Northern California Accident Attorney Blog

FRESNO -- A motorcyclist, whose age and name was not released, was tragically killed in an accident off a Fresno freeway Friday afternoon. According to the Fresno Bee, the accident occurred at 12:40 p.m. on southbound Highway 99 near North Avenue, when a vehicle made an unsafe lane change forcing the motorcyclist to run off the left side of the roadway. The incident caused the motorcyclist to be thrown off his bike and land in gravel. The vehicle involved in the crash did not remain at the scene, and officers believe the driver did not realize what happened.

Liability for Fresno Motorcycle Accidents

In unique and complex situations such as this one, the family of the victim would be well-advised to contact an experienced and knowledgeable Fresno wrongful death lawyer. An attorney experienced in fatal motorcycle accidents not only can help protect the family's legal rights, but can assist authorities in locating the driver involved in this February 17th accident. However, if for any reason the driver cannot be located, an attorney can help the family obtain the maximum compensation for their tragic loss through the victim's insurance. Compensation can include and are not limited to funeral and burial expenses, lost earnings, loss of love, care, support, affection, and companionship.

Continue reading "Motorcyclist Killed in Highway 99 Accident in Fresno" »

FRESNO COUNTY - A 63-year-old truck driver was found dead early Wednesday morning after the big-rig he was driving struck a concrete pillar on Highway 99, reports the Fresno Bee. Although the cause of the driver's death has not been determined, according to the California Highway Patrol, the truck driver did not appear to die from any injuries he sustained in the June 29th accident. A 41-year-old Lancaster man, who was a passenger in the big-rig, suffered minor injuries in the collision. The condition of the passenger is not known.

Cause of Highway 99 Truck Accident

If news reports are accurate, shortly after midnight, the truck, which was traveling southbound on Highway 99 north of Jensen Avenue, drifted to the right, hit a concrete pillar and came to a stop on an embankment. Due to the impact of the crash, the truck's fuel tank was ruptured and spilled out onto the highway's shoulder. It is not clear why the truck drifted to the right. It is possible the truck drifted because of a tire blowout, steering system malfunction or shifted cargo. The cause of the crash is currently being investigated by the CHP. Hopefully, their investigation will provide answers to how and why this collision occurred.

Truck Accident Litigation

At this stage in the investigation process, it is unclear what caused the crash and therefore, impossible to determine who is responsible. If a defective tire, steering system or improperly loaded cargo contributed to or was responsible for the accident occurring, the family of the victim has legal rights that may allow them to file a wrongful death claim against a tire manufacturer, truck manufacturer or loading company. The victim's family would be well advised to talk to a skilled northern California truck accident lawyer who can explore all sources of compensation to ensure family members receive fair financial damages.

Continue reading "Driver Found Dead After Big-Rig Accident on Highway 99 " »

A KCRA.com article reports that a Sacramento truck accident involving a gravel rig occurred this morning on March 18, 2011 along the Dillard Road onramp to Highway 99. Officers at the scene of the gravel truck crash stated that the truck driver was driving at a speed too great for the tight corner of the onramp. As a consequence, the load of gravel being transported in the rig shifted, causing the truck to topple. The rig slid onto its left side but the truck driver did not sustain injury. Gravel from the truck was strewn across the median between the ramps headed to Dillard Road.

At the time of the article's release, no other vehicles were reported to have been involved in the truck accident and no one was injured. If the truck driver's speeding had caused another person to suffer injury or death, the truck driver could be held legally responsible for losses and damages.

State and federal rules and regulations outline standards that need to be upheld and followed in relation to truck drivers, large commercial trucks, and trucking companies. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) specifies that truck drivers are required to follow posted speed limits. For instance, if the total trip is on highways with 65 mph speed limits, trips amounting to 600 miles or more will be suspected of having been completed through speed limit violations and may be required to be documented.

Not every truck accident is caused by the truck driver. However, truck driver fatigue, truck company oversight, and hours of service violations continue to be a problem in this county. Another issue with large commercial trucks is the failure to properly maintain or repair truck components. Experienced Sacramento tractor trailer crash attorneys are familiar with the many ways in which a truck driver or trucking company may try to avoid responsibility for an accident their negligence caused. To ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve, consider speaking with a personal injury lawyer who has successfully handled truck accident cases.

Continue reading "Gravel Truck Tips Over on Highway 99 Onramp in Sacramento County Accident" »

The Red Bluff Daily News reported four people, including a child, were hospitalized Thursday afternoon following a three vehicle collision on Highway 99E. The crash, which happened at 3:20 p.m. in front of Lassen View Elementary School, involved a Nissan Frontier, a Subaru compact car, and a Ford Explorer.

According to news reports, the Subaru, driven by an elderly man, was travelling northbound on Highway 99E, well above the posted speed limit. As he came around the curve in the road, he allowed his vehicle to travel into the right turn lane. The Subaru collided with the front of the Nissan Frontier and the Ford Explorer, which was waiting to make a right turn.

