San Diego Personal Injury Attorney Blog

A head-on crash on Interstate 8 near Westside road in El Centro left a 54-year-old Brawley man with multiple broken bones, KXO Radio reported. The two-vehicle accident was reported shortly after midnight on Monday, September 6th. According to the CHP, Clemente Hernandez, 54, of Brawley was driving eastbound on Interstate 8, while Devin Debrow, 23, of Show Low, AZ, was driving westbound. For reasons still unknown, Denbow drove off the roadway and onto the right shoulder, and then travelled across both westbound lanes, across the center divider, where it overturned several times. Denbow's vehicle continued into eastbound lanes where it collided with Hernandez's vehicle head-on. Denbow suffered minor injuries. A passenger in his vehicle was reportedly not hurt. Hernandez suffered multiple broken bones and was taken to El Centro Regional Medical Center.

Cause of the Interstate 8 Crash

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the Interstate 8 injury crash. If news reports are accurate, it appears that Hernandez was not responsible for this accident. The CHP is investigating what caused Denbow to lose control of his vehicle and cross end up in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 8.

Car Accident Personal Injury Liability

In situations such as this Labor Day car accident, where another party may be responsible for an accident resulting in serious injury, injured victims and their families are well-advised to consult with an experienced California personal injury lawyer. An attorney who has represented victims of head-on collisions on Interstate 8 can advise the victim of his unique legal rights following this accident, and help him recover the maximum compensation he may be entitled to for his serious injuries, including medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. In the event that the driver responsible for this accident was not insured or did not have adequate insurance coverage, a skilled personal injury lawyer may be able to help the victim recover compensation from his own automobile insurance policy, if he had one.

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A man and two women were killed early Friday morning in a crash involving two vehicles on state Route 78 in Vista, the Union Tribune reported. The August 13th crash occurred on westbound Highway 78 at about 12:30 a.m., just west of Sycamore Avenue. According to news reports, a Nissan Altima occupied by two women and two men pulled over on the side of Highway 78, because one of the women was feeling ill. The two women, Susan Orozco, 23, of Escondido, and Erica M. Oliva, 23, of Fallbrook, got out of the vehicle on the north (right) shoulder. One of the men in the Altima, Oscar Guzman, 25, of Guzman, got out of the Nissan. The other man, Geraldo Cortez, 21, of Oceanside, remained in the front passenger seat.

The Altima was then struck from behind by a 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee going west on the freeway. Both Susan Orozco and Erica Oliva, who were both employees of Valley View Casino, died at the scene of the crash. Guzman was able to step away and avoid being struck. Cortez was reportedly thrown from the car upon impact, but was not seriously injured. The Jeep overturned and came to rest in the number one lane. A passenger in the Jeep Cherokee, a 34-year-old Orange County man, was killed. The driver of the Jeep, Debi Sumi, 33, of San Marcos, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and felony vehicular manslaughter.

Cause of the Highway 78 Crash

If news reports are accurate, this crash was likely caused by Debbie Sumi, who was driving under the influence and veered into the Altima parked on the shoulder of Highway 78. Under California Vehicle Code Section 23152, driving while under the influence of alcohol is against the law. However, the cause of the accident is still under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.

DUI Accidents and Wrongful Death Liability

If it is determined that the driver of the Jeep caused this accident, she will likely face vehicular manslaughter charges under California Penal Code section 191.5 (a). Additionally, she may be liable for the wrongful deaths of her passenger and Susan Orozco and Erica Oliva. Damages available in a wrongful death claim may include money for funeral and burial expenses, anticipated future lifetime earnings and benefits, and loss of love, care, and companionship associated with a loved one's preventable death. In some cases involving drunk drivers, punitive damages may also be awarded. While this August 13th crash remains under investigation, the family members of the three victims killed in this crash would be well-advised to consult with an experienced and knowledgeable San Diego personal injury attorney. A lawyer familiar with the unique legal issues of crashes involving drunk drivers can help the victims' family protect their rights and advise them of their best course of action handling communication with the insurance companies.

