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Trolley, Mail Van Collide and Injure Two

By Renee Nordstrand on February 4, 2010

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/feb/03/two-injured-in-trolley-vehicle-crash/

A trolley and U.S. postal service van collided Wednesday morning, injuring two people, including a man in a wheelchair, the San Diego Tribune reports.

The crash occurred at Park Boulevard and G Street in downtown San Diego when the trolley was proceeding through a green light, northbound on Park Boulevard, trolley passenger John Lyman reported. The mail van, which was traveling on G Street, did not stop with the rest of traffic at the intersection and struck the trolley, the witness recounted.

While police are still investigating the official cause of this incident, it appears that the postal van may have been at fault for failing to stop at a red light at the traffic intersection of Park Boulevard and G Street.  Contributing factors such as inattention, use of a cell phone, or the use of alcohol and drugs are still unknown.

If you have sustained injuries in a car accident due to another driver’s negligent actions, please contact aggressive car accident attorneys to pursue your claim today.

Head on Crash Critically Injures Two

By Renee Nordstrand on January 27, 2010

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/jan/26/head-crash-reported-state-route-67-lakeside/

A head on car collision has critically injured two in Lakeside, the San Diego Tribune reports.   The accident occurred today on Route 67, north of Willow Road, at approximately 2:30 p.m. 

Initial reports describe a grey sedan swerving into oncoming traffic and colliding head-on with another vehicle.  The reports also states that at least two people were extricated from their vehicles following the crash.

In this particular situation, there are many details that we do not yet know.  The report does not state if the driver who swerved was speeding, using a cell phone, or under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.  Initially, we do not know if the road conditions contributed to the crash.  The road could have been wet and slick from recent rain, or another obstruction could have blocked the sedan’s path, causing the driver to swerve into oncoming traffic.

Whatever the case may be, I wish a fast recovery to all injured parties.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, and you believe another party is at fault, please contact an experienced personal injury attorney today to learn more about your legal rights and how you may be entitled to compensation.

Driver Strikes and Kills Wheel-Chair Bound Man

By Renee Nordstrand on January 21, 2010

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/jan/20/charges-recommended-wheelchair-accident/

San Diego police officers are considering misdemeanor manslaughter charges against a driver who ran a red light, struck another vehicle, drove up onto the sidewalk, and crashed into an elderly man in a wheelchair, the San Diego Tribune reports.

After extensive surgeries, 69-year-old Willie Robinson died from his injuries in late November, six weeks after the accident occurred on Ninth Avenue and E Street in San Diego on October 13, 2009.

 Reports have not yet been confirmed that the driver was talking on a cell phone at the time of the incident. Although these reports are still pending confirmation, cell phone use while driving is a serious problem that causes an increasingly high number of accidents each year. Should the driver be found to have been using a cell phone at the time of the crash, he or she may also be found negligent and criminally liable for causing the crash and Mr. Robinson’s subsequent injuries and tragic death.

If you have lost a loved one due to another driver’s negligence, please schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal options with compassionate, experienced wrongful death attorneys today.

San Diego Teen Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter in Fatal Crash that Killed Friend

By Renee Nordstrand on November 13, 2009

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/nov/11/teen-pleads-guilty-manslaughter-fatal-crash/

A seventeen-year-old high school student, who caused a car accident that killed his friend while driving under the influence of alcohol, has pled guilty to gross vehicular manslaughter, the San Diego Tribune reports.

The youth, who was not identified, was traveling at speeds of up to 79 mph in a 45 mph zone when the crash occurred.  His blood alcohol content was 0.11; the legal limit for adults over the age of 21 is .08.

Adults who plead guilty to gross vehicular manslaughter are normally sentenced to 12 years of jail time.  Because he is a youth, he will most likely receive less than 12 years of custody, if any jail time at all.

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), drivers aged 15 to 20 have nearly 20 more fatal crashes than any other age group.  Additionally, drunk driving traffic crashes have costs an estimated $19 billion dollars in the United States.

If someone you or someone you know has been the victim of a drunk driving accident, please call an experienced and compassionate attorney who will explain your options and fight to recover compensation.

Two Car Accidents in Oxnard Claim the Lives of Four People

By Renee Nordstrand on November 12, 2009

Two Oxnard car accidents killed four people Tuesday night, the Ventura County Star reports.

