Northern California Accident Attorney Blog

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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