Continue reading "Three People Killed, One Injured in Alcohol-Related Crash on Highway 78 " »

A 54-year-old Yuma woman died Saturday morning in a rollover accident on Interstate 8 near Jacumba, authorities reported. The woman, identified by the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office as Martha Lidia Jimenez, was the sole occupant of a 2006 Nissan Sentra travelling westbound on Interstate 8.

At approximately 6:50 a.m., for reasons still under investigation, Jimenez's vehicle went off the side of the freeway between the eastbound and westbound lanes, and down onto Carrizo Gorge Road Underpass, where it was struck by a Ford F-150. The six occupants inside the Ford Truck were not hurt. Jimenez suffered massive head injuries and died at the scene of the crash.

Cause of the Interstate 8 Crash

The California Highway Patrol is still investigating the cause of the July 10th crash. Based on the limited information provided by news media, it is not clear exactly what happened. Did something malfunction in the Nissan or did Jimenez swerve to avoid an object in the road? It is possible that she fell asleep or was impaired. During their investigation into the cause of the collision, the CHP will look at all possible causes and contributing factors.

Potential Wrongful Death Liability

Whenever someone loses control of a vehicle for unknown reasons, resulting in a fatality, there are many questions surrounding the immediate events leading up to the accident. Family members understandably want answers and understanding as to what happened, and whether or not someone else was responsible. If a defect in the vehicle or the roadway caused or contributed to Jimenez's accident or death, the family may be entitled to justice for their loss in a civil claim for wrongful death. While this accident is under investigation, the family may benefit from speaking with an experienced San Diego wrongful death attorney about this accident and the potential wrongful death liability issues as a result of it.

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A 32-year-old Cardiff-by-the-sea woman tragically died Thursday night in an SUV rollover accident on Interstate 5, the San Diego Union Tribune reported. The July 1st accident was reported at 11:28 p.m. on northbound Interstate 5 near Gilman Drive, according to a press release issued by the San Diego County Medical Examiner's office.

The victim, identified by the San Diego County Medical Examiner as Saba Shirazi, was the driver and sole occupant of a black 1997 Infiniti QX4 sport utility vehicle. For reasons still under investigation, Shirazi lost control of her vehicle and struck the center median of Interstate 5. Her SUV then crossed back into northbound traffic, where it was struck by a white 2005 Ford Focus. Shirazi died of her injuries at the scene. The 58-year-old female driver of the Ford suffered a broken leg and other serious injuries, but was expected to survive, the CHP said.

Cause of the Interstate 5 Rollover Crash

Without additional information, it is impossible to determine why this horrific I-5 accident occurred, and who was at fault. If the driver of the Infiniti lost control of her vehicle due to a mechanical design defect or a defective tire that caused a blowout, the manufacturer of the Infiniti could be liable and financially responsible for this accident, and possibly the injuries to the driver of the Ford Focus as well. On the other hand, it is possible that the driver of the Infiniti or the Ford Focus contributed to the collision. In the course of their investigation, the California Highway Patrol will certainly look at issues such as speed, potential alcohol intoxication, vehicle malfunction, dangerous road condition, and other possible causes.

Wrongful Death and Personal Injury Liability Considerations

Mutl-vehicle accidents on freeways have unique legal issues. While this accident is still under investigation by law enforcement, the family members of the victims of this crash would be well-advised to talk to an experienced San Diego personal injury attorney about the legal issues involved in this incident. A skilled lawyer can look at the facts of this accident and review the accident report to help the victims understand what exactly happened and who was responsible. An attorney familiar with these types of highway accident rollover cases can also advise the victims' families of their best course of action to protect and preserve their rights going forward, and how to obtain the maximum possible compensation in a wrongful death or personal injury claim.

Continue reading "One Killed, One Seriously Injured Thursday Night in I-5 Rollover Crash Near Gilman Drive " »

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.

