Stockton Injury Lawyer Blog

Police are investigating a Hanford, California truck accident that left two people injured. According to the Hanford Sentinel, initial reports indicate that a driver who failed to stop for a stop sign may be responsible for the big rig accident. Heliodoro Padilla was driving north in his pickup truck as he entered the intersection when the big rig carrying a two-axle trailer went through the intersection travelling west. The pick-up collided with the 18-wheeler, and Padillla and his passenger sustained major injuries. The passenger was taken to Adventist Medical Center and Ruiz was flown to Fresno for treatment at University Medical Center.

In California and throughout the country, big-rig accidents are among the most dangerous types of motor vehicle accidents. If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, it is important to contact an experienced Stockton truck accident lawyer to provide critical guidance regarding your legal rights. In many cases, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries.

Injuries from big-rig accidents may include, but are not limited to, neck injuries, spinal cord injures, traumatic brain injuries and wrongful death.

Several different causes of truck accidents exist, and when someone is injured as a result, in many cases not only is the truck driver found liable but the trucking company may also be held responsible. Trucking companies may also be held responsible if they negligently hire a truck driver who has a poor safety record. Truck accidents may occur for the following reasons:

• Speeding in an attempt to maintain a tight delivery schedule
• Fatigue as the result of long hours with little rest
• Overloading or unsafe cargo
• Mechanical or brake failure
• Driver error/failure to follow safety rules
• Difficulty seeing other drivers or obstacles in blind spots while backing up, making turns or changing lanes.

Continue reading "Hanford Big Rig Accident Injures Two" »

Stockton news reports that a nine-year-old girl was killed in a pedestrian accident as she was crossing street. The Stockton girl suffered head trauma and burn injuries after being struck by a van. She was taken to the University of California, Davis, Medical Center in Sacramento for treatment.

If you have suffered serious personal injuries as the result of any California accident, including car accidents or pedestrian accidents, it is important to speak to an experienced Stockton injury attorney to answer your personal injury questions and determine your next steps.

Reports indicate that the girl was crossing the street and in the crosswalk with other people when she was struck by a Chevrolet Astro van headed west. A CHP Officer noted "The driver was driving toward the sun, and this shows that sometimes your blind spot doesn't have to be on the sides or behind you; it can be in front of you."

Although it is unknown whether the young girl in the crosswalk was walking or riding her motorized scooter at the time of the accident, the bike caught fire when hit by the van. The fire subsequently burned her arms, legs and chest. The girl was in stable condition when she was flown to the Sacramento trauma center.

Police are investigating whether the woman who was driving the van was speeding or ran a red light. Alcohol doesn't appear to be a factor.

Continue reading "Car Accident Injures Nine-Year-Old Stockton Girl In Crosswalk" »

A recently filed wrongful case examines the responsibility of a bar in the death of a 21-year-old Paso Robles man, Bryan Brady. In Brady v. Pappy McGregor's Pub & Grill, the parents of a man struck and killed by a train have sued the bar for negligence. In California, a wrongful death case may be filed where the careless, reckless or intentional acts of another person or corporation cause the death of another. In these situations, the families and children of the person killed may be entitled to recover damages for their loss. Although the type of compensation available varies, it may include medical costs, loss of love and companionship, funeral and burial expenses and in some instances, punitive damages. A knowledgeable California wrongful death lawyer can provide you crucial advice and help you determine your next steps.

Wrongful death lawsuits can occur in almost any area of personal injury, including car accidents, medical malpractice and workplace accidents. Here, Brady was killed after celebrating his 21st birthday at the Crooked Kilt - a downtown Paso Robles business. Byran was served drinks by the bar employees after he was drunk, violating company policy. A patron of the bar then knocked Bryan unconscious in front of the bar. Bryan allegedly remained unconscious for three to five minutes "in obvious need of medical attention." He was then reportedly carried away from the bar by unknown patrons in an unconscious state and "unable to care for himself and see to his own safety." He was later found dead on a section of train tracks behind the Crooked Kilt after being struck by a freight train.

The parents allege that the bar employees were negligent for several reasons, including serving Bryan alcohol in violation of company policy and failing to call 911 after Bryan needed medical attention. The parents also assert that a "special relationship" exists between business owners and patrons that "imposes a duty of reasonable care" to help those in need of medical attention.

Continue reading "Wrongful Death Case Filed Against Paso Robles Bar in Brady v. Pappy McGregor's " »

A recent article concerning brain injuries revealed a frightening statistic - the number of youth athletes suffering from brain injuries has surged by 60% in the last nine years. The leading causes of head injuries include bicycling, football and playground accidents. Traumatic brain injuries are not only caused by sports accidents, but may occur whenever an individual sustains a blunt trauma to the head. These injuries may be the result of any kind of accident including car accidents, slips and falls, amusement park accidents and medical malpractice.

Where an injury occurs as the result of another's negligence, a victim may be entitled to compensation. If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, an experienced California brain injury lawyer can review the incident, provide answers to your brain injury questions and determine your next steps.

According to the study, the incidence of traumatic brain injuries among youth rose from around 150,000 in 2001 to close to 250,000 in 2009. The director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention noted that the dramatic increase is likely fueled in part by an increased awareness of the dangers of head injuries and the need for children to been evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible following an accident.

Many times, brain injuries occur without an individual ever losing consciousness and symptoms may not be immediately present - sometimes not showing up until days or even weeks after an accident occurs. Symptoms of even mild traumatic brain injuries may include headaches, dizziness, slurred speech, vomiting and seizures. With immediate treatment, the effects may be lessened or even reversed. However, more severe injuries and those brain injuries left untreated may result in long-term disabilities including:

• Headaches
• Short-term and long-term memory loss
• Confusion/inability to process information
• Communication difficulties
• Paralysis
• Death

Continue reading "Number Of Brain Injuries Continues To Surge" »