Carlsbad DUI Hit-And-Run Car Crash Kills Elderly Bicyclist

A 64-year-old Arthur John Jacobs of Vista was killed by a drunk driver in a hit-and-run crash that occurred on July 27, 2011, around 9:45 p.m. near the intersection of El Camino Real and Cassia Street in North County. According to Carlsbad police Lt. Paul Mendes, a 23-year-old female driver struck the biker and sped away into an apartment complex’s parking lot.

Medical emergency officers responding to the car crash pronounced Jacobs dead at the accident scene. The female motorist was later arrested on the suspicion of manslaughter, drunk driving, and hit-and-run. The driver did the double felony of not only drinking and driving but also fleeing from the scene of accident. Both these actions are a direct violation of California law.

Jacobs’s family members should consult with an experienced San Diego DUI car crash lawyer who would educate them about their legal rights. hit-and-run bicyclist accident attorney will stay abreast of the official investigation and make sure that the negligent driver is held liable for compensation. Jacobs’s family can file a wrongful death claim and obtain compensation from the at-fault party to cover funeral and burial costs, loss of love, care and companionship, and other accident-related damages.

Our law office offers sincere condolences to all those who knew and loved Jacobs for such a heart rendering loss.…

Understanding the True Danger of California Vehicle Fires

Car accidents in southern California are a well-known source of injuries, but a fire caused by an accident or a defect in the vehicle’s design or manufacture can also cause serious harm or death. One way to help protect yourself and your family from the risks of vehicle fires is to be informed about the risks.

California vehicle fires account for one in every six fires in the state, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. However, this number does not count the thousands of car accidents fire departments respond to even when no fire occurs. Defective parts, maintenance, or repairs are the most common cause of U.S. vehicle fires, along with other types of accidental fires.

The majority of highway vehicle fires – 84 percent – start in passenger vehicles, like cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs. Of these, 62 percent start in the vehicle’s engine. About one-third of engine fires end up killing at least one person in the vehicle.

Vehicle fires are more likely to cause a death when they are the result of a crash. In 57 percent of car accidents that caused a vehicle fire, at least one person suffered fatal injuries in the U.S., according to the Fire Administration.

If you or someone you love has been injured by a fire in a motor vehicle, the knowledgeable San Diego burn injury attorneys can help you find out exactly what happened and hold any negligent parties responsible. For a free case evaluation, call our office today.…

Fatal San Diego Car Accident Kills Motel Worker

An unidentified 60-year-old motel worker in El Cajon was struck and killed in a serious car accident that occurred on July 14, 2011, around 1 p.m. at the Villa Embasadora on 1556 E. Main Street. According to authorities, a 75-year-old female motorist accidentally pressed on her gas pedal by mistake, plowing into a motel maid and pinning her against a wall.

Authorities responding to this auto accident pronounced the victim dead at the accident scene. The elderly car driver was in the parking lot when she stepped on the accelerator instead of the break and killed the maid.

From the available information, it is evident that the negligent actions of the motorist led to this serious crash that claimed one life. The driver, as well as possibly the motel, may be held responsible for the maid’s wrongful death. The family of a deceased car crash victim can file a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for funeral expenses, lost future income, loss of love, care and companionship, and other accident-related damages.

An experienced San Diego pedestrian accident lawyer will be able to better advise the victim’s family about their legal rights and obtain suitable compensation as well.…

Escondido Woman Suffers Critical Injuries in Dangerous Roadway Accident

A 23-year-old Escondido woman was critically injured recently when the car in which she was riding careened off the road on Calavo Drive and into a swimming pool, according to a recent news report from NBC San Diego. The road, known to the locals as “Rollercoaster Road,” has been a source of concern for many years due to the dangers it poses to drivers.

The car involved in the Escondido Rollercoaster Road crash was traveling down Calavo Drive near Nordahl Road when it left the roadway, crashed through a fence, and wound up inside a neighbor’s swimming pool. The pool’s owners and their neighbors rushed out to the scene when they heard the crash and pulled the injured woman out of the vehicle. The driver, a 33-year-old man, managed to climb free of the vehicle and swim to safety. He is expected to recover fully from his injuries.

