California Injury Blog

Pedro Cervantes, 24, was killed in a Riverside car accident involving a driver who, officials say, may have been under the influence of alcohol. According to a CBS Los Angeles news report, the fatal DUI collision occurred on Avenida Maravilla in Cathedral City the night of May 27, 2011. Police say 26-year-old Randy Merida, caused the fatal pedestrian accident when he struck Cervantes, who was in a wheelchair. Merida then fled the scene leaving Cervantes critically injured. Merida was later arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, gross vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Pedro Cervantes following this tragic hit-and-run car accident. My thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.

DUI Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but11 injuries reported involving Cathedral City DUI collisions. During that same year, 101 fatalities and 1,090 injuries occurred due to alcohol-related collisions in Riverside County.

Continue reading "Man in Wheelchair Killed in Riverside Hit-And-Run Car Accident" »

Friends and family of a 14-year-old serious-injury auto accident victim gathered in Irvine Sunday night, the victim remaining in grave condition at a local hospital, according to the Orange County Register. The 48-year-old driver of the Mercedes-Benz and one of the other passengers has been released from the hospital, said Lt. Henry Boggs of the Irvine Police Department. The collision occurred at about 1:15 a.m. when the five people in a Mercedes-Benz collided with a Toyota pickup at the intersection of Irvine Boulevard and Culver drive, Boggs said.

Continue reading "Alleged Repeat DUI Offender Involved in Horrific Irvine Car Accident" »

Anaheim’s North Harbor Boulevard is notorious for its early morning traffic, but for a woman and her child passengers it has become the site of a horrific car accident. According to the Orange County Register, a woman and three children were hospitalized this morning after a car crash that briefly shut down part of Harbor Boulevard. The two drivers involved gave conflicting accounts of the accident, both adamant about the other being the driver at fault.

The unidentified woman was driving a Corolla with three children, all of which were quickly taken to the hospital by ambulance. Luckily the other driver involved was unhurt. Our sincere condolences go out to all those involved in this horrible auto accident and wish them a speedy recovery.

Continue reading "Woman and Three Children Hospitalized after Anaheim Car Accident" »

A 28-year-old man was seriously injured in a San Francisco car accident when a taxicab struck him and then left the scene of the crash. According to a CBS San Francisco news report, the hit-and-run car accident occurred at Sutter and Polk streets in San Francisco early morning of May 23, 2011. The victim of this pedestrian accident sustained life-threatening injuries. The taxi driver, a man in his 30s, was later arrested for leaving the scene of the serious injury accident.

My thoughts and prayers are with the injured victim of this hit-and-run car accident. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

San Francisco Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 16 people were killed and 790 were injured in San Francisco pedestrian accidents. During that same year, there were 35 fatalities and 3,577 injuries reported due to San Francisco car accidents.

Continue reading "San Francisco Hit-And-Run Car Accident Causes Major Injuries" »

Fred Walsh, 91, died the night of May 24, 2011 from injuries sustained in a Riverside car accident a week ago. According to a news report in The Press-Enterprise the bicycle accident occurred near the intersection of California Avenue and Rucker Lane in a residential neighborhood. Officials say Walsh's bicycle was hit by a mid-size pickup truck. An investigation is ongoing.

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

Riverside Bicycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were two fatalities and 70 injuries as a result of bicycle accidents in Riverside. Also, in Riverside County as a whole, nine people died and 362 were injured due to bicycle accidents during the same year.

Continue reading "Elderly Bicyclist Dies after Riverside Car Accident" »

One person was injured after a San Bernardino car accident, which officials say, was caused by a hit-and-run driver. According to a news report in The Press-Enterprise, the injury collision occurred the afternoon of May 24, 2011 at the intersection of Cactus and Bloomington avenues in Rialto. Police say a Dodge Ram pickup truck collided with a Toyota Camry, injuring the Camry's driver. The driver of the Dodge Ram fled the scene of the accident. Police say the hit-and-run driver may have been a parolee at large. The extent of the victim's injuries is not known. An investigation is ongoing.

