5 out of 5 on
El Cajon Hit and Run Critically Injures Bicyclist
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/oct/15/el-cajon-8212-hit-and-run-driver-struck/?metro&zIndex=183284
An El Cajon driver struck and critically injured a bicyclist before fleeing the scene late last night, the San Diego Tribune reports. The 47 year old bicyclist was near death on the sidewalk before being taken to the hospital, where he is currently in critical condition. The man’s name has not been released.
Police continue to search for the driver of the dark, possibly maroon, 1990s model General Motors car similar to a Pontiac Grand Am or a Buick.
I wish the injured bicyclist well as recovers from his serious injuries and offer my support to the police department and investigators as they seek out the driver who caused this incident.
In 2007 alone, there were 10,521 bicycle collisions resulting in injuries, according to the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System.
At Law Office of Renee J. Nordstrand, we aggressively pursue hit and run drivers so that you can recover compensation for medical expenses as well as lost earnings from work. If you or someone you know has been a victim of a hit and run driver, consult with an experienced attorney who will give you the answers you need.
Anaheim Bicyclist Struck by Semi-Truck
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/truck-bicyclist-alexander-2598159-kraemer-ramp
An unidentified Anaheim biker was struck and pinned underneath the front bumper of a semi-truck early this morning, the Orange County Register reports.
The incident occurred at Kraemer Boulevard and the 91 freeway off-ramp, according to police. As the bicyclist approached the eastbound off-ramp of the 91 freeway, the semi-truck turned right onto Kraemer, striking the biker. The biker was taken to UCI Medical Center after suffering serious injuries.
The incident occurred just one day after a trial began in the Huntington Beach case of a 14 year old boy who was struck and killed by a motorist while riding his bicycle. In this case, the defendant faces felony charges of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence while intoxicated and driving under the influence and causing bodily injury. The defense counsel has argued that the defendant suffered a seizure at the time of the accident and could not control his vehicle as it struck the young bicyclist.
In 2007, there were 124 bikers killed and 10,590 bikers injured in collisions in California, according to the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of a vehicle to bicycle accident, veteran personal injury attorneys can help you recover compensation for you medical bills as well as pain and suffering. We understand the trauma and difficulty of going through a bicycle accident, and will provide the kind of experience and resources that make a difference.
Do Unsafe Intersections Cause Metrolink Trains to Hit High Numbers of Pedestrians and Cars?
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.
Wrong Way Pick Up Driver Causes Crash on the 101 Freeway
http://www.independent.com/news/2009/sep/23/accident-101-kills-one-snarls-traffic/
A Verizon truck going southbound on the northbound 101 freeway caused a six-car crash and one death yesterday in Santa Barbara, according to the Santa Barbara Independent.
At approximately 6 a.m., the Verizon truck entered the 101 heading the wrong direction near near Glen Annie Road in Goleta. Ten minutes after entering the freeway, the truck struck a white van, killing the driver. Six other vehicles were involved in the crash, leaving two people moderately injured and three others with minor injuries.
According the U.S. Department of Transportation, an average of 350 people are killed annually due to wrong-way freeway crashes. The Transportation Department’s website lists California as one of the few states taking initiative to combat this serious problem with ramp design, signage, and other safety improvements.
A 1989 California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) study found that drivers under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol were responsible for 76.8% of fatal wrong way car crashes. In a crash such as this, one of the first questions to ask is whether drugs or alcohol impaired the wrong-way driver. Officials who are still investigating the accident have not said publically whether alcohol or drugs were a factor.
The crash victims and their families deserve answers. With knowledgeable and experienced personal injury attorneys, those injured in the crash can be compensated for medical expenses and lost earnings from work. The family of the deceased victim may be able to file a wrongful death claim as well.
Two Injured on Roller Coaster at Knott’s Berry Farm
http://ocresort.freedomblogging.com/2009/09/21/knotts-ride-still-quiet-pending-repairs-investigation/19117/
Two were injured last Wednesday when a cable broke during a ride on Knott’s Berry Farm’s Xcelerator.
A 12 year old boy was sent to the hospital with moderate injuries after his leg was cut on the cable. Another man complaining of back pain was also treated at the hospital.
