California Injury Blog

An Anaheim nursing home has been fined $75,000 by the California Department of Health for incorrectly reporting that an elderly resident died of a heart attack when he actually choked to death on a tuna sandwich. CBS News reports in this article that California Health and Human Services documents show the Anaheim Crest Nursing Center resident suffered from dementia and was supposed to be given only pureed food.

The incident apparently occurred Sept, 9, but the Orange County nursing home falsely reported that he died of a heart attack. The nursing home did not divulge the fact that the resident had choked on the sandwich until the coroner ruled that the man choked to death. The nursing home’s attorney is saying that this happened because the nursing home conducted a second investigation after the autopsy and learned that the resident had grabbed a sandwich from a food tray. The nursing home is also appealing the $75,000 state fine.

Based on this news report, I get the sense that this was an attempted cover-up by nursing home staff. This man choked on a tuna sandwich. Obviously, someone at this Anaheim nursing home was not telling the truth. They changed the story after the coroner’s autopsy report came out that had a clearly stated cause of death.

Continue reading "Orange County Nursing Home Negligence" »

A worker at a Grapevine power plant near Bakersfield suffered serious on the job personal injuries after he took a 20-foot fall from an internal walkway inside an air filtration unit, according to this news report. This work-related injury accident occurred the morning of February 23, 2009 at the Pastoria Power Plant in Grapevine. The worker was apparently in the process of changing the filters when the accident happened.

My heart goes out to this worker, who was injured while on-the-job. I hope his injuries were not catastrophic and wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

According to Cal/OSHA’s Web site, there were 453 fatal industrial accidents in California during the year 2005. About 110 of these accidents occurred in an industrial facility. Most of the accidents also had to do with malfunctioning or badly-maintained equipment.

Continue reading "Worker Injured at Grapevine Power Plant" »

I came across this blog posted by Dogsbite.org that talks about two dog attack victims – both adults -- in Texas who got their eye ripped out in separate pit bull dog bite attacks. The first incident apparently occurred in Houston on February 22, 2009 when a man named Junior lost an eye after two pit bulls broke out of a kennel and attacked him in the front yard of his neighbor’s home. It was so gruesome that Junior’s eye was popping out of its socket! Neighbors also said the dog chewed out a part of his face.

A similar incident happened in Dallas where two people were seriously injured after two pit bulls that had gotten out of their yard, attacked them. The victims – Helen Fuller and Clarence Webber – were hospitalized. Helen Fuller is expected to lose an eye and her brother says that he knows her life “is going to be changed from this point.” She also suffered severe facial injuries. In the Dallas dog attack case, the pit bulls were picked up by animal control for roaming in the neighborhood, but were later returned to their owner.

Continue reading "Pit Bull Dog Attacks Still Rampant in Different Parts of the Country" »

Wallace “Wally” Bradfield, a 76-year-old Twentynine Palms resident was killed in a San Bernardino County pedestrian accident and 86-year-old Joseph Perez, suffered major injuries after both elderly residents were hit from behind by a motorist. According to this news report in the San Bernardino Sun, Bradfield and Perez were taking a walk on El Paseo Drive the morning of February 23, 2009 near Yucca Avenue when a woman driving a Chevrolet Cavalier drifted across both, the westbound lane and the bicycle lane, striking the two men.

The driver was identified as Peggy Burke. She apparently suffered minor injuries. Bradfield was pronounced dead at the scene. Perez was taken to a local hospital with severe injuries. San Bernardino County Sheriff’s officials say alcohol does not appear to be a factor in this crash.

I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Wallace “Wally” Bradfield for their tragic loss. It is heartbreaking to lose a loved one as a result of someone else’s negligence. I also wish Joseph Perez the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep them all in your prayers.

According to 2006 statistics from California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, in Twentynine Palms there were no pedestrian accident related deaths and six injuries relating to pedestrian accidents. During the same period in San Bernardino County as a whole, 57 fatalities and 448 injuries involving San Bernardino County pedestrian accidents were reported.

Continue reading "San Bernardino County Man Killed in Pedestrian Accident" »

A man suffered serious head injuries after the bicycle he was riding was struck by a pickup truck on Sea World Drive, ABC News reports in this article. The accident occurred the morning of February 16, 2009 near Friars Road when the eastbound pickup driver apparently looked down to pick up something and then drifted into the bike lane, hitting the cyclist from behind. Officials have not arrested the driver of the pickup driver but say that he may be cited for not paying attention.

My heart goes out to the injured bicyclist who is suffering now and possibly fighting for his life because someone else was negligent and not paying attention to his surroundings and the road. I wish the injured victim the very best for a quick and complete recovery.

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2006 statistics, in the city of San Diego, there were three fatalities and 390 injuries as a result of bicycle accidents. In San Diego County as a whole, there were seven deaths and 800 injuries as a result of bicycle accidents during the same period. Bicycle accidents are hardly ever solo accidents. Almost all bicycle accidents involve a collision either with a passenger vehicle, bus, big rig or some other type of moving vehicle. In most cases, the accident occurs because the bigger vehicle fails to see the bicyclist for whatever reason – inattention, negligence, impaired driving or dangerous roadway condition.