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

Hit-and-Run Statistics

According to the California Highway Patrol's traffic accident statistics, there were 17,158 hit-and-run car accidents that resulted in fatalities or injuries in California in 2008. A majority of these car accidents involved injuries. There were 247 deaths in 2008 involving hit-and-run collisions statewide.

Continue reading "Hit-and-Run Car Accident in San Bernardino Causes Injuries" »

At least 13 people were injured in a tour bus accident in Vacaville the afternoon of May 23, 2011. According to a CBS News report, the injury collision occurred off the Interstate 80 when a tour bus veered off the roadway and crashed through 50 to 60 feet of perimeter fencing on Lyon Road, near Cherry Glen Road. There were 50 people on board the bus including the driver. California Highway Patrol officials said 13 people were transported to local hospitals. All victims are expected to survive. Officials say the bus was exiting the freeway when it went out of control and crashed. An investigation is ongoing.

My heart goes out to the many injured victims of this bus accident. I'm relieved to hear that none of the injuries in this bus crash were life-threatening. I wish the injured victims the very best for a quick and full recovery. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Bus Accident Statistics

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were 30 fatalities and 1,140 injuries involving bus accidents in California in 2009. During the same year, 254 people died and 15,428 sustained personal injuries as a result of bus accidents in the United States.

Continue reading "Vacaville Tour Bus Accident Injures 13" »

Eight people were injured in a Los Angeles car accident involving four buses and one car, the morning of May 19, 2011. According to a news report in the Los Angeles Times, the major injury accident occurred in the northbound lanes of the 5 Freeway, near Washington Boulevard, in Commerce. California Highway Patrol officials report that the chain reaction collision was triggered by a car that suddenly slowed down in front of one of the buses. The bus directly behind the car slammed on the brakes. Three buses, which were behind the first bus, collided. Two of the injured victims were inmates and six were military personnel. One of the victims was critically injured. An investigation is ongoing.

My thoughts and prayers are with the many injured victims of this Los Angeles bus accident. I wish them all the very best for a complete and speedy recovery.

Car Accident Statistics

According to CHP's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), seven people were killed and 234 injured in Commerce car accidents. During that same year, 667 fatalities and 52,229 injuries occurred as a result of Los Angeles County car accidents.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Bus Accident Injures Eight" »

Adriana Nicanor, 29, was critically injured in a Ventura car accident when she was ejected from the vehicle in which she was a passenger. According to a news report in the Ventura County Star, the single vehicle accident occurred on Highway 101 near Victoria Avenue in Ventura, the morning of May 16, 2011. Ricardo Avila, 24, was driving south when his car veered off the roadway, entered the shoulder and struck a concrete wall. Nicanor was ejected from the car as it rolled over numerous times after hitting the wall. She suffered critical head injuries and Avila sustained a cut to his finger. Avila was later arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

My thoughts and prayers are with Adriana Nicanor following this DUI collision. I wish her the very best for a complete and quick recovery.

Ventura County DUI Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), two people were killed and 63 injured as a result of alcohol-related crashes in Ventura. During that same year, Ventura County DUI collisions claimed 27 lives and injured 475 people.

Continue reading "Woman Suffers Head Injury in Ventura Car Accident" »

Eduardo Perez, 71, of Canoga Park died from injuries sustained in a Los Angeles car accident, which officials say, involved a hit-and-run driver. According to an NBC news report, the fatal bicycle accident occurred the afternoon of May 14, 2011 when Perez was riding his bicycle eastbound on the south crosswalk of Sherman Way. Officials say a small, black, four-door SUV hit him. The vehicle was going east on Sherman Way and turning right on Canoga Avenue just before the collision happened.

The driver of the SUV fled the scene of the crash. Perez was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries. He died two days later. Anyone with information about this hit-and-run car accident is asked to contact LAPD's Valley Traffic Division at 818-644-8045. Tipsters are also encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).

