Northern California Accident Attorney Blog

STANISLAUS COUNTY -- A tragic accident in the community called Hughson, which is located in the city of Modesto, occurred around 6:30 a.m. Friday when a 46-year-old Crese woman was struck by a small SUV. The Modesto Bee reported that Stanislaus County crime scene technician Mary Donahou was helping a deputy gather evidence at a crime scene when she was hit by a car as she walked along Santa Fe Avenue, just south of Charles Road.

Following this incident, Donahou suffered major head injuries and was transported to a hospital, where she later died. The driver of the vehicle, 38-year-old Elizabeth Quiroga of Hughson was not charged after the crash and is cooperating with police.

Pedestrian Accident Wrongful Death Liability

In an accident where it is unclear what exactly happened or who's at fault, the family of the victim would be well-advised to speak to a Northern California pedestrian accident lawyer immediately regarding their legal rights. Contacting an experienced attorney as soon as possible can help ensure witness statements and important evidence are preserved.

Compassionate attorneys at Estey Bomberger can also advise the family of their legal rights in a wrongful death claim and decide the best course of action to recover compensation for the family's tragic and unexpected loss, including funeral and burial expenses, future and anticipated lifetime earnings and benefits, loss of love, care, affection, and companionship.

Continue reading "Stanislaus County Crime Scene Investigator Struck and Killed by Car in Modesto" »

PLACER COUNTY -- A head-on collision in Foresthill left two people seriously injured, The Sacramento Bee reported. The accident happened at about 2:05 p.m. Friday, when for unknown reasons a 79-year-old Foresthill man drove his white Nissan pickup from the westbound lane and onto the eastbound lanes of Foresthill Road. The driver of the Nissan then slammed head-on into a Toyota driven by a 32-year-old woman from Foresthill. Both drivers were airlifted to Sutter Roseville Medical Center for further treatment.

Cause of the Foresthill Car Collision

Based on the information provided by news reports, it is unclear what caused the driver to veer onto the opposite side of the road and into oncoming traffic. Therefore, the accident on December 30th will remain under investigation until the Placer County Sheriff's Department determines whether speed, negligence, vehicle malfunctions, road conditions, or drugs/alcohol, played a role in this terrible accident.

Car Accident Injury Liability

After a car accident like this one, the victim or the family of the victim would be well-advised to seek immediate consultation from an experienced Northern California personal injury attorney. A lawyer who has helped numerous victims in car accidents, can ensure the victim's legal rights are protected and decide the best option to recover the compensation she is entitled to for medical care expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, or other damages relating to this devastating head-on car collision.

Continue reading "Two Injured in Foresthill Car Accident" »

MERCED COUNTY -- Two people were tragically killed in a Merced County multi-vehicle accident at about 4:19 p.m. Wednesday. According to the Fresno Bee, an 84-year-old man and a 76-year-old woman, were passengers in a 2006 Toyota Camry driven by Mikael Mikaelian, 70, of Clovis, when for unknown reasons he failed to negotiate a right turn and traveled directly into oncoming westbound traffic on Highway 152, east of the Santa Clara County border.

Once veering onto the other side of the road, the Toyota slammed into a 2004 Ford driven by Theodore Haynish, 52, of Hollister. Following the crash, Haynish suffered only minor injuries and sought treatment on his own. Mikaelian sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to a Modesto hospital, while his two passengers who were residents of Fresno, were killed instantly.

UPDATE: On Thursday night, the Fresno Bee reported that the two people killed in this horrific accident was 84-year-old Arshag Kalpakian, and 76-year-old Anahid Kalpakian.

Cause of the Highway 152 Car Accident

The accident on December 28th remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. However, based on the information given by news reports, it is not evident what caused the driver of the Toyota to fail to make a right turn. Hopefully, the CHP will come to a conclusion as to what happened, and whether distracted driving, vehicle malfunctions, road conditions, or negligence was a factor in this tragic collision.

Car Accident Wrongful Death Liability

After a major car accident such as this one, the family the victims would be well-advised to seek a skilled Northern California wrongful death attorney. Compassionate lawyers that understand the legal issues regarding fatal car accidents can help the family protect their legal rights in a wrongful death claim, and advise them the best option to recover compensation for their tragic loss. Compensation in a civil claim can include and are not limited to, funeral and burial expenses, lost earnings, loss of love, care, affection, and companionship.

Continue reading "Two Killed, Two Injured in Merced County Car Crash on Highway 152" »

YOLO COUNTY -- A pedestrian woman in Davis was tragically struck by a vehicle at about 6:40 a.m. Wednesday, The Davis Enterprise reported. The pedestrian, whose name was not released, was hit by an eastbound vehicle when she was attempting to cross Russell Boulevard near Lake Boulevard. Following the collision, the pedestrian was then taken to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento with possible head injuries.

UPDATE: According to ABC 10 News, the pedestrian woman identified as Megan Glanville, 25, died late Thursday afternoon at UC Davis Medical Center from her injuries.