Continue reading "San Diego Man Injured in Bicycle Accident " »

A 35-year-old Whittier man was seriously injured in a car versus pedestrian accident February 22, 2009, the Whittier Daily News reports in this article. The incident happened when a compact car driving eastbound on Leffingwell Road collided with the pedestrian as he crossed the road near Kibbee Avenue, officials say. Apparently the man, who has not been identified yet, lost consciousness after being hit by the vehicle. He had suffered a 12- to 16-inch wound ton his arm that was open to the bone. But Los Angeles County Fire Department officials say that he had stable vital signs when he was flown by helicopter to an area trauma unit.

I’m relieved that this man did not suffer catastrophic injuries in this crash. Auto versus Pedestrian accidents can have fatal consequences for pedestrians because the victim gets thrown by the impact and could possibly end up with multiple fractures, leg injuries and blunt force trauma. I wish this injured victim the very best for a quick and complete recovery.

According to California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System (http://www.chp.ca.gov/switrs/pdf/2006-sec8.pdf), there were no Los Angeles pedestrian accident related fatalities reported in Whittier in 2006. There were, however, 20 injuries reported that year involving pedestrian accidents. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 214 deaths and 4,904 injuries were attributed to pedestrian accidents in 2006.

Continue reading "Los Angeles County Street Intersection Pedestrian Accident Injures Man" »

A 65-year-old woman in San Gabriel is in serious condition after she was struck the morning of February 20, 2009 by a man who police say was driving under the influence. According to this news report in the Pasadena Star News, the crash occurred on Valley Boulevard near Prospect Avenue. The woman, whose name was not released, was a passenger in a vehicle driven by her daughter.

The daughter apparently parked her car on Valley Boulevard legally while her mother got out to mail a letter. As she mailed the letter and was returning to the vehicle, the suspected drunk driver Robert Garcia, rear-ended the daughter’s car, jumped the curb and struck the mother. The injured victim was taken to an area hospital and the daughter was treated for minor injuries. Robert Garcia has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of narcotics.

I’m relieved that this victim did not suffer life-threatening injuries in this accident that was obviously caused by a negligent and irresponsible driver. I wish her the very best for a quick and complete recovery.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs – be it recreational or prescription drugs – is a violation of California law. California Vehicle Code section 23152 (a) states: “It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle.” California Highway Patrol 2006 statistics show that out of 748 total auto accident deaths in Los Angeles County, 276 were caused by an impaired driver. These statistics also show that 5,057 people in Los Angeles County were injured in 2006 in DUI accidents.

Continue reading "Woman Injured in Los Angeles County DUI Accident" »

A 5-year-old girl suffered serious injuries in a La Quinta pedestrian accident after a driver who rolled past a stop sign struck her, according to a news report in The Desert Sun. The girl had apparently gotten off a bus and was walking behind a group of children the afternoon of February 19, 2009. She was walking eastbound on Miles Avenue when a 43-year-old woman driving a Hummer rolled past a stop sign on Seeley Avenue and hit the girl.

Police say the woman told them that she simply did not see the girl walking on the street. Officials also say there is no indication that the woman was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. She was not speeding either, they say.

I’m extremely relieved that this girl did not suffer any catastrophic or fatal injuries as a result of this pedestrian accident. Please keep this little girl and her family in your prayers. I hope and pray that she will have a quick and complete recovery.

According to California Highway Patrol’s statistics, there were two fatalities and four injuries relating to Riverside County pedestrian accidents in La Quinta in 2006. During the same period, in Riverside County as a whole, 48 deaths and 436 injuries were attributed to pedestrian accidents.

Continue reading "Five-year-old Girl Injured in Riverside County Pedestrian Accident" »

Three nursing home staff members in Kern County have been arrested on suspicion of forcibly drugging patients for their own convenience, an act which resulted in the death of three residents. According to an article in the Los Angeles Times, the three victims were identified as Fannie May Brinkley, a patient in her 90s; Joseph Shepter, 76; and Alexander Zaiko, 85.

Attorney General Jerry Brown announced the arrests of Gwen Hughes, a former nurse, Debbi Hayes, a pharmacist and Dr. Hoshang Pormir, a physician at Kern Valley Healthcare District in Lake Isabella. All three face elder nursing home abuse charges while Hughes and Hayes face assault with a deadly weapon charges as well. According to the charges filed, among the drugs these so-called professionals used for “chemical restraint” were Zyprexa, Depakote and Risperdal. The families of all three victims have also filed civil complaints against the nursing home.

Apparently, Hughes who took over as Director of Nursing, ordered that Alzheimer’s and dementia patients at the skilled nursing facility be given high doses of psychotropic medications so they would be easy to handle and control. She ordered the forcible drugging of patients who argued with her or were noisy, disruptive or inconvenient to deal with.

Continue reading "Kern County Nursing Home Staff Forcefully Drugged Patients, Officials Say " »

The Tour of California is apparently drawing thousands of cycling fans who are getting to see some world-class riders such as Lance Armstrong. The seven-time Tour de France victor is carrying on in spite of a personal bicycle accident injury involving more than a dozen riders. Andy Jacques-Maynes, a Watsonville native, had to drop out of the race after he was injured and hospitalized as a result of the accident. The roads were slippery and dangerous because of the recent rain. Our source for this blog was this news report in the San Jose Mercury News.

Riders and race organizers had to deal with flooded streets and mud on the roadway – even rock slides on Highway 1. Caltrans supervisor Russell Ellingworth said that he and his crew cleaned up a long stretch of the highway to prevent riders from having more accidents. I’m glad to see that Caltrans is concerned with the safety of these bicycle riders. Hopefully Caltrans efforts for the cyclists will improve the safety for the rest of California’s motoring and cycling public as well.

