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Santa Maria Man Seriously Injured in Crash with Tractor-Trailer
The truck accident attorneys at the Law Office of Reneé J. Nordstrand have learned that it took Santa Maria rescue workers more than an hour to free a man from his pickup truck after he crashed into a tractor trailer. The semi allegedly pulled in front of him on the 700 block of South Blosser Road in Santa Maria.
The victim suffered serious injuries and had to be flown by helicopter to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. Authorities did report that the injuries appeared to be non-life threatening.
According to Santa Maria Police, the truck accident victim was heading north on Blosser Road in his 1998 Dodge Ram pickup when a big-rig pulled out of a private driveway on the east side of the street. A spokesman for the Santa Maria Police stated that the man attempted to brake, but could not stop his pickup in time and collided into the left side of the box trailer.
His vehicle was so mangled that firefighters reportedly had to use the Jaws of Life and a forklift to extricate him.
The driver of the big rig, a 50-year-old resident of Baja, California, was not injured. Santa Maria police questioned the truck driver and he was released from the scene of the accident. Police reportedly do not believe that drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash
While motor vehicle accidents come in all shapes and sizes, crashes involving passenger vehicles and commercial trucks can be particularly devastating, given the size and weight differences between the two types of vehicles. Therefore, there is a particular onus on truck drivers to be attentive on the road in order to prevent potentially deadly accidents with smaller vehicles.
If you believe you, or a loved one have suffered an injury due to a trucker’s negligence, it is time to seek knowledgeable and experienced legal council from Law Offices of Reneé J. Nordstrand. We understand fully what needs to be done to protect your legal rights, and we will fight tenaciously to see that you get the compensation you deserve.
When you need solid legal representation following an accident with a commercial vehicle, call our Santa Barbara office at (805) 962-2022.
Community Celebrates New Fence Near Isla Vista Cliffs
A section of an Isla Vista bluff at Walter Capps Park may have just gotten safer for members of the community.
In a ribbon-cutting ceremony that involved Santa Barbara County officials, members of the community, students from UC Santa Barbara and park personnel, a 390-foot fence at the park was officially unveiled. The hope is that the fence, which now provides a barrier between the public park and the cliffs overlooking the ocean, will help stymie a rash of falls that have left people injured or dead over the years.
Supervisor for the 3rd District, Doreen Farr, was at the unveiling and said that this last cliff barrier to be installed on Isla Vista public land was “a long time coming.” The project was collaboration between private groups, the UCSB Associated Students, the Isla Vista Recreation and Park District and Santa Barbara County parks. Private funding and donations were obtained to complete the project that had been stalled for several years.
This news comes on the heels of the death of a UC Santa Barbara student from Santa Rosa who reportedly fell to her death from an Isla Vista bluff last month following the break-up of a “Deltopia” party.
The property liability attorneys at the Law Office of Reneé J. Nordstrand applaud the erection of the fence designed to protect the public from falls that can result in serious injuries and death. One has to wonder, as the Supervisor for the 3rd District noted, why it took so long to happen.
Whether it is public or private land, it is a property owner’s responsibility to ensure that property is free from hazards that can result in injuries or death. If you believe you have suffered an injury, or if a loved one has been lost, due to a property owner’s negligence, you should contact us for a consultation and review of your legal options.
We can be reached at our Santa Barbara office at (805) 962-2022 or our Encino office at (818) 981-3530. You can rely on our years of experience for sure-handed guidance to protect your legal rights.
UCSB Student Files Lawsuit in ‘Deltopia’ Balcony Collapse
A 21-year-old University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB) student, who was injured after a balcony collapsed at a fraternity house during a Deltopia street party, has filed a negligence and liability lawsuit against the owner and the property manager of the residence.
The lawsuit claims that the student, a UCSB senior from Los Angeles, suffered a fractured pelvis when the balcony collapsed on her from above. At least 20 people were on the balcony when it failed and fell to the ground.
The suit contends that the property management company, Ronald Wolfe and Associates, and the Elliot Family Trust, which owns the property, knew there were long-standing problems with wood rot and termites in the balcony, but did nothing to rectify the problem. The student’s attorney told NoozHawk.com that the collapse of the balcony “wasn’t a question of if, but when.”
