San Diego Personal Injury Attorney Blog

Two men suffered serious injuries in a violent head-on collision Friday morning in Mission Valley, the San Diego Union Tribune reported. The crash was reported on Friars Road, east of Fenton Parkway, near the Costco and Ikea shopping center. According to news reports, a 70-year-old man driving a Ford F-150 pickup truck veered across the raised center median into eastbound lanes. His truck collided head-on with a Dodge Stratus driven by a 25-year-old man.

Police reported that there was no evidence that either driver braked before the collision, and both vehicles were likely travelling close to the speed limit of 50 mph. The impact forced the engine compartment of the Dodge into the passenger compartment. The driver of the Dodge reportedly broke both of his legs and suffered other serious injuries. The driver of the Ford suffered a broken leg, broken foot, broken ribs, broken hand, and cuts and bruises. Both men are expected to survive, police reported.

Cause of the Friars Road Head-on Collision

Police are investigating the cause of the crash. It was not clear why the driver of the Ford crossed over the raised center median and into eastbound lanes. It appears that there was likely nothing the driver of the Dodge could have done to prevent the collision. Police will surely investigate whether the older driver of the truck suffered a medical condition, or if he lost control of his truck because he was distracted or impaired. It is also possible that he lost control of his truck because of a defect in the vehicle, such as a tire blowout or steering failure.

Personal Injury Liability

In situations such as this one, where a driver is seriously hurt due to an accident that was not at fault, the victim may be entitled to monetary compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings, loss of future earning capacity, pain and suffering and other accident related expenses. While this crash remains under investigation, the family of the injured victim would be well-advised to contact an experienced San Diego personal injury attorney as soon as possible who can help the victim protect his legal rights to compensation for his injuries. A knowledgeable lawyer can advise the family how to handle communications with insurance companies and help the family preserve and protect evidence important to future personal injury claim.

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In personal injury news, this week a San Diego County jury awarded almost $11 million in damages to an 87-year-old woman and her 62-year-old daughter for very serious injuries they sustained in a November 2008 crash in Clairemont caused by a Pizza Hut delivery driver who suffered a seizure.

Olena Novak, 87 suffered a broken neck and other serious injuries in the accident, and Her daughter, Shari Novak, 62, suffered permanent brain damages and is no longer able to care for herself or communicate. The 18-year-old pizza delivery driver suffered only minor injuries.

After the accident, the Pizza Hut delivery driver learned she suffered from a complex seizure disorder. Although the families originally sued the driver, she was eventually dropped from the lawsuit, and the families sued Pizza Hut, claiming they were responsible for the crash. Jurors awarded $2.2 million to Olena Novac for past medical expenses, past and future lost earnings and past and future non-economic loss, and $8.6 Million to Shari Novak, for past and future medical costs and past and future non-economic loss, such as physical pain and suffering.

Continue reading "San Diego Jury Awards $10.8 Million to Mother and Daughter For Crash Involving Pizza Hut Delivery Driver" »

San Diego 6 News reported two motorists were injured Wednesday night in a head-on collision in the Clairemont Mesa West area. The accident, which was reported at 7:56 p.m. in the 3400 block of Boyd Avenue, involved an Acura Integra and a Toyota Corolla.

According to news reports, the 18-year-old driver of the Acura Integra going southbound attempted to pass another vehicle, and struck a northbound Toyota Corolla head-on. Both the driver of the Integra and the 67-year-old driver of the Corolla reportedly suffered broken femurs. Both drivers also had a passenger with them, and the passengers suffered minor injuries. Police do not believe alcohol was a factor in the collision.

Personal Injury Liability Issues

If news reports are accurate, it appears that the driver of the Acura caused this crash by making an unsafe passing attempt. If this is true and he is determined to have caused the July 28th head-on collision, he may be liable for the injuries of the two occupants of the Toyota Corolla, as well as the injuries of his own passenger. While this crash is under investigation, the victims would be well-advised to contact an experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer about this accident, and their rights to compensation in a personal injury claim. Damages awarded for injuries may include money for medical expenses and related care costs, lost earnings or wages, and pain and suffering.

