California Injury Lawyer Blog

SHASTA COUNTY - A 58-year-old Redding woman was tragically killed Monday in a head-on collision on Lake Boulevard at Santa Rosa Way, the Redding Record Searchlight reported. Three other people were injured in the crash, which was reported just before 11 a.m. on Monday, February 27, 2012.

The crash involved an eastbound silver Ford Focus sedan, and a westbound black Nissan pickup truck. According to Redding police, the driver of the Nissan pickup, Jessica Myers, 31, of Redding, attempted to turn left from Lake Boulevard onto Santa Rosa Way. She collided head-on with the Focus driven by Sara Stowe, 26, also of Redding.

Sharon Nolan, 58, who was sitting in the rear of the Focus, died at the scene of the crash. Myers, Stowe, and another passenger in the Focus, Krystal Contreras, 17, were taken to Mercy Medical Center with serious injuries.

Cause of the Lake Boulevard Accident

Redding police are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash. One witness who had been driving east on Lake Boulevard reported that the pickup truck turning left cut between SUV and the car following right behind her. It is unclear how fast the vehicles were travelling when the collision occurred.

Left Turn Accident Injury Liability

Under California Vehicle Code Section 21801 (a), "The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left ...shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to the approaching vehicles until the left turn or U-turn can be made with reasonable safety."

If it is determined that the driver of the pickup truck in fact turned into the path of the Focus, the driver may be liable for the death and injuries she caused. Following a collision such as this February 27th crash on Lake Boulevard, the injured victims or their family members would be well-advised to speak with an experienced and knowledgeable Redding car accident lawyer. An experienced Shasta County personal injury attorney who understands the unique liability issues of left-turn accidents can advise the victims of their legal rights and best course of action to protect them.

Continue reading "Redding Woman Killed, Three Injured in Head-on Crash on Lake Boulevard " »

REDDING - The Record Searchlight reported a 67-year-old Redding man suffered serious injuries Sunday morning after his motorcycle was struck by a vehicle changing lanes. The major injury accident was reported around 10:35 a.m. on Sunday, February 5, 2012. According to news reports, the motorcyclist, Thomas Clifton, was entering Highway 44 from northbound Interstate 5, while at the same time, Dale Kortepeter, was merging from Hilltop Drive onto Highway 44 in his vehicle. Kortepeter changed lanes and collided with Clifton's bike.

The impact caused Clifton to lose control of his motorcycle and he was ejected. Clifton was taken to Mercy Medical Center with very serious injuries. The CHP reported it was very fortunate that Clifton was wearing a helmet. Earlier in the week, a Redding man was killed in a motorcycle accident when his helmet fell off when he crashed on Hartnell Avenue.

Cause of the Highway 44 Motorcycle Accident

The cause of the February 5th crash on Highway 44 remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. Based on the limited details provided in news accounts, it is unclear how the fast the vehicles involved in the collision were travelling. If news reports are accurate, this accident was likely the result of unsafe merging. Under the California Vehicle Code Section 21658 (A), "A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practical entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from the lane until such movement can be made with reasonable safety."

Redding Motorcycle Accident Personal Injury Liability

Following a major injury motorcycle accident, the family members of the injured victim would be well-advised to speak with an experienced and knowledgeable Redding personal injury lawyer. An attorney who has successfully handled personal injury claims arising from northern California motorcycle accidents can advise the victim and his family their best course of action to protect their legal rights and recover the maximum compensation available for medical care, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Continue reading "Redding Man Seriously Injured in Highway 44 Motorcycle Crash " »

SHASTA COUNTY - A pedestrian was very seriously injured when he was hit by a car on Interstate 5 in Redding early Friday morning, KRCRTV.com reported. According to the California Highway Patrol, a 21-year-old Redding man tried to cross the freeway, when he was hit by a 1985 Chevrolet driven by Sandra Polk, 51, of Seattle. The accident occurred on southbound I-5 near Hartnell Avenue at about 1:30 a.m. According to news reports, Polk's Chevrolet was travelling at an estimated 60 mph when the collision occurred. The victim, David Wucco, suffered two broken legs and was taken by ambulance to Mercy Medical Center, where he was listed in serious condition Friday morning.

Freeway Pedestrian Accident Personal Injury Liability

Based on the limited information provided in news accounts, it is unclear whether the driver could have avoided striking the pedestrian. Depending on the unique circumstances of the accident, if negligence of the driver was a factor in this collision, the injured victim may be entitled to compensation in a personal injury claim. While this accident remains under investigation, the injured victim or his family may benefit from speaking to an experienced and knowledgeable northern California pedestrian injury attorney. A skilled personal injury lawyer can review the CHP report and advise the victim of his legal rights and options, and best course of action following this accident.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Struck by Car on Interstate 5 " »

A crash on interstate 5 involving a big rig, a fire truck and as many as 20 other vehicles left at least one person with major injuries and several others with less serious injuries, the CHP reported. The crash occurred during cold, snowy conditions Friday morning at about 11:20 a.m., near the Black Butte exit on Interstate 5, north of Redding. The CHP closed interstate 5 from Shasta Lake to Mount Shasta while the scene was cleaned up and investigated.

Who Is At Fault?

Chain reaction, pileup accidents are common occurrences in poor visibility situations. Especially at highway speeds, wet, snowy, or icy conditions can cause drivers to lose control of their cars when they try to stop suddenly. In multi-vehicle accidents, each driver may share some percentage of fault. Having an attorney on your side can be beneficial because your lawyer can negotiate a lesser degree of fault, and ultimately recover more compensation for your injuries.

Multi-Car Accidents and Insurance Claims

The California injury lawyers at Estey Bomberger have recovered millions for people seriously injured in multi-vehicle, chain reaction and pileup accidents. From experience, we understand the unique legal issues that these cases present, and the tactics insurance companies will use to try and assign fault to other drivers and delay compensation to victims. If you have been injured in this Interstate 5 accident, or any other multi-vehicle highway accident, and would like to discuss your case with a lawyer, call Estey Bomberger at (800)724-3817. All consultations are free, with no obligation.

A pedestrian was fatally struck in downtown Redding on Monday evening, authorities reported. The accident occurred at about 6:25 p.m. March 8th at East Street & Placer Street. The victim was identified by the Shasta County Coroner's Office on Tuesday as Kelly Jean McCoy, 36, of Redding. McCoy was crossing East Street when she was struck by an SUV turning left from eastbound Placer Street onto northbound East Street when the collision occurred. The driver of the SUV, a 45-year-old Palo Cedro woman, was questioned at the scene and released. According to the Redding Record Searchlight, it was pouring rain at the time of the incident, so visibility was likely reduced.

Please keep the family of Kelly Jean McCoy in your prayers. Our sympathy goes out to everyone who knew and loved her as they grieve this sudden and unexpected loss.

It is not yet known if alcohol was a factor in the crash, or if the pedestrian was in a crosswalk when she was struck. While this fatal pedestrian accident remains under investigation, the family of the victim may consider consulting with a California wrongful death attorney about their legal rights. Even though the driver that struck her was not cited at the scene, she still may be held accountable for the victim's death in a civil wrongful death claim. An attorney can review the circumstances of the accident and determine if the family may be entitled to compensation for their loss from the driver or any other responsible party.

Continue reading "Redding Woman Killed While Crossing Street in Downtown Redding " »