California Injury Blog

Nine people including seven children, were injured in a California car accident as they were returning from a trip to Disneyland in Orange County on September 27, 2009. According to an ABC news report, the SUV with the children and their grandmother was rear-ended by a suspected drunk driver who was speeding on Highway 99. California Highway Patrol officials said the male driver of the SUV then lost control causing the vehicle to roll over. The driver of the SUV was partially ejected from the vehicle and sustained head injuries. The woman and her grandchildren all suffered injuries described as "minor to moderate."

Continue reading "Bakersfield DUI Car Accident Injures Nine" »

Four young people -- 18-year-old Rylan Jernigan, 19-year-old Araceli Alvarez, 22-year-old Stephen Nubani and 22-year-old Cesar Chunga -- the occupants of an Audi A4 convertible were killed in a Los Angeles car accident after their car was broadsided by another vehicle. According to a KABC news report, the fatal car accident occurred the night of September 26, 2009 on a dark highway. The four victims were on their way to a party when 22-year-old Nubani, who was driving the Audi, reportedly drove right through a stop sign at 70th Street and Avenue N and crashed into a Cadillac. One victim in the Cadillac suffered major injuries and was taken to an area hospital. California Highway Patrol officials are saying it's not clear why Nubani ran the stop sign.

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Guadalupe Colmenares, 19, was killed and her aunt, 37-year-old Rita Colmenares and 14-year-old cousin were injured in a Los Angeles car accident after they were struck by a car in a crosswalk in the Boyle Heights area. According to a CBS news report, the accident occurred the night of September 25, 2009. Investigators say 29-year-old Carol Eleana Vega was driving her 1993 Chrysler Concord when she ran a red light and hit the three women at the intersection of East Sixth Street and Lorena Street. Vega sped away after the crash, but surrendered to police the day after the fatal crash. Guadalupe Colmenares was pronounced dead in the hospital while Rita Colmenares remains in critical condition. The teenager suffered cuts, police said.

Continue reading "Fatal Los Angeles Car Accident Kills Pedestrian" »

A $50,000 reward is being offered in the hit-and-run death of 29-year-old Federico Porras who was killed in a Los Angeles car accident after the motorcycle he was riding was struck by a car. According to a news report in The Long Beach Press Telegram, Porras was riding a 2007 Honda motorcycle on Marianna Avenue on August 3, 2009 when he was hit by a car that fled the accident scene. Officials are describing the hit-and-run car as a 2006 Nissan Versa C11X hatchback that may have a damaged rear quarter panel. No other information about this fatal motorcycle accident is available. If you witnessed this accident or have any information that would be helpful to police please call detectives at 213-972-1845 or toll-free at 877-527-3247.

Continue reading "$50,000 Reward Offered in Fatal Los Angeles Hit-and-Run Car Accident" »

Manuel George, 58, was injured in a September 23, 2009 San Francisco car accident that involved at least four vehicles, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports. California Highway Patrol officials said the chain of events began when George rear-ended a Pontiac Bonneville with his Toyota Camry while traveling north on the Highway 101 near Healdsburg. The Pontiac then rear-ended a Nissan Sentra driven by 29-year-old Scott Llewellyn.

Continue reading "Hit-and-Run Car Accident in San Francisco Area Injures One" »

At least two people were injured on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009 in a San Francisco train accident when a bus struck an F-line streetcar.

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A 49-year-old man was killed in a Los Angeles car accident the afternoon of September 22, 2009, CBS News reports. The fatal car accident occurred in the 5900 block of Fallbrook Avenue in Woodland Hills when a woman driving south on Fallbrook swerved into oncoming traffic, striking a car head-on. The man in the other car died. The woman and her passenger were hospitalized with injuries, but were believed to be in stable condition. Occupants of two other cars that were involved, also complained of injuries, but they were minor, officials said.

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Patricia Ann Wallace, 47, was killed in a September 20, 2009 Riverside car accident when she was hit by a car as she crossed Highway 74 in Perris, California. According to a news report in The Press Enterprise, Wallace was pronounced dead at the site of the accident . The driver who hit Wallace fled the scene, but was later arrested and identified as 25-year-old Ignacio Villasenor. A dark-colored 1991 Honda CRX, which Villasenor was said to have been driving at the time of the fatal car accident has not been found. Riverside County Sheriff's deputies believe that that the car has substantial front-end damage. Investigators also believe Villasenor was street racing at the time. If you witnessed this accident, please contact the Perris Police Department at 951-210-1000.

Continue reading "Riverside Hit-and-Run Car Accident Kills Pedestrian" »

Jim Harmon, 58, and his 57-year-old wife, Debbie Harmon, were killed in a California car accident the morning of September 19, 2009 in the Bakersfield area. According to an ABC news report, 74-year-old Hazel Halloran was driving a Buick north on Sierra Way in Kernville, California, when she lost control of her car and crashed head-on into the Harley Davidson motorcycle that Jim and Debbie Harmon were riding. The couple was thrown off the motorcycle. Both sustained fatal injuries.