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A Chula Vista woman died and a San Diego woman suffered very serious injuries Tuesday morning in a horrific head-on collision on California State Route 125, KGTV 10 News reported. The accident occurred on state Route 125, north of Jamacha Road at about 8:40 a.m.

Authorities say that Neydi Arely Ramirez, 25, of Chula Vista, was driving north on the highway when for reasons not known, she lost control of her gold Ford Explorer and crossed the center divide. Her SUV overturned and collided with a silver Chrysler PT Cruiser driven by Theresa Flournoy, 48, of San Diego. The impact of the collision sent the SUV into the path of a marked Border Patrol Jeep Wrangler driven by an on-duty agent.

Ramirez, who authorities say was wearing her seat belt, died at the scene of the crash. Flournoy suffered critical injuries and was airlifted to Mercy Hospital. The Border Patrol agent did not suffer serious injuries. The cause of the accident remains under investigation. A CHP officer said there was no evidence that alcohol or drugs played a role in the June 1st accident.

Continue reading "Chula Vista Woman Killed, Two Others Injured in Head-On Crash on State Route 125 " »

A 17-year-old girl tragically died and four other teens were injured Friday evening in a head-on collision with a moving truck in Sabre Springs, San Diego 6 News reported. According to police, the May 28th accident occurred at 5:22 p.m, near the intersection of Sabre Springs Parkway and Creekbridge Place. Police say the moving truck was headed south on Sabre Springs Parkway and the Acura Legend with five teens was travelling north. For unknown reasons, the small compact sedan crossed the median and collided with the moving truck, in the 12500 block of Sabre Springs Parkway, south of Poway Road.

A witness who stopped at the crash scene tried to help resuscitate one of the victims, but she died at the scene. The San Diego Medical Examiner identified the victim as BreAnna Erickson, of San Diego. Firefighters used extrication equipment to get out some of the other teens. One other teenager is in critical condition, and the driver and two other teens suffered serious injuries. The two men in the moving truck were not seriously hurt. All of the teens were reportedly wearing their seatbelts.

Our deepest condolences go out to BreAnna's family and everyone who knew and loved her. Please keep her family in your prayers. We hope the other victims make a full and fast recovery from their serious injuries.

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Three adults and one child were seriously injured Saturday morning in a horrific head-on crash on Highway 76, the California Highway Patrol reported. The accident occurred on State Route 76 about four miles west of Old Highway 395, near Stage Coach Road, at about 8:45 a.m.

According to reports by City News Service, a 33-year-old man driving a 2009 Toyota Camry westbound on Hwy 76 drifted into eastbound lanes and collided head-on with a 2002 Chevy Trailblazer sport utility vehicle. The California Highway Patrol reported both vehicles were going between 40 to 50 mph when the head-on collision occurred. Airbags in both vehicles deployed, and all parties were wearing their seat belts.

The driver of the Camry and his 11-year-old son, both from Temecula, suffered major injuries. The driver of Chevy Trailblazer, a 57-year-old man and a passenger, a 56-year-old woman, both from Vista, suffered serious injuries. The driver of the Camry was flown to Sharp Hospital helicopter, and the two occupants in the Trailblazer were taken to Palomar Medical Center in Escondido by ambulance. The 11-year-old boy, who suffered possibly life-threatening injuries, was flown to Rady Children's Hospital.

Cause of the Crash

The CHP is currently investigating the cause of the crash. However, if news reports are accurate, the driver of the Camry caused this crash by crossing over double yellow lanes and into eastbound traffic, directly into the path of the Trailblazer. Why he lost control of his vehicle is not clear.

Personal Injury Liability

While this May 15th head-on collision remains under investigation, the family of the victims in the Trailblazer would be well-advised to speak to an experienced San Diego personal injury attorney about this accident. An attorney experienced with the issues of head-on highway crashes will be able to help the victims seriously injured in this crash understand and protect their legal rights, and recover the monetary damages they are entitled to for this accident. Compensation awarded in a personal injury claim can include monetary damages for all medical expenses, lost earnings as a result of the accident, emotional pain and suffering and other accident-related expenses.

