Southern California Car Accident Lawyer Blog

A 78-year-old woman sustained critical injuries in a Huntington Beach car accident the morning of August 26, 2010, The Orange County Register report. Huntington Beach police officials say the injury collision occurred at the intersection of Beach Boulevard and Warner Avenue when a 1990 Acura driven by an 84-year-old man struck the woman. The pedestrian accident victim was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. An investigation is ongoing.

View Larger Map

Continue reading "Huntington Beach Car Accident Critically Injures Pedestrian" »

Six people were injured in a California car accident after a rear-end collision, which triggered the chain-reaction crash involving three vehicles. According to a news report in the Union Democrat, the accident occurred the evening of August 26, 2010 on Highway 108 near Draper Mine Road. California Highway Patrol officials say 30-year-old Kathryn Wood was driving a 2000 Buick Century eastbound on the highway and was behind a 2006 Ford Escape driven by 55-year-old Mary Lamendola.

Continue reading "Car Accident in Tuolumne County Injures Six" »

A woman was injured in a rollover accident after her SUV crashed into another vehicle at a Fresno street intersection. The Fresno Bee reports that the collision happened the morning of August 19, 2010 at the intersection of Shields and Van Ness avenues. The SUV crashed into a pickup truck, which was going north on Van Ness. The SUV was eastbound on Shields. The SUV rolled over several times and came to rest against a wall. The driver of the SUV was hospitalized with unknown injuries while the driver of the truck was uninjured.

I sympathize with the injured victim in this case. I hope she has a speedy and complete recovery from whatever injuries she has sustained in this crash. Please keep her in your prayers.

Continue reading "Street Intersection Collision in Fresno Injures Driver" »

A hit-and-run collision in Rancho Cucamonga resulted in major injuries for a 56-year-old bicyclist. According to a news report in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, the injury crash occurred at the intersection of 19th Street and Eastwood Avenue the night of August 21, 2010. The pickup truck that struck the bicyclist left the scene of the crash. The man suffered major head injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment.

Police are still looking for the hit-and-run vehicle, which is described as a gold-colored Nissan Frontier with a flat front right tire. If you have any information, please call police at 909-477-1800 or visit our web site www.hitandrunreward.com to find out how you can leave an anonymous tip and become eligible to win a $1,000 reward. We are offering the reward for information leading to the arrest and felony conviction of hit-and-run drivers. It is part of our effort to eradicate the epidemic of hit-and-run incidents in our neighborhoods and communities.

Continue reading "San Bernardino Bicycle Accident Injures Man" »

A San Jose car accident on Highway 880 the afternoon of August 22, 2010, caused major injuries to three people. According to a CBS News report, the injury crash occurred when a Nissan Xterra struck another disabled vehicle and pushed it into two pedestrians. California Highway Patrol officials say a disabled 1997 Honda Civic was parked in the center median of the roadway, along with a 1995 Honda Civic.

The drivers of the cars, both 19, were standing near the vehicles making arrangements for a tow truck when the Nissan SUV left the roadway and crashed into the 1997 Honda. The disabled Honda then struck the teens. The pedestrians as well as the driver of the Nissan, a 66-year-old man, were seriously injured and transported to area hospitals. An investigation is ongoing.

Continue reading "San Francisco Bay Area Car Accident Causes Major Injuries" »

One driver sustained injuries in a Fresno car accident after her SUV collided with another vehicle at a local street intersection. According to a news report in The Fresno Bee, the injury crash occurred at the intersection of Shields and Van Ness avenues, the morning of August 19, 2010. The SUV was travelling east on Shields while the other vehicle, a pickup truck, was northbound on Van Ness. On impact, the SUV rolled over numerous times, before coming to a stop against a concrete wall. The driver of the pickup truck did not suffer any apparent injuries in the crash, officials said. The driver of the SUV was hospitalized, but the extent of her injuries is not yet known. An investigation is ongoing.

View Larger Map

Continue reading "Fresno Car Accident Causes Injuries" »

A bicycle accident the night of August 15, 2010 in Lodi, California, left 13-year-old Dillon Buck with serious injuries, The Lodi News-Sentinel reports. Police officials say the crash happened when the boy, who was in the bike lane, was struck by a minivan driven by Kurt Boardman, 51. The driver told officials that the Dillon was riding east in the westbound bike lane. Dillon suffered severe abdominal injuries and was taken to a local medical center. An investigation is ongoing.

