Northern California Accident Attorney Blog

The Napa Valley Register reported that a teenager suffered serious injuries Monday morning when he was struck by a car in a Napa crosswalk. According to police reports, the collision occurred shortly before 8 a.m. at Jefferson and B Streets. The teen, who wasn't identified, was in a crosswalk when he was struck by a southbound Toyota Camry. The driver of the Camry reportedly did not see the teen until he was on the windshield. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by Napa police.

Pedestrian Accident Injury Liability

If it is determined that the driver of the car is responsible for causing this collision, he or she may be liable for the serious injuries sustained by the teen. After an any accident such as this one where the cause of the collision is unclear, the parents of the injured minor would be well-advised to speak with a northern California personal injury attorney about the incident and the victim's legal rights to recover compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Continue reading "Teenager Injured in Car vs. Scooter Collision in Napa " »

The Redding Record Searchlight reported a motorcyclist was taken to Mercy Medical Center in Redding Tuesday afternoon following a collision with a car. According to news reports, at about 4:45 p.m., Denise Marie Ieye, 48, of Redding, was riding on Bechelli Lane when the driver of a vehicle, Erin Beth Louis, 30, "decided to make a u-turn." Ieye struck Louis' car and Ieye suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The Record Searchlight reported that Louis would be cited for unsafe turning, according to police. Drugs and alcohol apparently were not suspected in the collision.

What is the Law Regarding Unsafe U-Turns?

Under California Vehicle Code Section 21801 (a), "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."

Motorcycle Accident Personal Injury Liability

Redding Police are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash. Accidents like this one are surprisingly common, as motorcyclists are especially vulnerable to injury in when drivers of larger vehicles make sudden turns. If news reports are accurate and Louis is found to be responsible for this crash, she may also be liable for the injuries suffered by the motorcyclist. While this accident remains under investigation, the family members of the injured victim would be well-advised to contact a northern California motorcycle accident lawyer about the accident and the victim's legal rights to financial compensation for her injuries, including medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.

Continue reading "Woman Injured in Redding Motorcycle Accident " »

SANTA ROSA - A 51-year-old Sebastopol man was very tragically killed in a motorcycle accident Wednesday evening, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat reported. The fatal Sonoma County crash occurred at about 5:35 p.m. on Highway 12, near Dutton Avenue. According to news reports of the incident, the victim, William "Billy Bob" Boltz was sideswiped by a 2003 GMC full-size van while riding his 1996 Harley Davidson motorcycle. Boltz was reportedly riding westbound and passing the van when the driver, Nathan Ham, 32, moved into the fast lane. Ham later told officers that he hadn't seen Boltz or his motorcycle while making the lane change. Boltz was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, where he died of his injuries. Ham was not hurt.

Cause of the January 12th Highway 12 Crash

The incident remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. Based on the news reports, it appears that the driver of the van may be responsible for the collision. It is unclear what speed the motorcycle and van were travelling when the collision occurred.

Motorcycle Accident Wrongful Death Liability

Accidents like this one are tragic and heartbreaking, and raise many questions. While officials are looking into the cause of this accident, the family members of the victim may benefit from speaking to an experienced northern California motorcycle accident lawyer who can review the circumstances of the accident and advise the family of their legal rights. Depending on the circumstances, if negligence of the driver of the van was a factor in this crash, the family members of the victim may be entitled to wrongful death compensation for their loss, including final medical expenses, lost earnings and benefits, funeral and burial expenses, loss of love, care, and companionship, and other damages.

Continue reading "Motorcyclist Killed in Highway 12 Sideswipe Crash " »

RANCHO CORDOVA - A two-vehicle crash Wednesday morning took the life of a 54-year-old Carmichael man, and seriously injured a 44-year-old woman, News 10 reported. The Sacramento County crash occurred at 11:36 a.m. on westbound Highway 50, between the Mather Field and Zinfindal Road exits, when a stalled Ford Tempo was struck from behind by a Chevrolet Tahoe. The driver of the Tahoe was reportedly looking to the left while merging on the highway and struck by back of the Ford Tempo. The driver of the Ford suffered major injuries and was taken to UC Davis Medical Center, where he died. His female passenger was hospitalized with moderate injuries. The driver of the SUV, a 50-year-old Rancho Cordova man, suffered minor injuries. The Sacramento Bee reported Thursday that the Sacramento County Coroner's Office identified the victim as Oscar Frayer, 54.