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A 10-year-old girl suffered serious injuries Friday afternoon when a collision caused a pickup truck to jump a curb and strike her, City News Service reported. The El Cerrito accident was reported at around 2:45 p.m. Friday, May 7th., in the 5500 block of El Cajon Boulevard. According to reports, a eastbound pickup truck collided with a westbound Volkswagen, causing the pickup truck to spin out and jump the curb, striking the young girl.

The girl, who was not identified, suffered serious head and facial injuries and was taken to Children's Hospital. We hope that she makes a fast and full recovery from her undoubtedly very serious injuries. Please keep her in your prayers. San Diego 6 News reported four people were hurt in the accident. It is not clear who else was injured or the extent of their injuries.

Personal Injury Liability Issues

As an uninvolved pedestrian standing out of traffic on the side of the road, the young girl was certainly not at fault for her injuries. She was hurt because of the collision that took place on El Cajon Boulevard. Based on the news reports, it is not clear whether the driver of the Volkswagen or the driver of the pickup truck was at fault.

The driver determined to have caused this crash will likely also be determined to have caused the young child's injuries. While the accident is still being investigated, the family of the girl hurt in this crash would be well-advised to talk to a San Diego personal injury attorney familiar with the unique legal issues of pedestrian accidents involving children. An experienced attorney can help the family understand and protect their legal rights, and recover the compensation the victim is entitled to for her injuries, including her medical care expenses and pain and suffering endured as a result of this accident.

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A woman driving a 1992 Nissan Maxima died Wednesday morning in a crash on Otay Lakes Road, authorities reported. According to reports in the San Diego Union Tribune, the crash occurred about one mile east of Lower Otay Reservoir. The woman was driving east on the two-lane road, when for reasons that are still under investigation, she allowed her vehicle to drift onto the right lane on a curve. She apparently lost control and crossed into westbound lanes. At the same time, two on-duty Border Patrol agents heading west in two marked Ford F-250 Border Patrol vehicles. The Nissan skidded between the two vehicles and was broadsided by the second truck.

The woman driving the Maxima died at the scene of the crash. The crash occurred on a wet road from recent precipitation, but it was not raining at the time of the crash. The CHP did not find any evidence that alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash.

Other Accidents on Otay Lakes Road

There have recently been a number of fatality or serious injury accidents on Otay Lakes Road in Chula Vista.

• In June 2009, a 24-year-old Coronado man died when his 2001 Nissan Maxima went off the road and struck a tree on Otay Lakes Road near Wueste Road.

• On April 3, 2009, two people were very seriously injured in a crash on Otay Lakes Road when a 23-year-old woman struck a tree in the center median.

• On February 24, 2009, a 13-year-old cyclist was struck by a pickup truck on Otay Lakes Road near Ridgeview Way.

• On March 30, 2008, an on-duty U.S. Border Patrol agent, Jarod Dittman, died in a solo vehicle rash on Otay Laeks Road, just west of State Route 94 in Dulzura

• On January 5, 2008, a 21-year-old man died in an accident during wet road conditions on Otay Lakes Road at the intersection of Rutgers Avenue.

The website city-data.com lists additional fatality accidents on Otay Lakes Road on the following dates: October 24, 2005, July 24, 2004, March 6, 2003, January 1, 2002, January 2, 2002, November 8, 2002, February 1, 2000, April 3, 1997, August 27, 1992, July 24, 1991, September 14, 1990, May 22, 1989, May 8, 1985, December 18, 1985, September 1, 1984, May 2, 1982, and September 11, 1982.

Cause of this Otay Lakes Road Accident & Wrongful Death Liability

The cause of this fatal April 27th accident on Otay Lakes Road is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. At this point, there are more questions than answers as to why this accident occurred. Was the driver distracted, or driving too fast given the weather conditions? It is possible that she failed to negotiate the sharp curve in the road and simply lost control of her car, resulting in the collision with the Border Patrol vehicle. However, Otay Lakes Road is known to be a dangerous roadway, and it is possible that a condition in the road caused this crash. While this fatal accident is under investigation, the family of the victim would be well-advised to talk to an attorney about this accident and other accidents on Otay Lakes Road. If it is determined that a dangerous roadway condition caused this accident, the family may be entitled to compensation for the wrongful death of their loved one from the agency responsible for designing and maintaining the road.