Continue reading "Bicycle Accident Injures 13-year-old Boy" »

A car accident in Los Angeles the afternoon of August 13, 2010 resulted in injuries for four people, including two LAPD officers. Fox News reports that the injury crash occurred in Koreatown on South Western Avenue, when two police cruisers were responding to call about a stolen vehicle. The collision involved four vehicles. A female officer sustained severe injuries while a male officer and two others suffered less serious injuries.

My heart goes out to the officers and the civilians involved in this collision. I wish them the very best for a speedy and full recovery. They will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Continue reading "Four Injured in Los Angeles Car Accident" »

Three teenagers -- Alani Aguerre, 14, Miles Polger, Ian Brininstool -- sustained severe injuries in a San Diego car accident, which officials, say was caused by a drunk driver with several past DUI convictions. According to a news report in The San Diego Union Tribune, the teens were injured the night of August 15, 2010 while walking on the sidewalk along La Jolla Boulevard, close to Midway Street. A Chrysler New York driven by 66-year-old Ronald Troyer jumped the sidewalk colliding with the three teens, and then, slammed into The Cass Street Cafe & Bakery. Two people inside the bakery - Jeffrey and Sharon Macelli were also injured. Thankfully, their injuries are not life-threatening.

My heart goes out to the three teens, especially Alani Aguerre, who has been the most severely injured and is preparing to go into surgery. Apparently, she was carried about 20 yards on the car's hood, thrown through a glass window and then pinned underneath the car. Heartbreaking! I wish Alani, Miles Polger, Ian Brininstool and the Macellis the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. All these victims and their families will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Continue reading "La Jolla Pedestrian Accident Caused By Drunk Driver" »

A man in a wheelchair who was fatally injured in a pedestrian accident the night of August 9, 2010 has been identified as 60-year-old Louis Chambers. The San Bernardino County Sun reports that the fatal collision occurred near the intersection of Grove Avenue and Ninth Street in Upland, when a 2004 Toyota Corolla struck Chambers. He was taken to an area trauma center where he was pronounced dead. Officials conducted a DUI investigation at the scene and determined that the driver of the Corolla was not under the influence. They are looking into the cause of the accident.

I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Chambers for their tragic and devastating loss. They will be in my prayers.

Continue reading "Fatal San Bernardino Pedestrian Accident" »

A driver who was seriously injured in a hit-and-run collision in Napa Valley has been identified by authorities as 39-year-old Andrea Christle, 39. Two of her passengers -- Jacob Hosburgh and Tyler Christle, both 18 -- escaped with minor injuries. The accident occurred the morning of August 8, 2010, when 32-year-old Pedro Perez Mota driving a 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer made a turn against a red arrow and struck Christle's Jeep Cherokee. Andrea Christle was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries. Mota, who attempted to flee the scene, was stopped and detained by a witness until authorities arrived on scene. Mota has been arrested on suspicion of driving with a suspended license and hit-and-run.

I sympathize with Andrea Christle and her family for what they are going through at this time. I'm relieved to hear that the two teens did not suffer life-threatening injuries. I also commend the passer by for having the courage to stop the driver who attempted to flee.

Continue reading "Hit-and-Run Collision in Napa Causes Injuries" »

Juan Ramirez, 58, suffered major injuries in a Sacramento car accident after a suspected drunk driver struck his vehicle, The Fresno Bee reports. Police officials say the collision occurred the night of August 11, 2010 at the intersection of Avenue 14 and Road 29 in Madera County.

Continue reading "Sacramento Area Car Accident Injures Four " »

A 64-year-old man is in critical condition after being injured in an Irvine car accident, which officials suspect was caused by a drunk driver. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the major injury collision occurred at the intersection of East Yale Loop and Briarwood the night of August 10, 2010. The pedestrian suffered head trauma and broken bones and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Police held the driver to determine if he or she was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash. Officials say they have forwarded their investigation to the Orange County District Attorney's office, which will determine whether to file charges.

