California Injury Lawyer Blog

TULARE COUNTY - A pedestrian woman was severely struck by a car Monday night in Visalia, The Fresno Bee reported. The Visalia woman, whose name was not released, was hit by a sedan as she was crossing Tulare Avenue, just west of Garden Street.

Following the 5:40 p.m. accident, the woman sustained major injuries and was taken to Kaweah Delta Medical Center and then transferred to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno for further treatment. The driver of the vehicle stopped at the scene and is cooperating with police during the investigation.

Visalia Pedestrian Accident Injury Liability

Following this horrible January 9th accident, the victim or the family members of the victim would be well-advised to seek a skilled Visalia pedestrian accident lawyer. While the accident remains unclear and is currently being investigated by the Visalia Police Department, an attorney can advise the victim of her legal rights in a personal injury claim, work with a team of investigators to reconstruct the scene of the collision to determine who may be at fault, and ensure she obtains the maximum compensation she deserves. Compensation in a civil claim includes medical care expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages relating to this horrible pedestrian accident.

Continue reading "Woman Injured in Visalia Pedestrian Accident" »

TULARE COUNTY -- A devastating bus accident in the city of Porterville left a woman killed and several injured. According to the Porterville Recorder, Tashia Laird, 27, of Porterville, was a passenger in a Dodge Neon that rear-ended a bus on Highway 190 and Jay Street around 2:25 a.m. Sunday. Police officials indicated the driver of the Dodge was traveling at a high speed before the crash, and believe alcohol may have been a factor.

Following the collision, Laird was reported to have died at the scene, while the driver of the Dodge, Francisco Luna, 26, of Strathmore, and another passenger, Omar Ibarra, 21, of Lindsay, sustained major injuries and were airlifted to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno. Five passengers on the bus complained about pain and were transported to Sierra View District Hospital for further treatment.

Cause of the Crash in Porterville

The accident on October 16th remains under investigation by the Porterville Police Department. However, based on the information provided by the Fresno Bee and the Porterville Recorder, it appears the driver of the Dodge Neon may be at fault for traveling at a high rate of speed before the crash and the speculation that alcohol might have been a factor. Therefore, occupants inside the car and on the bus may have had no way to prevent or avoid this terrible collision.

Bus Accident Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Liability

While the investigation of this accident is ongoing, victims or the family of the victims would be well-advised to contact either a California personal injury lawyer or a California wrongful death attorney. An attorney who has handled collisions involving automobiles and busses, can advise the injured victims or the family of the deceased victim of their legal rights, and decided the best course of action to recover the maximum compensation they are entitled to for medical care expenses, funeral/burial costs, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other related damages in this horrible bus accident.

Continue reading "One Killed, Several Injured in Porterville Bus Crash on Highway 190" »

TULARE COUNTY - The Visalia Times-Delta reported a horrific collision killed at least two teenagers and the driver of a pickup truck Tuesday afternoon, at the intersection of Highway 190 (Avenue 144) and Road 152. According to reports by the California Highway Patrol, a Tulare County juvenile probation van was headed east on Highway 190, and the pickup truck was headed northbound on Road 152. The preliminary investigation indicates that the driver of the pickup truck failed to stop at the intersection.

The van was headed back to the Tulare County Probation Department in Porterville when the collision occurred minutes after 11:00 a.m. A 16-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl in the van were killed in the collision. Six other teenagers and the driver of the van suffered major injuries. Some of the van occupants were reportedly ejected. The driver of the pickup truck, who was not identified, also died.

Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Liability Issues

This August 2nd car accident presents a number of possibly complex legal issues due to the fact that the probation van is owned by a county, and the threshold for proving liability is higher. Lawsuits against government agencies have strict timelines, and require technical procedures that are not required in a typical car accident lawsuit. While this accident remains under investigation, the parents of the teenage victims of this accident would be well-advised to contact an experienced California car accident lawyer.

An attorney who has handled car accident injury and wrongful death claims arising from accidents involving government owned vehicles can help the families affected by this crash protect their rights to ensure that the responsible parties are held accountable. Families may be entitled to compensation for victims' injuries and medical expenses, or the wrongful death of their loved one.

Continue reading "Tulare County Juvenile Probation Van Involved in Fatal Collision " »

VISALIA - A 60-year-old Visalia woman suffered major injuries Sunday night when she was hit by a BMW on Chinowth Street, the Visalia-Times Delta reported. The Tulare County accident was reported at about 9:40 p.m. just south of Noble Avenue. The victim, Janet Cross, 60, was walking west across Chinowth when she was hit by the 2010 BMW driven by Edmund Auyeung, 52, of Visalia. Cross was taken by ambulance to Kaweah Delta Hospital with major injuries. The cause of the accident is under investigation. Based on the very limited details provided in the news report, it is not clear why this June 12th car vs. pedestrian accident occurred, and whether the driver of the car could have done anything to prevent hitting Cross.