According to locals, the stretch of road where the accident occurred consists of sharp turns and drops that make local teens compare it to a roller coaster. At sufficient speeds, the wheels of a car or truck will actually leave the road at some points. Other serious accidents have occurred during the road’s layout, including one in 2008 that left a local resident in a wheelchair after a car lost control and hit him.

Car accidents aren’t always the fault of a negligent or careless driver. Roadways that feature sharp turns, bad pavement, or insufficient warnings or guardrails can turn a normal day’s drive into a tragedy. That’s why our skilled dangerous roadway accident lawyers are dedicated to helping injured people and their families get the compensation they need when road engineers have failed. For a free consultation, call us today.…

Elder Pedestrian Killed In Victorville Hit-And-Run Crash

64-year-old Manuel Cadena was killed in a Victorville hit-and-run car accident that occurred on June 26, 2011, around 8:40 p.m. at Palmdale Road west of Borrego Road. According to San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office Officials, Cadena was crossing Highway 18 (SR-18), when a dark-colored SUV, possibly a green or black Toyota, fatally struck him.

The SUV driver turned right onto Borrego Road after hitting Cadena and left the scene. Officers responding to the accident immediately transported Cadena to Victor Valley Community Hospital in Victorville where he was pronounced dead a few hours later.

From the available information, it is evident that the negligent driving and irresponsible actions of the SUV driver lead to Cadena’s wrongful death. Leaving the accident scene is a serious violation under California law. California Vehicle Code 20001 (a) states:

“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.” Motorists are not only required to stop but also remain at the scene of the crash and wait until authorities get to the scene. In addition, if the driver stayed and aided the victim, Cadena may still be alive today.

There is a clear violation of traffic rules. Cadena’s family members should immediately seek counsel from a San Bernardino County pedestrian accident lawyer to know about their legal rights and options. An experienced lawyer would assure that the at-fault party is held liable and that the victim’s family members obtain timely and fair compensation to cover funeral and burial costs, loss of love and companionship, and other accident-related expenses.

Our law office offers sincere condolences to all those who knew and loved Cadena for such a tragic loss.…

San Diego Police Department Officer Acquitted for Oceanside Car Accident and Road Rage Assault

The case involving off-duty San Diego Police Officer Frank White has finally been settled. On Monday, a jury found Officer White not guilty in this road-rage car accident that occurred in Oceanside in March of 2008 that culminated in the shooting of a woman and her young son. Officer White, 29, was acquitted of a felony count of grossly negligent discharge of a firearm and a misdemeanor count of exhibiting a firearm.

Prosecutors of the case argued that White was an easily-angered man who had no justification for not only displaying his revolver, but also firing five rounds into Rachel Silva’s car at night on March 15, 2008. Silva had been struck twice in the arm and her son was struck in the leg. Deputy District Attorney Jeff Dusek noted that as a trained police officer, White should have taken other steps to diffuse the situation that brought about the shootings. White had been off-duty and not in uniform at the time it happened, and his wife Jacquellyn was reportedly with him at the time.…

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.…

New Vehicle Technology Lets Cars “Talk” to Each Other to Prevent Accidents

Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) technology that allows vehicles near one another to communicate may lead to breakthroughs in vehicle safety by warning drivers about the behavior of nearby vehicles, according to a recent article from the Associated Press.

V2V systems were the subject of a recent conference in which automakers offered demonstrations of one system currently under development. The system uses a wireless communications grid to allow vehicles within about 1,000 feet of one another to trade information about 10 times per second.

The vehicles trade information on their location, direction, and speed. If an oncoming vehicle poses a risk of a crash, red lights inside the vehicle light up and warning sounds alert the driver of the oncoming vehicle, allowing the driver to avoid a crash even if parked cars, buildings, or other obstacles prevent the driver from seeing the oncoming car.