Continue reading "Tour of California Continues After Initial Crash and Rough Start" »

A nursing home in Lemon Grove has been cited and fined $80,000 by the state for failing to properly supervise a 74-year-old woman who caught fire last year while smoking at the facility and later died of burn injuries. The “AA” citation against Lemon Grove Care & Rehabilitation Center is the most severe under California law and was issued by the California Department of Health, which inspects nursing homes for code compliance. Our source for this blog was this news report in the San Diego Union-Tribune.

The 158-bed nursing home has apparently received two minor citations last year and one in 2005, all with fines of $1,000 or less. The nursing home’s administrators have said they plan to challenge the AA citation and penalty in California Superior Court. They are also denying that they did anything wrong that contributed to the resident’s injury or death.

The state’s report says that no staff members were monitoring the woman and two other residents as they smoked on March 31, 2008 in the facility’s gazebo. The woman, who was seated in an electric scooter, pulled a nylon jacket over her head to block the wind as she lit her cigarette. The jacket caught fire and burned her head, chest and arms, the report states. She died of the San Diego nursing home burn injuries 10 days after this incident. The woman, who apparently suffered from memory loss, had lived at that Lemon Grove nursing home for more than a year. She smoked everyday, but needed to be reminded constantly to smoke only in designated areas.

Continue reading "San Diego Nursing Home Fined for Negligence" »

A Rancho Cucamonga boy was killed in a bicycle accident February 15, 2009 after he was run over by a suspected drunk driver, according to this news report. San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested 40-year-old Sandra Kent on suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter. Kent apparently ran over the teenager as he rode his bike across the intersection of Jasper and 19th streets. The boy was transported to a local hospital where he died.

My heart goes out to the boy’s family for their tragic and untimely loss. Here was a young boy out on his bike when he gets struck and killed by a negligent driver. Heartbreaking! I offer my deepest sympathies to his grieving parents, family members and friends. Please keep them in your prayers. The boy’s family has spoke to me personally and requested that his name be removed from this article.

I hope that our judicial system does its job with regard to Sandra Kent, the arrested driver. If she in fact is responsible for this tragic accident, I hope that our justice system treats her accordingly. Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a crime under California law.

Continue reading "Teenager Killed in San Bernardino Bicycle Accident Involving Drunk Driver" »

Anna Hernandez, 19, suffered serious injuries in a La Puente motorcycle accident the afternoon of February 15, 2009, the San Gabriel Valley Tribune reports in this article. The crash occurred when Hernandez, who was riding her motorcycle in the 16100 block of Central Avenue, lost control and struck a pole. She had apparently been riding her motorcycle side by side with another woman.

Roy Fontenette Jr., a former U.S. Marine, who lives across the street from where the motorcycle crash occurred, apparently ran to her aid and tried to keep her calm until emergency personnel arrived. Officials said Hernandez suffered a badly broken leg and several other injuries. Her condition is thankfully not life-threatening.

I’m glad that this motorcycle accident did not turn out worse and that Anna Hernandez did not suffer catastrophic or fatal injuries. I wish her the very best for a speedy and complete recovery from her serious injuries. I also commend the Good Samaritan, Roy Fonetenette Jr. for showing tremendous concern and kindness toward a fellow human being. His actions could have very well prevented Hernandez from having a panic attack in the middle of the street. He is a true hero in my book.

Continue reading "Woman Injured in Los Angeles County Motorcycle Crash" »

Glendale police are looking for a hit-and-run driver who they say struck and seriously injured a 26-year-old man on an electric wheelchair, the Glendale News Press reports in this article. The man in the wheelchair was crossing New York Avenue just south of Foothill Boulevard the evening of February 13, 2009 when the driver in a white or light-colored Volkswagen, possibly a Jetta, struck him.

Soon after the impact, the man was ejected from his wheelchair and thrown onto the ground. The car then continued to push the wheelchair about 25 feet before fleeing the scene. The impact of the crash apparently broke that wheelchair to several pieces. The man was hospitalized with injuries. If you saw this Glendale hit-and-run accident or have any information about it, please call the Glendale Police Department at 818-548-4840 or Glendale Crime Stoppers at 818-507-7867.

My heart goes out to the young man in the wheelchair who it seems might have suffered critical injuries in this horrific accident. He will be in my prayers and I sincerely hope he makes a quick and complete recovery.

I trust that this hit-and-run driver is apprehended and brought to justice. The details of this incident are just appalling. It is unbelievable to me that someone would strike a wheelchair-bound person, knock them out of their chair and then continue driving as if nothing happened there! This person must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Hit-and-run is a serious criminal offense. California Vehicle Code section 20001 (a) states that a driver must remain at the scene of an accident, exchange information and/or make all attempts possible to render aid to the injured victim. Every motorist in California has this responsibility irrespective of whether the accident was his or her fault.

Continue reading "Hit-and-Run Driver Seriously Injures Man in Wheelchair" »

The pregnant woman, who was killed in a hit-and-run pedestrian accident in Cathedral City the night of February 11, 2009, has been identified as 18-year-old Danica Denton of Desert Hot Springs. According to this news report in The Desert Sun, Denton’s fetus was also killed in the auto accident. Denton was walking across westbound East Palm Canyon Drive at the intersection of Van Fleet in Cathedral City when she was struck by a vehicle driven by Gina Garcia of Palm Springs. Garcia was arrested on suspicion of felony hit-and-run.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of this young woman who also lost her baby as a result of the fatal injuries she suffered in this accident. I offer my deepest condolences to them. They will be in my prayers.

