Northern California Accident Attorney Blog

SONOMA COUNTY -- A man tragically succumbed to his injuries last night following a horrible pedestrian accident in Santa Rosa. The man was reported to be hit by a vehicle at about 8:06 p.m. Wednesday on southbound Santa Rosa Avenue, just south of Yolanda Avenue and near the Sunset Mobile Home Park. According to The Press Democrat, the male pedestrian, whose name was not released, was gravely injured immediately after the accident as the impact of the collision shattered the passenger-side windshield.

No reports were given if a citation or an arrest was made, or if alcohol was a factor in the incident. Police are anyone who witnessed the accident to call police Officer Hiroshi Yaguchi at (707) 543-3636.

Wrongful Death Liability for Pedestrian Accidents

Based on the information provided by the Press-Democrat, it is not evident why this pedestrian accident happened. Therefore, while the investigation remains ongoing, the family of the victim would be well-advised to contact a Northern California pedestrian accident lawyer. If the family decides to take action in a wrongful death claim, a knowledgeable and experienced attorney at Estey Bomberger can help the family protect their rights and ensure they recover the compensation they are entitled to for funeral and burial expenses, lost earnings, loss of love, care, support, affection, and companionship, and other related damages in this devastating March 28th pedestrian accident.

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SONOMA COUNTY -- A 49-year-old male bicyclist was tragically struck by a car in Santa Rosa on Monday, ABC 7 News reported. The accident was reported around 6:45 p.m. when police officials found the bicyclist, Frank Moreno, lying on the southbound lanes of Fulton Road, just south of Chatham Drive. According to the Santa Rosa police, the first motorist who hit Moreno stopped at the scene, but a second vehicle may have also be involved in the collision. Following this tragic accident, Moreno was reported to have died at the scene at 6:54 p.m.

Cause of the November 28th Santa Rosa Bicycle Accident

Based on the information provided by ABC 7 News, it is not evident what could have caused this crash and who may be at fault. And if a second vehicle was involved in the collision, it is not clear why the driver of that vehicle did not stop and stay at the scene until the proper authorities arrive. However, regardless whose fault it may be, there is never an excuse for fleeing the scene of an accident. According to the California Vehicle Code Section 20001(a): "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."

Bicycle Accident Wrongful Death Liability

While the bicycle accident on Fulton Road remains under investigation by the Santa Rosa Police Department, it would be advisable for the family of the victim to seek an experienced Northern California bicycle accident lawyer at the law firm of Estey Bomberger. Understanding and compassionate attorney Mike Bomberger who is also an avid cylist, can advise the family of their legal rights, determine who may be responsible for the loss of their loved one, help police in efforts locate the second driver, and decide the best option in obtaining the maximum compensation in a wrongful death claim. Compensation can include, funeral and burial expenses, lost earnings, loss of love, care, affection, and companionship, or other damages. Anyone who has witnessed this accident or has any information regarding this incident is asked to contact Santa Rosa police Officer Mike Mieger at (707)543-3636.

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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.

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A man was injured Tuesday morning when he was struck by a Toyota Highlander while crossing the street in an electric wheelchair, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat reported. The August 31st accident occurred on Mendocino Avenue near Courthouse Square just after 11:00 a.m. According to police, the man in the wheelchair was travelling south on Mendocino and apparently had a green signal to cross the street. The driver of the Toyota Highlander was turning right on a red light from Fourth Street onto northbound Mendocino.

The Press Democrat reported that the driver of the Toyota, who was not identified, would be cited for a pedestrian violation. The man in the wheelchair was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital by ambulance.

Cause of the Car vs. Pedestrian Accident

If news reports are accurate, it appears that the driver of the SUV is responsible for this Santa Rosa car vs. pedestrian accident. The law pertaining to make a right turn at a red light is found in California Vehicle Code Section 21453 (b): "(b) Except when a sign is in place prohibiting a turn, a driver, after stopping as required by subdivision (a), facing a steady circular red signal, may turn right, or turn left from a one-way street onto a one-way street. A driver making that turn shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to any vehicle that has approached or is approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard to the driver, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to that vehicle until the driver can proceed with reasonable safety."

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