San Diego Personal Injury Attorney Blog

A 16-year-old El Centro girl sadly died Saturday evening at UCSD Medical Center in San Diego, a week after a solo-vehicle accident on Austin Road in El Centro, the San Diego County Medical Examiner reported in a press release. The victim, Betsua Alonso, was a passenger in a Ford F-150 travelling south on Austin Road. For unknown reasons, the driver veered off the roadway, and then overcorrected, causing the pickup truck to veer into the Central Main Canal north of McCabe Road. The cause of the accident remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.

Potential Wrongful Death Liability Issues

After a tragic accident such as this one, the family may be understandably be wondering whether the roadway could have been constructed in such a way that this accident could have been prevented. While this crash remains under investigation, the family may benefit from speaking to an experienced and knowledgeable California wrongful death lawyer regarding whether a dangerous road condition was a factor in the ultimately fatal accident. If negligence of the county or state agency responsible for maintaining the roadway caused this accident, the family may be entitled to financial compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of love, care, and companionship, and other damages in a wrongful death claim.

It is important to remember that any claim against a California government agency must be filed within 180 days of the date of the accident. For this reason, family members wishing to inquiry about a potential claim should contact a lawyer as soon as possible.

Continue reading "El Centro Teen Dies of Injuries Following Crash Into Irrigation Canal " »

A 7-year-old child suffered a serious leg injury following a two-vehicle accident Wednesday night in San Diego, 10 News reported. The accident happened at about 8:45 p.m. on Tuesday, November 23, 2010, in the Ridgeview area of San Diego, at the intersection of Fairmont Avenue and Home Avenue. According to police, the child was a passenger in a 2006 Nissan Altima. The Altima reportedly entered the intersection on a green light, but was struck by a 1995 Lincoln Mark VIII that apparently ran a red light. Police stated that the Lincoln may have lost its brakes prior to the crash. A child and an adult in the Nissan suffered minor injuries. Two adults in the Lincoln were also hurt.

Who is Responsible?

The news report of this accident raises a number of questions. Was this accident caused by the driver of the Lincoln, or was there a vehicle defect in the brakes? Could the driver of the Lincoln have done anything to avoid the accident? If a vehicle defect or malfunction is suspected, authorities may arrange to have the vehicle inspected by an expert to determine the precise cause of the crash.

Car Accident Personal Injury Liability

In situations such as this one, the parents or guardians of the young child seriously hurt in the accident would be well-advised to contact a San Diego personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Regardless of whether the crash was caused by the driver of the vehicle that ran the red light - or a defect in the brakes - the injured child may be entitled to compensation for his or her injuries. An experienced lawyer can help the family understand their legal rights, and advise them or the actions they may need to take to obtain compensation for injuries, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other related damages - from whoever is ultimately responsible for this accident.

Continue reading "Child Seriously Hurt in Ridgeview Intersection Accident " »

According to 10 News, four people were injured Sunday afternoon in the eastbound lanes of the Coronado Bridge. The four-vehicle accident happened shortly before 2 p.m. Sunday, November 28, 2010, near the bridge's interchange to Interstate 5. Details of the accident were limited, although it was reported four people were taken to the hospital by ambulance. The extent of their injuries was not known. The cause of the Coronado Bridge accident remains under investigation.

We certainly hope none of the victims sustained life-threatening injuries in this accident. We wish them the best for a fast and full recovery.

Multi-Vehicle Accident Personal Injury Liability

The insurance aftermath of accidents involving more than two vehicles can be complicated. Authorities will look at factors such as speed, driver distraction, possible impairment and other factors in determining who contributed to this accident and to what extent. It is possible that this accident was caused solely by one reckless driver; it is also possible that several parties were driving negligently and contributed to the crash. In situations such as this one, injured victims and their families would be well-advised to seek a consultation with a knowledgeable and experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. A qualified attorney can advise them of their best course of action to protect their legal rights and recover the maximum financial compensation they may be entitled to for their injuries.

Continue reading "Four People Hurt in Coronado Bridge Crash " »

A motorcycle rider was seriously injured Wednesday afternoon when an elderly driver made a left turn in front of his motorcycle, the San Diego Union Tribune reported. The accident occurred at the intersection of Waring Road and Orcutt Avenue just after 4 p.m. on Wednesday, November 17, 2010. According to news reports, the motorcyclist was travelling northbound on Waring Road at Orcutt when a 90-year-old woman driving a Toyota pulled in front of him. The motorcyclist, identified only as a man, was not able to avoid colliding with the Toyota and struck the vehicle on its side. The motorcyclist suffered a fractured pelvis and other broken bones and was taken to a hospital.