A fifth-grader in the Nissan Frontier suffered a broken arm and wrist. She and her father were flown to Enloe Medical Center. The driver of the Explorer suffered moderate injuries and was taken to St. Elizabeth Community Hospital. Two passengers in the Explorer who were students at the elementary school were released from the scene and picked up by relatives. A passenger in the Subaru suffered moderate neck injuries and was taken to St. Elizabeth Community Hospital.

Cause of the Highway 99E Accident

The cause of the December 2nd Tehama County accident remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. However, if news reports are accurate, this crash was likely caused by the elderly man driving the Subaru, who reportedly was speeding and allowed his vehicle to travel into oncoming traffic.

Auto Accidents and Personal Injury Liability

In multiple-vehicle injury collisions such as this one, the injured parties in both the Nissan and the Ford Explorer would be well-advised to speak with a knowledgeable and experienced northern California accident attorney. A personal injury lawyer familiar with the unique legal issues of multiple-vehicle injury accidents can advise the victims of their best course of action to protect their rights and recover compensation for their injuries, including medical treatment and rehabilitation, lost earnings or wages, pain and suffering, and other injuries related to the accident.

Continue reading "Four People Hurt December 2nd in Tehama County Crash " »

James Walter Murphy, 55, of Wilton, was killed in a motorcycle accident Tuesday, November 9th on Highway 99, the Modesto Bee reported. The fatal crash occurred at about 9:55 a.m. north of 47th Avenue. According to news reports, a 17-year-old boy driving a Mercury Sable lost control of his vehicle and overcorrected into northbound lanes and collided with the motorcycle. Murphy was ejected from the bike. He was taken to UC Davis Medical Center with major head injuries, where he died at about 11:30 a.m.

The 17-year-old driver of the Mercury fled the scene and ran south on 47th Avenue. CHP officers went to the teen's home in unincorporated Sacramento County. The teen was taken to the CHP office, where he was questioned and later released to his sister. According to news reports, alcohol or drugs do not appear to have played a role in the fatal accident. Charges against the teen are still pending, but may include vehicular manslaughter and felony hit and run.

Cause of the Sacramento County Motorcycle Accident

The cause of the incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information about the fatal Highway 99 motorcycle accident is asked to call the South Sacramento CHP Office at (916) 681-2300, or CHP dispatch at (916) 861-1300. Regardless of what happened, the teen driver should not have left the scene of the crash - not stopping is against the law. Under the California Vehicle Code § 20001, "The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident."

Motorcycle Accident Wrongful Death Liability

In accidents such as this one, if it is determined that the other driver caused the crash, the at-fault party or any other party responsible for the accident may be held civilly liable for their actions in a wrongful death claim. While the incident remains under investigation, he family of the victim of this accident would be well-advised to seek a consultation with a knowledgeable northern California motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. Hit-and-run accidents have unique legal issues. It would be advisable for the victim's family to not delay in contacting an attorney, so that evidence can be preserved, and witness statements can be taken while witness recollections are most accurate. The family may be entitled to compensation for the victim's final medical care expenses, funeral and burial costs, anticipated future earnings, benefits and financial contributions the victim would have made, and loss of love, care, affection and companionship.

Continue reading "Wilton Man Killed in Highway 99 Motorcycle Accident " »

Four people were tragically killed early Sunday morning in a fiery head-on collision on Highway 99 west of Oroville, the CHP reported. According to news reports, Ryan Finnerty, 21, of Roseville was driving southbound in a 2006 Dodge Dakota pickup on State Route 99, near State Route 62. At the same time, around 6 a.m. Sunday, Rodrigo Ramirez, 41, of Live Oak, was driving northbound on State Route 99. For reasons still under investigation, Finnerty reportedly swerved into oncoming traffic and struck Ramirez's Ford Explorer head-on. Both vehicles were estimated to be travelling about 60 miles per hour when they collided. The impact started a fire in Finnerty's truck that spread to the Explorer when the gas tank exploded. Bystanders pulled Finnerty from his car and an 11-year-old boy and a 35-year-old man from the Explorer, all of whom suffered major injuries. When Cal Fire crews distinguished the fire, they found four bodies in the Explorer. The victims were identified as Rodrigo Ramirez, Gustavo Martinez, Gabriella Rosas and Rigoberto Martinez, all of Live Oak.

Car Accidents and Wrongful Death Liability

The cause of this multi-fatality accident in Butte County remains under investigation. Based on the limited information provided in news reports, it is not known why the driver of the Dodge pickup swerved into oncoming traffic and collided with the Ford Explorer. Hopefully, the investigation will yield answers as to exactly what happened and why. If it is determined that the driver of the Dodge is responsible for causing this accident, he may be liable for the wrongful deaths of the four victims in the Ford Explorer, as well as the two people who suffered major injuries. In situations such as this one, while the cause of an accident is still under investigation, the family members of the victims may benefit from contacting an experienced northern California car accident attorney. A skilled lawyer who understands the unique legal issues of multiple fatality accidents on state highways can help the victims' families protect their legal rights to hold the driver - or whoever was responsible for this accident - financially accountable for the devastation that this accident caused.

Continue reading "Four People Killed in Head-On Collision on Highway 99 Near Oroville" »

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 " »