Northern California Accident Attorney Blog

SHASTA COUNTY -- A firefighter was tragically killed and two others were injured along a freeway in Cottonwood. The firefighter, Captain Mark Ratledge, 35, of Cottowood, and a CHP officer were responding to an earlier crash that occurred earlier this morning.

According to Chico Enterprise Record, Ratledge, the officer, and one of the passengers in an earlier car accident were struck by a 2003 Chevy S-10 pickup truck around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday on Interstate 5, just near Shasta Livestock Auction Yard.

The Anderson Valley Post reported that the pickup truck, driven by 31-year-old Jared Schumaker of Redding, apparently lost control of his truck as he tried to avoid running into another vehicle that spun out on the slick and hailed-covered road.

Following this horrible accident, the three individuals struck by the pickup were taken to Mercy Hospital, where Ratledge was reported to have died from his injuries. The condition of the CHP and the other person hit, were not immediately available.

Cause of the Fatal I-5 Accident in Cottonwood

Even though multiple news reports did indicate slick roads were present due to hail, drivers should be fully aware of their surroundings and take the necessary precaution when driving on dangerous roads. Hopefully, authorities can determine whether or not speed or unsafe driving were contributing factors to the crash, along with who is ultimately responsible for this horrible accident.

Shasta County Accident Liability

While the accident on February 29th remains under investigation by authorities, the injured victims or the family of the deceased victim would be well-advised seek immediate consultation from a caring and compassionate Shasta County personal injury attorney. A lawyer with extensive knowledge and experience in accidents involving personal injury and wrongful death, can ensure the legal rights of the victims and the family of the deceased are protected, and that they are fully and fairly compensated for their injuries or their tragic and unexpected loss.

Continue reading "Firefighter Struck and Killed on Interstate 5 in Cottonwood" »

COTTONWOOD - A pedestrian was reportedly struck by a motorcycle Tuesday night in Cottonwood, KRCRTV.com reported. The accident was reported on Main Street near the OK Corral at about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 16, 2011. According to hews accounts, a group of pedestrians was walking northbound on Main Street when one of them walked in front of a motorcycle that was also travelling northbound. The operator of the motorcycle and the pedestrian both suffered severe injuries and were taken to Mercy Medical Center.

The cause of this motorcycle vs. pedestrian accident remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol, who will surely review witness reports, skid mark evidence, speed, the location of the pedestrian in the street when the collision occurred, and other factors in determining what happened, and who was responsible. If the pedestrian walked into the path of the motorcycle, the pedestrian may be responsible for causing this accident and may be liable for the serious injuries the motorcycle operator suffered. On the other hand, if the motorcyclist caused this crash, he or she may be liable for the injuries the pedestrian suffered. While the cause of this accident remains under investigation, the injured victim of would be well-advised to speak to an experienced northern California personal injury attorney who can help ensure rights to compensation are protected.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Struck by Motorcycle in Cottonwood " »

SHASTA COUNTY - A 47-year-old Paynes Creek man died, and a 21-year-old Redding man was injured Thursday morning in a crash on Main Street in Cottonwood, the Red Bluff Daily News reported. The accident was reported at 10:54 a.m. According to news accounts the driver Shawn Malone, exited Interstate 5 to Main Street and lost control of his 1994 Lincoln Town Car. The car went off the road and became airborne before hitting a tree. Malone died in the collision; his passenger, James Smith, 21, of Redding, was taken to Mercy Medical Center in Redding with major injuries. The cause of the June 15th Shasta County accident remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.

Continue reading "Driver Killed, Passenger Injured in Cottonwood Crash " »

SHASTA COUNTY - A woman in her 20s was taken to a Redding Hospital following a head-on collision on Highway 299 in Round Mountain, the Record Searchlight reported. The accident occurred in front of the Golden Bear Store before 11 p.m. The injured woman, who may have broken a leg, was trapped inside one of the vehicles that crashed. The CHP is investigating the cause of the May 24th accident; further details regarding the circumstances of the accident, or who was responsible, were not available.

Continue reading "Woman Injured in Head-On Collision in Round Mountain " »

The largest city north of Sacramento, Redding is situated along the Siskiyou Trail, an ancient trade and travel route connecting California and the Pacific Northwest. In recent decades, the city has seen a population boom of retirees from the Los Angeles and San Francisco area looking for more affordable housing and a slower pace of life. Cities experiencing a population boom like Redding can also experience an increase in traffic. Typically, an increase in traffic volume can also increase the likelihood of car crashes occurring.

Before you talk to anyone about your accident, talk to a Redding car accident attorney at Estey Bomberger. Don't talk about the collision with the other driver and do not give your insurance company a recorded statement until we have been able to counsel you. We want to make sure your legal right to fair and just compensation is protected. It is not uncommon for an insurance company to misconstrue a victim's statement to get out of paying them a settlement. We will handle your case on a contingency fee basis. Simply put, we do not charge any legal fees until compensation has been won for you. Call our staff toll-free for a private, no obligation consultation.