Sources: CBS 8, KGTV 10 News, San Diego Union Tribune, Union Tribune Archives, City-Data.com

Continue reading "Woman Killed in Crash on Otay Lakes Road" »

A 48-year-old civilian employee at Camp Pendleton and resident of Fallbrook was killed in a head-on crash Sunday morning, the San Diego County Medical Examiner reported. The April 18, 2010 crash occurred at about 7:30 a.m. on Ammunition Road on the Naval Weapons Station Fallbrook Annex.

The man was identified as Jose Gaspar Ajca, the driver and sole occupant of a minivan that apparently crossed into the path of an SUV travelling in the opposite direction. According to reports in the San Diego Union Tribune, Ajca was flown to Palomar Medical Center, where he died about an hour after the crash. A hospital corpsman and a civilian in the SUV were taken by ambulance to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The cause of the crash is under investigation by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Based upon the limited information provided in news reports, it is unclear why this accident occurred. Investigators will hopefully determine if Mr. Ajca had swerved to avoid something in the road, if he was distracted, or if his vehicle malfunctioned in some way to cause him to lose control of the car.

If the news reports are correct, the two occupants of the SUV were not at fault. Without more information, it is impossible to determine why the crash happened. While this military base accident remains under investigation, the family of Jose Ajca as well as the occupants of the SUV would be well-advised to consult with a San Diego personal injury attorney to better understand their legal rights, options and best course of action going forward.

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Three people, including a 12-month-old boy, were injured Friday afternoon in a head-on crash on Highway 67, the CHP reported. The SR-67 crash occurred in the Poway area, south of Scripps Poway Parkway, shortly before 2 p.m. According to CHP reports of the accident, the accident involved a silver Chevrolet Impala and a red Toyota Yaris. The Impala was travelling north, and the Yaris was travelling south, and authorities believe the Impala drifted into southbound traffic, causing the collision. The driver of the Toyota Yaris reportedly suffered a broken leg in the incident, and was taken to a local hospital by ambulance. A CHP officer told 10 News that the driver of the Chevy, who suffered moderate injuries in the crash, appeared to show signs of being under the influence. His infant son, who was wearing a seatbelt in the backseat, suffered moderate injuries.

Accidents This Year on Highway 67

Highway 67 is arguably one of the most dangerous highways in San Diego County, and there have already been several fatalities on the highway this year. A Valley Center man died in an SUV rollover accident on Highway 67 on February 21st, and a Ramona woman died in a head-on Highway 67 Crash in Lakeside on January 26th. Thankfully, no one died in this accident and hopefully everyone injured in this collision will make a full and speedy recovery.

Liability Issues

The cause of this March 12th Highway 67 accident remains under investigation, and the CHP will determine what caused the crash and why. If the reports are accurate and the driver of the Chevy is at fault for this crash, the driver of the Toyota should contact an experienced San Diego personal injury attorney about their legal rights following this accident. An attorney can help hold the negligent driver accountable for causing the accident and recover monetary compensation for the victim's injuries. If the driver of the Chevy was under the influence of alcohol, he could also face criminal charges for his reckless actions.

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Authorities are investigating a fatal motorcycle accident that occurred Saturday afternoon in northern San Diego County. According to news reports in the San Diego Union Tribune Carl Davis Jr., 28, of San Diego, was riding a 2007 CVR 6000 east on Highway 78, when for unknown reasons, his motorcycle crossed into westbound traffic. Davis collided head-on with a 1976 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by a 47-year-old San Diego man. Davis died at the scene of the crash. The California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash, and will determine if speed or other factors contributed to the accident.

Please keep the family of Carl Davis Jr. in your prayers. Our deepest sympathy goes out to everyone who knew and loved him. The sudden and unexpected loss of a family member is always devastating and heartbreaking.

California State Route 78 transitions from a freeway to a two-lane highway through the Santa Rosa Mountains to Julian. Portions of this road are notoriously dangerous, and people are killed in accidents on Hwy 78 each year. While the cause of this fatal crash remains under investigation, the family may consider speaking to a San Diego motorcycle accident lawyer with experience in wrongful death cases. If a defective road condition or motorcycle mechanical failure contributed to the motorcyclist's loss of control and resulting fatal crash, the family may be entitled to compensation in a wrongful death claim.