I trust that Garcia, who fled the scene in this fatal California hit and run pedestrian accident, will now be brought to justice and held accountable for her actions. To strike this pregnant woman and to leave her lying on the street is unacceptable, even if it was done in a moment of panic. Leaving the scene of an accident is a criminal offense under California law.

Continue reading "Cathedral City Pedestrian Accident Kills Pregnant Woman and her Fetus" »

A group of family members and friends held a vigil for Pablo Antonio Garcia, a Long Beach worker and truck driver who was crushed to death January 28, 2009 when a forklift hit his truck in the Port of Long Beach. According to this news report in the Daily Breeze, they held the vigil to demand better working conditions for harbor area drivers. The group urged lawmakers to adopt comprehensive reforms, saying drivers are routinely exposed to life-threatening hazards such as collapsing cranes, wayward forklifts, substandard trucks and heavy pollution.

Investigators say Garcia was killed when he was standing outside his truck and waiting for the delivery of a steel container from another area inside the terminal. Garcia was apparently pinned between two truck chassis when a forklift driver struck his rig. He suffered severe internal injuries and died shortly after the tragic incident. The California Department of Occupational Safety and Health is investigating this Long Beach on-the-job accident. Long Beach police expect to file charges in connection with this case. Several days before Garcia’s death, another driver, Felipe Curiel, was nearly killed when a container fell on the cab of his truck. He had to be extricated from his crushed rig with the Jaws of Life. Garcia leaves behind a wife and three children.

Continue reading "Driver Crushed by Forklift in the Port of Long Beach" »

Police in Westminster are still trying to identify an elderly woman who they say died in a pedestrian versus auto accident on February 10, 2009. According to this news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal Orange County pedestrian accident occurred when the driver of a pickup truck Oscar Guzman, 20, attempted to make a right turn at the intersection of Jackson Street and Westminster Boulevard. Police say Guzman, who was stopped at a red light on the southbound side of Jackson, was looking to his left at oncoming traffic, but did not see the woman stepping out in front crossing the street.

Guzman’s pickup ran over the woman who was taken to a hospital where she died. Guzman is apparently a licensed driver and police say he didn’t seem to be driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident. He was given a toxicology test. Police say they don’t believe he was distracted by the cell phone at the time of the accident either. If you saw this accident or have any further information, please call Westminster Police Officer Al Brackett at 714-898-3315, ext. 333.

I offer my deepest sympathies to the family of this elderly woman for their tragic loss. Please keep them in your prayers.

Continue reading "Orange County Pedestrian Accident Kills Elderly Woman" »

Jose Luis Baxin-Campechano, 28, died in an Oxnard pedestrian accident after a motorist struck him when he was walking in a marked crosswalk, the Ventura County Star reports in this article. Baxin-Campechano was struck the evening of February 7, 2009 by a gray sport utility vehicle. The driver fled the scene, but was later identified as Noberto Carranza Hernandez, 61.

Officials said Baxin-Campechano lay motionless on the roadway when a second driver, 24-year-old Liliana Garcia Camacho, 24, ran over him. She immediately stopped and called authorities. She has not been charged, but Hernandez was arrested on suspicion of felony hit-and-run. Baxin-Campechano was taken to an area hospital where he died from blunt-force injuries.

My heart goes out to the family of Jose Luis Baxin-Campechano for their heartbreaking loss. According to the news report Baxin-Campechano was supporting his wife and three children in Veracruz, Mexico, with money he made from picking strawberries here in Ventura County. Please keep this man’s grieving family in your prayers.

Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime under California law. A motorist is required to remain at the scene of the accident, exchange information with other parties and if involved in an injury accident, is required to provide any possible assistance to the injured party. This could entail something as basic as calling 911 so that the injured person gets medical attention right away.

Continue reading "Man Killed in Oxnard Crosswalk Accident" »

Emily Cathleen Dowdy, 24, died in a pedestrian accident in Pacific Beach after she was struck by a drunken driver while crossing the street. According to this news report in the San Diego Union-Tribune, the accident occurred the evening of February 7, 2009 when Dowdy was walking west on Mission Boulevard at Reed Avenue in a marked crosswalk. It was then that 45-year-old Alan Mabrey struck her with his 2004 Dodge Ram pickup.

Mabrey apparently left the scene of the accident, but returned about 30 minutes later and told officers he panicked and went to a Burger King to get something to eat. Both Mabrey and his passenger, the registered owner of the pickup truck, were intoxicated, San Diego police officials say. Officers also found eight empty beer cans and four unopened beer cans in the truck. Mabrey was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI and hit-and-run charges. He is also facing gross vehicular manslaughter charges.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Emily Kathleen Dowdy, who was taken away from them so tragically and suddenly. I offer my deepest condolences to everybody who knew and loved her.

According to statistics from the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System (SWITRS), a total of 273 fatal auto accidents were reported in San Diego County in 2006. Out of those 101 fatalities were due to alcohol related accidents.

Continue reading "Woman Killed in San Diego DUI Pedestrian Accident" »

A nursing home in Auburn, California, has been slapped with the most severe citation for negligence and inadequate care that apparently led to the death of a patient in 2007, according to the Sacramento Bee news report. Colonial Healthcare, which is owned by Rocklin-based Horizon West Healthcare, must pay a $100,000 fine for failing to properly care for an 83-year-old resident who fell and broke several ribs.

