Northern California Accident Attorney Blog

A 35-year-old Oakland man died Wednesday afternoon after an opening car door pushed him into the path of an Alameda-Contra Costa Transit Distric bus, KTVU News reported. The fatal accident occurred around 4:35 p.m. on MacArthur Boulevard, near Patterson Avenue in the Laurel neighborhood of Oakland. The victim was identified by the Alameda County Medical Examiner's Office as Erik Fitzpatrick, a 35-year-old Oakland resident.

According to the Contra Costa Times, Fitzpatrick had just gotten off the bus at MacArthur Boulevard and Loma Vista Avenue, near the Hollywood Video store, and retrieved his bike from the front rack of the bus. He was riding eastbound on MacArthur when he swerved to avoid the opening door of a black Chrysler Pacifica that was being opened by a 42-year-old Manteca woman. Fitzpatrick hit the car door, then bounced off it into the back of the bus, and was pinned underneath it. He was taken to a hospital, where he died.

None of the passengers on the bus were injured. The driver of the bus, a veteran with more than ten years of service, was taken for a standard alcohol and drug test following the collision. After the fatal crash, the driver of the Chrysler reportedly went and got her hair done. She was seen wearing a plastic cover over her hair while being interviewed by police. Officers remained in the area for about 3 hours after the crash. The incident is still under investigation.

Continue reading "Opening Car Door Knocks Cyclist Into Fatal Collision with AC Bus " »

Injuries resulting from auto accidents can range from minor to catastrophic. The type of injuries you may sustain in an accident will depend on dozes of factors related to how the accident occurred and the severity of the collision. At Estey Bomberger, we understand that serious injuries from car accidents can be physically, psychologically and emotionally devastating. Our northern California auto accident lawyers are aggressive and committed to helping our clients obtain the justice they deserve from the party responsible for their injuries. We work hard to obtain maximum, full and fair monetary compensation for every client, in every case.

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The California Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal pedestrian accident Friday morning that killed a 71-year-old Elverta man, ABC News 10 reported. The accident occurred May 14th on Elverta Road, west of El Rio Avenue, at approximately 5:10 a.m. According to news reports, Malkiat Hothi, 71, of Elverta, was struck by a pickup truck as he attempted to cross Elverta Rodad. Investigators reported that the driver of the pickup truck, a 32-year-old Yuba City man, was travelling at about 50 mph.

Cause of the Elverta Pedestrian Accident

The California Highway Patrol is still investigating the cause of this fatal accident. Based on the limited information provided by the Sacramento Bee and ABC News 10, it is not clear why this accident occurred and whether the driver was at fault for this accident. At this point there are more questions than answers as to what happened. We hope that the investigation by law enforcement will reveal exactly what happened in this early morning accident and whether the driver could have prevented this fatal collision.

Continue reading "Elderly Pedestrian Struck and Killed in Elverta " »

Estey Bomberger Wrongful Death Attorneys

The northern California accident attorneys at Estey Bomberger are committed to recovering full and fair compensation for families who are victims of wrongful death. We understand the devastation and grief that families members feel when a loved one is killed in a tragic, unexpected and preventable accident, as well as the financial burdens associated with a sudden loss. Our attorneys fight to obtain justice and hold responsible parties accountable for their actions that result in the wrongful death of another.

Recoverable Damages in Wrongful Death Claims

If a death is caused by the negligent conduct of another party, that party (the defendant) may be liable for all immediate and final medical expenses (if any), funeral and burial expenses, loss of the victim's future expected earnings or wages until their anticipated retirement or end of career, loss of associated benefit, such as medical coverage for family members, loss of love and companionship, and in some cases, depending on how the death occurred, punitive damages may be recovered.

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After receiving reports of two asphyxiation deaths, yesterday the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Family Dollar Stores Inc., of Charlotte, N.C., announced the recall of 1.8 million "Auto Fire" toy dart gun sets due to a potentially deadly choking hazard. According to the CPSC, if a child places the soft, pliable plastic toy dart in his/her mouth, the toy can be inhaled into the throat and prevent the child from breathing. The two deaths reported involved a 9-year-old boy in Chicago, Illinois, and a 10-year-old boy in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The "Auto Fire" toy target set is sold with either an orange and yellow toy gun (item #P238) or a blue and yellow toy gun (item #9328), eight orange darts and a small target with numbers from 1 to 20. The gun's item number is located on one side of the handle in raised lettering. The soft plastic darts measure slightly more than one inch in length and have a small suction cup at one end with a diameter of about ½ inch. The target is black, yellow, red and green, and measures five inches in diameter. "Gordy Toy" for "Ages 8+" is printed on the packaging.

The toy sets, which were made in China, were sold exclusively at Family Dollar stores nationwide from September 2005 through January 2009 for about $1.50. The CPSC advises parents that they should immediately take the toy target sets from children and discard them.