Pedestrian Accident Personal Injury Liability

While this accident remains under investigation by the Visalia Police Department, the family members of the injured pedestrian would be well-advised to speak with an experienced and knowledgeable California pedestrian injury lawyer. If negligence of the driver (or any other party) was a cause or contributing factor the this major injury accident, the injured victim may be entitled to damages for medical expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other related expenses. A skilled attorney can advise the family of their legal rights and best course of action to protect them following this accident.

Continue reading "Visialia Woman Seriously Injured in Southwest Visalia Pedestrian Accident " »

ALPAUGH - A 27-year-old man tragically died Monday afternoon in a solo vehicle crash on Highway 43 near Alpaugh, the Fresno Bee reported. The accident occurred north of Avenue 56 at about 2 p.m. The driver, who was not identified, reportedly drifted off the right side of the roadway, and then overcorrected and lost control of the 2006 Ford Fusion. The man was taken to Delano Medical Center where he died of his injuries. The cause of the fatal April 11th Tulare County crash remains under investigation by the CHP.

Continue reading "Man Killed in Solo-Vehicle Rollover Crash In Tulare County " »

The Fresno Bee reported a 3-year-old girl very tragically died Sunday afternoon at Kaweah Delta Medical Center, not long after she was run over by a Ford F-150 pickup truck backing out of a driveway. The accident was reported at 2:38 p.m. in a residential driveway on West Country Avenue, where the victim was riding her bicycle when she was struck. The Visalia Times-Delta indentified the victim as 3-year-old Amber Nelson of Visalia, and the driver as Robert Juskalia, 44, of Visalia. Alcohol was not suspected to be a factor in the accident.

Young Children and Backover Accidents

Young toddlers who are independent enough to take off, but have limited comprehension of the dangers of large vehicles are at serious risk of serious injury or death. It is tragic that accidents such as this one kill several dozen children every year. In certain cases, accidents such as this one are preventable, and if it is determined that the driver of the car was responsible, he may be liable for the wrongful death of the victim. After a tragic incident such as this one, the family members of the young victim may benefit from speaking to a California wrongful death lawyer who has represented families of victims of tragic backover accidents such as this one.

Continue reading "Child on Bicycle Struck and Killed in Visalia " »

A 24-year-old Woodlake man was tragically killed Sunday afternoon in a car vs. motorcycle accident near Ivanhoe. The motorcyclist, Jose Campos, 24, was travelling eastbound on Avenue 328. At the same time, Mario Ramos, 21, of Farmersville, was driving a two-door 1996 Saturn southbound on Road 156. According to the CHP, the driver of the Saturn stopped at the intersection prior to crossing Avenue 328. However, the Saturn collided with Campos' motorcycle. Campos did not have a stop sign at the intersection.

The impact of the collision caused Campos to be ejected from his bicycle. He was flown to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno where he died of his injuries. Two passengers in the Saturn, Francisca Ramos, 39, and Adrian Ramos, 19, both of Farmersville, were taken to Kaweah Delta Medical Center with minor injuries. The driver, Mario Ramos, and another passenger, Ismael Ramos, 39, both refused medical treatment.

Cause of the Fatal Motorcycle Accident

The CHP is investigating the cause of the accident. Based on the news reports, it is unclear why the driver of the Saturn pulled out in front of the motorcyclist at the stop sign intersection. Under California Vehicle Code Section 21802 (a) "The driver of any vehicle approaching a stop sign at the entrance to, or within, an intersection shall stop as required by Section 22450. The driver shall then yield the right-of-way to any vehicles which have approached from another highway, or which are approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to those vehicles until he or she can proceed with reasonable safety." In this situation, it appears that the driver of the Saturn should have stopped, and may be responsible for causing this accident for failing to do so.

Possible Wrongful Death Liability

If the driver of the Saturn is determined to be responsible for this accident, he may be liable for the wrongful death of Jose Campos. Without more information, it is not possible to tell exactly what happened and whether the driver is responsible. However, in any accident such as this one, it would be certainly advisable for the family members of the victim to speak with a knowledgeable California motorcycle accident attorney about the accident and the victim's family's legal rights. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, the family may be entitled to compensation in a wrongful death claim for the victim's final medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses, anticipated lost earnings and benefits the decedent would have earned over his lifetime, and loss of love, care, and companionship.