According to the California Department of Public Health, the man died after suffering “excruciating, unrelieved pain” for 21 hours and then being given an excessive dose of narcotic pain medication. This is apparently the third time the state agency has issued an AA citation against this particular facility since 2007.

My heart goes out to the family of this Auburn nursing home patient. Here is a family that entrusted their loved one to the care of a facility that they believed was professionally equipped to provide quality care. Such an incident is a definite breach of that family’s trust. There is no excuse for it. It is disturbing, appalling and despicable that a nursing home would neglect a vulnerable, elderly patient to this extent.

Continue reading "California Nursing Home Fined $100,000 for Patient Negligence" »

David Golz, 29, of Long Beach died in a hit-and-run motorcycle accident the morning of February 8, 2009 after a woman ran a red light at an intersection and crashed into him. Brenda Rossal, 28, also struck Golz’s riding companion, 31-year-old James Culver, who is in the hospital with critical injuries. Rossal was traveling southbound on Cherry Avenue in a 2001 Chevy Tahoe when she ran a red light at the intersection of Cherry and Fourth Street, striking the two motorcycles heading west on Fourth. Our source for this blog was this news article in the Long Beach Press Telegram.

Rossal apparently fled the scene of the accident, but was pursued by witnesses who called police. She was arrested shortly afterward on suspicion of leaving the scene of the accident, running a red light and being an unlicensed driver. Golz was taken to a local hospital where he died. Culver suffered severe head injuries and is listed in critical condition. If you saw or know something more about this tragic accident, please call Long Beach Police Accident Investigations Detectives David Lauro or Sirilo Garcia at 562-570-7355.

My heart goes out to Golz’s family and friends as well as the injured victim, James Culver, who is fighting for his life – all because a negligent driver failed to stop at a red light and obey traffic laws. Please keep Golz’s family in your prayers. I wish Culver the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Continue reading "Fatal Long Beach Motorcycle Accident Caused by Red Light Runner" »

Breyer Law Offices recently posted a blog about bus safety and bus accidents in Arizona. The blog discussed the importance of seatbelts during bus crashes. Currently, the law in most states including Arizona and California, do not require seatbelts to be installed in buses. On the other hand, there are laws requiring seatbelt usage for passengers and drivers operating or riding in almost every other type of vehicle.

Alexis and Mark Breyer – a great husband and wife team -- give the example of a settlement involving a tragic bus accident, in which nearly 70 people suffered serious or fatal injuries. In that accident, the driver of the bus was uninjured because he was the only person in the bus who was afforded a seatbelt. Almost everyone else in the bus was ejected during this horrific crash, but the driver’s seatbelt kept him safely buckled into his seat. A similar situation arose in a recent Arizona tour bus crash involving Chinese tourists when seven people died and at least 10 others were injured when a bus driver lost control and crashed the vehicle. All of the victims in that crash were ejected too and were not wearing seat belts.

These bus accidents result in catastrophic injuries and death. We join Alexis and Mark Breyer in calling for all states in the country to give strong consideration to passing and implementing laws that require seatbelt availability and installation in all buses.

Continue reading "Best Personal Injury Attorneys in Phoenix, Arizona" »

As the economy is slowing down, having adequate auto insurance is the last thing on many people’s minds. We are more occupied with holding on to jobs and putting food on the table. But, as Iowa personal injury attorney Corey Walker puts it in this very informational article, having sufficient motor vehicle insurance coverage is even more important in these hard times to make sure you protect yourself and your family from irresponsible and uninsured drivers.

Walker says in his article that every year, hundreds of Iowans are permanently disabled and killed in car accidents caused by drivers with little or no insurance. What many Iowans don’t know, he says, is that Iowa law requires only $20,000 in insurance coverage for bodily injuries. Given today’s cost of medical care, that does not even cover a trip to the hospital, not to mention follow-up medical care. According to statistics, 12 percent of Iowa residents don’t carry car insurance and 70 percent of Iowans don’t have enough. The situation is worse in California.

What Walker recommends is exactly what I would recommend too. And both of us do not sell insurance. As personal injury attorneys who help injured victims and families obtain compensation for their losses, we have found that a majority do not know that underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage is the only auto insurance that protects you and your family.

Continue reading "Best Iowa Personal Injury Attorney" »

Kum Lim, 88, died after the motorized wheelchair she was in was struck by a vehicle as she was trying to cross the street. According to an article in The Orange County Register, Lim was driving a Rascal mobility wheelchair on Lampson Avenue near Monarch Street the morning of February 9, 2009 when she tried to cross the street. A passing driver hit Lim’s wheelchair injuring her severely. Lim was taken to an area hospital where she died a few hours after the accident. Garden Grove police are not sure where and how Lim was crossing the street. The driver has not been cited or arrested pending an investigation.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Kum Lim for their tragic loss. I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved this woman. Please keep them in your prayers.

It would be extremely important in this case to find out whether or not Kum Lim was crossing the street in a marked crosswalk or at an intersection. Whether it is a pedestrian or a person on a wheelchair or a bicycle, California law requires motorists to yield right-of-way to those crossing at intersections.