Cause of the Pedestrian Accident in Davis

Based on the limited information provided by The Davis Enterprise, it is unclear what could have caused this December 21st pedestrian accident. Lt. Paul Doroshov of the Davis Police Department indicated that weather conditions were foggy at the time of the incident, but it is not evident whether the lack of visibility played a factor in the accident. Hopefully, the Davis Police Department can come to a conclusion as to what happened and why.

Pedestrian Accident Personal Injury Liability

While the investigation of the accident remains ongoing, the victim or the family members of the victim would be well-advised to speak to a Northern California personal injury lawyer. A skilled attorney who has the knowledge and experience in car vs. pedestrian accidents, can help the victim protect her legal rights, and if necessary, hire a independent investigator to reconstruct the collision to determine who may be at fault. An attorney from Estey Bomberger can also advise the victim the best option to recover compensation for her injuries, including medical care expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages relating to this horrible pedestrian accident.

Continue reading "Woman Injured in Davis Pedestrian Accident" »

MADERA COUNTY -- A 47-year-old man was killed in a head-on car crash along Highway 145 in Madera. According to The Fresno Bee, the accident occurred on Friday afternoon when the man, who was a passenger in a Dodge Shadow traveling westbound, collided with a pickup that turned in front of it.

Following the fatal collision, the driver of the Dodge sustained moderate injuries and the two occupants in the pickup suffered moderate to minor injuries. The names of the individuals involved in the crash were not immediately released.

Cause of the Madera Car Collision on Highway 145

Based on the information provided by The Fresno Bee, it is unclear what caused this accident to occur. Therefore, the California Highway Patrol will further investigate the collision, and determine what happened and who is officially responsible.

Car Accident Injury and Wrongful Death Liability

If police come to a conclusion that the driver of the pickup truck is responsible for the collision due to either negligence or unsafe driving, the injured victim and the family of the deceased victim would be well-advised to immediately contact a knowledgeable Madera auto accident lawyer.

An attorney who has the experience in head-on car accidents, can ensure the legal rights of the injured victim and the family of the deceased are protected in a personal injury or wrongful death claim, and decide the best option to recover the compensation they are entitled to for medical care expenses, funeral and burial expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related damages to this devastating December 16th car accident.

Continue reading "One Killed, Three Injured in Madera Car Accident on Highway 145" »

SACRAMENTO -- A 70-year-old woman was killed and three people injured after they were involved in a two-vehicle accident, The Sacramento Bee reported. The multi-car crash occurred at about 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, when the 70-year-old woman traveling eastbound on Garden Highway near the Northgate-Arden Garden connector swerved into the westbound lane and collided with an oncoming vehicle.

According to Sgt. Andrew Pettit, spokesman of the Sacramento Police Department, a medical condition may have contributed to the collision. Following this terrible accident, the woman was reported to have died at the scene, while three occupants in the other vehicle were taken to a hospital. The female driver sustained serious injuries and her passenger suffered moderate injuries. The injuries or condition of the other passenger - an infant - was not immediately released.

Cause of the Car Accident in Sacramento

The accident on December 14th remains under investigation by the Sacramento Police Department. And based on the information provided by The Sacramento Bee, it is unclear whether the cause of the crash was due to the driver's medical condition. However, the collision will be further investigated to determine if there were other factors that prompted the accident.

Car Accident Personal Injury Liability

While the investigation of this accident is ongoing, the victims or the family members of the victims would be well-advised to seek a Sacramento car accident lawyer. An experienced attorney can help the victims understand and protect their legal rights in a personal injury claim. If the police determine that the driver who veered onto the opposite side of the road is fully responsible for the collision, a skilled lawyer can advise the victims the best course of action to obtain compensation for their injuries, including medical care expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages relating to this tragic car accident.

Continue reading "One Killed, Three Injured in Sacramento Car Crash on Garden Highway" »

ALAMEDA COUNTY -- A 40-year-old man in a wheelchair was struck and killed by a van while crossing the street in Hayward, San Francisco Chronicle reported. The accident happened at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, when David Gomez, of Hayward, was hit by a white Ford Econoline while attempting to cross at a crosswalk at Patrick Avenue and Gomer Street. Following the accident, the driver of the van stopped at the scene and is cooperating with the police.

Cause of the Pedestrian Accident in Hayward

The accident on December 10th remains under investigation by police officials. However, based on the information provided by news reports, it remains to be certain what caused this accident to occur. Hopefully, authorities will come to a conclusion as to what happened and why.

Pedestrian Accident Wrongful Death Liability

While the investigation of the accident remains ongoing, the family of the victim would be well-advise to consult with a knowledgeable Northern California wrongful death lawyer to discuss their legal rights. If the family decides to take action in a civil suit, an attorney who has the experience in pedestrian accidents can ensure the family's rights are protected, determine whether negligent or reckless driving was a factor in the collision, and decide the best course of action to recover the compensation they are entitled to for the loss of their loved one, including funeral and burial expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages relating to this tragic pedestrian accident.