I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved Eduardo Perez for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. This grieving family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Continue reading "Elderly Bicyclist Killed in Los Angeles Hit-and-Run Car Accident" »

Christian Martinez, 5, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident, which police report, was caused by a suspected drunk driver. According to KTLA News, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred on Poplar Place in Huntington Park the evening of May 15, 2011. The driver, a 25-year-old man who lives in the neighborhood, is facing felony DUI charges and could also be charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. It is not clear at this time if the child ran into the street, or if a driving error by the intoxicated motorist was the primary cause of the accident. An investigation is ongoing.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Christian Martinez following this tragic pedestrian accident. My thoughts and prayers are with the boy's parents during this difficult time.

Los Angeles DUI Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but 31 injuries reported due to Huntington Park DUI collisions. During that same year, there were 258 fatalities and 4,832 injuries reported involving alcohol-related accidents in Los Angeles County.

Continue reading "5-year-old Boy Killed in Los Angeles DUI Collision" »

A motorcyclist was injured in an Orange County car accident after his Kawasaki collided with another vehicle. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the motorcycle accident occurred near the intersection of Crowther and Placentia avenues in Placentia the morning of May 12, 2011. Officials say the collision involved a Toyota Avalon and a Kawasaki Vulcan motorcycle. The motorcyclist was hospitalized following the crash. The uninjured car driver remained at the scene. An investigation is ongoing.

My thoughts and prayers are with the injured victim of this Orange County motorcycle accident. I wish the victim a complete and prompt recovery.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities but six injuries reported due to motorcycle accidents in Placentia. During that same year, Orange County motorcycle accidents claimed 35 lives and injured 801 people.

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

Mia Amber, well-known model and actress, was pronounced dead on Tuesday and some believe that she may have been the victim of a wrongful death. According to People magazine, Mia Amber Davis went to a Los Angeles clinic this week for surgery on her knee to ease pain from an old basketball injury, but after what was supposed to be a routine procedure on Monday, she complained of dizziness and had to be transported to Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center. At about 9 a.m. on Tuesday she was pronounced dead.

It is truly tragic that this beloved icon was taken at such an early age, our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and all those in mourning.

Due to the sudden and unexpected nature of Mia's death, it would be no surprise if her family filed for a wrongful death lawsuit sometime in the future. Craig Harvey, chief investigator for the L.A. County Coroner was quoted as saying "She seemed fine leading up to the procedure. She had no prior complaints and no significant prior medical history".

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to someone else's negligence, contact a BISNAR | CHASE Los Angeles personal injury lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your case by attorneys who have represented over 6,000 clients since 1978. BISNAR | CHASE attorneys are well-known for their success and dedication to their clients.

A 25-year-old man was injured in a San Francisco car accident when a car turned left in front of his motorcycle. According to a news report in The Press Democrat, the injury motorcycle accident occurred at Coffey and West Steele lanes in Santa Rosa the morning of May 11, 2011. The man was riding his Honda 1000 sport bike when a Hyundai SUV attempted a left turn ahead of him. The motorcyclist suffered a brain bleed when he was thrown onto the windshield of the SUV. Officials say the driver of the Hyundai was an unlicensed 16-year-old girl. The owner of the SUV was cited for permitting the juvenile to operate the vehicle and the young driver may face charges as well.

My thoughts and prayers are with the man injured in this Sonoma County motorcycle crash. 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), one person was killed and 49 were injured in Santa Rosa motorcycle accidents. During that same year, there were six fatalities and 166 injuries reported due to Sonoma County motorcycle accidents.

Unsafe Left Turn

It appears based on this news account that the young driver made an unsafe left turn in front of the motorcycle. California Vehicle Code Section 21801 (a) states: "The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left or to complete a U-turn upon a highway, or to turn left into public or private property, or an alley, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to the approaching vehicles until the left turn or U-turn can be made with reasonable safety."

Continue reading "Motorcyclist Seriously Injured in San Francisco Area Car Accident" »

A female passenger suffered major injuries in a Riverside car accident, which police report, involved a drunk driver. According to a KPSP news report, the DUI collision occurred at the intersection of Bellflower and Brookside avenues in Beaumont the night of May 9, 2011. Police say that the driver of a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, Darrin Hammer, ran a stop sign and turned left directly in front of a Dodge pickup truck. The Dodge pickup veered off the road and went into a concrete guardrail before overturning. A female passenger in the Dodge sustained major head, chest and abdominal injuries. Both drivers sustained minor injuries. Hammer was arrested on suspicion of felony driving under the influence.

