Stockton Injury Lawyer Blog

This past week the National Transportation Safety Board recommended prohibiting all drivers from using portable electronic devices - like cell phones - while they're driving. This proposal comes after a hearing involving a Missouri car accident that killed two people and injured 38. Investigations suggest that the initial accident was caused by a pick-up driver who had sent 11 text messages in the 11 minutes immediately before the crash. The nineteen-year-old driver of the pickup ran into the back of a tractor-trailer that had slowed down through a construction zone. After the pickup ran into the big rig, it was then rear-ended by one school bus, which was then rear ended by another school bus. The driver of the pick-up truck and a student sitting on the last row of the first bus died in the crash.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident where distracted driving may have played a part, it is important to speak to an experienced Stockton injury lawyer to answer your personal injury questions and determine your next steps.

The senseless loss of life has prompted the NTSB to call for a ban on all cell phone use. Although California has banned texting while driving and only allows hands free cell phone usage - California drivers continue to disregard state law. Distracted driving continues to cause driving accidents in California and throughout the United States. In fact, the NHTSA reports that last year, over 3000 traffic deaths were blamed on distracted driving, and according to a survey released last week, nearly 50% of drivers younger than 25-years-old text while driving.

Continue reading "NTSB Recommends Banning Cellphone Use While Driving" »

According to the San Francisco Examiner, the family of a 23-year-old woman killed in a fatal Muni bus accident in August plans to file a personal injury lawsuit this week. Emily Dunn died in the pedestrian accident after a Muni shuttle bus hit her while crossing the street. Reports indicate that the bus driver was driving on the wrong side of the street.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, it is important to speak to an experienced California accident law firm promptly to protect your rights and determine your next steps. A knowledgeable Stockton personal injury lawyer can provide critical advice concerning your personal injury questions and what to do after an accident.

Unfortunately pedestrian accidents are far too common. The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) estimates that nearly 80,000 pedestrians are struck each year by motor vehicles resulting in serious injuries. Nearly 5,000 of these accidents result in wrongful death. Many times, these accidents occur where the pedestrian has the right-of-way, is crossing at a cross-walk and obeying all traffic signals. An accident may occur because of driver negligence, such as where a driver is distracted, is speeding or has drinking. Other times, an accident occurs due to a condition of the road itself - such as where the design of the sidewalk is unsafe, debris blocks safe passage, defective roadway design or poor property maintenance.

Continue reading "Personal Injury Lawsuit To Be Filed Against Muni In Death Of San Francisco Woman" »

The recent tragic New York tour bus accident has raised questions concerning victims and their families' rights to compensation when serious personal injuries or a wrongful death occurs on a tour bus.

When a serious accident occurs it is critical to contact an experienced California personal injury attorney immediately to conduct an investigation and determine all the potential factors that may affect compensation.

In the New York bus accident, the driver had been sleeping before operating the bus, which then flipped on its side and killed 15 passengers as they returned home from a gambling trip. The accident is now being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board. Looming questions include if fatigue played a role in the accident - witnesses indicate that the bus had veered off the road several times before crashing; if another vehicle clipped the bus, and if the company was negligent in hiring the driver based on his previous driving record.

An accident may simply be the fault of driver error. However, many times other factors contribute. For example, a tour bus company may owe a duty of care to bring its customers to and from a location safely. In order to ensure passengers safety, conducting a background check on its drivers is critical. The failure to perform adequate screening may lead to findings of fault against a company.

Continue reading "California Tour Bus Accidents - Victims Right To Compensation" »

In a tragic three-vehicle collision, a Greyhound bus collided with an SUV, resulting in 6 deaths, including the bus driver. The bus was traveling northbound on California Highway 99 from Los Angeles to Sacramento, with its next planned stop in Madera.

Around 2 a.m., the bus crashed into an overturned SUV in the right hand lane. The collision sent the bus into another vehicle and then all three went down a 15-foot embankment, where the bus hit a large eucalyptus tree. The impact was enormous, leaving debris scattered everywhere.

As a California personal injury attorney, I've seen far too many accidents end tragically. In Thursday's accident, five people died at the scene and another died shortly thereafter. 34 people sustained injuries ranging from minor to critical.

Bus crashes are relatively rare, with an average of 4 deaths per year.

While the investigation is still on going, eye-witness reports indicate that the bus driver did nothing wrong, but rather had no time to stop after seeing the SUV on its side in the highway.

Continue reading "Tragic Bus Crash En Route to Sacramento" »