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A woman and her dog were injured in a rollover accident Friday morning on Interstate 5, San Diego 6 News reported. The crash occurred on southbound I-5, north of Cannon Road, shortly after 10:00 a.m. May 28th. According to reports, a tire blew out on the vehicle, causing it to veer up a steep embankment and overturn on the west side of the freeway. Carlsbad firefighters removed the woman and her dog from the car. The woman was taken to a hospital and a police officer took the dog to a veterinarian. The California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the Carlsbad rollover accident. The extent of the victims' injuries was not reported.

Tire Blowouts and Personal Injury Liability

In any situation where a tire blowout leads to a vehicle rollover accident, injured victims are well-advised to consult with an experienced San Diego personal injury attorney as soon as possible. There are many causes of tire blowouts, including, aged tires, underinflated tires, nails, and other debris, and defects in the manufacturing of the tire. An experienced attorney can arrange to have the vehicle and the blown out tire inspected to see if the way the tire was manufactured caused this crash, and if the tire has previously been recalled for any defects. If an accident is caused by a tire defect, the manufacturer of the tire may be financially liable for the injuries of the victim, including medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.

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A 55-year-old Chula Vista man died in a SUV rollover on Interstate 5 in Kern County Friday morning, KBAK Eyewitness News reported. According to news reports in Bakersfield.com, the victim, Alex Ayson Solis, was driving a 2004 Ford Explorer sport utility vehicle northbound on Interstate 5 shortly after 10 a.m., just south of Highway 46 when, for unknown reasons, he lost control of his vehicle. The car overturned multiple times and Solis, who was wearing a seatbelt, died at the scene of the crash.

The California Highway Patrol reported that there were six people inside the SUV. One other passenger was airlifted to Kern Medical Center with major injuries. Four others were taken to local hospitals by ground ambulance with moderate to major injuries. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Fatal Ford Explorer Rollover Accidents

There have be a number of fatal rollover accidents this year in Southern California involving Ford Explorer sport utility vehicles. On Sunday, April 25, 2010, a Canyon Country man when the 1999 Ford Explorer he was riding in overturned multiple times on the 14 Freeway in Agua Dulce. On Monday, April 5, 2010, a San Diego man died in a Ford Explorer rollover accident on Interstate 5 near Camp Pendleton. On Sunday, March 28, 2010, two people from, Rancho Cucamonga were killed in a rollover accident on Interstate 15 in the Cajon Pass. On Thursday, March 4, 2010, two men were killed in a rollover accident on Interstate 40 involving a 2001 Mercury Mountaineer (Mercury Mountaineers are mechanically identical to Ford Explorers).

Liability Issues in Ford Explorer Rollover Accidents

Ford Explorer rollover rates are higher than the rates of the vehicle's competitors. Many of the injuries and fatalities sustained in rollover accidents can be attributed to design defects in the vehicles that cause them to be unstable and susceptible to overturn. In February of this year, a jury in West Valley Superior Court returned a 12-0 verdict ordering Ford Motor Company to pay $23.5 million to a woman paralyzed when her 1997 Ford Explorer overturned on Interstate 15 in 2007. At the trial for that accident, a jury saw evidence that Ford had been shown improvements that would make the vehicles safer, but did not implement them.

Continue reading "Chula Vista Man Killed, Five Injured in Ford Explorer Rollover on Interstate 5 in Kern County " »

A 38-year-old Pine Valley woman and a 7-year-old boy both died in a tragic crash on Interstate 8 in Alpine on Friday, authorities reported. The April 16th accident occurred on westbound Interstate 8, west of Tavern Road, at about 5 p.m. Although there were apparently no witnesses to the crash, evidence showed that the vehicle, a 2004 Land Rover sport utility vehicle, swerved left and overturned numerous times in the dirt and brush. Investigators were not sure how fast the SUV was travelling when the accident occurred.

The San Diego Medical Examiner identified the driver as Jennifer Foster. The name of the young boy killed in the crash was not released. Both victims died at the scene of the crash. The California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the accident. Anyone with information about the accident is asked to contact the CHP at (619) 401-2000.