Wrongful Death Lawsuit Pending

Business Week reported yesterday that a wrongful death lawsuit was filed last year by the family of the 9-year-old Chicago boy who died as a result of chocking on the toy darts. The defective product lawsuit, against importer Henry Gordy International Inc. of Plainfield, New Jersey, and Family Dollar Stores Inc., alleged the toys were "defective and dangerous," and that that Gordy knew the Auto Fire Target Set could pose a choking hazard prior to the boy's death in 2007.

Continue reading "1.8 Million Dollar Store Toy Darts Recalled after Two Choking Deaths Reported" »

An 87-year-old Red Bluff woman was taken to St. Elizabeth Community Hospital with major injuries following a collision in Red Bluff Sunday afternoon, the California Highway Patrol reported. The Tehama County accident occurred at about 2:15 p.m. May 16th, at the Diamond Avenue exit offramp on Interstate 5 in Red Bluff. According to reports in the Redding Record Searchlight, Genevieve Johnston, along with several other vehicles, stopped at the bottom of the southbound off-ramp after seeing a disabled van pulling a flatbed trailer that was blocking the roadway. Johnston's vehicle was then struck by a vehicle driven by Jill Ward, 44, of Red Bluff, a CHP spokesman said. Ward, who told officers that she took her eyes off the road to change the station on her radio, collided with Johnston's vehicle without braking at about 50 mph.

Johnston suffered major injuries in the accident. She was taken by ambulance to St. Elizabeth Hospital, and later transferred to Mercy Medical Center, where she was reported to be in fair condition. Ward was reportedly not injured. Both drivers were wearing their seatbelts. The Red Bluff Daily News stated that complaint would be filed against Ward for unsafe speed for the conditions and being an unlicensed driver.

Continue reading "Red Bluff Woman Critically Injured in I-5 Off Ramp Crash in Red Bluff " »

Amputation injuries have the potential to dramatically and permanently change the life of the victim forever. The loss of the limb is not just physically difficult, but it can also be very difficult to deal with psychologically. Below are some of the most frequent asked questions about amputation injuries, the legal rights of amputation injury victims, and personal injury litigation involving amputation injuries.

What is an amputation?

By definition, an amputation is the removal of a body extremity by trauma or surgery. An amputation could be the removal of a toe or finger, or an entire leg or arm. A traumatic amputation occurs when a limb is partially or wholly severed at the scene of an accident. A limb may need to be removed surgically if it has been severely injured and cannot be spared. Amputations may also be medically necessary due to an infection, cancer, or infection, such as a diabetic foot infection or gangrene.

What are some of the causes of amputation injuries?

Amputation injuries can result from any traumatic accident, including but not limited to car accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents and construction accidents. Industrial accidents using equipment such as food slicers, meat grinders, milling machines, conveyor belts, printing presses, mechanical power presses and metal forming machines and other heavy machinery can result in finger and limb work-related amputations.

Who is at financially responsible for an amputation injury?

Depending on how your accident occurred, a number of possible parties may be responsible for your injuries. If the accident that caused your amputation injury was the result of a car accident, pedestrian accident, construction accident, industrial accident, the party responsible for the accident may be responsible for your medical care expenses, lost earnings and wages, and emotional pain and suffering. Every cases unique and different; talk to an attorney to discuss your case and who may be responsible for your amputation injury.

What are the possible complications of amputation injuries?

If you or a family member has suffered a serious injury, talk to your doctor about how it will affect you or your loved one and the possible medical complications associated with the injury. Amputation injuries may have short-term complications that occur during the initial recovery, and long term complications that may occur years down the road. There are significant risks in elderly people and others with hardening of the arteries. Depending on many factors related to the location and severity of injury, possible complications include wound infections and phantom limb pain. More general risks may include heart attacks, strokes, angina and chest infections.

Continue reading "Frequently Asked Questions About Amputation Injuries " »

Unlike so many other law firms where accident and injury law is just one of many practice areas, the Siskiyou County personal injury lawyers at Estey Bomberger only handle personal injury cases. Our attorneys, with more than 70 years of experience, are committed to providing quality, trustworthy representation and obtaining maximum compensation for our clients, in every case. We handle cases throughout Siskiyou County, including Yreka, Weed, Montague, Mount Shasta, Dunsmuir, Fort Jones, Etna, Dorris, and Tulelake. We also handle cases in Del Norte County, Humboldt County, Trinity County, Shasta County, Modoc County, and throughout northern California.

Types of Personal Injury Cases

The lawyers at Estey Bomberger handle all types of serious injury cases, including catastrophic injuries such as multiple broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, quadriplegia and paraplegia injuries, and other spinal cord injuries. We handle all types of injury and wrongful death claims where negligence or recklessness is involved, including car accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, big rig accidents, construction accidents, dog bites, slip and fall accidents, and defective product cases.