San Diego Police have turned the woman's license over to the DMV. In order for her to be allowed to continue to drive, she will have to pass both a written and driving test.

Cause of the Accident

The cause of the November 17th San Diego motorcycle accident remains under investigation by police. However, based on the news reports, it appears that this crash may have been caused by the elderly driver making an unsafe left turn. The law pertaining 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."

Motorcycle Accident Personal Injury Liability

Motorcycle accidents such as this one often result in serious, even life-changing injuries. When an accident resulting in serious injury is caused by the negligence of another driver, the victim may be entitled to compensation for his injuries, including medical care costs and future medical expenses, lost earnings and wages, pain and suffering, and other accident-related expenses. While this accident remains under investigation, it would be advisable for the victim's family to speak with an experienced San Diego motorcycle accident injury attorney about the unique legal issues arising from this accident, and the victim's rights to compensation for his injuries.

Continue reading "Allied Gardens: Motorcyclist Seriously Hurt in Left-Turn Crash Involving Elderly Driver " »

The San Diego Union Tribune reported a motorcyclist suffered major injuries Tuesday after a head-on collision with an AT&T utility truck east of Julian. The accident happened at about 10:15 a.m. on November 16th, on State Route 78 east of Wynola Road. According to news reports, the motorcyclist collided head-on with an AT&T utility truck. It was not clear if the truck was moving or parked when the collision occurred. The injured motorcyclist, who was not identified, was taken by ambulance to a fire station in Julian and then flown to a hospital.

Highway 78 Motorcycle Accident Personal Injury Liability

While it is clear that this motorcycle accident resulted in major injuries, it is not clear what exactly happened to cause the collision. The details of the incident in news reports are limited. Hopefully, the investigation by law enforcement will reveal exactly what happened and why, and who was ultimately responsible. If the motorcyclist was not at fault for this collision, and this accident was caused by negligence of the utility truck driver or another party, the injured motorcyclist may be entitled to compensation for his medical expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other related damages. In situations such as this one, it would be advisable for the family members of the victim to speak with an experienced San Diego motorcycle accident attorney about the accident, and the victim's legal rights and options as a result of the incident.

Continue reading "Motorcyclist Seriously Injured in Head-On Collision on Highway 78 " »

Five people, including four motorcyclists, were killed Saturday in a horrific accident on Highway 98 near Ocotillo, MSNBC reported. According to the Imperial Valley Press and KXO Radio, a gold Honda Civic travelling eastbound tried to pass a group of motorcycles and cut into westbound lanes, failing to see a Dodge Avenger heading westbound. The driver of the westbound car went onto the paved shoulder but then over-corrected and lost control and collided head-on with a group of motorcyclists travelling eastbound. The accident happened just before 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Five people died and six people were injured. The six people hurt in the crash were: 36-year old Carlos Ramirez Bobadilla of Mexicali who was the driver of the Dodge Avenger, 39-year old Wilson Trayor of Lakeside, 57-year old William Barnes of San Diego, 42-year old Kelly Halley of Santee, 46-year old Melanie Barnes of San Diego and 55-year old John Lombardo of Lakeside. Injured victims were taken to hospitals in Brawley, El Centro, and San Diego. For those that survived, injuries resulting from the crash included a punctured lung, broken hip, broken ankle, broken pelvis, brain hemorrhage, broken pelvis, broken ribs, broken back, broken jaw and other serious injuries.

Four of the fatality victims were motorcyclists - two men and two women. The motorcyclists were travelling as a group and were members of the Saddletramps motorcycle club. The fifth was a 31-year-old woman who was a passenger in the Dodge Avenger. The identities of the victims were not released pending notification of their families.

According to the San Diego Union Tribune, just before the accident, the group of 21 motorcyclists had been enjoying breakfast and drinking coffee at La Posta Casino in Boulevard. Then the group started their engines and continued east toward Winterhaven to celebrate the club's 10-year anniversary.

Authorities Seeking Driver of Gold Honda

The CHP is looking for the driver of the Gold Honda that did not stop following the collision. It does not matter that the driver did not physically collide with the other vehicle or any of the motorcyclists. Drivers may still be held responsible for "non-contact" hit and run accidents.