Land Rover Rollover Accidents

Sport utility vehicles have a number of safety issues that can cause a rollover or result in catastrophic injury or death in the event of a rollover accident. Land Rover sport utility vehicles specifically have a higher center of gravity that may make them susceptible to a rollover. Land Rover has paid out millions to victims and their families injured or killed in rollover crashes. In May 2009, a Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge ordered Jaguar Land Rover to pay $21.1 million to a California man who was paralyzed after a Land Rover rollover accident on the 118 Freeway in 2003 (see the March 28, 2009 LA Times article).

SUV Rollover Accidents and Liability Issues

Based on the news reports of this Interstate 8 accident, it is not clear why the accident happened. Did something in the roadway cause the driver to lose control of the SUV, or did something malfunction with the Land Rover? While the cause of the accident is still under investigation, the family of the victims may benefit from speaking with an experienced SUV rollover accident lawyer. If a defect in the roadway or a defect in the vehicle caused this accident and the two fatalities, the family may be entitled to damages in a wrongful death claim. An attorney can explain the unique legal issues of rollover accidents and explain the family's legal options and best course of action going forward in a possible product liability claim.

Continue reading "Two Killed in SUV Rollover on Interstate 8 Near Alpine " »

A man was killed, and his son was injured in a crash reported just minutes after midnight early Monday morning on Interstate 5, authorities reported. The April 5, 2010 accident occurred on southbound I-5, south of Basilone Road in the Camp Pendleton area. The victim, Oscar Manuel Lopez-Flores, 27, of San Diego, was a passenger and one of four occupants in a late model Ford Explorer SUV struck from behind by a Chevy Camaro that was speeding. The impact caused the SUV to roll multiple times. Lopez-Flores and his son were both ejected, and Lopez-Flores died at the scene. His son was flown to Rady Children's Hospital with unknown injuries.

It was not known whether the other two occupants of the SUV were injured. The San Diego Union Tribune reported that the accident involved three or four vehicles, and it was also not clear based on the reports of the accident whether anyone else was hurt. The driver of the Chevy Camaro took off on foot but was later apprehended. The cause of the accident remains under investigation. All lanes of Interstate 5 were closed until about 2:45 a.m. while authorities investigated.

If the facts of this accident are accurate, the driver of the Camaro is likely at fault for the accident and the death of Lopez-Flores and his son's injuries. The family of the victims, as well as anyone else that was injured, would be well-advised to contact an experienced San Diego personal injury attorney as soon as possible who can help them understand and protect their rights to justice in a wrongful death and personal injury claim. An experienced attorney can provide the family with answers to their questions, information about their legal rights, options and obligations, and advise them of their best course of action to seek compensation and hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions.

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Three people were taken to the hospital after a crash on northbound Interstate 15, authorities reported. The accident occurred shortly after 9 a.m. on Monday, March 22, near North Centre City Parkway, north of Escondido. According to reports by Cal Fire, the blue sedan rear-ended another vehicle on Interstate 15. The impact of the collision caused the vehicle to leave the roadway, where it rolled over and landed upside down about 100 feet away on Centre City Parkway. Two people were trapped inside the vehicle and had to be rescued by Deer Springs firefighters. One person was taken to Sharp, and two were taken to Palomar Medical Center in Escondido.

The extent of the victims' injuries was not known. We hope and pray everyone injured in this accident makes a full and speedy recovery, and that the victims' injuries are not life-threatening.

Based on the news reports of the San Diego Interstate 15 accident, the cause of the incident was not immediately clear. While the California Highway Patrol is investigating this crash, the victims injured would be well-advised to consult with an Interstate 15 accident attorney about their legal rights. If another driver's negligence caused the occupants' injuries, an attorney could help the victims obtain compensation for the accident. An attorney could also offer valuable information about the victims' legal rights, options and obligations, and how to handle communications with the insurance adjustor following a San Diego county car accident resulting in serious injury.