Continue reading "Irvine Car Accident Critically Injures Pedestrian" »

If you are in a situation where you are moving slower than the rest of traffic, be courteous and let others pass you. This will make the roads safe and enjoyable for everyone. This is also the law in California under vehicle code 21656.

If you are driving your car, farm tractors or machinery, or riding your bike on a rural road and notice a line of cars building behind you, please be considerate and pull off the road so they may pass. The law states that when five or more vehicles are behind you and they are unable to pass you safely, then you must pull off the road in a designated turnout or wherever you can find a safe place to pull over. Designated turn outs are specially designed lanes created specifically for slower moving vehicles. These small lanes give you a safe place to pull over and allow other drivers to pass you. Many times these lanes are accompanied by signage to remind you to pull over. Even if there is not a sign or a designated turn out, you must pull over if there is a safe place for you to do so to allow other motorists to pass.

Continue reading "Slow Moving Vehicles: Be Courteous and Let Others Pass" »

A man was injured in a Costa Mesa car accident after his motorbike was struck by a vehicle on the 405 Freeway, the morning of August 6, 2010. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the injury collision occurred in the southbound lanes of the freeway, near the 73 onramp, when a flatbed commercial truck struck the motorcyclist and then fled the scene of the crash. The extent of the motorcyclist's injuries is not known. Officials are looking for the truck driver.

My thoughts are prayers are with the motorcyclist injured in this crash. I wish him a complete and speedy recovery.

Continue reading "Motorcyclist Injured In Costa Mesa Hit-and-Run Collision" »

An elderly man who was fatally injured in a pedestrian accident in Los Angeles has been identified by local officials as 79-year-old Theodore McElligatt. The San Gabriel Valley Tribune reports that the fatal collision occurred the morning of August 3, 2010 at the intersection of Bennett and Vista Bonita avenues in Glendora. McElligatt sustained critical head injuries and was pronounced dead at a local hospital shortly after the accident. No charges have been filed pending an official investigation.

I offer my heartfelt sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Theodore McElligatt. Please keep this grieving family in your prayers.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Accident in Los Angeles Proves Fatal for Elderly Man" »

Two teenagers -- 15-year-old Jessica Brinker, a John F. Hodge High School student, and 19-year-old Daniel Schatz -- were killed in a St. Louis Missouri school bus accident the morning of August 5, 2010. According to a news report in the St. Louis Post Dispatch, two school buses filled with high school band members heading to the Six Flags amusement park crashed with a semi-truck and another pickup truck on the Interstate 44. Brinker was in the last row of one of the school buses, while Schatz was driving the pickup truck.

Continue reading "St. Louis Missouri School Bus Accident Kills Two, Injures 50 " »

Nursing home abuse has been a disturbing issues that has outraged families who have had loved ones suffer. A number of families have entrusted their elderly parents in the care of a California nursing home, not knowing the abuse or neglect they had to endure. This is not what a family has in mind when they find a facility for their loved one to spend his or her last days.

Continue reading "California Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Cases Continue To Increase" »

California Motor Vehicle Code 21957 prohibits standing on the side of the road to hitchhike. While traveling through the state by thumb is still legal, you cannot stand in the roads to do it. Even if you are clearly in the berm, an officer could determine you are in the road, and then you have to take a day off to try to fight your ticket in court. It's just not worth it. There are still plenty of ways for you to hitchhike without being in the roads.

California lawmakers are not trying to stop the thrill of traveling by hitchhiking. In fact, California is one of the best-known states for hitchhiking. According to hitchhiking enthusiasts familiar with California roads, getting a ride from someone is relatively easy once you get outside the major cities.

Continue reading "Roads Are For Cars, Not People: Keep Hitchhiking Off the Roads" »

A man who was severely injured in a pedestrian accident in San Bernardino has been identified as 21-year-old Christopher Neal. The San Bernardino County Sun reports that the major injury collision occurred the night of July 22, 2010 on State Route 62 in Twentynine Palms. Authorities said Neal was walking in the eastbound lanes of the roadway when he was struck by a vehicle going in the same direction, which was driven by 46-year-old Lori McNay. Officials are investigating the cause of the crash. Neal was transported to a nearby medical center for treatment of major injuries.

Continue reading "Car Crash Results in Major Injuries for San Bernardino Pedestrian" »