Continue reading "Fatal Car Accident Kills Couple on Motorcycle" »

Gustavo Gracia, 33, was killed in a California car accident the morning of September 17, 2009, after a big rig flipped over and crushed his car on the 5 Freeway in Oceanside, California. According to a news report in the San Diego Union Tribune, Gracia was in a Lexus sedan on the 5 Freeway's transition to Route 78 when the truck rolled on its left side while the driver was negotiating a turn and hit the sedan. Gracia suffered major head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The truck driver, 32-year-old Jerry Jimerson, sustained minor injuries. California Highway Patrol officials are looking into why the big rig, a 1996 Freightliner pulling a 32-foot cargo container, tipped over. Officials say they will perform a thorough inspection of the truck.

Continue reading "San Diego Fatal Car Accident Involves Overturned Big Rig" »

Kaylee Alvarez, a 1-year-old girl, was killed and her 2-year-old brother Oscar, injured, in a car accident in Los Angeles after a suspected drunk driver slammed into a toy wagon the two children were on. The parents, Alex and Yesenia Alvarez, were pulling the wagon through a crosswalk in Long Beach, California. According to the Long Beach Press Telegram, the fatal accident occurred at the corner of 10th Street and Redondo Avenue the night of September 11, 2009 when the driver, 33-year-old Neely Lejon Dinkins, struck the wagon with his Dodge Durango SUV and then dragged the children along with the wagon unmindful of pleas from several onlookers to stop.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Hit-and-Run Car Accident Leaves Baby Dead" »

In 2006, Ed Solomon was at his local supermarket when he had a slip and fall accident. Even after visiting the emergency room and being put on painkillers, Ed wasn't sure what his options were. Accidents occur when and where we least expect it, sometimes leading to serious personal injuries.

Continue reading "California Personal Injury Lawyers Come to Aid of Slip And Fall Victim" »

Melissa Hope Dennison, 24, was killed in a San Francisco car accident on September 15, 2009. The San Francisco Examiner reported that the car accident took place at about 6:27 a.m. on Fell Street.

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Kathleen L. O'Daniel, 54, was killed in a San Francisco car accident the afternoon of September 14, 2009 after being struck by a suspected drunk driver. According to a CBS news report, 55-year-old Judy Shafer was driving a 2002 Jeep Liberty north on Llano Road in Santa Rosa when it crossed the double-yellow line and crashed head-on with a 1998 Honda Civic driven by O'Daniel, who died at the scene. O'Daniel's 15-year-old daughter suffered broken bones and internal injuries and was taken to an area hospital. Shafer was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter.

Continue reading "San Francisco Area DUI Car Accident Kills Woman" »

Yesenia Gonzalez, 31, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident early morning September 13, 2009 after she was struck by a car on the 105 Freeway in Downey, California. According to a report in the Whittier Daily News, Gonzalez was hit while walking for unknown reasons, in the traffic lanes of the roadway. The driver who struck Gonzalez fled the scene of the accident, California Highway Patrol officials said. Anyone with information is asked to call the CHP at 562-868-0503.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Car Accident Kills Pedestrian" »

Randall "Randy" Phillips, a retired police officer, was killed September 12, 2009 in a
Los Angeles car accident on the 60 Freeway in Pomona that officials say was caused by a wrong way driver. Phillips was riding his motorcycle west on the 60 and on the connector road to the northbound 71 when he was hit head-on by a car driving the wrong way. Phillips was killed instantly. The driver then fled the scene of the crash. Officials discovered the hit-and-run vehicle abandoned, on a nearby surface street. If you saw this accident or have more information, please call California Highway Patrol's Santa Fe Springs Station at (562) 868-0503.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Fatal Car Accident Kills Motorcyclist" »

Eight people, including two deputies, were injured Saturday in a Los Angeles car accident. The Contra Costa Times reported that the multiple car collision took place at about 11:47 a.m. near the Fairplex in Pomona.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Car Accident Involving Patrol Car Injures Eight People" »

A man was critically injured in a September 9, 2009 Los Angeles car accident when he was struck by a car while walking on a Long Beach street. According to a news report in The Press Telegram, the victim, believed to be about 20 years old, was walking north on Clark Avenue near Garford Street when a minivan hit him. Long Beach police said the driver of the minivan remained at the scene of the accident and called for help. Police also say the motorist was not under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The victim was transported to an area hospital in critical condition.

My heart goes out to this seriously injured car accident victim who is apparently fighting for his life. I hope and pray that he has a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep this young man in your prayers.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Car Accident Critically Injures Pedestrian" »

Seven people were injured in a Riverside car accident on the 10 Freeway near Blythe the afternoon of September 9, 2009, The Desert Sun reports. California Highway Patrol officials say three people suffered major injuries while four sustained minor to moderate injuries. One person was thrown from the vehicle in the car crash that occurred on the westbound 10 Freeway close to Mesa Drive, CHP officials said.

