Santa Ana Pedestrian Accident Caused by Unlicensed Driver

A mother and her 4-year-old child were struck and injured by a car driven by an unlicensed car driver in Santa Ana on the morning of October 20, 2010. Santa Ana Police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said that this Orange County auto accident occurred along the 1200 block of East McFadden Avenue, near Grand Avenue in Santa Ana, approximately 125 miles north of San Diego.

Eric Christopher Woodward, 39, driving a Ford Crown Victoria, veered onto the sidewalk and hit the mother and crushed the child. The impact of the car crash was so strong that both the mother and child were thrown about 20 feet into the air. Bertagna said that the child suffered critical injuries and the mother suffered a broken shoulder.

Woodward lost control of the vehicle, perhaps due to experiencing a grand mal seizure, and in an effort to compensate the curve he struck both the mother and the child leaving them seriously injured. Bertgana said that Woodward was unlicensed due to his propensity to experience seizures. Fortunately, Woodward and his mother riding as her passenger escaped unhurt.

The injured victims can seek a personal injury claim from Woodward to cover the medical costs, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, and other accident related damages. With the assistance from an experienced Orange County car accident lawyer, the injured victims can know their legal rights and obtain timely compensation.

We sincerely hope and pray that both mother and child did not suffer ant catastrophic injuries and that their injuries heal completely.…

Huntington Beach Auto Accident Injures Driver

A 38-year old man suffered critical injuries in an Orange County car accident that occurred at Goldenwest Street on September 28, 2010 around 6:00 p.m. According to Huntington Beach Police Lt. Gary Faust, the injured victim was thrown out of his pickup truck after it collided with a BMW.

Faust said that the pickup truck rolled over and the man was thrown out of it. The injured man suffered serious head and internal injuries and was transported to UCI Medical Center for treatment. The BMW driver also complained of pain and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. The names of both the car drivers have not been released.

Police are still investigating the cause of this car accident to determine who was responsible for causing the accident, but it is believed that one of the drivers might have crossed into the intersection against a red light. If any of the car drivers is determined to have caused this traffic collision, then he might be held liable to pay the other with compensation to cover cost of hospitalization and pain and suffering.

The injured pickup driver should consult with a car accident lawyer in Orange County who could help them get a just compensation for the pain they suffered.…

Baby Killed In Huntington Beach Car Accident

A 31-year old woman along with her 11-year old daughter, and her 3-month old daughter, Ruby Gould, were struck by a car while trying to cross a marked crosswalk in Huntington Beach. This fatal pedestrian accident occurred on September 7, 2010, at the intersection of Croupier Drive and Springdale Street, approximately 91 miles from San Diego in Orange County.

According to Huntington Beach Police, a Toyota Tundra that stopped to let the pedestrians cross the street was rear-ended by a speeding Chevy Tahoe that failed to stop at the intersection.

The force of the traffic collision pushed the Tundra into the crosswalk, striking the three pedestrians. Unfortunately, Ruby was killed, while the mother and young girl sustained severe injuries. The boy who was walking along with the group escaped unhurt. The investigation of this car accident is pending.

Based on the present facts, the Chevy Tahoe driver will probably be found at fault for failing to stop at the intersection and provide the right of the way to the pedestrians as required by California Vehicle Code Section 21950. This California law holds that drivers must give the right of way to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and at an intersection. Violation of this law may entitle the injured woman for compensation to cover the cost of funeral arrangements for Ruby, cost of hospitalization and treatment of injuries, and other related damages.

We express our sincere condolences to all those who knew and loved the toddler for such a tragic loss. There is nothing as tragic as the loss of a child. It is just too painful to imagine. We also sincerely hope and pray that the injured victims are able to recover to their complete health soon.…

Costa Mesa Pedestrian Collision Seriously Injured By Drunk Driver

21-year-old Katushka Fischmann of Santa Ana was struck and injured in a serious DUI crash that occurred on August 7, 2011, around 1:45 a.m. at the intersection of Bristol Street and Randolph Avenue in Costa Mesa.

Santa Police reported that Bonnie Yee was driving her Mercedes-Benz north when she struck Fischmann near a crosswalk. Fischmann suffered major head trauma and was immediately transported to Western Medical Center-Santa Ana for treatment.