Reportedly, the young woman is still healing from her injuries and cannot work at her job as a lifeguard at the university. While the exact dollar amount the lawsuit is seeking has not been revealed, NoozHawk reports that the student’s medical bills have already surpassed $25,000 and that she has no medical insurance.
The property was insured and the plaintiff’s attorney speculates that many of those injured in the balcony collapse may have already signed agreements with the insurance company for small amounts of cash without realizing how serious their injuries may be.
“At the end of the day, we just want [our client] to be taken care of,” he told Noozhawk.
Have you suffered an injury caused by dangerous property conditions? The premises liability attorneys at the Law Offices of Reneé J. Nordstrand stand ready to represent you whether you have been injured at a private home, at a business or on public property. We are dedicated to getting you fair compensation for your injuries.
Do you have questions about your legal rights or how to continue with your case? Call our Santa Barbara office at (805) 962-2022 or our Encino office at (818) 981-3530. You don’t pay any legal fees unless we win your case.
Encino Man Arrested in Boating Death
A 16-year-old boy died in a tragic boating accident on Lake Pyramid, and police have arrested a 29-year-old Encino man and charged him with vessel manslaughter.
According to the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, the boy was riding a jet ski on July 1, 2012 when a boat driven by the Encino resident struck him. Allegedly, the boy had just left a “no wake” zone on the lake and was speeding up when his personal watercraft lost power and stalled. Officials report that the boy was almost immediately struck by the boat after he stopped.
The teen was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he remained for 40 days until he finally succumbed from his injuries.
The driver of the boat was arrested in April and is currently free on $25,000 bond.
In 2010, there were 570 reported boating accidents in the state of California. All in all, 283 people were injured and 49 people lost their lives in these accidents. Statistically, the majority of these accidents were caused by operator inattention, excessive speed, and operator inexperience.
As temperatures warm up and summer approaches, more and more people will be enjoying water recreation in Southern California. Unfortunately, since there is a lack of traffic signals and speed limit signs on the water, many boat and watercraft operators believe this gives them carte blanche to act recklessly. Couple that with operator intoxication and it is a recipe for disaster.
The boating accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Reneé J. Nordstrand understand that boating accidents happen for a variety of reasons and in a variety of contexts. If you’ve been injured in a boating accident due to the negligence of another person, it is important that you seek legal representation quickly. We are dedicated to protecting your legal rights.
We can be reached at our Santa Barbara office at (805) 962-2022 or our Encino office at (818) 981-3530 or simply contact us online to arrange a free and confidential consultation. You do not pay any legal fees unless we win your case.
UC Santa Barbara Student Dies in Automobile Accident, Mechanical Failure Alleged
A 20-year-old UC Santa Barbara student is dead and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is still trying to determine the cause of the fatal single-car accident that took her life on Highway 101 in the Santa Margarita area.
CHP reports that three young women were traveling from Santa Cruz toward Santa Barbara to attend a weekend music festival when, for some unknown reason, the 19-year-old driver lost control of her Mazda Protégé. The Mazda struck a bridge railing and rolled over.
The driver and another passenger were moderately injured in the crash. CHP reports that alcohol was ruled out as a factor in the accident, but there were some allegations of that mechanical failure may have had something to do with the deadly crash. A spokesman for the CHP said that it could not be corroborated yet whether mechanical failure was responsible for the accident.
The fatality victim was a San Marcos High School graduate and a resident of Santa Barbara. One San Marcos High School teacher described her as a great and creative student, and said that he was “incredibly saddened by the loss of such a gifted and extraordinary woman.”
The wrongful death automobile accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Reneé J. Nordstrand are saddened by the loss of this young Santa Barbara resident and offer condolences to her family. If mechanical failure of the automobile is at the heart of this tragedy, questions need to be asked. Was the automobile in question defective? Could this tragedy have been prevented?
If you believe you have lost a loved one due to a defective product, it is important to choose a law firm that has the financial resources and access to experts to properly conduct an independent investigation. The Law Offices of Reneé J. Nordstrand have successfully represented victims of negligence and are dedicated to seeing that your family gets the justice it deserves.