Continue reading "Woodlake Man Killed in Motorcycle Crash Near Ivanhoe " »

A 32-year-old Porterville man suffered major injuries Monday evening in a two-vehicle collision near Strathmore, the Visalia Times-Delta reported. The crash occurred at the intersection of Avenue 196 and Road 256 at about 6:40 p.m. on Monday, September 27, 2010. According to news reports, Joshua Plunk, 32, of Porterville was driving a 2004 Ford F-250 pickup truck eastbound on Avenue 196, while at the same time, Dustin Reed, 24, of Strathmore was travelling westbound on Avenue 196 (Frazier Highway) in a 2007 Honda Accord. At Road 256 (Lynch Drive), Reed initiated a left turn into the path of Plunk's pickup truck and the two vehicles collided. The impact caused the Ford to overturn and come to rest in a nearby orchard field. Plunk suffered major injuries and was taken by ambulance to Kaweah Delta Hospital in Visalia. Two passengers in Plunk's vehicle, Rhett Mason, 29, and Danny Delussa, 38, both of Springville, suffered minor injuries. Reed was reportedly not injured.

Cause of the September 27th Crash

This accident appears to be caused by an unsafe left-turn initiated by the driver of the Honda Accord, who failed to yield to the right-of-way of the Ford truck. The law that applies to left turns is stated in California Vehicle Code Section 21801: "The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left or to complete a U-turn upon a highway, or to turn left into public or private property, or an alley, 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." The cause of the accident remains under investigation. Authorities will look at the speed of both vehicles and other factors in determining exactly what happened.

Left-Turn Car Accidents and Personal Injury Liability

In situations such as this September 27th Tulare County car accident, where another driver is likely responsible for a crash resulting in major injury to an occupant of another vehicle, the family of the injured victim would be well-advised to speak with a knowledgeable and experienced California car accident lawyer about the accident and the victim's legal rights. An attorney who has handled numerous left-turn major injury collisions can advise the victim's family of their best course of action to protect their rights following this accident, and help the victim pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other accident-related expenses.

Continue reading "Porterville Man Seriously Injured in Two-Car Crash in Strathmore " »

A Tulare County pedestrian accident Monday night sent a Lindsay woman to the hospital with major injuries, the Visalia Times-Delta reported. The car vs. pedestrian accident occurred at the intersection of E Tulare Road (Avenue 232) and Homassel Avenue at 6:09 p.m. According to news reports, the pedestrian, Michelle Galvan, was crossing Tulare Road when she was struck by a Ford F-150 pickup truck driven by Ronald Jacobsma, 47.

Cause of the Lindsay Car vs. Pedestrian Accident

News reports only reveal limited information about what happened. There is a crosswalk on all four sides of the intersection, although it is not clear where Galvan was when she was struck. It is also not clear how fast the Ford pickup truck was travelling and whether the driver could have avoided this crash. Hopefully, the investigation by Lindsay Police will reveal exactly what happened and why, and who was responsible for this September 27th pedestrian accident.

Pedestrian Accident and Personal injury Liability

While the investigation is ongoing, the family members of the injured victim would be well-advised to speak with a knowledgeable California pedestrian injury lawyer. A skilled lawyer can help the victim and her family understand and protect her legal rights, so that if negligence was a cause of this crash, she may recover the maximum compensation she may be entitled to for her injuries, including medical care costs, lost earnings related to the accident, and pain and suffering. In the event the driver was uninsured or underinsured, an attorney may also look into the possibility of pursuing compensation from the victim's own insurance policy, if she had one.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Struck by Car in Lindsay " »

A 4-year-old boy tragically died Friday night in a suspected DUI crash near Cutler, the California Highway Patrol reported. According to news reports in the Fresno Bee, the victim, 4-year-old Angel Lopez, was a passenger in a Toyota driven eastbound on Avenue 440 by Rodolfo Rangle, 32, of Cutler.

Rangle apparently ran a stop sign at the intersection of Avenue 440 and Road 120, and drove into the path of a northbound 2001 Dodge. The driver of the Dodge braked to try and avoid the collision, but the front bumper of the vehicle collided with the right side of the Toyota.

Lopez was flown to Community Regional Medical Center, where he died of his injuries. Rangle was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. It was not clear what the relationship was between Rangle and Lopez. The occupants of the Dodge, Evelyn Hernandez, 55, of Orange Cove, 4-year-old Destiny Raygoza of Visalia and 60-year-old Alice Hernandez of Visalia, were taken to Kaweah Delta Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

Please keep the family of Angel Lopez in your prayers as they are grieving the loss of this young, innocent boy. If news reports of this July 23rd accident are true, it is absolutely appalling that a grown adult would knowingly endanger a child by driving under the influence of alcohol.