Police officials later arrested Yee on suspicion of felony driving under the influence. It is indeed an unfortunate thing that due to the negligent and intoxicated driver, a young woman is left in critical condition. Yee will most likely be found to have violated California Vehicle Code Section 23152(a) which states that “It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle.”

Unfortunately, the magnitude of injuries suffered by Fischmann is very high and the treatment or recovery time may be long. Fischmann needs to consult with an experienced Orange County pedestrian accident lawyer to learn about her legal rights and options and obtain a timely compensation to cover treatment, hospital and medical costs, loss of wages, loss of earning capacity, and other accident-related damages.

Our personal injury law office sincerely hopes that the injuries suffered by the victim do not prove fatal.…

Orange County Jury Awards Injured Construction Supervisor $4.7 Million After Being Struck by Commercial Truck

Orange County Jury Awards Injured Worker $4.7 Million After Being Hit by Commercial Truck

On July 28, 2009, an Orange County jury awarded a severely injured construction supervisor $4.7 million after he was struck by a commercial truck while supervising the installation of a natural gas pipeline in Orange County. The 36 year old man was left with severe injuries that made him disabled and restricted his physical abilities.

The underlying commercial truck accident occurred on December 8, 2006, while the plaintiff was supervising the installation of a natural gas pipeline when he was struck by a Chevrolet Tahoe driven by an employee of the defendant making a lunch delivery. The defendant was a franchisee of three El Pollo Loco restaurants. The defendant driver had pulled from a stop sign into the intersection in front of an approaching Toyota 4-Runner. Neither driver saw the other before the collision. After both vehicles struck each other, the Chevy was propelled into the plaintiff, causing severe injury, including a shear fracture of the pelvis and a massive injury to the left shoulder. Total medical care costs exceeded $405,000 and the plaintiff lost $63,000 in income. He underwent three surgeries to stabilize his pelvis and beat two separate bouts of MERSA following the surgeries.

As a result of the accident, the plaintiff was forced to give up his field supervisor position in favor of a sedentary job as an estimator for underground construction. There was no claim for future medical care since the experts on both sides agreed that no medical treatment would improve the plaintiff’s condition. The medical evidence was also largely undisputed. The plaintiff was relegated to a largely sedentary lifestyle following the auto accident. He could not lift over 20 pounds, had difficulty walking over half a mile, and could not sit or stand for prolonged periods. Prior to the car accident, plaintiff was in excellent health and had a very active lifestyle with his wife and two children.

The defendant driver pointed the finger at the driver of the 4-Runner and did not take responsibility for his own role in the accident.

After a jury trial, the jury rejected the argument that the driver of the 4-Runner was negligent and concluded that it was not reasonable for him to anticipate that the driver of the Chevy would enter the intersection when it was unsafe. The jury awarded over $405,000 for past medical costs, past wage loss of over $63,000, past “pain and suffering” of $2,000,000, and future “pain and suffering” of $2,250,000 for the remaining 40 years of plaintiff’s life.

Congratulations to the plaintiff on receiving a fantastic and well-deserved victory. We wish him and his family the best in the future.…

Pedestrian Injured In Orange County Car Crash

A 74 year-old woman sustained serious injuries in a pedestrian accident on June 15, 2010 when she was hit by a Nissan Sentra. According to the news report submitted in the Orange County Register, the injured pedestrian was walking with her dog in the 3100 block of Yorba Linda Boulevard in Fullerton when she was struck by the car.

Police officials stated that the injured lady might have stepped into the westbound lanes to go around the car, which was coming out of an apartment complex driveway. The injured woman was taken to a nearby hospital where she was treated for her injuries.

We wish the injured pedestrian a speedy and complete recovery and hope that her injuries are not life threatening. Normally, California law holds that drivers must give the right of way to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and at an intersection. Under California law, an intersection is any place where two streets come together at a right angle. However, even given these protections (which are set forth in California Vehicle Code Section 21950) does not relieve the pedestrian from exercising reasonable care for his safety.…

Santa Ana Hit and Run Car Collision Causes Injuries

A SUV driver was arrested and charged with hit and run causing injury on June 13, 2010, after he hit a sedan, leaving the occupants inside injured. According to the California Highway Patrol, this car crash occurred near Orangethorpe Avenue close to the northbound 57 Freeway (SR-57).

