Northern California Accident Attorney Blog

The California Highway Patrol is seeking the driver of a pickup truck, who is believed to have made an unsafe lane change that caused a collision that killed two people on a motorcycle late Tuesday afternoon in Contra Costa County. According to news reports, the crash occurred at about 4:40 p.m. on the eastbound Highway 4 Bypass, near Lone Tree Way.

The driver of a black Ford F-250, which was towing a boat, was reportedly tailgating a silver Honda Civic going westbound, when the driver of the truck made an unsafe lane change. The Honda Civic swerved or was forced into oncoming traffic, where it collided head-on with an eastbound blue Harley Davidson Road King.

The male driver of the motorcycle died at the scene, and the female passenger died shortly after arriving at the hospital. Authorities say both of the victims, who were not identified, were wearing helmets. The teenage driver of the Honda Civic suffered serious injuries, but is expected to survive.

Hopefully, for the sake of all parties involved, the driver of the third vehicle will be located or come forward. Authorities are currently treating the accident as a hit-and-run, but that status could change pending the investigation. The truck involved in this accident was believed to be a newer black Ford F-250 with a specialized license plate that was pulling a black and white wakeboard style boat. Anyone with information about the accident or the driver of the black Ford F-250 is asked to contact authorities at 1-800-TELL-CHP. Callers may remain anonymous.

According to Mercury News, the June 15th collision was the fourth fatality and the second in two months on the bypass between Antioch and Brentwood since the route began opening in stages eight years ago.

Continue reading "Two Killed in Motorcycle Crash on Highway 4 Near Antioch " »

In nursing home neglect lawsuit news, last month a jury in Sacramento awarded $29.1 Million in damages (including $28 million in punitive damages) against a California nursing home. According to court documents, Frances Tanner, 79, moved into Colonial Healthcare, a nursing home in Auburn, in March 2005. She fell and broke her hip at the facility on September 1, 2005. On September 10, she was sent to the emergency room as Kaiser Hospital in Roseville. Doctors diagnosed a hip fracture on September 18th and discovered a bed sore. Tanner underwent a left hip hemiarthroplasty for the fracture. She died from the bed sore on October 7, 2005.

On behalf of her mother's estate as well as individually, Tanner's daughter sued Colonial Healthcare Inc., and parent company Horizon West Inc., alleging nursing home neglect and elder abuse pursuant to California's Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act, and wrongful death. Tanner's daughter alleged that Colonial Healthcare failed to prevent her mother's fatal bed sore and delayed in assessing and obtaining treatment for her hip fracture. These failures, allegedly, were the consequences of the nursing home's corporate culture of putting monetary profits over patient care, and severely understaffing the nursing home.

The defense asserted that the nursing home staff members acted reasonably, and that the bed sore occurred at the hospital, after she left the nursing home. However, plaintiff's counsel argued that its appearance at the hospital suggested it was several days old. The jury awarded the plaintiff $29.1 million in damages.

Continue reading "Sacramento Jury awards $29.1 Million for Fatal Bed Sore at Auburn Nursing Home " »

A 92-year-old Sonora woman died early June 9th following an accident on Highway 108 at Via Este Road in Sonora, the CHP reported. The accident occurred at 4:38 p.m. on Tuesday, June 8th, and involved a 1998 Honda and a 1994 Honda. According to news reports, Audrey Vest, 92, of Sonora, was a front seat passenger in the 1998 Honda driven by Heather East, 26, of Jamestown. East was driving northbound on Via Este and stopped at the stop sign, intending to turn left onto SR-108. According to the CHP news release, East failed to yield the right-of-way to approaching traffic on eastbound 108.

As she left Via Este, East's vehicle was subsequently broadsided by a Honda driven by Megan Jacka, 34, of Sonora. All three parties were taken to Doctor's Hospital in Modesto. East suffered moderate injuries and Jacka suffered major injuries. Vest suffered critical injuries and passed away early the next day.

Cause of the Fatal Hwy 108 Crash

If news reports are accurate, the California Highway Patrol initially determined that this accident was the result of a driver error. However, the CHP is still investigating the cause of the Tuolumne County accident and any contributing factors, such as a dangerous road condition. While the accident remains under investigation, the families of Megan Jacka and Audrey Vest would be well-advised to consult with a California personal injury attorney as soon as possible about this accident and protecting their rights in a personal injury or wrongful death claim. A skilled attorney can review the accident report and other similar accidents at this location, including a collision that killed a 22-year-old Soulsbyville man at this same intersection in September 2009, and a nearby head-on collision that killed two people on March 16, 2009.

Continue reading "One Killed, Two Injured in Sonora Pass Hwy Accident at Via Este" »

A 38-year-old man fell to his death early Tuesday morning in an accident at the Sobarea Ranch northwest of Corning, the Red Bluff Daily News reported. The victim, Manuel Jose Ramirez, fell into the hay baler sometime between 4:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m., at the farm located on Gyle Road. Ramirez's body was discovered by the ranch's owner around 7:15 a.m. Sheriff's deputies said Ramirez lived on the farm. It was not clear why Ramirez climbed into the bailer, but authorities think it may have been to clear an obstruction or blockage.

Cal OSHA officials are investigating the cause of the accident. Officials did not find immediate hazards or violations that would stop the operation of the ranch. The Cal OSHA investigation will likely take between three and six months.

Continue reading "Farm Worker Fatally Injured in Hay Baler Accident Near Corning " »

Three men died in separate motor vehicle accidents in Tulare County over the weekend, the Visalia Times-Delta has reported. The three fatal accidents occurred on Highway 99, on Shirk Road, and on Avenue 312.

Traver Man Killed in Highway 99 Motorcycle Accident

The Fresno Bee reported that Kevin Dale Whitlow, 42, of Traver, died Sunday night on northbound Highway 99, about two miles north of Merritt Drive. The May 30th crash was reported at 8:05 p.m. Whitlow, who was riding a motorcycle, collided with a tractor-trailer. Further details of the accident were not immediately released. The cause of the accident is being investigated by the California Highway Patrol

Visalia Man Killed in Crash on Shirk Road

A Visalia man died early Sunday morning when the gold Lincoln Town car he was driving went off the road and struck a fence and a tree. The accident occurred on Shirk Road, north of Walnut Avenue, at 3:22 a.m. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. The victim's identity was not immediately released.

Exeter Man Killed in Motorcycle Crash on Avenue 312

A 33-year-old Exeter man died Saturday night when he lost control of his 2007 Yamaha Warrior motorcycle while making a turn, the CHP reported. The accident occurred on Avenue 312, east of Drive 197. The man, whose identity was not immediately released, died at the scene of the crash. The Visalia CHP office is asking anyone with information about the Avenue 312 crash to contact investigators at (559)734-6767.

Continue reading "Three Killed In Separate Memorial Day Weekend Crashes in Tulare County " »