California Injury Lawyer Blog

SUTTER COUNTY - A pilot, identified as 50-year-old Nathaniel "Nate" Brown, was tragically killed when the crop duster plane he was operating crashed over a Sutter County rice field Monday morning, reports 10 News Sacramento. Brown was piloting a Grumman turboprop plane when it nosedived into a field located near Highway 70 and East Nicolaus. Brown had been a pilot for Farm Air Flying Service for approximately 20 years and had never been in an aviation accident before.

Cause of Airplane Accidents

Although this cause of the May 21, 2012 airplane crash is not yet known, airplane accidents can occur because of defective plane parts or flawed airplane construction. When an airplane accident is caused by a defective plane part or flawed airplane construction, the manufacturer of the part or plane may be liable for the damages associated with a tragic aviation accident death.

Help for the Bereaved

At Estey Bomberger, we have successfully represented numerous aviation accidents victims and are experienced working with The Federal Aviation Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board, and other federal agencies who may be involved in the litigation process. Please phone our law firm today to speak with one of our California airline accident lawyers. There is no consultation fee and no obligation to retain our services. Our California wrongful death attorneys can help, so please do not wait to phone our firm. There is a time limit placed on filing a claim and once the time has expired, you cannot move forward with the legal process. You may only be one step away from getting the help you need, so please call our office today.

SUTTER COUNTY - A 33-year-old Live Oak man suffered major injuries Saturday morning in a crash at the intersection of Tierra Buena Road and Pease Road, the Appeal Democrat reported. The accident was reported at 9:18 a.m. on Saturday, March 3, 2012. According to reports, the motorcyclist, David Bruemmer, 33, was riding his Kawasaki bike southbound on Tierra Buena Road when a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu at Pease Road failed to yield to his right of way. He laid down his bike and struck the rear of the vehicle.

The driver of the Chevrolet Malibu, Jose Luis Barbosa Rios, 34, of Olivehurst, was not hurt. Bruemmer suffered major leg injuries and was taken by ground ambulance to the Sikh Temple, where he was transported by air ambulance to Sutter Roseville Medical Center. The cause of the accident is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. According to the Appeal Democrat, drugs or alcohol were not a factor in the crash.

Motorcycle Accident Personal Injury Liability

Based on the details provided by law enforcement, it appears that the motorcyclist was unable to avoid this collision that resulted in very serious injuries. If the investigation confirms that the driver of the sedan did in fact fail to yield, the driver of the car may be liable for the serious injuries the motorcycle suffered. Following this March 3rd Sutter County motorcycle accident, the injured victim or his family members would be well-advised to consult with an experienced and knowledgeable northern California motorcycle accident attorney. A skilled lawyer who has represented numerous victims of motorcycle accidents can review the CHP report and advise the victim and his family of their best course of action to protect their legal rights and recover maximum compensation for medical care, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Continue reading "Live Oak Man Seriously Injured in Sutter County Motorcycle Crash " »

SUTTER COUNTY -- A multi-vehicle collision on Highway 99 in Pleasant Grove left a woman seriously injured Wednesday, The Sacramento Bee reported. According to the CHP, a driver of a pickup traveling southbound on Highway 99 at about 3:30 p.m. misjudged the distance of an oncoming vehicle when the he or she was making a left turn to eastbound Sankey Road.

The oncoming vehicle that was driven by a Yuba City woman had little time to react and avoid the truck. After the collision, the woman in the van, sustained major injuries and was airlifted to the hospital. Two other people in the van were also hurt, but suffered moderate injuries. The driver of the pickup truck had minor injuries and declined medical treatment.

Cause of the Car Crash on Highway 99

Based on the information provided by The Sacramento Bee, it appears the driver of the pickup truck may be at fault for making an unsafe left turn. However, the California Highway Patrol will investigate this terrible incident thoroughly and cautiously to determine whether or not there were other factors that could have caused this collision.

Car Accident Personal Injury Liability

Left-turn accidents usually occur because the driver does not see another automobile, pedestrian, motorcyclist, and/or bicyclist. In some cases, misjudging the distance of the oncoming car, road conditions, and vehicle malfunctions may also be the cause. But, regardless of why the left-turn collision occurs, accidents such as these can cause serious injuries and/or death.

Therefore, while the investigation of this November 9th car accident on Highway 99 is ongoing, the victim or the family of the victim would be well-advised to speak to a skilled Northern California car accident attorney. A lawyer who has the knowledge and the experience in handling incidents such as this one, can advise the victim of her legal rights in a personal injury claim, and decide the best course of action to be fully compensated for medical care expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages relating to this horrible car accident.