Continue reading "Orange County Auto Accident Kills Elderly Woman in Wheelchair" »

A 19-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of felony hit-and-run the morning of February 7, 2009 after officials say, she struck and seriously injured a bicyclist. According to this news blog in the San Diego Union-Tribune, the car versus bicycle collision occurred in Mira Mesa and the 51-year-old bicycle accident victim suffered serious head injuries as well as injuries to his back and sides. The injured victim’s name has not yet been released.

The hit-and-run driver, who was also not indentified, was apparently driving a Volvo on Calle Cristobal near Camino Miranda when she drifted into the bike lane and struck the bicyclist from behind. The driver did not stop, but left the scene of the accident. She returned to the scene 30 minutes later when officials arrested her. Police say alcohol does not appear to be a factor in this crash.

I’m relieved that this San Diego County bicyclist was not catastrophically or fatally injured. I wish the injured victim the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. He will certainly be in my prayers.

Continue reading "San Diego County Bicycle Accident Leaves Man Injured" »

A recent report released by the California Highway Patrol concludes that a big rig driver traveling at an unsafe rate of speed caused the fiery, catastrophic multi-vehicle crash in October 12, 2007. The accident had involved two dozen vehicles including several large trucks in a tunnel on the 5 Freeway in Santa Clarita and left three people dead and many others injured. The collision closed the busy highway for two days and cost Caltrans $17 million in cleanup and repairs. The truck driver, Jose Reyes, who was at fault for this major accident, suffered injuries but survived. Our source for this blog is this Associated Press news report.

CHP’s report concluded that the double-trailer truck with a faulty brake was traveling more than 65 mph when it jackknifed shortly after passing through a curving, dimly-lit bypass tunnel. Officials say although the trucks brakes failed, this fatal big rig accident could have been prevented had the truck driver slowed down given the wet weather and slick road conditions.

The company that owned Reyes’ truck, Saia Inc., is arguing that the CHP’s report is unfair because it failed to give appropriate consideration to a number of critically important factors including a poorly designed and maintained tunnel. A company spokeswoman said that at least 13 drivers in the tunnel were speeding, failing to maintain the legally required following distances. She also stated that four of the big rig drivers who were in the tunnel at the time of the fatal crash were operating in violation of truck drivers hours-of-service regulations. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the number of hours truck drivers can operate their big rigs without taking a break.

Continue reading "Speeding Big Rig Driver Caused Fatal Los Angeles County Accident, Officials Say" »

A 60-year-old West Covina man killed in a collision with a fire truck in Mira Loma has been identified as Agustin Nava Miramontes, according to a news report in The Press Enterprise. Miramontes was killed the morning of February 4, 2009 after his Dodge Ram broadsided a Riverside County fire engine at the intersection of Etiwanda Avenue and Van Buren Boulevard. The impact of the collision flattened the driver’s side of the pickup truck. Miramontes died at the scene. All three firefighters from Mira Loma Station 17 suffered minor injuries and were taken to a local hospital.

The fire engine was apparently responding to an injury auto accident about a block away from where this collision occurred. The southbound engine reached the intersection and a red light. According to eyewitnesses, all lights were red at that intersection except for a green light for eastbound traffic. Miramontes’ Dodge pickup had the green light and continued forward through the intersection crashing with the front passenger side of the engine. The three-man crew was wearing seat belts inside the cab. None of the firefighters’ identities was released.

Continue reading "Man Killed in Riverside County Fire Engine versus Car Collision" »

A toddler in San Marcos, who was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver the evening of February 4, 2009, has been identified as 18-month-old Christopher Castellanos. The boy, who lived with his parents and siblings in a trailer on Smilax Road near Adeline Court south of State Route 78, apparently wandered out of his yard and on to the roadway when a dark, older-model sedan heading south on Smilax struck him. The driver of the sedan drove away from the scene. Christopher was taken to an area hospital, but died shortly after the accident. Our source for this blog is this news report in the San Diego Union Tribune.

My heart goes out to the family of little Christopher who was killed tragically in this accident. I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved this child. Please keep them in your prayers.

First of all, I trust officials will soon apprehend the hit-and-run driver who fled the scene after striking this child. What kind of a person strikes a toddler and drives away from the scene without even making an attempt to help the child or contact the child’s family? Despicable! If arrested, this person will face criminal hit-and-run charges. Motorists in California are required to stop after an accident occurs – whether or not it was their fault. In this particular case, the accident may not have been the motorist’s fault. We don’t know. But he should have stopped and cooperated with the authorities.

Continue reading "Toddler Killed in San Diego County Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident" »

I came across this interesting and emotional article on the subject of hit-and-run accidents written by Long Island blogger, Curtis Jackson. He talks about how hit-and-run accidents occur and why people choose not to take responsibility about it. He wonders why someone would deny their mistake and leave their victim to die on the street in a pool of their own blood. These are tough questions. But they are questions we must ask ourselves, especially as residents of Southern California, where hit-and-run accidents are unfortunately all too common.

In his blog, Jackson writes about his own experience causing an accident in the parking lot of a restaurant where he worked as a parking attendant. Apparently no one was injured, but the accident damaged another person’s car. To this day, Jackson says, he feels bad that he didn’t own up to that accident right away. He says: “I am continuously learning how important it is to admit the truth in uncomfortable circumstances before matters get worse.”

