California Injury Blog

Health officials in Alabama are now saying that cases linked to contaminated IV bags, which killed nine patients and sickened many others, started well before this month's recall. According to a report in The Birmingham News, others are worried that the contaminated intravenous fluid could be in other pharmacies.

Ongoing Federal Investigation

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating an outbreak of the deadly serratia marcescens bacteria in six Alabama hospitals. So far, 19 patients have tested positive for the infection. Nine patients have died. A majority of infections occurred in March, but one case was reported in January and another in February, officials say.

All of the patients who were infected by the bacteria received intravenous fluids mixed by Alabama-based Meds IV. The company, on March 24, 2011, recalled all of its IV products manufactured since January 1. The company reportedly provided the contaminated IV bags to six hospitals in Alabama. This type of bacterial infection is treatable with medication in the early stages, but can be lethal, if not detected.

Continue reading "Cases Related to Tainted IV Bags Documented since January" »

A pedestrian was injured in an Orange County car accident after a female driver accidentally hit the accelerator instead of the brake and drove through a store window. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the injury pedestrian accident occurred the evening of March 29, 2011 at a 7-Eleven store at the corner of Main Street and Palmyra Avenue in Orange. The GMC Sierra pickup truck struck a guard rail and plowed into the entrance of the convenience store. The rail hit a female pedestrian. Officials say she sustained injuries which are not life-threatening. No one else was injured.

My heart goes out to the injured pedestrian. I'm relieved to note that she did not sustain major injuries in this car accident. I wish her the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. She will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Injured in Orange County Car Accident" »

A police officer was injured in a Bakersfield car accident when a Scion xB struck his motorcycle the afternoon of March 27, 2011. According to a news report in the Bakersfield Californian, the motorcycle accident occurred at Olive and Knudsen drives in Bakersfield. The officer was making a left turn with his emergency lights on when the Scion made a left turn from Olive on a green light and struck him. The officer suffered injuries, which are not believed to be life-threatening. The driver of the Scion had a green light but failed to notice the police officer on the motorcycle with his lights and sirens on, officials say. An investigation is ongoing.

My thoughts and prayers are with the police officer injured in this motorcycle accident. I wish him the very best for a complete and speedy recovery.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), seven people were killed and 57 were injured in Bakersfield motorcycle accidents. During the same year, there were 16 fatalities and 234 injuries reported as a result of Kern County motorcycle accidents.

Continue reading "Police Officer Injured in Bakersfield Car Accident" »

Yvonne Morgan was seriously injured in a San Diego car accident after she was struck by a driver who, officials say, was under the influence, ran a red light and broadsided her vehicle at an intersection. According to a news report in The San Diego Union-Tribune, police arrested 21-year-old Jose Espinoza shortly after the incident.

Espinoza was driving a Chevy pickup truck east on Jamacha Road in Spring Valley the morning of March 25, 2011, when he ran a red light at Sweetwater Road and hit Morgan's Lincoln Navigator. Morgan apparently had the green light at the intersection while traveling north on Sweetwater. Espinoza fled the scene on foot and Morgan was transported to a local hospital with head injuries. However, officers soon tracked down Espinoza to his home. He has been charged with felony hit-and-run causing injury and felony DUI.

My heart goes out to Yvonne Morgan, who has been seriously injured in this hit-and-run car accident. I wish her the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Continue reading "San Diego Injury Car Accident Involved Drunk, Hit-and-Run Driver" »

Kevin Birse, 22, was killed in a San Diego car accident when his vehicle veered off the roadway and rolled over the night of March 23, 2011. According to a news report in The San Diego Union-Tribune, the fatal car accident occurred on San Vicente Road in Ramona. Birse’s Toyota Tundra went off the roadway near Arena Drive and overturned. Birse sustained fatal injuries in the crash. Investigators are trying to determine what caused this fatal injury accident.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Kevin Birse. My thoughts and prayers are with them following this tragic rollover accident.

San Diego Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 90 people were killed and 2,252 were injured as a result of car accidents in unincorporated areas of San Diego County. During that same year, there were 246 fatalities and 13,527 injuries due to car accidents in San Diego County.

