident Sues Santa Cruz County Over Dangerous Road " »