If you have questions about your legal options, call our Santa Barbara office at (805) 962-2022 or our Encino office at (818) 981-3530. Your case evaluation is free and you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Know Your Rights When You Are Billed For Medical Care
It is a nightmare when a loved one gets sick or injured and has to be rushed to the hospital for emergency care and a possible prolonged hospital stay. Of course, you aren’t thinking of the costs of medical treatment at the time – but many times after a person has recovered and returns home, families are finding that’s when the real nightmare begins.
They get the bill.
An article that recently appeared in the Los Angeles Times features parents who had to take their toddler son to the hospital for treatment and later received a bill for $8,900. Since they had an insurance deductible of $10,000, they naturally began scrutinizing every charge on the bill. They ran into an $839.25 charge from a medical group they had never even heard about.
When they called to inquire about it, they didn’t receive any answers, but did receive threats if the bill wasn’t paid
Unfortunately, this isn’t surprising, according to Pat Palmer, founder of Billing Advocates of America. “We get feedback from consumers saying that providers are telling them ‘We can’t give you an itemized statement’ or ‘You should have asked before you left the hospital.’”
Don’t let medical care providers bully you. You do have rights. Most states have laws that entitle patients to an itemized medical bill that clearly outlines costs for supplies and services. The billing department must give you one if you demand it.
In California, a law was enacted in 2006 that limits how much an uninsured person can be charged by a hospital. Depending on a patient’s financial situation, the law limits the amount a hospital can charge compared to what Medicare or other public programs would charge.
Since unpaid, disputed medical bills can be sent to collection agencies, which will adversely affect a patient’s credit rating, it is important that people know their legal rights and what they need to do to resolve a disagreement.
If you are hitting a brick wall when dealing with a medical provider, it may be necessary for you to take action by getting an experienced legal advocate who knows and understands insurance and medical billing law. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Reneé J. Nordstrand are ready to help you and your family.
Call our Santa Barbara office at (805) 962-2022 or our Encino office at (818) 981-3530 to learn about your legal options. We want to help
Investigation Continues Into Death of Student Who Died During ‘Deltopia’
Santa Barbara authorities are still investigating why an 18-year-old Cal Poly San Luis Obispo freshman was found dead in the ocean close to a popular surf spot near UC Santa Barbara. They do suspect that the young woman may have died as the result of a fall from a cliff near the ocean during the chaotic aftermath of a “Deltopia” party that had been broken up by Santa Barbara police.
“Deltopia,” was known as “Floatopia” until 2009. But then Santa Barbara officials banned the use of Isla Vista’s beaches for the unpermitted party where thousands would gather to kick off the start of the spring semester at UC Santa Barbara. The event’s name was changed to “Deltopia” after students moved the party from the beach to Del Playa Drive in Isla Vista, which is located on the bluffs above the ocean.
It’s estimated that 15,000 to 18,000 students gather in the community during the spring break party.
Police suspect that the Santa Rosa native may have fallen off a cliff during the confusion that ensued as people scattered in the dark to leave the party. Two of the victim’s friends said that they could not find her after the party when thousands of students had gathered. Authorities are saying that the co-ed’s injuries seem consistent with those that are sustained during a fall.
According to the Press Democrat, Santa Barbara County officials are contemplating what to do about the increasingly out-of-control nature of the huge un-permitted annual weekend gathering. Citing this death and several other injuries and incidents related to “Deltopia,” one Santa Barbara County supervisor said that gatherings this large where students are intoxicated “get out of control quickly.”
Are you trying to cope with the sudden and wrongful death of a loved one that was caused by another’s negligence? When the attorneys at the Law Offices of Reneé J. Nordstrand accept a wrongful death case we dedicate ourselves to pursuing fair compensation for your family during an extremely difficult time.
Take action to protect your legal rights. Call our Santa Barbara office at (805) 962-2022 or our Encino office at (818) 981-3530 to learn about your legal options. Your case evaluation is free
13 Injured after Metrolink Train Collides with Dump Truck
Authorities are still investigating why a Metrolink commuter train collided into a dump truck in the San Fernando Valley — an accident that sent nine out of 109 passengers aboard the train to local hospitals. According to a spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), there were a total of 13 people who sustained injuries as a result of the crash.