Continue reading "San Diego Car Accident Proves Fatal" »

Bernabe Basurto, 19, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident after he was struck by a vehicle on the freeway. According to CBS Los Angeles, the fatal injury accident occurred on the 110 Freeway in Los Angeles early morning on March 18, 2011. Officials say Basurto’s vehicle first crashed into an unoccupied vehicle on the freeway. Apparently, he was then hit by a 2008 Mazda Tribute driven by a 60-year-old man when he had gotten out of his disabled vehicle. The driver of the SUV was trying to avoid the two vehicles when he swerved and hit Basurto. The 60-year-old man suffered minor injuries.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Bernabe Basurto. My thoughts and prayers are with them following this tragic Los Angeles car accident.

Los Angeles Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 268 people were killed and 25,588 were injured in Los Angeles car accidents. During that same year, there were 667 fatalities and 52,229 injuries reported as a result of Los Angeles County car accidents.

Continue reading "Teenager Killed in Los Angeles Car Accident" »

Six passengers were injured in a San Francisco truck accident involving a big rig and a San Francisco Municipal Railway streetcar the morning of March 21, 2011. According to a CBS news report, the streetcar accident occurred at the intersection of Third and 23rd streets in the Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco. A truck with a flatbed trailer broadsided the KT-Ingleside/Third Street light rail vehicle. The six passengers in the streetcar, including one passenger who was in a wheelchair, sustained injuries, which are believed to be non-life-threatening. The injured victims were treated at the crash site and transported to local hospitals for evaluation. An investigation is ongoing.

My thoughts and prayers are with the six victims injured in this San Francisco Muni streetcar accident. I wish them all a complete and speedy recovery.

Continue reading "San Francisco Muni Streetcar Accident Injures Six" »

Berna Martinez, 74, was killed in an Orange County car accident after she was struck by a vehicle while crossing a roadway. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred the morning of March 21, 2011 as Martinez was crossing at the intersection of Red Hill Avenue and El Camino Real in Tustin.

She was hit by a Mercury Sable driven by an elderly woman and dragged for about a mile under the vehicle through El Camino Real and Newport Avenue. Martinez's body came loose from the vehicle at Newport Avenue, near Sixth Street. She was found next to the center divider. The driver, a 79-year-old woman, was stopped by witnesses at Newport and Irvine boulevards. Officers say Martinez was struck at a lighted, controlled crosswalk. An investigation is ongoing.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Berna Martinez for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep this grieving family in your thoughts and prayers.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Killed in Orange County Car Accident" »

A man in his 30s was killed in a Los Angeles car accident, which police say, involved a drunk driver. According to a City News Service article, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred near the intersection of Compton Avenue and East 74th Street in unincorporated South Los Angeles the night of March 18, 2011. Authorities report that a Chevrolet Suburban struck a vehicle and a pedestrian near the intersection. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. The driver of the Suburban tried to run away on foot but was apprehended by the police and arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the man killed in this tragic DUI collision. My thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Pedestrian Killed by Suspected Drunk Driver" »

A man was injured in an Orange County car accident when his motorcycle was struck by a car pulling out of the car-pool lane the morning of March 17, 2011. According to The Orange County Register, the motorcycle accident occurred in the southbound lanes of the 55 Freeway near the 22 Freeway in Orange. California Highway Patrol officials say the motorcyclist was splitting lanes on his Kawasaki Ninja when he was struck by a Toyota Corolla. The impact from the collision pushed the motorcycle into another vehicle. The motorcyclist was transported to an area hospital for treatment of unknown injuries. An investigation is ongoing.

My thoughts and prayers are with the injured victim of this motorcycle accident. I wish him a complete and speedy recovery.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), four people were killed and 31 were injured in Orange motorcycle accidents. During the same year, motorcycle accidents in Orange County claimed 35 lives and injured 801 injuries people.