Continue reading "When You Hit Someone – STOP!" »

A man who was seriously injured in a Thousand Oaks motorcycle accident on February 2, 2009 has been identified as 33-year-old Ambrosio Rodriguez, the Ventura County Star reports in this article. The collision occurred when Rodriguez who was riding his motorcycle east on Hillcrest Drive hit a Buick Rendezvous pulling out of a parking lot near Boardwalk Avenue.

Rodriguez’s motorcycle apparently struck the passenger side of the Buick being driven by Denis Liu and the impact from the collision caused the Buick to overturn. The car came to rest on its side. Rodriguez was taken to an area hospital while Liu suffered minor injuries.

I’m relieved that this Southern California motorcycle accident did not result in catastrophic or fatal injuries. I wish Ambrosio Rodriguez the very best for a quick and complete recovery. He will be in my prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2006 statistics, there were 12 deaths and 238 injuries relating to Ventura County motorcycle accidents. In Thousand Oaks, there was one motorcycle accident fatality and 31 injuries during the same period.

Continue reading "Man Injured in Ventura County Motorcycle versus Car Accident" »

Investigators looking into a fatal bus crash in Arizona that killed seven people and injured several others are now saying that the bus driver may have been distracted just before the horrific accident. According to this Associated Press news report, the bus company and the bus driver, 48-year-old Han Dong, were based in Los Angeles County. The charter bus company, D.W. Tour & Charter of San Gabriel, had its charter certificate suspended on Monday by the California Public Utilities Commission. That apparently happened because the company’s liability insurance expired on February 2, 2009.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety has released the names and ages of injured passengers. The names of those were killed have been withheld until their family members can arrive from China. Those who were injured in this accident are: Äî Ying Lei Zhao, 35; Ya Fen Cheng; Shun Xing Zhao, 61; Shuang Wu, 8; Shou Gui Wu, 47; Rui Hua Bao, 35; Tian Yi Xe, 19; Bang Yao Hong, 50; and Yee Kwan Lau, 41.

Based on interviews with three survivors, investigators are checking out Dong’s driving history, medical records and certification to operate the bus. The crash occurred on January 30, 2009 along the U.S. 93 in Arizona and near the Nevada border. The investigation is now focused on whether the driver was possibly distracted for some unknown reason, officials said. They don’t believe, however, that the bus driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the fatal bus crash.

Continue reading "Driver in Fatal Bus Crash was Possibly Distracted, Investigators Say" »

Frank Kwangsu Kim, 49, of Lake Elsinore was killed in a Chino Hills rollover auto accident the morning of February 3, 2009 after his car hit some debris on the 91 Freeway and crashed. According to this news report, Kim was driving a Nissan Sentra eastbound on the 91 Freeway near Green River Road when the vehicle was struck by debris. Kim lost control of his vehicle and hit the center divider and overturned. Kim suffered major neck injuries and died shortly after the crash. Officials did not say what kind of debris Kim struck on the freeway.

My heart goes out to the family of Frank Kwangsu Kim for their tragic loss. I offer my deepest sympathies to the victim’s family and friends. It is heartbreaking to see that a man was killed because someone else carelessly dropped debris on the freeway.

Hundreds of deaths occur each year in the United States because of debris on the roadway. The California State Department of Transportation (Caltrans) says highway debris has caused 155 California traffic accident deaths just over the last two years. In fact this is the second freeway accident relating to debris in Southern California over the last one week! We just wrote about 52-year-old Leonard Vernon Maxwell who was killed in a January 30, 2009 accident on the 91 Freeway in Corona after his motorcycle struck debris on the freeway.

Continue reading "Man Killed In Rollover Accident after Striking Debris" »

A 64-year-old woman who suffered serious injuries in an Orange County pedestrian versus auto accident has been identified as Maria Salinas of Placentia. Salinas was waiting to cross Placentia Avenue at Ruby Drive on January 31, 2009 when the driver of a pickup truck veered to the right, jumped the curb and hit her. Salinas was taken to an area hospital with a broken leg and back and other internal injuries. Our source for this blog is this news report in The Orange County Register.

Placentia police officials say the driver of the pickup, identified as a 20-year-old Fullerton man, was either speeding or did not see the cars stopped in front of him. The driver was not cited or arrested and drunk driving is not suspected.

I’m extremely relieved that this woman was not killed or suffer catastrophic injuries in this Orange County pedestrian accident, which could have been a lot worse. I wish Maria Salinas the very best for a speedy and complete recovery and I’m happy to learn and she is now listed in stable condition.

Continue reading "Woman Injured in Placentia Pedestrian Accident" »

A 3-year-old boy in Orange County has survived a near-drowning incident after his older brother rescued him from the bottom of a swimming pool the afternoon of February 1, 2009. According to this news report in The Orange County Register, the boy’s family was visiting a home at Via Divertirse in San Clemente.

Officials said the toddler’s 7-year-old brother, who saw him at the bottom of the backyard swimming pool, dove in and pulled his brother up. The 3-year-old was said to be breathing when paramedics arrived. The toddler is apparently recovering after the near-drowning, but the extent of his injuries is not known.

I’m extremely relieved for the young boy, his family and the hosts who were apparently entertaining this family over the weekend. I wish the young boy the very best for a quick and complete recovery. This family will certainly be in my prayers.

Although it is extremely fortunate that this child did not drown, near-drowning incidents are serious because in these cases, oxygen supply to the brain is cut off, which can leave a child with lifelong brain injuries. Medical expenses in a near-drowning incident could easily run into millions of dollars. Almost every summer, our firm represents a family whose loved one drowned or almost drowned because of the negligence of a homeowner.