Motorcycle Accident Injury and Wrongful Death Liability

Every single one of the victims of this crash and their families would be well-advised to contact a motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible. Crashes like this one - where numerous parties are involved and there is a missing hit-and-run driver - have numerous unique and complex legal issues. The victims of this accident would benefit from talking to a knowledgeable lawyer sooner rather than later, while evidence and witness recollections are fresh. The San Diego motorcycle accident lawyers at Estey Bomberger have handled dozens of motorcycle accident injury and wrongful death claims, and are available 7 days a week to answer questions and provide advice and guidance to the victims of this horrific accident. Victims or their families may call (619)312-4399, or fill out a consultation request online.

Continue reading "Five Dead, Six Injured in Highway 98 Crash Near Ocotillo " »

A 53-year-old Imperial Beach was tragically struck and killed by a pickup truck Friday morning in a National City crosswalk, the San Diego Union Tribune reported. The accident occurred at about 7:45 a.m. on Friday, November 5, 2010, at the intersection of D Avenue and East 18th Street. The victim was identified as Maria Trinidad Anguiano Galindo, who was reportedly on her way to work when she was struck at the intersection. The driver was attempting a left turn from southbound D Avenue onto 18th Street. He told police that when he turned eastbound on the green light, the sun was in his eyes and he did not see the woman in the crosswalk before fatally striking Galindo, who died at the scene of the crash.

Cause of the Fatal Pedestrian Accident

The cause of the fatal National City pedestrian accident remains under investigation by the National City Police Department. If news reports are accurate, it sounds as though the driver of the pickup truck likely failed to yield to the right-of-way of Galindo, who was in the crosswalk when she was struck. Under California Vehicle Code Section 21950 "Right of Way at Crosswalks" (c), "The driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian within any marked or unmarked crosswalk shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of the vehicle or take any other action relating to the operation of the vehicle as necessary to safeguard the safety of the pedestrian." This section of the vehicle code gives pedestrians using a crosswalk the right-of-way.

Pedestrian Accident Wrongful Death Liability

While police are continuing their investigation, the family members of the victim may benefit from contacting a knowledgeable San Diego pedestrian accident lawyer. An attorney who has handled numerous fatal pedestrian accident wrongful death claims can advise the family of their legal rights and the unique legal issues that may be relevant in a wrongful death claim. If the driver is determined to be responsible for this accident, a skilled lawyer can help the family pursue compensation for their loss in a civil wrongful death claim. Damages available may include funeral and burial expenses, anticipated future earnings, benefits, and financial contributions the victim would have made to her family, and loss of love, care, affection and companionship.

Continue reading "Imperial Beach Woman Struck and Killed in National City Crosswalk " »

A man died Monday afternoon in a suspected DUI crash on Interstate 8 in the Flinn Springs area of San Diego County, 10 News reported. The victim, who was not immediately identified, was the driver of a Ford Econoline van that was struck head-on by a 1995 Ford Explorer driving westbound in the eastbound lanes of the freeway. The fatal accident occurred shortly before 3:30 p.m. near Harbison Canyon Road. According to news reports, the driver of the Ford Explorer made a U-turn on the freeway and began driving the wrong way. The collision with the Econoline van happened moments later. The driver of the Econoline van was killed. The female driver of the Ford Explorer suffered serious injuries. According to the California Highway Patrol, she was suspected of driving while intoxicated and will undergo a blood screening to determine if drugs or alcohol were in her system at the time of the collision.

Drunk Driving Is An Epidemic That Must Stop

While this accident is devastating and tragic, it is sadly one of many accidents that happen every day caused by a suspected drunk driver. On average, 32 people a day are killed in drunk driving accidents in the US - more than 1,000 people every month. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) reports that one in three people will be involved in an alcohol-related crash in their lifetime. Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol is a crime - and drunk driving accidents are physically painful, emotionally traumatic, and financially devastating. The consequences of drinking and driving are long-lasting not just for victims, but for their families as well.

DUI Accident Wrongful Death Liability

In accidents such as this one, where a drunk driver is suspected of causing a fatal accident, the family members of the victim would be well-advised to speak to a DUI accident victim lawyer about their legal rights to hold the driver financially accountable for her actions. If the suspected drunk driver is confirmed to have caused this accident, she may be liable for funeral and burial expenses, anticipated future earnings and benefits the victim would have received over the course of his lifetime, and damages for loss of love, care, affection, and companionship in a wrongful death claim. In certain cases involving drunk drivers, punitive damages may also be awarded, depending on the circumstances.

Continue reading "Man Killed, Woman Arrested in Suspected DUI Head-On Collision on Interstate 8 " »