Continue reading "Motorcyclist Injured in Orange County Car Accident" »

Janet Gomez, 5, was killed in a Riverside car accident, which police say, involved a driver running a stop sign. According to The Press Enterprise, the fatal car crash occurred at the intersection of Haines and Kinney Streets in Perris the afternoon of March 15, 2011. Gomez was a passenger in a 1995 Jeep Wrangler, driven by Ivan Gomez, 20, when a 2003 Toyota Camry, driven by 19-year-old Megan Galvan, went through a stop sign and hit the Jeep.

The Jeep Wrangler overturned and three passengers, Janet Gomez included, were ejected from the vehicle. Janet Gomez was killed in the accident. A 9-year-old girl suffered major injuries and a 7-year-old girl sustained minor injuries. Galvan sustained minor injuries as well. Ivan Gomez and a 9-year-old boy in the front seat of the Wrangler were not injured. Galvan could face misdemeanor manslaughter charges and Ivan Gomez could face child-endangerment charges because, officials say, the children in the back seat may not have been properly restrained.

My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Janet Gomez. My thoughts and prayers are also with the other injured victims of this tragic car accident. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Continue reading "Riverside Car Accident Proves Fatal for 5-year-old Girl" »

A 60-year-old pedestrian was seriously injured in a San Diego car accident after she was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street. According to a news report in The San Diego Union-Tribune, the injury car accident occurred at the intersection of Clairemont Mesa Boulevard and Luna Avenue early morning on March 15, 2011. The pedestrian was struck by a Honda Civic, which was northbound, and was carried about 25 to 30 feet. Officials say the woman was walking in a crosswalk, but are looking into who had the light at the time. The driver told officials he simply did not see the pedestrian. An investigation is ongoing.

My heart goes out to this injured pedestrian and her family for what they are going through at this time. I wish her the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. She will be in my prayers.

Pedestrian Accidents

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 23 fatalities and 533 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in the city of San Diego. Countywide, pedestrian accidents claimed 63 lives and injured 998 people during the same year.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Injured in San Diego Car Accident" »

A 35-year-old motorcyclist sustained major injuries in a Huntington Beach car accident the morning of March 14, 2011. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the injury motorcycle accident occurred at the intersection of Magnolia Street and Yorktown Avenue when the man's Suzuki motorcycle collided with a 1996 Honda Civic. The motorcyclist was transported to a local trauma center with serious injuries. The driver of the Honda Civic, an 18-year-old, was not injured. If you witnessed this car accident or have any information, please contact the Huntington Beach Police Department at 714-536-5666.

My heart goes out to this injured motorcycle accident victim. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep this victim and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but 49 injuries reported due to motorcycle accidents in Huntington Beach. In Orange County as a whole, 35 people died and 801 were injured in motorcycle accidents during the same year.

Continue reading "Motorcyclist Seriously Injured in Huntington Beach Car Accident" »

Michael Ennis, 63, was killed in a San Diego car accident when his Kawasaki motorcycle hit a Jeep Cherokee the morning of March 10, 2011. According to a news report in The San Diego Union-Tribune, the fatal motorcycle accident occurred on Campo Road in unincorporated Casa de Oro near La Mesa. Police say 48-year-old Wendy Antisdel, the driver of the Jeep, made a left turn into the path of the Kawasaki. The two vehicles collided and Ennis was thrown from his motorcycle. He was taken to an area hospital and underwent surgery, but died from his injuries a few hours after the accident. An investigation is ongoing.

My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Michael Ennis for their tragic loss. My thoughts and prayers are with them following this fatal injury car accident.

San Diego Motorcycle Accidents

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 27 people were killed and 324 were injured due to motorcycle accidents in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County. During that same year, there were 51 fatalities and 1,081 injuries reported involving motorcycle accidents in San Diego County as a whole.

Continue reading "San Diego County Motorcycle Accident Proves Fatal" »

A female police officer was injured in a Fresno car accident, which officials say, may have involved a motorist running a red light. According to a KFSN news report, the injury car accident occurred at the intersection of Belmont and Fulton in Central Fresno the night of March 8, 2011. The police squad car and another vehicle collided and the officer inside was pinned in her vehicle. The injured officer complained of back pain and was hospitalized with unknown injuries. Investigators are trying to determine if one of the vehicles ran a red light at the intersection.