The accident occurred in Pacoima when a dump truck, for unknown reasons, was on the tracks and failed to move out of the way of an oncoming Metrolink commuter train. The impact of the crash caused the dump truck to overturn. The driver of the truck was treated for minor injuries on the scene and was released.
The passengers who were not taken to the hospital were dropped off at the Sylmar Station. According to the LAFD, the accident is currently under investigation.
The Encino train accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Reneé J. Nordstrand are aware that the injuries suffered by the passengers on the Metrolink might be relatively minor. However, due to the sheer size and weight of a train, victims of train-related accidents can suffer broken bones, brain injury, and even fatality.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a commuter, passenger, or commercial train, our personal injury law firm is standing by to help you get the financial compensation you deserve. This includes payment for medical bills, offset lost wages, permanent lost income, rehabilitation costs, and any other damages. All of our train accident cases are handled on a contingency basis, so you don’t pay for our services unless you receive compensation.
If you have questions about your legal options and rights following a train accident, call our Santa Barbara office at (805) 962-2022 or our Encino office at (818) 981-3530.
Balcony Collapses during ‘Deltopia’ Party in Isla Vista, Four Injured
A wood balcony that reportedly was holding 20 people collapsed in Isla Vista, sending four people to the hospital. The premises accident victims were gathered at a residence as part of a massive “Deltopia” street bash that takes place to mark the start of University of California, Santa Barbara’s spring quarter.
Noozhawk.com reports that those injured in the balcony collapse were taken to local hospitals for treatment. Officials confirm that two of the victims were being treated for back injuries and another was treated for a severe cut. It was not reported what the fourth person was being treated for. Currently, there is no word as to the current state of the balcony collapse victims.
The student-organized “Deltopia” sprang from “Floatopia,” which was held on Isla Vista beaches. Santa Barbara officials shut down access to the shoreline for the unofficial “Floatopia” event in 2010 when it was determined that there were no provisions for sanitation or refusing entry to ensure the public safety of the massive party, which was attended by thousands of students.
“Floatopia” was then moved to Del Playa Drive and the event name was changed to “Deltopia.” The party was held at a residence on the 600 block of Del Playa Drive where the balcony collapsed. The cause of the collapse is still under investigation.
Injuries that are caused by dangerous property conditions or a property owner’s failure to properly maintain a private residence, business, or other institution may fall under the auspices of “premises liability.” If you have been personally injured due to the negligence of a property manager, protect your legal rights and contact a premise liability attorney at the Law Offices of Reneé J. Nordstrand. Call our Santa Barbara office at (805) 962-2022 or our Encino office at (818) 981-3530 to learn more about compensation for your losses.
Buellton Law Enforcement Leaders Support Distracted Driving Awareness Month
A multi-agency group of law enforcement leaders gathered at a press-conference in Buellton to show their support for Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April. This is a nationwide campaign designed to make motorists aware of the dangers of distracted driving; especially the hazards of driving while texting or using a cell phone.
The agencies reconfirmed their commitment to keep looking for inattentive drivers and echoed their support for the statewide Zero Tolerance Distracted Driving Enforcement Operation, which begins on April 1 and runs through April 30. Drivers who are caught texting or using a cell phone will not be issued a warning, but will be ticketed. According to the Santa Barbara Independent, more than 57,000 tickets were issued in California during the operation last April.
A spokesman for the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department told the gathering, “We have experienced far too many distracted driver-related fatal and injury accidents right here in Santa Barbara County. Such tragedies are 100% percent preventable. The consequences of texting and driving can kill innocent victims and leave a lifetime of sorrow and regret for others, including the distracted driver.”
It is estimated that in 2011 more than 3,000 people were killed in distracted driver-related accidents and an additional 387,000 people were injured.
The Santa Barbara auto accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Reneé J. Nordstrand commend the national effort to reign in distracted and negligent drivers during Distracted Driving Awareness Month. There are far too many distracted drivers on California’s roads and highways causing injuries and deaths that are preventable. If you or a loved one has been injured due to the negligence of a distracted driver, call our Santa Barbara office at (805) 962-2022 or our Encino office at (818) 981-3530 to learn about your legal options.