Continue reading "Toddler Survives Orange County Near-Drowning Incident" »

Los Angeles police have arrested 30-year-old Henry Yovanni Moreno of South Gate after he struck and killed an 11-month-old girl and injured her 5-year-old sister and mother as they were crossing the street in a crosswalk. According to this news report in the Los Angeles Daily News, the family was struck at Bonnie Brae Street and Olympic Boulevard in Los Angeles County as the mother was pushing the two children in a stroller the evening of February 1, 2009. The three victims were in a marked crosswalk. Other vehicles had stopped for them, but Moreno who was driving a black Honda, did not stop and ran them over.

Police say Moreno was driving under the influence at the time of the collision. He apparently fled the scene of the crash and abandoned his 1991 Honda near Staples Center at 12th Street and Figueroa Avenue. Moreno was arrested shortly afterward.

What a horrible tragedy for this family! I offer my deepest sympathies to this mother who saw one of her children struck and killed in front of her eyes. Please keep the 5-year-old girl in your prayers as she fights for her life. The girl and her family will be in my prayers and I wish her and the mother a quick and complete recovery.

There is no question that Moreno should face criminal charges in connection with this horrific hit-and-run accident. He has apparently not been charged yet, but based on news reports, he should be facing felony drunk driving, hit-and-run as well as vehicular manslaughter charges. He should not only face criminal charges, but must also be made to pay for the injuries, loss, damage and heartache he has caused this family. Moreno should be held civilly liable for what he has done to this family.

Continue reading "11-month-old Baby Killed in Los Angeles Crosswalk Hit-and-Run Accident" »

A 13-year-old boy suffered serious head injuries after he was hit by a car while riding on a San Juan Capistrano street in his motorized scooter. The boy, whose name has not been released, was hit the afternoon of January 30, 2009 near the 31300 block of Via Las Palmas as he rode the scooter out of his driveway into the street. A 54-year-old woman who was driving a Volvo C90 hit the boy, dragging the scooter and the boy more than four feet. Our source for this blog is this news report in The Orange County Register.

Orange County Sheriff’s officials say the teenager was not wearing a helmet and suffered a fractured skull as well as other serious injuries. The driver of the Volvo has not been arrested or cited pending an investigation. The boy was taken to an area hospital in serious condition.

Please keep this young boy in your prayers. I cannot imagine what his family and friends must be going through. Let us all pray for his quick and complete recovery.

This news report does not have much information about how this tragic accident occurred. Did the boy ride his scooter into the path of the vehicle? Did the driver of the Volvo have enough time to stop before colliding into the teenager? If the driver of the Volvo is determined to be at fault for the boy’s injuries, then she would be financially responsible for the injuries caused. The teen and his family will be entitled to compensation including sums to cover medical bills, medication and therapy. Those costs could add up very quickly given this boy’s severe head injuries.

Continue reading "Teen Riding Motorized Scooter Injured in Orange County Accident" »

A man has suffered critical injuries in a Newport Beach hit-and-run accident, The Orange County Register reports in this article. The man was attending to a disabled vehicle in the curb lane of westbound Hospital Road near Placentia Avenue on February 1, 2009 when he was struck by a white sport utility vehicle, possibly a Ford Explorer. The victim suffered serious injuries and was taken to a local hospital where he is listed in critical condition. If you have any information about this Orange County hit-and-run accident, please call the Newport Beach Police Department’s Traffic Division at 949-644-3717 or Detective Beverly at 949-644-3747.

My heart goes out to this victim who got struck down as he was attending to his disabled vehicle. It is appalling that the driver of this SUV did not have the human decency to stop at the scene of the accident and help the man he had hit. The injured victim and his family will be in my prayers and I hope and pray that he makes a quick and complete recovery.

There is no question that the hit-and-run driver in this case should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. There is no excuse for such negligence and callous disregard for a fellow human being. I would not be surprised if alcohol or drugs were involved in this accident. This individual must be found, brought to justice and held criminally as well as civilly responsible for what happened to this victim.

Continue reading "Newport Beach Hit-and-Run Accident Critically Injures Man" »

Marcus Alex Puga, 23, of Whittier, suffered critical injuries in a Bassett motorcycle accident on January 29, 2009 after he struck a big rig at an intersection, the San Gabriel Valley Tribune reports in this article. Puga was driving a 2005 Yamaha R6 eastbound on Valley Boulevard when the big rig in front of him slowed down to make a right turn. California Highway Patrol officials say Puga drove around the big rig, lost control and slid into one of the big rig’s tires. The investigation is still ongoing and CHP officials are asking anyone who saw this accident to call 626-338-1164.

My heart goes out to Marcus Alex Puga, this young motorcycle accident victim, who is apparently fighting for his life. I hope he makes it through this tough time. Please keep this man and his family in your prayers.

Motorcycle accidents have consistently increased over the years nationwide as well as in Los Angeles County. According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4,810 motorcyclists were killed in traffic accidents in the year 2006. That was a 5 percent increase in motorcycle accident fatalities over 2005. According to CHP statistics released in January 2009, 96 people died in Los Angeles County alone in motorcycle accidents in 2008 compared to 58 deaths in 2001. About 1.2 million Californians have licenses to drive motorcycles, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles and that is 300,000 more riders than we had in 2001.

Continue reading "Man Suffers Critical Injuries in Los Angeles County Motorcycle Accident" »