Continue reading "Woman Critically Injured in Pleasant Grove Car Accident on Highway 99" »

ROBBINS - Two people died and at least one other person was seriously injured in a violent car crash early Thursday morning in Sutter County, the Sacramento Bee reported. The accident, involving a Honda automobile, occurred on Highway 113 near Seymour Road, at about 5:20 a.m. on Thursday, July 7, 2011. The Honda reportedly went off the road, struck a tree, and overturned in a shallow canal. One person was flown to a hospital by helicopter with major injuries. News 10 reported there were two vehicles in the collision. It was not clear what caused the July 7th accident.

Cause of the Sutter County Accident

The CHP is investigating the double-fatal accident in Sutter County. In this accident, news accounts did not provide any information as to what caused the crash. CHP investigators will surely look at possible causes such as speeding, driving under the influence, driving while distracted, unsafe passing, falling asleep at the wheel, and other causes in determining what happened and who was responsible.

Car Accident Major Injury and Wrongful Death Liability

If this accident was the result of a driver's negligence, injured victims or their families may pursue a personal injury or wrongful death claim for damages against the responsible party or parties. Following any major injury or fatal accident, family members of victims are well-advised to speak with a knowledgeable and capable northern California car accident attorney. A lawyer who has successfully handled personal injury and wrongful death claims arising from major accidents can advise the victims' families of their best course of action to protect their legal rights, and answer any questions they may have. As a general rule, it is advisable to contact a lawyer soon following an accident, while evidence and witness recollections can most easily be obtained.

Continue reading " Two People Killed in Highway 113 Crash in Sutter County " »

A Plumas County woman died Monday afternoon in a head-on crash on Highway 99 in Sutter County, the California Highway Patrol reported. The victim, Martha Lynn Shower, 53, of Greenville was killed instantly when a northbound 1996 Ford 2x semitruck big rig crossed the center line and collided with her southbound Volkswagen Passat.

The April 19th Yuba City accident occurred at 3:12 p.m. on Highway 99 (Sawtelle Avenue) north of Hutchinson Road, according to the Appeal Democrat. Shower's husband and another passenger in the Passat were both hurt in the collision. At least one of them suffered possibly life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to Sutter Roseville Medical Center. The driver of the big rig, Mario Prado, 37, of Orangevale, and his nine-year-old daughter who was with him were both not injured.

The Appeal Democrat reported that Prado told investigators a heading and air conditioning van cut him off and he swerved to avoid hitting the van, and then lost control of the big rig and collided with Shower's VW Pasaat. Skid marks on the highway showed the path of the truck. Investigators did not suspect drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash. Any witnesses to the crash are asked to contact the California Highway Patrol's Yuba-Sutter office at (530) 674-5141.

This horrific accident is not the first Hwy 99 head-on collision involving a fatality this year. A 68-year-old Gridley woman was killed February 14 in a head-on crash in Live Oak on Hwy 99.

Wrongful Death and Personal Injury Liability

The cause of the Sutter County head-on collision is still under investigation. However, if the reports of the crash are accurate, Martha Shower was not at fault for this collision on Highway 99. Whether or not the big rig driver was driving negligently, or if a third vehicle was actually involved is still under investigation.

The families of the victims in the Passat may benefit from speaking with a California highway accident lawyer familiar with the unique legal issues of head-on collisions and personal injury and wrongful death claims involving semi-trucks. Drivers of commercial vehicles are subject to specific Federal Motor Carrier Safety regulations that may be relevant in this case. An experienced and skilled lawyer will be able to advise the victims and their families of their legal rights and what types of damages they may be entitled to in a personal injury or wrongful death claim.

Continue reading "One Killed, Two Injured in Highway 99 Head-on Crash in Sutter County " »

A 68-year-old Gridley woman was killed Sunday afternoon in a head-on collision on Highway 99. The accident was reported at 1:19 p.m. Sunday afternoon near the northern city limit of Live Oak in Sutter County. According to CHP reports, Myrtle Harmon, 68, was driving a silver 2005 Ford Focus southbound on Hwy 99 at about 55 mph, and Juanita Maldonado, 53, was driving a 2004 Honda Civic northbound on Hwy 99 at speeds between 40 and 45 mph. For unknown reasons, Maldonado drifted off to the right side of the road, overcorrected, and swerved across the center divider line into the path of Harmon's Ford Focus. Harmon reportedly swerved and braked, but was unable to avoid the collision. The Ford Focus spun out onto a dirt shoulder off the westbound side of the road. The Honda flipped into the air and landed on its side.

Harmon died at the scene of the crash. Maldonado and her 11-year-old grandson were taken by ambulance to Rideout Memorial Hospital in Marysville. Maldonado's 15-year-old granddaughter was flown by helicopter to Enloe Medical Center in Chico with serious injuries. According to the CHP, all four people were wearing seat belts. The cause of the crash is under investigation and alcohol was not believed to be a factor in the collision.

Continue reading "One Killed, Three Injured in Hwy 99 Crash in Live Oak " »