My thoughts and prayers are with the woman who sustained severe injuries following this DUI collision. I wish her the very best for a complete and speedy recovery from her injuries.

DUI Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), one person was killed and nine were injured in Beaumont DUI collisions. During that same year, 101 fatalities and 1,090 injuries occurred due to alcohol-related accidents in Riverside County.

Continue reading "DUI Collision in Riverside County Causes Serious Injuries" »

A boy sustained life-threatening injuries in a Long Beach car accident after he was struck by a vehicle. According to a news report in The Press-Telegram, the major injury pedestrian accident occurred on Carson Street near the Los Coyotes Diagonal the night of May 8, 2011. The boy, who was hit by a westbound Hyundai, was transported to a local hospital where he is said to be in critical condition. An investigation is ongoing.

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

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were six fatalities and 234 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Long Beach. In Los Angeles County as a whole, pedestrian accidents claimed 214 lives and injured 4,985 people during the same year.

Continue reading "Boy Critically Injured in Long Beach Car Accident" »

In response to another tragic display of Yaz side effects, Joan Cummins has decided to pursue compensation for the wrongful death of her daughter, Michelle Pfleger. Michelle died shortly after experiencing a heart attack on the way to class last year during which time she had been taking Yaz as an oral contraceptive. According to bizjournals.com, Pfleger's autopsy report showed that she died from cardiac arrest caused by a blood clot in the lungs, and the lawsuit alleges that the clot was caused by Pfleger's use of Yaz.

Continue reading "Mother of Yaz Side Effects Victim Pursues Compensation" »

Carlos Castro, 52 and Laurie Castro, 50, were killed in a Riverside car accident involving a hit-and-run driver. According to a news report in My Valley News, the fatal hit-and-run car accident occurred on Glen Oaks Road in Temecula the night of May 6, 2011. Carlos Castro was driving a sedan when a vehicle collided head-on with his vehicle. Both Carlos and his passenger, Laurie Castro, were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Officials are still looking for the driver of the other vehicle who fled the scene. Authorities are searching for a Latino man wearing a white and orange striped shirt with white tennis shoes.

My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Carlos and Laurie Castro following this tragic car accident. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this fatal hit-and-run car accident.

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), five people were killed and 384 were injured in Temecula car accidents. During that same year, there were 220 fatalities and 8,561 injuries reported due to Riverside County car accidents.

Continue reading "Two People Killed in Riverside Hit-And-Run Car Accident" »

Two pedestrians are in critical condition after being involved in two unrelated Orange County car accidents within four miles of each other. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, one of the pedestrian accidents occurred at Knott and Lincoln avenues, and the other occurred at Crescent Way and Lincoln Avenue. Both accidents occurred in Anaheim the night of May 5, 2011.

The pedestrian accident that occurred at Knott and Lincoln did not involve alcohol and the driver responsible for the collision remained at the scene of the crash. The injury accident that occurred at Crescent Way and Lincoln involved a hit-and-run driver. The authorities are searching for a dark, 2000 or newer Toyota Camry. Like the victim of the other accident, the female victim of this hit-and-run accident suffered life-threatening injuries.

My thoughts and prayers are with both victims of these serious injury pedestrian accidents. I wish them both a complete and speedy recovery.

Continue reading "Pedestrians Critically Injured in Two Separate Orange County Car Accidents" »

As the number of Darvon and Darvocet lawsuits continues to rise, consumers are starting to question the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's continued approval of this 50-year-old defective product. Darvon and Darvocet's active ingredient, propoxphene, was approved in 1957 as a strong painkiller, but Darvon's side effects have been well-documented with little to no action to pull it from the shelves.

