Stockton Injury Lawyer Blog

A tragic San Mateo County accident this past Thursday left one man dead, two seriously injured and three others hurt. The truck accident occurred when a pickup truck flipped over and rolled down a hill. The victims - all workers - were passengers, with some riding in the bed of the pick-up and others in the cab. The workers had contracted with the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District to do weed abatement in the Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve in San Mateo County.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident, it is best to consult a skilled Stockton personal injury lawyer to discuss your matter - often you may be able to obtain compensation for your injuries.

Here it is unknown who was driving the car and the company working on weed control. These issues may become important in determining fault. The accident occurred while the truck was "off-road," about 1.5 miles off of the nearest paved road. The trail the vehicle was on was unmaintained - slick and muddy due to recent rains. When the truck tried to climb the steep grassy hill, it rolled over, tossing the occupants into remote terrain.

As one California Highway Patrol officer noted, while laws prohibiting passengers in pickups don't apply off-road, "It is certainly unadvisable."

Continue reading "Pick-Up Truck Accident Leaves One Dead, 5 Injured" »

The month of May has been designated National Bike Safety Month, and is designed to increase bicyclist's awareness of potential dangers with an eye toward improving safety and reducing the number of bicycle accidents.

As a Stockton bike accident attorney and cycling enthusiast, I support efforts to improve the safety of everyone sharing the road, be it bicyclists, pedestrians, cars, trucks, busses or motorcyclists.

Recently several Bay Area bike accidents have been in the news, drawing attention to the potential for serious injury. Some of the tips offered as the result of National Bike Safety Month include:

• Follow the rules of the road - ride with traffic and obey traffic laws;
• Be visible - Wear bright clothing, use lights or reflectors and wear reflective clothing;
• Be predictable - Avoid making sudden turns or weaving in and out of traffic;
• Use "defensive bike" - Be aware of traffic around you and be prepared to take evasive action to avoid crashes; and
• Wear a properly fitted helmet

Continue reading "National Bike Safety Month Promotes Safety Tips To Prevent Bike Accidents" »

An automobile accident caused the Golden Gate Bridge to shut down for an hour on Sunday. The car collision involved four cars. Although the specific reasons for the crash are unknown, a California highway Patrol officer stated that he suspected that one of the vehicles crossed over the line into oncoming traffic. Whether alcohol played a factor is unknown.

If you have been involved in a car accident, it is important to contact an experienced automobile accident lawyer to determine your next steps and help you obtain compensation for your injuries.

Many factors affect this determination. Here, this crash is one of several over the last few years that draw attention to a controversial issue - the lack of a median barrier across the Golden Gate Bridge. Whether Sunday's accident could have been prevented had a barrier existed will likely be examined. Overarching issues such as roadway design often play as much of a role in causing an accident as driver error.

Continue reading "Golden Gate Auto Accident Causes Minor Injuries And Major Delays" »

Highway 59, which connect State Route 152 to Merced, was closed Saturday after a fatal head-on collision between a semi-truck and a Honda. News reports indicate that the 18-wheeler was heading north when the driver of the Honda crossed into oncoming traffic. The Honda driver was killed on impact but the driver and the passenger of the big rig sustained only minor injuries.

If you have been injured or have lost a family member in a truck accident or car accident, it is critical to contact an experienced California truck accident lawyer immediately to begin investigating the incident and protect your right to seek compensation.

Often, even though the cause of an accident may initially seem clear cut, with further investigation additional factors and causes come to light. It is only after all the facts and circumstances are known that liability for a particular accident can be determined.

Continue reading "Highway 59 Near Merced Closed After Fatal Truck Accident " »

The Merced Sun-Star reports that two separate car accidents have resulted in the deaths of three people over the last few days.

In one automobile accident, two 19-year-old women were killed after their car struck a power pole on Lake Road. The car had drifted onto the shoulder, and after the driver corrected, she lost control and the car began to spin clockwise. Two other passengers in the car suffered minor injuries.

In a second car accident, a 57-year-old man was killed after being injured in a truck accident.

If you have been injured in a car accident and suffered serious injuries or if a loved one has died in a car crash, it is important to contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer to protect your rights and explore options for compensation. In many situations, the extent of your coverage will be determined based on the insurance contract you have. If you are the party being charged with negligence, your insurance company is required to defend claims made against your policy. If you are the one injured or wronged, your insurance company should cover your claims and then may bring a "subrogation claim" against the responsible party.

Continue reading "Merced County Accidents Result In Three Deaths" »