Cause of the Highway 50 Crash

The CHP is investigating the fatal January 5th Highway 50 accident. Based on the news reports of the incident, the driver of the SUV may be responsible for the collision. 10 News said the driver "was looking to the left while merging onto the highway." Drugs or alcohol were reportedly not a factor.

Car Accident Wrongful Death Liability

While this tragic accident remains under investigation, the family members of the two victims may benefit from speaking to a northern California car accident lawyer. If the driver of the Chevy Tahoe was indeed responsible for causing the accident, he may be liable for the wrongful death of the driver of the Ford, as well as the injuries sustained by the passenger. After a serious accident such as this one, it is advisable for families to contact a lawyer as soon as possible, while evidence is still fresh, and witnesses are most easily located. An experienced attorney can answer questions, and provide advice to the victims' families of their legal rights to recover financial compensation in a personal injury or wrongful death claim.

Continue reading "Carmichael Man Killed, Passenger Injured in Highway 50 Crash " »

One person died and two others suffered major injuries in a multi-vehicle crash in Humboldt County Sunday night, the Times-Standard reported. The accident near Garberville happened at the intersection of Charlie Hurt Highway and California State Route 162, shortly after 10:30 p.m.

According to news reports, Jimmy Allen Jr., 25, of Willits, was driving a 1996 Hyundai Accent eastbound on Charlie Hurt Highway. At the same time, Stewart Fuzzell, 42, of Ukiah, was driving a 2006 Land Rover northbound on State Route 162.

Allen allegedly failed to stop at the intersection and his Hyundai was broadsided by Fuzzell's Land Rover. A passenger in the Hyundai, Donna Miller, 53, of Covelo, died in the crash. A second passenger in the Hyundai, Adam Azbill, 20, also of Covelo, suffered major injuries and was airlifted to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. Allen was also seriously injured. Fuzzell and a 32-year-old Florida man in his vehicle were not injured.

Cause of the January 2nd Crash

The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing. Investigators had not yet determined if alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash. Based on the news report, it is unclear why the driver did not stop. Was he distracted? Was he drunk? Was he speeding and unable to stop? Hopefully the investigation by the CHP will reveal exactly what happened and why.

Passenger Injury and Wrongful Death Liability

If news accounts are accurate and Allen did indeed fail to stop and yield to the Land Rover, he may be responsible for causing this major injury accident, including the wrongful death of Miller and the serious injuries sustained by Azbill. The family members of both of the victims of this accident would be well-advised to speak with a northern California personal injury lawyer following this collision. An attorney can review the law enforcement report and advise the victims' families of their legal rights to compensation and best course of action to protect their rights in a personal injury or wrongful death claim. In the event the at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured, an attorney can also advise how the victims' own insurance policy may be utilized to recover compensation.

Continue reading "Covelo Woman Killed, Two People Seriously Injured in Crash Near Garberville " »

A man tragically died Sunday night at UC Davis Medical Center after he was hit by a car while attempting to cross East Street, the Daily Democrat reported. The pedestrian, who was only described as a man in his 50's, was hit by a white Chevy Cavalier heading southbound on East Street in the far west lane, between 30 and 40 mph. The driver, who was also not named, remained at the scene of the crash and was interviewed and released. The Daily Democrat reported that both the front and rear windshields of the Chevy Cavalier were shattered in the Yolo County pedestrian accident.

Cause of the Accident

Car vs. pedestrian accidents account for 11% of fatal motor vehicle accidents in the US, and close to 70% of pedestrian accident victims are male. Based on the news reports of this January 2nd Woodland accident, it is unclear why the man was struck. Did he simply walk into the path of the vehicle, or could the driver have done anything to prevent this accident? Hopefully, the investigation by the Woodland Police Department will provide answers to these questions and others. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to call the Woodland Police Department Traffic Division at (530) 661-7800.

Negligent Driving and Pedestrian Accident Liability

If this accident was caused by negligence of the driver, the family of the deceased victim may be able to recover compensation for their loss in a civil claim for wrongful death. Compensation in a wrongful death claim can never take away the pain of an unexpected loss, but it can ease the financial burdens of funeral expenses, loss of earnings and benefits, and other expenses. After an accident such as this one, the family members of the victim would be well-advised to speak to a northern California pedestrian accident lawyer about this accident and the family's legal rights to recover compensation for their loss.

Continue reading "Man Killed in Woodland Pedestrian Accident " »