Continue reading "Redding Car Accident Attorneys Helping Personal Injury Victims" »

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 " »

A 40-year-old Redding woman was tragically killed Sunday night when she was struck by a car on Keswick Dam Road, about two miles west of Lake Boulevard, KRCRTV News reported. The victim, Tawnya Leanne Alvarez, 40, was reportedly struck by a pickup truck driven by Darrel Hartman, 37, of Shasta Lake. The accident happened at about 5:40 p.m. on Sunday, December 19, 2010.

Cause of the Fatal Pedestrian Accident

The cause of the Shasta County accident remains under investigation by the Redding Police Department. Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact the Redding Police Department at (530)245-6565. According to police, alcohol was not suspected to be a factor in the fatal collision. Based on the news reports, it is unclear where Alvarez was in the road when she was struck. It is also unclear whether Hartman could have done anything to avoid the collision. Accidents such as this one raise a number of questions - was this incident truly an accident, or was it preventable? Was the driver speeding, distracted, or could he have done anything to prevent colliding with the pedestrian on the side of the road?

Pedestrian Accident Wrongful Death Liability

If police determine that the driver is partially or wholly at fault for the collision, the family members of the victim may be entitled to compensation for their loss in a wrongful death claim for funeral and burial expenses, anticipated lost earnings and benefits the victim would have earned over her lifetime, and loss of love, care and companionship. After an accident such as this one, the victim's family may benefit from speaking to an experienced attorney about the crash, and their legal rights and options resulting from it. A skilled northern California wrongful death lawyer can review the police report and potential liability, and advise the victim's family of their possible rights to pursue a wrongful death claim.

Continue reading "Redding Woman Struck and Killed on Keswick Dam Road " »

A passenger in a Honda suffered facial fractures Sunday afternoon in a head-on collision in Redding, KRCRTV News reported. The two-vehicle crash happened at Northpoint Drive and Lake Boulevard. According to news reports, Manuel Arzate was driving northbound on Northpoint Drive when he crossed the double yellow line and into oncoming traffic. He struck a silver Honda heading southbound on the same road. George Mieger, 68, of Redding, a backseat passenger in the Honda, suffered facial fractures and was taken by ambulance to Mercy Medical Center.

Cause of the Accident

The Redding Police Department is the agency investigating this two-vehicle collision. Based on the news reports, it is not clear why Arzate allowed his vehicle to cross into southbound traffic and collide with the Honda. The Redding Police Department said there was "no illegal activity involved."

Head-on Collision Personal Injury Liability

In situations such as this December 12th Shasta County head-on collision, where negligence is a possible cause of the accident, it would certainly be advisable for the injured victim or his family member to contact an experienced and knowledgeable northern California personal injury lawyer. An experienced attorney can oversee the investigation by law enforcement and advise the victim of his best course of action to recover maximum compensation for medical care and treatment expenses, any lost earnings or wages resulting from the victim's injuries, as well as compensation for pain and suffering, from the other driver or any other parties that may be liable.

Continue reading "Passenger Injured in Head-on Collision in Redding " »

A 21-year-old Redding woman suffered critical injuries in an accident early Tuesday morning in Shasta County, the Record Searchlight reported. The woman, identified by the California Highway Patrol as Emily Jean Weaver, was a passenger in a vehicle driven by Stephen J. Bakerrubio, 21, also of Redding.

Bakerrubio was reportedly driving southbound on Old Oregon Trail North at 2:55 a.m. at an unknown speed when he lost control of his vehicle. The car spun out, struck an embankment and then a telephone pole guy wire. The vehicle overturned and both Bakerrubio and Weaver were ejected. Both occupants were transported to Mercy Medical Center. Bakerrubio only suffered minor injuries, and Weaver suffered critical injuries and was placed on life-support. Bakerrubio was arrested on suspicion of felony driving under the influence of alcohol, the Record Searchlight said.

Alcohol-Related Accidents and Personal Injury Liability

If news reports are accurate, this crash was caused by Bakerrubio, who authorities arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. However, the cause of the crash remains under investigation. In situations such as this one, where a drunk driver is suspected of causing a crash that gravely injures a passenger, the family members of the injured passenger would be well-advised to contact a northern California drunk driving accident lawyer. An attorney who has represented passenger victims of alcohol-related accidents can help the victim's family protect their legal rights and ensure the at-fault driver is held not just criminally responsible, but also financially accountable for the devastation he is suspected to have caused.

Continue reading "Redding Woman Critically Injured in Suspected Alcohol-Related Crash " »