My heart goes out to everyone who suffered injuries in this horrific rollover car accident. I wish them all the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep them in your prayers.

Continue reading "Seven Injured in Riverside Rollover Car Accident" »

Phillip Lee Leffert, 49-years old, was killed in an Orange County car accident on Thursday night.

The OC Register reported that the car accident took place on September 3, west of Imperial Highway. It seems that Leffert was on the eastbound 91 freeway when he suddenly lost control of his 1999 Ford Explorer. From the No. 2 lane, his SUV veered across all lanes before crashing into a cluster of trees a little after 8 p.m.

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When interior designer Penny Colonna was injured in a Los Angeles car accident, she was fortunate that one of her clients was an attorney. She was even more fortunate when her client recommended she visit the Los Angeles personal injury lawyers of Bisnar | Chase to help her with her case.

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Fred Ransom, 78, was killed in a San Bernardino car accident September 7, 2009 after his motorcycle was struck by a pickup truck at a street intersection. According to a news report in the San Bernardino Sun, Ransom was riding his 2005 Kawasaki motorcycle when he collided with a pickup truck at the intersection of Big Bear Boulevard and Fox Farm Road. Ransom was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after the car accident.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Fred Ransom for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your prayers.

Continue reading "San Bernardino Car Accident Turns Deadly for Motorcyclist" »

Four people were injured in a San Francisco car accident after a cable car collided with a city Recreation and Park Department van the evening of September 7, 2009, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Muni officials said the cable car was traveling east on Washington street toward downtown San Francisco when the accident occurred at the intersection of Washington and Mason streets. Four passengers were injured of which two were treated at the scene and two were transported to a local hospital. The incident is being investigated both by Muni and the San Francisco Police Department. The cable car system is also operated by the San Francisco Municipal Railway or Muni as it is better known.

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Loren Savitsky, 23, died in a Los Angeles car accident after he lost control of his motorcycle, fell and was then struck by a car on the 134 Freeway in Glendale, California. According to a CBS News report, Savitsky was driving his Yamaha motorcycle in the second left lane of the eastbound Ventura Freeway the night of September 4, 2009, when he lost control of his motorcycle and was thrown off the bike. California Highway Patrol officers suspect Savitsky made an "unsafe turning movement" right before the crash. A 39-year-old man driving a Toyota reportedly hit Savitsky. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Loren Savitsky for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. I offer my deepest sympathies to them. Please keep them in your prayers.

Continue reading "Fatal Los Angeles Car Accident Kills Motorcyclist" »

One person was reported killed in an Orange County car accident on the eastbound 91 Freeway the night of September 2, 2009. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the SUV went from the number one lane all the way across the freeway to the slow lane before crashing just west of Imperial Highway in Anaheim, California. The deceased victim's name has not been released.

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Mark Alan Dickson, 51, was killed and his wife, Rebecca Gonzaga, 47, suffered serious personal injury in a ride accident on August 31, 2009 involving the Heavenly Lake Tahoe's Tamarack Express Chair. According to a news report in the Sacramento Bee, the accident happened after a line from a nearby lift tangled with the line the couple were on and struck their chair knocking Dickson out and on to the rocks 50 feet below. Dickson sustained fatal injuries and Gonzaga, who managed to stay in the chair, suffered a leg injury. Preliminary investigations show that the fatal accident was the result of a malfunction with part of the zip line coming in contact with the chair lift.

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Rafael Vega, 47, Fernando Paz, 29, and four others were injured in a Ventura car accident the afternoon of August 30, 2009 involving a suspected drunk driver. According to a news report in the Ventura County Star, 64-year-old Abel Flores Torres was driving north on Piru Canyon Road in Fillmore when his vehicle drifted to the southbound lame. California Highway Patrol officials say Vega was driving south and attempted to avoid Torres' vehicle by swerving right. But Torres' car still struck Vega's vehicle. Torres then crashed into a third vehicle driven by Paz. All three drivers and three passengers were taken to a local hospital for treatment of various injuries. Torres was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving.

Continue reading "Six Suffer Injuries in Ventura DUI Car Accident" »

The auto products liability attorneys at Bisnar | Chase have represented numerous car accident victims who have suffered debilitating injuries as a result of defective auto products. A number of the cases we have dealt with in the recent past have involved car and SUV rollovers. Bloomberg News in a recent article says Toyota Motor Corp. is now facing demands to reopen rollover crash cases it won or settled. This is because of accusations by a former company lawyer that the car maker had concealed records sought by plaintiffs and their attorneys in over 300 lawsuits involving SUV rollover accidents.

Continue reading "Toyota Hid Evidence in Rollover Car Accident Cases, Lawsuit Alleges" »