California Injury Blog

Published on: May 8, 2012

Passenger killed in Orange County Car Accident

By Brian Chase

Justin Messerschmidt, 22, of Huntington Beach, was fatally injured in a Los Alamitos car accident when the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado in which he was a passenger veered out of control and crashed into a tree. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the car crash occurred on the southbound 605 Freeway near Katella Avenue, the evening of May 6, 2012. California Highway Patrol officials say the 22-year-old driver from Long Beach was traveling at 50 mph in the number four lane when he made an unsafe turn and lost control. The vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree. Messerschmidt was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash while the truck’s driver suffered major injuries.

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone who knew and loved Justin Messerschmidt and are mourning his tragic loss. My heart goes out to the victim’s grieving family as well as the severely injured driver.
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Published on: May 7, 2012

Bicyclist Injured in Newport Beach DUI Collision

By Brian Chase

A bicyclist was injured in a Newport Beach car accident, which officials say involved a suspected drunk driver. According to a news article in The Daily Pilot, the injury crash occurred the morning of May 4, 2012 near the intersection of Bayside Drive and Jamboree Road. A pickup truck hit the male bicyclist who was riding south on Bayside Drive near Jamboree. Police arrested the driver of the pickup on suspicion of driving under the influence. The bicyclist’s injuries were non-life-threatening.

My thoughts and prayers are with the injured victim of this DUI collision. I wish this bicyclist the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
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Published on: May 4, 2012

Man Killed in Orange Car Accident

By Brian Chase

Angel Fernandez, 19, of Orange, was fatally injured in an Orange County car accident after the vehicle he was driving was struck by another car at a street intersection. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the car crash occurred at the intersection of Chapman Avenue and Jamboree Road in Orange, the night of May 3, 2012. Officials say a gray Honda Civic was traveling north on Jamboree when it collided with a Toyota Corolla that was traveling west on Chapman.

Fernandez, the driver of the Corolla, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Civic was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries. Officials determined that one of the drivers ran a red light, but it is not known if speed or alcohol played a part. Anyone with information is asked to contact Orange police at 714-744-7460.

My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Angel Fernandez who are mourning their loved one’s tragic and untimely loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
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Published on: May 4, 2012

Compensation for Your Massachusetts Car Accident Injuries

By Brian Chase

If you have sustained serious injuries in a Massachusetts car accident because of another driver’s negligence, you may be legally entitled to seek damages for what you have been through.

Following are some areas in which you may be able to recover compensation from the at-fault party:
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Published on: May 3, 2012

Car Accident Proves Fatal for Fountain Valley Man

By Brian Chase

A 47-year-old man was killed in a Garden Grove car accident after the vehicle he was driving was hit by a minivan at a freeway overpass. According to a City News Service report, the car crash occurred the night of May 2, 2012, when the victim’s Toyota pickup truck and a northbound Honda minivan collided on Bolsa Chica Road at the 405 Freeway. The driver of the pickup truck died at the scene. Two others were critically injured in the collision, The Orange County Register reports. A firefighter at the scene said that the crash was violent and high speed was likely a factor. Garden Grove police are investigating the cause of this fatal incident.

Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of this deceased car accident victim for their tremendous loss. I also wish the injured victims the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
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Published on: May 2, 2012

Construction Worker in San Diego Injured in Scaffolding Collapse

By Brian Chase

A construction worker suffered major injuries on the job after a scaffolding collapsed on a job site and left him trapped under twisted steel and thick wooden planks. According to a 10News report, the major injury incident occurred at the Office Depot on Highland Avenue in National City, the night of May 1, 2012. Officials say the scaffolding was supporting large wood planks that formed a protective tunnel for the store’s entrance. The victim was working underneath when the structure collapsed on him. He was transported to an area hospital and his current condition is unknown. Investigators with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are looking into what caused this scaffolding accident.

My heart goes out to this injured worker and his family. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
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Published on: May 1, 2012

New California Law to Ban Texting While Biking

By Brian Chase

It may seem like a no-brainer that you shouldn’t be texting while riding a bicycle. But, in California the issue is now being addressed by a proposed law, which would make it illegal to ride a bicycle and text. According to a CBS news report, Senator Joe Simitian, a Palo Alto Democrat, who authored the 2008 California law mandating the use of hands-free technology while driving, has proposed extending this law to bicyclists in an effort to prevent serious injury bicycle accidents. Senate Bill 1475 would essentially ban bicyclists from texting or talking without a headset or some type of hands-free device. A first offense could generate a $20 fine and a subsequent offense will cost the bicyclist $50 with no additional fees. This bill, which is being supported by the California Bicycle Coalition, is currently working its way through the state senate. Lawmakers are hoping that it will be passed by the end of 2012.
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Published on: April 30, 2012

Woman Fatally Injured in Anaheim Car Accident

By Brian Chase

Maria Valenzuela, 42, was killed in an Anaheim car accident when a car struck the disabled vehicle in which she was sitting. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal accident occurred along the 5 Freeway near La Palma Avenue, the night of April 24, 2012. Officials say Valenzuela’s husband was changing a tire on the car when it was hit by another vehicle. Valenzuela was in the car at the time of the crash. She succumbed to her injuries on April 27, 2012. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Maria Valenzuela following this tragic car accident. My thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.
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Published on: April 30, 2012

Pradaxa Attorneys in Orange County – 25 Deaths Reported

By Brian Chase

Bisnar and Chase Orange County Pradaxa attorneys are moving forward in pursuit of compensation for patients who have suffered injuries as a result of using the medication. Pradaxa is under fire following hundreds of patient reports claiming the drug contributed to serious injuries and death. Pradaxa is a medication manufactured by Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals to help patients who have a higher risk of stroke, but the reported side effects, if proven to be true, create dangers that outweigh the benefits for those who use it.

Designed to combat blood clots in patients who have undergone surgery and are at risk for increased clotting, Pradaxa would usually be prescribed to patients who suffer from atrial fibrillation, a serious medical condition in which the heart does not contract regularly. A member of the direct thrombin inhibitor drug class, Pradaxa hopes to delay the formation of dangerous blood clots that can lead to strokes and other life-threatening medication conditions. The drug has yet to be recalled, which may inadvertently lead to injuries and deaths that could have been easily prevented.
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Published on: April 27, 2012

DUI Arrest Made in Orange Car Accident

By Brian Chase

Officials have arrested a man on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and gross vehicular manslaughter in connection with a car accident in Orange, which resulted in the death of 49-year-old Charles Bayes. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal collision occurred the night of April 24, 2012 at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Tustin Street. Orange police say Lloyd Mardel Cotton, Jr., 27, drove his Toyota Highlander into opposing lanes on Lincoln and collided head-on with a Honda Civic in which Bayes was the passenger. The driver of the Civic, Bayes’ mother, sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Cotton was arrested on April 26, 2012 following an investigation and blood test.

My heartfelt sympathies go out to the family members of Charles Bayes, especially his mother who has also been injured in this collision. I wish her the very best for a complete recovery. The Bayes family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
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