Continue reading "Man in Wheelchair Struck and Killed by Van in Hayward" »

Often in a personal injury case, if you are the victim, you would think that you have to take action, but this is not the case. In almost every situation, the other party's insurer will call you before you even have time to think about the case or whether or not you have a claim to file. In some ways, this is good because it immediately gets the ball rolling on you getting compensated for your injury. It can also be bad in that you most likely did not even have time to contact your lawyer, so you will have to field the telephone call without legal advice. How should you handle it when the other party's insurer calls you?

Here are some tips on making the best of that telephone call so that it will not harm or hinder your personal injury claim later down the road.

Do not get too detailed in the information you provide. The insurance representative will ask you quite a few questions, but you do not need to get into the details until you have had time to talk to your lawyer. Instead, provide the basics, like your name, address and telephone number. It is also ok to tell them where you work and the type of work that you do. When the insurance company starts asking you about the accident and your injuries, it is absolutely vital that that you do not go into any details.

You should never give out details about the accident or injury without talking to your lawyer. This is for very simple reasons. Chances are, when you talk to the insurance company, you will still be upset, angry or rattled by the incident. You may not remember all of the details or you may later find out your injuries are more extensive. However, the insurance company could use anything you say against you and this could hinder your case later. When asked, simply say that the details will be discussed at a later point and time when it is appropriate.

Always remain polite and calm. You may think about the injury and you may become angry while on the telephone, but you will not want to do this. You may say things that could later hurt your case, or you could make an enemy when you need a friend to get the case settled more quickly. If you receive that insurance call before you have talked to a lawyer, follow this simple advice, and you will be able to handle it with ease.

If you have been injured in a car accident and would like to know more about your rights to receive compensation for your medical care and pain and suffering, contact the California car accident lawyers at Estey Bomberger for a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.

Continue reading "Car Accident FAQ: What to Do When the Other Side's Insurer Calls You" »

When it comes to your personal injury case, there is one person who will have more control over how much you will be compensated than you may have imagined. That person is not you or your lawyer. Instead, it is your doctor. How your doctor presents your injuries, pain and suffering will have a very big impact on your personal injury claim. Often, doctors will not enjoy being a part of the personal injury case because it can be a very big hassle for them, so it is very important that you have a good relationship with your doctor so that they will be there for you when you need them in your personal injury case.

Here are some tips on making sure you have the best chance of getting your doctor to be a witness in your personal injury case.

1. Always go by your doctor's instructions. This way, all of your injuries will be cared for in the best possible way. In addition, your doctor will feel better about speaking for you when it comes to your injuries since they will know that you did not cause any further harm to yourself by not following doctor's orders.

2. Tell your doctor everything. That means you need to tell your doctor all of the details of the accident and then every single detail of pain that you have felt since the accident. Even if you think that the pain is minor, it is still important that you give all of your information to the doctor. Without all of the details, your doctor may not be able to properly treat you, and they will not be able to properly record all of your injuries for the personal injury claim.

3. Do not go without treatment. It is important that you get medical treatment as soon as possible after the accident and you need to continue with regular follow up treatment. Everything that your doctor puts in your medical records will go toward your personal injury claim. If you do not get follow up treatment, it could be argued that you were not as injured as you say.

When it comes to your personal injury claim, your doctor will have a very big say in how much of a claim you are actually able to win. You need to make sure you give your doctor every chance of providing proper information for your injury and for your case.

If you have been seriously injured in California and would like to know more about your rights to compensation for your injuries, contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer for a free consultation today.

Continue reading "Three Tips for Getting the Best Information From Your Doctor in a Personal Injury Case" »

FRESNO COUNTY -- A Monday morning multi-vehicle collision left one person dead and injured three others in east-central Fresno. According to The Fresno Bee, the driver of a 1960s Chevrolet Nova sped west out of a filling station on Olive Avenue near Peach Street, veered onto the eastbound lanes and slammed into a late-model pickup truck.

The 29-year-old male driver of the Nova, was driving with a suspended license and was killed after the crash. The driver and two children inside the pickup truck were taken via ambulance to Community Regional Medical Center for further treatment.

Cause of the Fresno Car Collision

The Fresno car accident on December 5th remains under investigation by police officials. However, based on the information provided by The Fresno Bee, it appears the driver of the Chevrolet Nova may be responsible for the accident due to veering onto the other side of the roadway and into oncoming traffic, along with driving with a suspended license. Therefore, it is apparent that the occupants in the pickup truck had no way to prevent or avoid this horrible collision.

Fresno Auto Accident Injury Liability

While the car crash on Olive Avenue is being investigated, the injured victim or the family of the injured victims would be well-advised to speak to a skilled Fresno car accident lawyer. An attorney who has the knowledge and experience in accidents such as this one, can help the family protect their legal rights in a civil suit, and decide the best course of action to recover the maximum compensation. Compensation in a personal injury claim can include medical care expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, or other damages relating to this terrible car accident.

Continue reading "One Killed, Three Injured in Fresno Car Crash" »