Continue reading "Ban on Darvon and Darvocet (Propoxyphene) Came Too Late to Save Consumers" »

Not so long ago, Yaz and Yasmin birth control were considered to be one of the most advanced and effective forms of contraceptives on the market, but those days are over. According to Bnet, about 190 women have died after taking Yaz and its predecessor Yasmin and countless more have suffered life-threatening injuries. Bayer has denied reports detailing the deadly effects of these defective medications, and say that they are perfectly safe.

Several studies have shown that Bayer-manufactured Yaz and Yasmin (also known as Yazmin) which contain the hormone Drospirenone, have a higher risk of developing serous blood clots that those who were prescribed other types of contraceptives. Ocella is the generic form, which is marketed and distributed by Teva Pharmaceuticals, and was approved by the FDA in 2008.

Yaz and Yasmin Side Effects

If you have been taking Yaz, Yasmin, Ocella, or any medication containing Drospirenone, and feel you may be experiencing negative side effects, you should contact your primary care physician immediately. This defective product has side effects that range from mild to very severe, but tending to them while they are in their early stages may prevent them from becoming more serious. The following are some of the more severe side effects:

Continue reading "Yaz and Yasmin Birth Control Continue to Claim Victims" »

Kemberly Arrue, 6, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident involving a hit-and-run driver. According to a news report in the LA Weekly, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred on West 49th Place near Figueroa Street in Los Angeles the night of May 3, 2011. Police say Kemberly ran into the street chasing a ball when a black SUV with tinted windows struck her. The young victim of this hit-and-run accident died upon arrival at the hospital. Officials are still looking for the hit-and-run driver. Officials say the black SUV should have both front end and headlight damage as a result of the collision.

My deepest condolences goes out to the family of Kemberly Arrue following this tragic hit-and-run car accident. My thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.

Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 104 people were killed and 2,716 were injured in Los Angeles pedestrian accidents. During that same year, there were 214 fatalities and 4,985 injuries reported involving Los Angeles County pedestrian accidents.

Continue reading "6-year-old Girl Killed in Hit-And-Run Accident" »

A man in his 30s was killed in a Los Angeles car accident when his Honda Civic veered off the roadway and crashed. According to a report in The Pasadena Star-News, the fatal car accident occurred on the eastbound 91 Freeway near Pioneer Boulevard in Artesia early morning on May 3, 2011. The Honda was travelling in the fast lane before it veered right across all lanes of traffic, went up an embankment and crashed into a sound barrier wall. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. It is not clear why he lost control of his vehicle or if any other vehicles were involved.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of the driver killed in this tragic single-vehicle car accident. My thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), one person as killed and 87 were injured in Artesia car accidents. During that same year, 667 fatalities and 52,229 injuries occurred due to Los Angeles County car accidents.

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

Jesse Norris, 32, of Chino Hills, was killed in a motorcycle accident in Orange County the morning of May 1, 2011. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal motorcycle crash occurred early morning in the 1900 block of West Orangewood Avenue in Orange. Police say Norris hit a curb and then a wooden sign. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police are investigating the cause of this fatal accident.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Jesse Norris for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Traffic Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), four fatalities and 31 injuries occurred due to motorcycle accidents in Orange. In Orange County as a whole, 35 fatalities and 805 injuries were reported as a result of motorcycle accidents in 2008. During the same year, 152 people died and 13,414 were injured in all Orange County car accidents.

Continue reading "Fatal Orange County Motorcycle Accident" »

A man was killed in a Los Angeles car accident involving a hit-and-run driver, who officials say, was under the influence of alcohol. According to a report in the Los Angeles Daily News, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred on 10th Street West near Avenue J-8 in Lancaster the night of April 29, 2011. Isidro Peralta, 25, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after he was stopped at a DUI checkpoint.

Officers who were running a sobriety checkpoint not far from the accident scene, observed blood and significant front-end damage on Peralta's 1996 Ford Mustang and retraced his route until they located the fatally injured victim lying on the roadway. Peralta has been booked on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter, felony driving under the influence and felony hit-and-run.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of the man killed in this fatal hit-and-run car accident. My thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Killed in Los Angeles Hit-and-Run Car Accident" »