Cause of the Tulare County Crash

Based on the news reports, it appears that this two-vehicle collision was caused by the suspected drunk driver, Rodolfo Rangle. If news reports are accurate and he is determined to have caused this crash because he was driving under the influence of alcohol, he may be facing criminal charges for his passenger's death and the injuries of the occupants of the Dodge. Additionally, Rangle may be held financially responsible for the serious personal injuries of the occupants of the Dodge, and the drunk driving wrongful death of his passenger.

Continue reading "4-Year-Old Boy Killed in Suspected Drunk Driving Crash in Orosi" »

A 58-year-old man was struck and killed early Thursday morning while crossing Avenue 416 in Orosi, the Visalia Times-Delta reported. The May 27th fatal pedestrian accident occurred near the intersection of Road 126, at about 3:15 a.m. According to news reports, the man, who was not identified, was crossing the street when he was struck by a 2001 Ford Taurus driven by a 65-year-old Orosi man. He died at the scene. The California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the fatal Orosi pedestrian accident.

Cause of the Accident

Based on the limited information provided in news reports, the cause of the pedestrian accident is not clear. The CHP will determine if the driver of the car could have done anything to prevent this accident, and hopefully help the family understand exactly what happened.

Wrongful Death Liability

While this fatal Tulare County pedestrian accident remains under investigation, the family of the victim would be well advised to discuss this accident with a California wrongful death attorney. Even if the driver is not cited by law enforcement for causing the accident, he still may be held liable in a civil wrongful death claim. An attorney can help the family protect and understand their legal rights and review the facts of this incident to determine if they may obtain compensation for the loss of their loved one in a wrongful death claim.

Continue reading "Man Crossing Street Struck and Killed in Orosi " »

Two passengers in a Honda died Wednesday evening when a large hay baler truck struck the vehicle they were riding in, the Visalia Times-Delta reported. The Tulare County accident was reported at 5:55 p.m., at the intersection of Avenue 232 and Road 36, west of Tulare.

According to the Tulare County Fire Department, the two men who were killed were back seat passengers in the Honda. The driver of the Honda, Ullses Bello Gomez, 27, was travelling west on Avenue 232 (Tulare Avenue) when he attempted a left turn onto Road 36. The Honda was then struck by a hay baler going east on Avenue 232, driven by Robert Alavarado Jr., 55, of Tulare. Alvarado was not injured in the crash. Gomez was airlifted to Community Regional Hospital in Fresno with major injuries. One of the victims was identified as Alfredo Salado, 20.

Cause of the Accident

The cause of the fatal May 27th crash remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. However, the Times-Delta reported that the driver of the Honda was booked on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. The investigation is ongoing and it was not clear how CHP officers determined the driver was under the influence.

Continue reading "Two Passengers Killed Southwest of Visalia in Suspected DUI Crash with Hay Baler Truck" »

Authorities are investigating the cause of a head-on collision that occurred Sunday night on the western edge of Dinuba. The crash, which involved two mid-sized sedans, was reported at 7:56 p.m on Avenue 416 near Road 64. Three women, one of whom was pregnant, were injured in the two-car-collision. A man driving one of the vehicles was not hurt.

The cause of the Tulare County accident remains under investigation. According to reports in the Visalia Times-Delta, a female passenger in one of the cars suffered major injuries and was airlifted to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno. The driver of that vehicle, who was pregnant, was taken by ambulance to Kaweah Delta Medical Center in Visalia, along with a third female passenger who suffered moderate injuries.

Continue reading "Three Women Injured in Head-On Collision in Dinuba " »

A 25-year-old Lindsay man was killed and a 22-year-old Lindsay man was critically injured Sunday night in a crash in Tulare County, authorities have reported. The collision occurred just before 8 p.m. at the intersection of Sierra View Street and Lafayette Avenue. Javier Benitez Luna, 25, died at the scene. Juan Carlos Zapata, 22, was airlifted to Community Regional Medical Center.

According to reports in the Porterville Recorder Online, an ATV travelling east on East Sierra View Street collided with a dirt bike going west on East Sierra View Street. It was not immediately clear which person was riding which vehicle. Police reported the two men, who were both wearing helmets, failed to stop at the intersection. An investigation is ongoing and toxicology results are pending. It is not known if alcohol was a factor in the crash. Anyone with information is asked to call the Lindsay Police Department at (559) 562-2511.

Continue reading "One Killed, One Seriously Injured in ATV vs. Motorcycle Collision in Lindsay " »