A video posted online of the incident shows the Xcelerator’s cars leaving the boarding platform and climbing a 205 foot horseshoe loop when the cable breaks and the cars decelerate back to the platform.
The ride remains closed this week as state officials investigate the cause of the broken cable. The cable was not scheduled to be replaced until December. Knott’s Berry Farm inspects each ride before opening daily, a spokesperson said.
In this situation, the injured riders should contact a California personal injury attorney with experience in amusement park accidents. Depending on the cause of the broken cable, the injured riders may be entitled to monetary compensation. If the ride was not properly inspected or maintained, Knott’s Berry Farm may be responsible for the incident. If manufacturing errors caused the broken cable, the ride’s manufacturer may be held liable.
Our best wishes are with those injured in the incident as they continue to recover.
Bride-to-Be Injured in Head on Collision on Highway 126
http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2009/sep/18/two-people-injured-in-highway-126-head-on/
A twenty-four year old Piru woman scheduled to be married last Sunday was seriously injured in an automobile collision last Saturday afternoon on Highway 126 near Powell Road and Piru.
Suzy Yoguez, 24, was driving westbound on Highway 126 when a 25-year-old driver who was heading eastbound drifted into oncoming traffic and struck Yoguez’s car. Yoguez had to be extricated from her car and was taken to the Ventura County Medical Center.
The other driver was taken to Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, also with serious injuries.
At present, the crash is still under investigation.
In 2007, there were 19,943 injuries due to head on collisions in California, according to the California Highway Patrol’s 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System.
Ms. Youguez’s family should seek a personal injury attorney who can determine why the other driver drifted into oncoming traffic. Was he driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol? Did he fall asleep at the wheel? Was he distracted by a cell phone call or text message? There are many possible explanations as to why the driver swerved into the westbound lane. An experienced attorney can determine the facts surrounding a case and pursue your right to fair compensation.
Is Your Child’s Safety Threatened by Backyard Swing sets?
From the Santa Barbara News-Press
Recent concerns have arisen regarding the safety of background playground equipment following the death of 4-year-old Wesley Cowan on his home play structure. According to Scott Burton, President of Safety Play Inc., 61 children have reported injuries due to a faulty play ground structure design since 1990. Burton believes many others are injured who never report their incidents to hospitals or the government.
In the dangerous design that concerns Burton, as well growing numbers of other parents, swings and other types of equipment are located under the monkey bars, so that if a child falls from the monkey bars they risk hitting the hard equipment.
A new design standard has been implemented as of July, but the Consumer Product Safety Commission has yet to issue a warning about old play structures that hold the flawed design.
If you have a backyard play structure purchased prior to July 2009, you can prevent injuries by ensuring that there isn’t any hard equipment located under the monkey bars. If you’ve been a victim of the faulty playground design, you should contact a Santa Barbara child injury lawyer, as you may be entitled to legal compensation.
Five Caltrans Workers Injured by Car
http://weblog.signonsandiego.com/news/breaking/2009/09/3_caltrans_workers_struck_by_c.html
Two Caltrans employees and three Caltrans probationers have been hospitalized for serious injuries after a car swerved onto the shoulder of the freeway where they were working this morning, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
There is still no word on why the car went onto the freeway shoulder.
According to legalcatch.wordpress.com, In 2005, 71 percent of pedestrian deaths occurred on major roads, including interstates and freeways.
Labor Day Crash in the Central Valley
http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/57617157.html
A woman was killed this Labor Day weekend when she ran a stop sign while allegedly talking on her cell phone. She was hit head-on by a truck that had the right of way, ripping her car into two pieces. No one in the truck was hurt.
In 2007, there were 3,557 fatal accident collisions, according to the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. Cell phone usage is often cited as one of the contributing factors to car accidents that result in serious property damage or personal injury. Besides avoiding cell phone use, there are several other simple steps you can take to prevent car accidents according to Edmunds.com, such as avoiding tailgating on the freeway, knowing your blind spots, and checking both ways twice before entering an intersection.
Sometimes even the most cautious and conscientious drivers are involved in accidents due to the negligent actions of others. If you or someone you know was injured in a car accident and you think another party may be responsible, Law Office of Renee J. Nordstrand can help. With our decades of experience, we aggressively pursue fair compensation for victims of negligent driving.