A Ramona woman was killed Tuesday afternoon in a head-on crash on a notorious stretch of Highway 67 in Lakeside, authorities reported. The head-on collision occurred at about 2:30 p.m., between Willow Road and Johnson Lake Road. The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim as Bridgette Hale, 36, of Ramona. According to news reports, Bridgette Hale was driving south on State Route 67 when her Chevy Astrovan was hit head-on by an Oldsmobile 98. The driver of the Oldsmobile, John Hallaway, 51, of Las Vegas, was driving northbound when his car veered into northbound lanes and collided with Hale's van.

Hale was wearing a seatbelt, and according to the CHP, there was nothing she could have done to avoid the crash. San Diego 6 News reported that the Hallaway may have fallen asleep at the wheel. Hallaway reportedly told paramedics that he couldn't remember what happened and thought he fell asleep. He was flown by Mercy Air to a local hospital, where he was listed in critical condition.

According to the San Diego County Medical Examiner's press release, Bridgette Hale was the mother of an infant boy. We extend our deepest sympathy to her family and everyone who knew and loved her. Please keep her family and her young son in your prayers.

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A San Diego woman was one of two people killed Sunday night in a head-on crash in Riverside County, authorities reported. The crash occurred moments before 11 p.m. on Highway 79, north of Gillman Springs Road. According to reports, Julia Chang Wen of San Diego was driving a mid-size pickup truck southbound on State Route 79 when she collided with a sports coupe driven by Dorothy Scott, 91, of Beaumont. One other person was critically injured in the accident and was taken to a local hospital.

The San Bernardino Sun reported that the Beaumont woman's sports car veered into southbound traffic, resulting in the collision with Wen's truck. It is not clear what caused this lane change, if Scott was attempting to pass another vehicle, or if she swerved to avoid something in the road, or if something was mechanically wrong with her vehicle. The California Highway Patrol-San Gorgonio is still investigating the accident.

Our thoughts go out to the families of both victims in this horrific head-on accident, and everyone who knew and loved them. Please keep their families in your thoughts and prayers.

Continue reading "San Diego Woman Killed in Double-Fatal Head-On Crash in San Jacinto " »

A motorcyclist killed an accident Tuesday morning in Temecula has been identified by the Riverside County Coroner as John Anderson, 62, of Encinitas. According to reports of the accident, Anderson was riding a motorcycle south on Highway 79, about 2.7 miles south of Woodchuck Road in the Vail Lake area at about 10:30 a.m. Monday when for unknown reasons, he collided head-on with a northbound semi-truck. Anderson died at the scene of the crash. The California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the fatal Riverside County accident.

Please keep the family of John Anderson in your prayers. We share our deepest condolences with everyone who know and loved him.

Fatal Riverside County Motorcycle Accidents

In 2007, 41 people were killed in motorcycle accidents in Riverside County. The year before, in 2006, only 29 people died in motorcycle accidents, and 25 people died in 2005 in Riverside County motorcycle accidents. The number of people injured has also gone up in recent years. In 2005, 433 motorcyclists were injured in Riverside County. In 2006, 487 were injured and in 2007, 562 people were hurt. In San Diego County and statewide, motorcycle accident injuries and fatalities are also on the rise.

Continue reading "Encinitas Man Killed in Motorcycle Crash with Big Rig in Temecula " »

The California Highway Patrol has reported a 49-year-old El Cajon man was killed following a head-on collision in Alpine on Saturday afternoon. Virgil Frank Garrett was riding his motorcycle eastbound on Alpine Boulevard when he crossed into westbound lanes and into the path of a Honda Accord travelling westbound. The crash occurred at about 3:15 p.m.

According to reports in the San Diego Union Tribune, the driver of the Honda tried to swerve but was unable to avoid colliding with the motorcycle. Garrett was ejected from his motorcycle and his helmet was knocked off during the accident. He died shortly after the collision before he could be taken to the hospital.

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