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The attorneys at Estey Bomberger specialize in major injury cases, and have successfully handled numerous highway accident and interstate collision cases in California. If you have suffered serious injury or someone you love was the victim of a fatal accident on Highway 20, contact the trusted and skilled northern California accident attorneys at Estey Bomberger as soon as possible to discuss your potential case with an attorney.

About Highway 20 in California

Highway 20 is a 211 mile state route that runs east-west across California from Fort Bragg in Mendocino County to Nevada City in Nevada County. The highway has a long history dating back to wagon road days in the nineteenth century. It officially became SR 20 in 1934. Most of the highway is still a two-lane surface road, although the Grass Valley portion has been converted to freeway standards. Highway 20 covers portions of Mendocino County, Lake County, Colusa County, Sutter County, Yuba County, and Nevada County

Highway 20 Accidents & Crashes

Accidents on Highway 20 frequently result in serious injury or death, especially head-on collisions accidents where vehicles are travelling at highway speeds. There have been a number of serious injury crashes this year on Highway 20. In April 2010, an Indiana woman died and six other people were seriously injured in a head-on crash on Highway 20 in Lake County. Four people were injured on March 31, 2010, on Highway 20 at the intersection of Rough and Ready Highway when a teenage driver drove against a red light into the path of a Toyota Corolla. On February 6, 2010, a 41-year-old Lake County woman died and four other people were injured in a head-on crash in Highway 20, west of Marina drive in Mendocino County.

Continue reading "Highway 20 Accidents in California and Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Claims " »

In personal injury news, a man who was seriously injured in a 2003 car accident in Stockton was awarded a $2.1 million verdict against the employer of the driver who caused the rear-end crash, Lawyers and Settlements reported last week. James M. Lang, who was 39 at the time of the accident, seven years ago, claimed at trial that his injuries resulted in the end of his marriage with his wife.

Geweke Motors, the employer of the driver that struck Lang, admitted liability fro the crash. At trial, Lang alleged he suffered bulging discs and a protrusion along his cervical spine. He claimed his condition became debilitating with muscle twitching, bilateral hip pain, spasms and sciatica in both legs, insomnia and appetite loss. A San Joaquin County jury awarded Lang $2,175,030.

Continue reading "San Joaquin County Jury Awards $2.1 Million to 2003 Car Accident Victim " »

A two-year-old girl was taken to the hospital Friday evening after a head-on collision in Grass Valley, the Union reported. The accident occurred on Highway 174 (Colfax Hwy) in Grass Valley, near Partridge Road. According to reports, witnesses saw a 1998 Honda Accord drifting from the eastbound lane to the westbound lane, resulting in a head-on collision with a westbound 2007 Toyota Rav-4. The accident occurred around 5:15 p.m. on Friday, May 14th.

The driver of the Honda, Randall Robertson, 31, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. He was booked in the Nevada County Jail. The 60-year-old driver of the Rav-4 was treated for her injuries at the scene of the crash. A two-year-old passenger in the vehicle was taken to the hospital with unknown injuries.

Cause of the Highway 174 Crash

Although the California Highway Patrol is still investigating the cause of the accident, if news reports are accurate, this accident is not the fault of the driver of the Rav-4. This head-on collision was caused by the erratic driving of the suspected drunk driver who crossed into westbound traffic. If the driver of the Honda is found at fault for this collision, as it sounds like he will be, he may be liable and financially responsible for the injuries of the occupants in the Toyota.

Continue reading "Toddler Injured in Head-On Crash in Grass Valley " »

A 61-year-old woman was killed Friday night when she was struck by a car while crossing the street in Fremont, police reported. The fatal Alameda County pedestrian accident occurred at 8:20 p.m. May 14th at the intersection of Mowry Avenue and Parkside Drive. The woman crossing the street, who was not identified, was hit by a 30-year-old Fremont resident driving eastbound on Mowry Avenue in a 2003 Dodge Stratus. The victim suffered critical injuries and was taken to Eden Hospital in Castro Valley where she passed away. The driver of the car that struck her was not injured.

Based on the information available in news reports of this accident, it is not clear why this crash occurred or exactly what happened. Fremont Police are investigating the cause of the accident, but do not believe drugs or alcohol played a roll in the crash. Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to call Fremont Police Department at 510-790-6800.

Continue reading "Woman Struck and Killed in Fremont Intersection " »

Three people were injured early Friday morning in a crash involving a farm labor vehicle in Fresno County near Easton, the California Highway Patrol reported. The crash, which involved a van and a Nissan Altima, occurred on Hwy 41 near Manning Avenue, just after 5 a.m. on May 14th. Three people were taken to a nearby hospital with moderate to major injuries, KMPH News reported. One person reportedly suffered critical injuries.