The SUV left the sedan in an upside down position at the incident scene and fled away from the scene. The driver of the SUV went west on Orangethorpe Avenue and was arrested as he drove on the southbound 57 Freeway.

We offer our sympathies to the injured victims and wish for their speedy and complete recovery. Injured victims can seek compensation for their medical bills and other relevant expenses from the SUV driver if he is determined to be negligent in causing this traffic accident. Regardless, it is inhuman to leave someone injured at the scene of an accident. There is no excuse for a hit and run accident. Not only is it a violation of California Vehicle Code Section 20001(a), but it is simply morally reprehensible that someone would cause such a major accident and then leave the scene of the accident.…

Women Injured In San Clemente Hit & Run Accident

A woman was injured in a tragic Orange County pedestrian accident on May 14, 2010, at El Camino Real and Avenida Pico at San Clemente, when she was struck by a car while she crossing the street. Officials reported that the car driver, who was believed to be under the influence of alcohol, hit her and fled from the scene.

The victim was immediately taken to a local hospital where she received medical treatment for her injuries. Police have described the hit and run vehicle as a Saab, but no one has been taken into custody as yet.

We hope that the driver is caught and brought to justice. There are few things worse than a person who causes a serious injury and flees the scene of the accident without helping the person they injured. Before the accident, the driver was facing a driving under the influence criminal charge. Now, after leaving the scene, the driver is now about to be charged with felony drunk driving and hit-and-run with injury. California Vehicle Code 20001(a) requires those responsible for causing an accident to remain at the scene until authorities arrive, to exchange insurance and contact information, and to assist the injury victim.…

Orange County Girl Injured In Vicious Dog Bite Incident

A dog bite attack in Lake Forest on May 19, 2010, left a six-year-old girl seriously injured. The dog, which was described as a pit bull mix or a boxer, attacked the girl when she was playing in the driveway of her home. According to police, the dog pushed the child to the ground and began biting her fiercely.

The mother of the girl was coming out of her house with her infant child and her 14-year old son at the time of the attack. Despite her efforts and the help of a neighbor, the dog would not let go until her older brother jumped on the dog and punched it until it let go. The mother took all her children inside only to emerge with a handgun and began chasing the attacking animal. She chased the dog and shot it while it was on the porch. The dog survived the gunshot, but the girl sustained serious personal injuries including several bites on her leg, body, and face. The Police are currently looking for the dog owner to investigate why the dog was acting violently and why he was off leash and unsupervised at the time of the accident.

We hope that the young girl comes out of the shock and pain that this vicious attack and is not left with severe physical and emotional scars. Dog bite attacks can be extremely traumatic to anyone—people are hardwired to generally like dogs and it is scary when they turn and injure a person. However, as traumatic as it is for an adult, it is infinitely more traumatic for a child. Dog owners need to know that under California’s Dog Bite Statute, they are strictly liable for any damage or injuries that their dog causes to another person provided that the injury victim is lawfully on the property at the time of the attack.…

Buena Park Pedestrian Accident Injures Orange County Teen

A teenager was injured on Tuesday in Buena Park when he was stuck by a 1996 Ford Ranger. The injuries are believed to be minor to moderate. The teenager sustained some cuts and abrasions and was treated at a local emergency and discharged.

The accident happened at Knott Avenue south of the 91 Freeway around at 9:12 p.m. Buena Park Sgt. Bill Kohanek stated that the 17-year old teenager was running towards a van parked on Knott Avenue that was about to pick him up. He was accompanied by another teen and both boys were returning to the van after doing door-to-door sales. The other teen made it to the van but the second boy was struck by the truck. The van was scheduled to take them home somewhere in the Los Angeles area.

Police are still investigating the pedestrian accident.

Our office wishes the teen boy a speedy recovery and a healthy life ahead. We should all be more careful and aware of our surroundings while walking on the road as we are more vulnerable to injuries from drivers who may not be looking out for pedestrians or bicyclists. Drivers should also drive slow and carefully in residential and highly populated areas.…