My thoughts and prayers are with the injured police officer following this Fresno car accident. I wish her a complete and speedy recovery.

Fresno Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 33 people were killed and 1,485 were injured in Fresno car accidents. During that same year, there were 127 fatalities and 3,323 injuries reported as a result of Fresno County car accidents.

Continue reading "Police Officer Injured in Fresno Car Accident" »

Jose Luis Carmona, 40, was killed in a Ventura car accident, which officials say, involved a suspected drunk driver, who also left the scene of the crash. According to a news report in the Ventura County Star, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred on Pacific Coast Highway the night of March 5, 2011 near Faria Beach Road. California Highway Patrol officials say Carmona was walking south with his mountain bike when he was struck by a vehicle driven by 43-year-old Shannon Richard.

Hit-and-Run Car Accident

Authorities say Richard drove away from the scene and that a passing motorist saw Carmona lying on the shoulder of the road. He died at the scene. Officials found Richard's vehicle parked in her home, with damage to the right front side. She was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI, hit-and-run and vehicular manslaughter.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Jose Luis Carmona for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep this grieving family in your thoughts and prayers.

Continue reading "Ventura DUI Collision Involves Hit-and-Run Driver" »

Brittney Davis, 20, was killed in a San Bernardino car accident, which police report, involved a hit-and-run driver. According to a news report in The Victorville Daily Press, the hit-and-run car accident occurred on Bear Valley Road in Victorville the night of March 5, 2011. A white SUV and a Nissan Titan pickup truck collided sending the Nissan into westbound traffic where it collided with a red Chevy Cavalier. The driver of the Cavalier, Davis, was fatally injured in the crash. The driver of the white SUV left the scene of the crash. Police are searching for this hit-and-run motorist. If you witnessed the accident or have information about the suspect or the vehicle, please call the Hesperia Sheriff's Station at (760) 947-1525.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Brittney Davis. My thoughts and prayers are with them following this tragic hit-and-run car accident.

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 16 people were killed and 266 were injured in Victorville car accidents. During the same year, San Bernardino County car accidents claimed 263 lives and injured 8,504 people.

Continue reading "Young Mother Killed in San Bernardino Hit-And-Run Car Accident" »

Three people sustained injuries in a Los Angeles car accident, which officials say, involved a hit-and-run driver. According to a news report in the Los Angeles Times, the injury car accident occurred at the intersection of 7th and Alvarado streets the morning of March 6, 2011. Police say the suspect was traveling west on 7th Street when his Hyundai collided with a black Toyota Prius that was going south on Alvarado Street.

Authorities say one of the drivers ran the red light, but are not sure which one did. The suspect got out of his Hyundai and fled the scene of the crash by boarding an MTA bus. The driver of the Prius and two other passengers were injured, but are expected to survive. An investigation is ongoing.

My heart goes out to the three injured victims of this hit-and-run car accident. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Car Accidents in Los Angeles

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 268 fatalities and 25,588 injuries involving car accidents in Los Angeles. Countywide, 667 people died and 52,229 were injured in car accidents during the same year.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Hit-and-Run Car Accident Causes Injuries " »

Two people were seriously injured in a Los Angeles car accident after two vehicles collided head-on in La Tuna Canyon. According to a CBS News report, the injury car accident occurred the morning of February 27, 2011 in the 8300 block of West La Tuna Canyon Road. It appears that one of the vehicles crossed over into opposing lanes of traffic causing the head-on collision. Two people were transported to area hospitals, one with broken ribs. An investigation is ongoing.

I sincerely hope neither one of the victims in this car accident sustained life-threatening injuries. I wish them both the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep these injured victims in your thoughts and prayers.

Los Angeles Car Accidents

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 121 fatalities and 4,683 injuries involving car accidents in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. Also, countywide, car accidents claimed 667 lives and injured 52,229 people during the same year.