Cause of the Hwy 41 Crash

The cause of the crash is still under investigation and it is not clear who was at fault or why this accident occurred. Based on the limited information provided by news reports, it is impossible to determine what happened, or even which direction the vehicles were travelling when the collision occurred. The CHP is investigating and will determine if one of the drivers of the two vehicles caused this accident, or if something else, such as mechanical failure or a dangerous road condition, contributed to this accident.

Continue reading "Three Injured in Highway 41 Crash in Fresno County " »

A Tuolumne County resident died early Thursday morning in a head-on collision on Hwy 108/120 near Oakdale, the Modesto CHP reported. The fatal Stanislaus County accident was reported around 6:10 a.m. between Knights Ferry and Oakdale According to news reports, an eastbound 2001 Chevy pickup driven by Jason Wood, 30, of Sonora, crossed double yellow lines and veered head-on into a Honda Accord driven by Joseph Lopez, 27, of Copperopolis.

Authorities believe Wood, who was the sole occupant of his vehicle, fell asleep. Wood was reportedly not hurt in the crash. Lopez suffered moderate injuries and was taken by ambulance to Memorial Medical Center in Modesto. A right front passenger in Lopez's vehicle, a 45-year-old Moccasin man, was fatally injured in the crash. All parties were wearing their seatbelts and the CHP reported that alcohol or drugs were not believed to be a factor in the crash, although the cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Cause of the Hwy 108/120 Crash

Although the California Highway Patrol is still investigating the accident, if news reports by the Modesto Bee and KNXS News are accurate, Wood, the driver that authorities believe fell asleep at the wheel, caused this fatal crash by veering into oncoming traffic. If he is determined to be at fault, he may be liable for the wrongful death of the passenger in the accord and the injuries to Joseph Lopez.

Continue reading "Moccasin Man Killed in Head-on Crash on Hwy 108/120 " »

A suspected drunken driver was arrested Tuesday morning after a fatal crash on Interstate 680 near Sunol. The Alameda County crash occurred at about 9:35 a.m. on southbound I-680, just before the Andrade Road exit, the San Jose Mercury News reported. The suspected drunken driver, Timothy Bartlet, 53, of Livermore, was driving a Ford pickup truck southbound on I-680 when he struck the center median and veered into another Ford pickup truck driven by Adam Bajer, 45, also of Livermore.

The force of the collision caused both vehicles to overturn on the freeway. Bajer was ejected from his vehicle and died at the scene of the crash. His 35-year-old brother who was a passenger in the vehicle suffered major injuries. Bartlet, the sole occupant in his truck, was not injured. He was arrested at the scene on suspicion of felony driving under the influence after officers determined that he appeared to be impaired.

Although the cause of the crash remains under investigation, if news reports are accurate, this I-680 crash was caused by the drunken driver. Driving under the influence of alcohol is against the law, under California Vehicle Code § 23152.

Continue reading "Livermore Man Killed in Suspected DUI Crash Near Sunol " »

If you have suffered a serious injury in an accident in Northern California, the attorneys at Estey Bomberger are here to help you obtain the justice you deserve for your injuries, or the sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one. Our experienced lawyers understand the challenges and obstacles serious accidents present - and we know how to navigate the legal issues involved. With our experience, skills and dedication, we help our clients recover the maximum, full and fair compensation for their injuries, or the wrongful death of a family member.

Types of Accidents

Any accident that results in serious injury can change your life forever. When an accident is caused by the negligent or careless accident of another, victims may be entitled to compensation from the responsible party. The attorneys at Estey Bomberger represent victims injured in all types of accidents causing serious injury, including car accidents, motorcycle accidents, SUV rollover accidents, big-rig accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, hit-and-run accidents, slip and fall accidents and construction accidents.

Specializing at Serious and Catastrophic Injuries

At Estey Bomberger, our Northern California accident lawyers specialize in cases involving serious and catastrophic injuries. We have recovered multi-million verdicts and settlements for victims of serious injuries in all types of accidents. Because catastrophic injuries are long lasting, and may result in permanent disability and possibly a shorter life expectancy, obtaining fair compensation is essential for your future. Examples of catastrophic injuries are traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, injuries causing paraplegia or quadriplegia or other neurological injury, and amputation/dismemberment injuries.

A Reputation For Excellence

The law firm of Estey Bomberger is proud to have received an A+ rating, the highest grade possible, from the Better Business Bureau. This represents the bureau's degree of confidence that a business is operating in a trustworthy maneer. We have also received the highest possible AV-rating from Martindale-Hubbell, widely considered to be the most complete and trusted source for identifying qualified legal counsel.

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