Although V2V systems show promise at helping drivers avoid serious auto accidents, they are not yet ready for road use. Testing will begin this summer in Ann Arbor, Michigan, using volunteer drivers and a closed test course. Researchers predict the overall effectiveness of the system will depend on how drivers respond to the vehicle’s warnings.

Car accidents can cause serious injury, and even a careful driver cannot always prevent or avoid them. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, please don’t hesitate to call the knowledgeable San Diego car accident injury lawyers to learn more about your legal options and your rights after a crash. For a free, confidential consultation, call us today.…

Pedestrian Injured In Riverside County Hit-And-Run Car Accident

A pedestrian in his 50s suffered serious injuries when he was struck by an unidentified SUV on May 18, 2011, around 12:35 a.m. in the Homeland area of Hemet. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the pedestrian was walking across Highway 74 when an SUV struck him. The SUV was described as a dark-colored Ford Expedition or Lincoln Navigator with chrome rims, estimated to be a 2002 to 2006 model. Riverside police are searching for the driver.

The pedestrian suffered major injuries and was immediately transported to Riverside County Regional Medical Center for medical treatment. It is absolutely inhuman that the SUV driver did not stop and fled from the accident scene, leaving the elderly pedestrian unattended.

Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious violation under California law. California Vehicle Code 20001 (a) states:

“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.”

Morally, the SUV driver should have remained at the accident scene and waited until authorities got there.

The pedestrian’s family members should immediately seek counsel from an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer serving Riverside County to learn about their legal rights and obtain fair compensation to cover treatment, medical and hospitalization costs, and other accident-related damages. A Riverside County pedestrian lawyer would assure that the at-fault SUV driver is apprehended and brought to justice.

Our sincere prayers go out to the injured pedestrian and we hope that he recovers quickly.…

Record San Diego Roll-Over Verdict To Be Reviewed….Again (x3)

Know all those HUGE, “outrageous” verdicts that tort reformers cite as proof that juries are out of their minds and are too plaintiff-friendly? This is the story of one such verdict and, unfortunately, it is not unusual.

In 2004, a San Diego jury awarded Benetta Buell-Wilson and her family nearly $370 Million dollars in a Ford Explorer roll-over auto accident case. Now, the Supreme Court will review the verdict and possibly reduce it. The Supreme Court will be the third court to do so after the trial court and the Fourth District Court of Appeals both reduced the verdict from $122 Million in compensatory damages and $246 Million in punitive damages to $27.6 Million (compensatory) and $55 Million (punitive).

What happened to Benetta?:

On a January afternoon in 2002, Buell-Wilson was driving at a normal speed on Interstate 8 east of San Diego when she swerved to avoid a metal object that had fallen off a motor home. Her 1997 Explorer fishtailed and rolled over four times. Part of its roof was crushed, and Buell-Wilson suffered a severe spinal injury.

As a result of the accident, Benetta is now paralyzed and confined to a wheel-chair.

Now, Ford had previously won 13 trials without a loss. And they weren’t shy about sharing that fact during litigation in the hopes of forcing Benetta and her husband to settle.

Plaintiffs were 0-13 and Benetta and her attorneys were risking a huge disappointment. These cases are not cheap to try. I’ve heard some estimates that Benetta’s attorneys paid upwards of $750,000 to experts to prepare and try the case. And if they lost, the lawyers would lose that investment, Benetta would be forced to pay for all future care by herself out of her own pocket, and, worse still, Benetta would be forced to pay Ford’s litigation costs.

Given all this risk, and the evidence that Ford knew of problems with its’ vehicles for roof crush and roll over propensity, is $370 Million dollars outrageous to pay for a permanent injury and to punish Ford for its’ callousness?

In fact, the problem had been well-documented for years:

No recall has ever been ordered for these vehicles. How many are still out on the road? How many more roof crush injuries or deaths will still occur? Will Ford EVER be forced to pay enough that they will consider the safety of their customers?

The Supreme Court should uphold the reduced verdict. Ford is already emboldened by the two prior reductions. No need to make it worse for consumer safety.…