Continue reading "Two Injured in Los Angeles Car Accident" »

At least one person was injured in a Riverside car accident involving three vehicles, which officials say, was caused by a tire blowout. According to a news report in The Desert Sun, the injury car accident involved a big rig, a small car and a pickup truck. California Highway Patrol officials say the accident occurred the afternoon of March 3, 2011 on the 10 Freeway near the Monterey Avenue exit in Thousand Palms. One person was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries. At least one other person had to be extricated from a vehicle, but it does not appear that the individual was injured. An investigation is ongoing.

Given the nature of this car accident, it is indeed fortunate that no one was catastrophically injured or killed. I wish the injured victim the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Car Accident Statistics

According to CHP's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 121 fatalities and 2,615 injuries involving car accidents in the unincorporated areas of Riverside County. Countywide, car accidents claimed 220 lives and injured 8,561 people during the same year.

Continue reading "Tire Blowout Causes Riverside Car Accident" »

Two women were killed in a Los Angeles car accident after their vehicle was struck by an out-of-control big-rig, which crashed on the 60 Freeway in Hacienda Heights. According to a KABC news report, the fatal car accident occurred early morning on March 3, 2011, when the driver of the tractor-trailer, who was traveling west on the freeway, attempted to transition to the 605 Freeway.

The big-rig then lost control and crashed through the center divider before landing on the opposite side of the freeway where it collided with a Nissan Sentra carrying the two victims. Both women died at the scene. They have not yet been identified, but are said to have been between the ages of 30 and 40. Officials are investigating the cause of the crash.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of these two deceased victims. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 121 fatalities and 4,683 injuries involving car accidents in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. Also, countywide, car accidents claimed 667 lives and injured 52,229 people during the same year.

Continue reading "Two Women Killed in Los Angeles Truck Accident" »

Lisa Via, 42, was killed in a San Bernardino car accident after she was struck by her own vehicle that was being repossessed. According to a news report in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred on Monte Vista Avenue in Chino Hills early morning on March 1, 2011. The driver, 42-year-old Leo Song told officials that he backed up his tow truck to a 2002 Buick belonging to Via. Song said he started taking her car despite her protests. Via was struck and pinned under the Buick. Song told officials he assumed that Via had moved away from the tow truck and her car. Via was transported to a local hospital where she died shortly after the incident.

My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Lisa Via following this tragic pedestrian accident. My thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but eight injuries reported in Chino Hills pedestrian accidents. During that same year, 39 fatalities and 432 injuries occurred due to San Bernardino County pedestrian accidents.

Continue reading "Woman Killed In San Bernardino Pedestrian Accident" »

One of the most common questions our attorneys are asked each week is: What is a fair settlement for my Iowa personal injury claim? Whether you were injured in Des Moines, Iowa City, Ankeny, Newton or another town in Iowa it will have an impact on the answer. Every county is different and the same injuries sustained in Des Moines many be worth much more than the same injuries in Marshalltown. You should talk to a personal injury attorney to find-out how where you were injured will affect how much your case is worth. Other considerations are of course what your injuries are (back, neck, shoulder, brain, etc.), whether you had to have surgery, how much time you were off work, if you lost your job, if your injuries are permanent, if you have permanent restrictions or limitations and what you have told your doctors along with many other factors.

Continue reading "Common Questions After an Iowa Persoanl Injury Clailm" »

Six people were injured in a San Diego car accident, which officials say, involved a rear-end collision. According to a news article in The North County Times, the four-car accident occurred on westbound Highway 76 near Airport Road in Oceanside the afternoon of February 24, 2011. California Highway Patrol officials report that three passenger vehicles and one tractor-trailer were involved in a chain-reaction crash caused by a rear-end accident. A mother who was transporting five young children under the age of 12 was injured. Three children sustained injuries, as did two other adults. It is unclear who was responsible for the initial rear-end accident or if any citations will be issued.

My thoughts and prayers are with the injured victims of this car accident. I wish them all a speedy and complete recovery from their injuries.

Car Accident Statistics

According to CHP's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), seven people were killed and 722 were injured in Oceanside car accidents. During the same year, there were 246 fatalities and 13,527 injuries reported involving car accidents in San Diego County.

Continue reading "Three Children Injured in San Diego Car Accident" »