The first incident, which occurred when a vehicle carrying three passengers spun out of control and struck the center median and a palm tree, trapped the driver and passengers inside the car.  All three passengers died at the scene and the driver remains in critical condition as of this morning at St. John’s Regional Medical Center.Oxnard,

The second incident involved a 73-year-old pedestrian who attempted to cross the street outside of a marked crosswalk and was struck by a car.  The pedestrian later died at St. John’s Regional Medical Center.

Police are still investigating the cause of both of the crashes.  In each incident, there are many unanswered questions that could help determine the cause of the accident.  For instance, did alcohol, drugs, or the use of a cell phone play a role in either incident?  Recent studies have shown that the cause of one-third of car accidents today is distracted drivers.  Oftentimes, cell phone calls or text messaging are the sources of such distraction that can result in deadly accidents.  Other questions to ask are whether there were hazardous road conditions or construction that prevented the drivers from safely operating their vehicles, whether all traffic signals and streetlights were working properly (both accidents occurred after dusk) and whether there where any maintenance problems with either car that hindered the drivers from safely operating their vehicles.  In the case of the pedestrian-car accident, another question to ask is whether or not the pedestrian was hindered from safely crossing the street due to any of the previous circumstances.

As these questions begin to be answered by police investigators, I offer my sympathies and wishes to the families of those victims who tragically lost their lives.

If you have lost a loved one as a result of a car accident and you believe someone else may be responsible for causing the accident, please contact an Oxnard injury attorney today for a free consultation.

Source: http://www.vcstar.com/news/2009/nov/11/morning-report-4-killed-1-critical-in-2-oxnard/

Family of Santa Ana Hit and Run Victim Seeks Answers, Asks Driver to Come Forward

By Renee Nordstrand on October 30, 2009

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/driver-huang-amormino-2629413-light-pickup

The driver who struck and killed a Santa Ana wife and mother as she crossed the street at a marked crosswalk remains on the loose today as the woman’s family pleads for him to come forward, the Orange County Register reports.

Zhen Huang, 48, was struck in the crosswalk and dragged for 15 feet by a light blue pick up truck that was turning left onto the street she was crossing, Magnolia Avenue.  Huang was less than a block away from her home when she was hit.  Investigators have determined that the truck was traveling at approximately 25 m.p.h, and may have been trying to beat a yellow light before it turned red.  Authorities believe the driver was a male, whose truck had a work rack in its bed.  If you have information regarding this accident, please call the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at 866-TIP-OCSD.

I offer my support and wishes for the Huang family as well as the OCSD as they continue their investigation, and I hope the individual that caused this terrible incident is found and held fully liable for his actions.

When a loved one dies because of the negligent actions of another person, family members need experienced and compassionate wrongful death attorneys who can protect their legal rights, pursue compensation, and guide families in recovering from their loss so that they can move forward with their lives.  If you find yourself in this situation, call Law Office of Renee J. Nordstrand today for a free consultation.

Family Files $75 Million Claim Against City of Westminster

By Renee Nordstrand on October 29, 2009

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/adam-wilhite-accident-2627369-intersection-street

Kurt Wilhite, the father of a Westminster teen who remains in a coma after being struck by a car over one year ago, has filed a $75 million claim against the city, the Orange County Register reports.  The claim alleges that the intersection where Adam Wilhite, 17, crossed illegally and was struck by a car did not have proper signage or lighting and was thereby a dangerous road condition and safety hazard to pedestrians.

Adam, who once aspired to be a Navy Seal, remains in a level three coma and will require constant care for the rest of his life.The City of Westminster has denied the claim.  The woman who hit Adam has not been cited or criminally charged.  The police report indicates that the street was well lit at the time of the incident, and that Adam caused the accident by crossing illegally and failing to yield to oncoming traffic.

However, supporters of the Wilhites argue that the intersection where Adam crossed was very close to a local high school where many Westminster students cross the street illegally on a daily basis just to get to school.  Because there are no nearby crosswalks, the road conditions are dangerous and pedestrians do not have a safe way to cross the street.

The City is responsible for maintaining safe road conditions that protect both pedestrians and drivers.  Failure to install proper safety measures, including “Don’t Walk” signs in areas where it is unsafe for pedestrians to cross, are indicators of dangerous road conditions that can lead to traffic accidents, and terrible tragedies such as this.

