Stockton Injury Lawyer Blog

The wife of a Hawthorne police officer killed while assisting a funeral procession has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the cities of El Segundo and Manhattan Beach. The $25 million negligence suit alleges that the negligent and reckless actions of the municipalities and police departments in organizing the funeral procession led to the death of Andrew Garton, a motorcycle officer with the Hawthorne Police Dept.

If you have been seriously injured or have lost a loved one as the result of a motorcycle accident or the wrongful or negligent conduct of another, it is important to speak to a Stockton personal injury attorney immediately to discuss your case and determine your next steps.

Here, Garton collided with another motorcycle officer from El Segundo. The crash tossed Garton into oncoming traffic where he landed on another vehicle and was killed. Garton's wife filed the wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of herself and her young sons, alleging wrongful conduct on the part of El Segundo. Specifically, she alleges that El Segundo "negligently, carelessly and recklessly" controlled and monitored the motorcycle operated by the El Segundo officer who caused the crash. The complaint also alleged negligence in the hiring and training of the officer involved.

Continue reading "Wife Of California Police Officer Killed In Motorcycle Accident Files Negligence Lawsuit" »

Salinas News reports that the holiday weekend has been a deadly one on the Central Coast. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) three separate crashes have resulted in the deaths of five people in Monterey County. Four other people suffered major injures as the result of the two car accidents and one motorcycle accident.

If you or a loved one has been injured or suffered a wrongful death as the result of any type of personal injury accident, it is important to contact an experienced central coast accident lawyer to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident and help you obtain the compensation you deserve.

Both of the car accidents involved head-on collisions. In the first accident, the driver of a Yukon collided head-on with a driver in the southbound lane, killing the driver instantly. Drugs and alcohol were not suspected to be involved. In the second accident, two Toyota Pickups collided while the driver of one was trying to pass slower moving vehicles. Both drivers died at the scene, while a total of three passengers in the two trucks were taken to area hospital with serious injuries.

The motorcycle accident occurred after the motorcyclist attempted to pass cars by driving on the shoulder and lost control of his cycle, sliding into the ditch, killed himself and his passenger.

Continue reading "Central Coast News Reports That 5 People Have Been Killed In Monterey County This Holiday Weekend " »

San Mateo news reports that a motorcyclist was killed after colliding with a big-rig. Although the cause of the motorcycle accident is unknown, police suggest the truck and motorcycle both swerved to avoid an earlier accident and collided with each other. The truck driver did not stop at the scene.

If you or a loved on has been involved in a California truck accident or motorcycle accident, contact an experienced Stockton personal injury lawyer at once to investigate the accident and help you obtain the compensation you deserve.

Both truck drivers and motorcyclists face special considerations on the road. Due to the sheer size of an eighteen-wheeler, when trucks collide with another vehicle, the results are often tragic. Further, it takes longer and more space for trucks to maneuver. When an unforeseen obstacle - such as an accident - forces a truck to adjust, the truck driver and other motorists on the road need to allow enough space and time to make these critical adjustments.

Continue reading "San Mateo Motorcycle Crash Kills One" »

As the number of moped riders increase, so do the number of moped fatalities. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports a staggering increase in deaths, doubling from 2005 to 2009. A moped or scooter is generally considered a two-wheeled or three-wheeled cycle with a motor that is not capable of going faster than 30 mph.

States around the country are looking at ways to decrease these fatalities by imposing new moped regulations. Potential changes include imposing driver's license requirements, helmet laws and including a moped or scooter in the definition of "motor vehicle" so that DUI laws apply.

California moped laws may be confusing to users and vary depending on the type of moped or scooter you ride. However all riders must have a driver's license or learners permit to operate one. It's best to contact an experienced California personal injury attorney if you have any questions concerning laws related to your moped use.

Continue reading "California Moped Accidents On The Rise - States Considering New Laws" »

El Centro news reports that a retired CHP officer was killed in a motorcycle accident after he ran his motorcycle into a car.

The accident occurred after the officer failed to stop at a stop sign and crashed into a car. Although he was wearing a helmet, he suffered severe injuries and died as a result. The driver of the car suffered minor injuries.

This motorcycle accident is a tragic reminder that accidents can happen to anyone. The El Centro police noted, "There's no way to guarantee that unfortunate event are not going to happen to you. The best thing we can do is pay strict attention to what's going on, minimizing our risks and accepting the fact that we need to slow down, look, and occasionally become somewhat burdened by the fact that we have to wait."

Continue reading "California Motorcycle Accident Kills CHP Officer" »

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is pushing for greater awareness regarding motorcycle safety as well as advocating mandatory helmet laws. According to a USA Today article, more than 12 motorcyclist die each day in the United States from motorcycle accidents, with head injuries as the leading cause of death.

California is one of 20 states in the country that require all riders to wear helmets. 27 other states only require helmets for those under 18, while three states - Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire - have no helmet laws whatsoever. Over the last several years motorcycle deaths have continued to increase with the exception of last year, which several experts attribute to the economy.

A recent article in the Press-Democrat further notes that in California, motorcycle deaths have double since 2000, from 276 to 560 in 2008.

Setting aside statistics for a moment, for your own personal safety wearing a motorcycle helmet is critical. If you are in a crash, nothing protects your head from serious impact and trauma if you fail to wear a helmet.

Continue reading "NTSB Pushing For Stricter Helmet Laws To Decrease Motorcycle Accident Injuries" »

According to Recordnet.com, a collision between a bicyclist and a motorcycle in Lodi ended tragically after a bicyclist attempted to cross the road and was hit by a motorcyclist.

The motorcycle was unable to maneuver quickly enough to avoid the accident. Tragically, the bicyclist died from his injuries and the motorcyclist sustained critical injuries.

With the increasing popularity of bicycles as a mode of transportation, we all need to increase our awareness of each other on the road. Further, while it is unknown the exact circumstances surrounding this accident, it serves as a important and frightening reminder to all motorists and bicyclists to follow some basic safety tips to help keep California roadways safe.

These tips include:

For all drivers - motorcyclists, car drivers, truck drivers and bicyclists - avoid distracted driving. Texting while driving is illegal in California and has been shown to increase the risk of accidents and death significantly.

Further, whatever your mode of transportation, follow safety precautions. Whether this means wearing a helming, wearing bright clothing or following the rules of the road, taking simple actions can save your life and prevent injury.

Finally, use common sense and be aware of your surroundings. Taking time to anticipate another's movements can often avoid an accident completely.

Unfortunately, even with precautions and safety measures accidents do happen. Hopefully though, by working together we can improve the safety of California roadways.

Continue reading "Tragic Lodi Bicycle/Motorcycle Collision Kills One" »