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Two marines hurt in a rollover crash near the Miramar Marine Corps Air Station have died of their injuries, the San Diego Medical Examiner's reported this weekend. The men, who have not been identified, were travelling west on Carroll Canyon Road near Camino Ruiz in a yellow Mazda, when they came to the end of the roadway. The car continued through the guardrail and rolled over. The accident occurred at about 10:30 p.m. Thursday.

Both the driver and his passenger were wearing their seat belts and had to be extricated from the vehicle. The passenger, a 21-year-old Active Duty Marine, assigned to MWCS-38, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, died at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla about an hour after the accident. The driver, a 19-year-old active duty Marine Lance Corporal also assigned to MWCS-38, died Friday evening at Scripps Memorial Hospital.

Cause of the Crash

The San Diego Police Department is still investigating this fatal Mira Mesa crash. It is unknown if alcohol or speeding was a factor in the accident, or if a defect in the roadway caused the incident. Police will try to determine what occurred in the seconds leading up to the accident before the vehicle went off the road. Was there proper signage to alert the driver of the dead-end, and was the guardrail properly illuminated? The city maintaining a roadway has a responsibility to keep a roadway in safe condition. If this roadway departure accident was not the fault of the driver but due to a defect in the roadway, the family has legal rights.

Wrongful Death & Liability Issues

The families of both men killed in this accident would be advised to speak with a San Diego wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible. If a broken or defective guardrail or inadequate road reflectors caused this crash, the families of both victims may consider filing a wrongful death claim against the agency responsible for maintaining the roadway. An attorney can review the police report, have the vehicle inspected, and hire an independent investigator to determine the cause of the crash.

Two San Diego County residents died Tuesday, March 2, in separate solo vehicle accidents, the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office reported. The first accident occurred shortly after 11:30 a.m. on Interstate 15, and the seond accident occurred shortly after 7 p.m. on Highland Valley Road in Rancho Bernardo, near Lake Hodges.

In the Interstate 15 accident, David Irving Epstein, 87, of Coronado, was driving his Toyota Camry on northbound Interstate 15 near the Ocean View exit, when he lost control of his vehicle and collided with a parked semi-truck. Epstein died at the scene of the crash. The CHP will investigate whether the driver suffered a medical condition, or if something else caused this accident. It is possible that Camry had something malfunction mechanically. More than eight million Toyota vehicles have been recalled in recent months for stuck accelerator and sudden acceleration problems.

In the Rancho Bernardo accident, Justin Jarrard Strathdee, 24, of Escondido, was found in his vehicle following a collision on Highland Valley Road. A passerby discovered the accident scene and called 911. The vehicle left the road and landed on its roof, the North County Times reported. Strathdee was found dead by responding emergency medical personnel. The San Diego Police Department is investigating the cause of the crash.

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Authorities are investigating the cause of a fatal SUV rollover accident Sunday afternoon in Lakeside. The victim, a Valley Center man who was not immediately identified, was driving on State Route 67, north of Slaughterhouse Canyon Road when, for unknown reasons, he drifted onto a soft shoulder near a call box. He overcorrected and his 1994 Jeep Cherokee rolled over. The vehicle came to rest on its wheels, but the roof of the vehicle caved in and caused massive fatal head injuries. The crash was reported at about 2:35 p.m. Sunday, February 21st, according to the San Diego Union Tribune.

SUV rollover accidents such as this one pose a significant risk to motorists. The physics of a rollover crash are different than those of other crashes. Whereas head-on collisions occur over a fraction of a second, rollover accidents occur over several seconds. The forces of a rollover accident are less severe than that of a head-on collision, and many accidents are related to the safety features of the vehicle. In this case, the driver was wearing a seat belt. If the vehicle structure had not caved in and compromised the driver's headroom, he likely would have survived.

We sympathize with the family of the man killed in this devastating accident. While the cause of the accident remains under investigation, the family may consider speaking with a San Diego SUV rollover accident attorney. Depending on the unique circumstances of the crash, if the accident resulted from a design defect in the vehicle itself, the family may be entitled to compensation from the manufacturer of the vehicle for the victim's wrongful death. An attorney can consult with experts and engineers to further the investigation and determine exactly how an accident occurred.

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