Experienced personal injury attorneys can help you determine who is liable when situations involving unsafe road conditions arise.  Please contact a Southern California law office if you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident for a free consultation.

High Speed Crash Leads to Toyota Recall

By Renee Nordstrand on October 27, 2009

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/oct/26/bn26saylor13229/?metro&zIndex=189353

A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report released on the San Diego car crash that killed four people this summer has revealed that the accelerator and gas pedal design were significant factors in causing the crash.  The family was driving a loaner Lexus vehicle from Bob Baker El Cajon at the time.   Investigators believe that the floor mat may have been incorrectly installed and stuck to the pedal, causing acceleration of speeds of up to 120 m.p.h.

The crash, which occurred on August 28, killed a veteran CHP officer and his wife, daughter, and brother-in-law.  Just seconds before crashing, one of the passengers called 9-1-1, stating that their gas pedal was stuck and they were traveling at 120 m.p.h.   Witnesses reported seeing flames coming from the front and back tires, indicating significant amounts of breaking.

Shortly after the crash, Toyota, which manufactures Lexus, recalled 3.8 million vehicles, citing floor mats that could cause uncontrollable acceleration.

In this situation, both the manufacturing company, Toyota, and the dealership, Bob Baker El Cajon, could potentially be held liable for the unwanted acceleration that caused this terrible tragedy.  In continuing the investigation, it is important to determine whether the floor mat was installed by the manufacturer or at the dealership, as well as to uncover any other factors that could have led to the crash, such as a technological problems or a system malfunction.  The surviving family members can contact expert wrongful death attorneys, who have the knowledge, experience, and skill to fight for and achieve monetary compensation for medical and funeral expenses.

Drunk Driving Crash Kills 2 on Highway 118

By Renee Nordstrand on September 29, 2009

http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2009/sep/28/2-killed-2-injured-in-suspected-dui-crash/

Two well-known Ventura County DJs were killed early Sunday morning when their car was struck head-on by an alleged drunk driver.  David Joseph Garcia, 34, of Port Hueneme and Alex Estrada, 33, of Ventura were returning from a charity fundraiser, Relay for Life along with Garcia’s wife, Sonia, who was seriously injured and remains in intensive care as of Monday.

The incident occurred at 5:36 a.m.  David Garcia was driving eastbound on Highway 118, when the drunken driver, who was heading west in the eastbound lane, collided with Garcia’s car.

According to the Ventura County Star, 30% of the 27 traffic deaths in 2009 in Ventura County roadways patrolled by the CHP have involved drunk drivers.

My thoughts are with the Garcia and Estrada families in their time of loss.

If a drunk driver has claimed the life of a loved one, accident attorneys can help to compensate you for medical expenses, funeral costs, property damage and losses of expected income, companionship, support, parental guidance and others, as well as for pain, suffering and grief. Punitive damages may also be awarded in some cases.

Do Unsafe Intersections Cause Metrolink Trains to Hit High Numbers of Pedestrians and Cars?

By Renee Nordstrand on September 28, 2009

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/metrolink/la-me-buena-metrolink27-2009sep27,0,2843534.story?page=1

An article in the Los Angeles Times reports that, from its inception in 1993 up to September 2008, 244 people have been killed on Los Angeles’ Metrolink Commuter Rail System.  The Times cites Buena Vista Street in Burbank and Sunland Boulevard in Sun Valley as two of the Metrolink’s most dangerous crossings, where multiple drivers have been struck and killed by trains in recent years.

Critics say Metrolink officials have not done enough to develop safety upgrades in the areas where streets cross the railroad tracks, even after major accidents resulting in pedestrian and train passenger deaths.   The National Transportation Safety Board ruled that poor intersection design and traffic lights contributed to the death of a 63-year-old driver at Buena Vista Street in 2003, even though Metrolink took no responsibility for the incident.

Family members of those killed by Metrolink trains advocate that Metrolink make numerous improvements, including warning systems, redesigned crossings, public safety campaigns, and photo enforcement cameras.  To date, little to no upgrading has been done.

In cases where pedestrians or drivers are killed by trains, a personal injury attorney  can help. At Law Office of Renee J. Nordstrand, we examine the circumstances surrounding the incident, and determine whether the intersection may have been poorly designed or maintained.  If so, a city or maintenance agency may be held responsible.