Stockton Injury Lawyer Blog

According to reports, a negligence lawsuit has been filed against Muni after a San Francisco Municipal Railway bus driver hit and killed a pedestrian, Emily Dunn, in the city's Castro District. The Muni bus lawsuit alleges fault on the part of Muni officials for placing an inexperienced driver on a new route.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle or pedestrian accident, consulting with an experienced Stockton personal injury lawyer is important to begin an investigation into the various factors that may have caused or contributed to an incident.

Here a complete investigation into the pedestrian accident involves more than just looking at the actions of the driver of the bus - Wallace Loggins. Loggins was charged last month with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter and pleaded not guilty. He was turning left when he hit Dunn, who was almost across the street when she was struck. Loggins didn't realize he had hit someone until he heard screams from a bystander. According to the wrongful death lawsuit, while Loggins may be partly to blame for this accident, it was Muni's negligence that "caused" the death. By placing a new driver with just eight months experience on a new route, Muni acted negligently and caused the harm. The suit claims that Loggins "did everything he could," but he was on a new route, lost and Muni failed to provide directions.

Continue reading "Muni Sued For Negligence Arising Out Of San Francisco Pedestrian Accident" »

A tragic drunk driving accident has claimed the life of a 64-year-old Stockton man. The man was crossing the street when he was struck and killed by a 29-year-old mother suspected of driving under the influence. He was walking just east of an intersection and cross-walk on New Year's Eve when the pedestrian accident occurred. According to reports, the woman had her four children in the car at the time of the car crash. She has been cited with vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence and child abuse and endangerment.

Despite increased public awareness about the dangers of drunk driving, drunk driving accidents continue to plague California's roadways. In fact, in California and throughout the United States, driver intoxication is the leading cause of auto accidents. On New Year's Eve alone, 11 San Joaquin County drivers were charged with driving under the influence.

If you or a loved on has suffered serious personal injuries or a family member has been killed in a drunk driving auto accident, it is important to contact an experienced Stockton drunk driving accident attorney to answer your personal injury questions and discuss your next steps.

While in many situations drunk drivers may face criminal charges arising out of their reckless conduct, where personal injuries and wrongful death occur, it is possible to obtain compensation from the driver for the harm incurred as the result of the accident.

Continue reading "Drunk Driving Suspected In Fatal Stockton Car Accident" »

A recent article in the Bakersfield news underscores the dangers of pedestrian/vehicle accidents. According to the report 15 individuals have died in Bakersfield pedestrian accidents this year. Earlier in December, two young Oildale residents were struck and killed by a Kern County sheriff's patrol car driven by an officer responding to a call. A few days later, a 40-year-old woman was killed while crossing the street in the crosswalk.

When cars strike pedestrians, the potential for serious injury - such as head, brain or neck injuries, or even death - is great. If you or a loved one have been injured as the result of a car accident it is important to consult a Stockton pedestrian accident lawyer to answer your personal injury questions and determine your next steps.

Many times, those injured or the family members of individuals who have lost their lives are unsure of their legal rights and whether they may be entitled to compensation. Several factors go into this determination such as whether fault exists on the part of the driver or the pedestrian. For example, whether the pedestrian had the right of way and was crossing within a crosswalk may affect whether the driver may be held liable. Additionally, considerations such as whether the car was speeding or otherwise going too fast for conditions, or if the driver was violating any other traffic laws.

While California law requires drivers to exercise "reasonable caution" toward pedestrians, with extra care shown for the disabled and children, pedestrians also have a responsibility to use due care. This includes such actions as crossing within crosswalks, paying attention when crossing the street, and looking both ways before entering the roadway.

Continue reading "Several Factors May Be To Blame In Pedestrian Accidents " »

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" »

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" »

Bay Area news reports that an elderly woman was struck and killed in San Jose late Tuesday night while she was walking in the street. The woman was 75-years-old and was struck by a 19-year-old woman driving a Toyota Camry. The pedestrian accident is still under investigation.

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries as the result of any type of personal injury accident it is critical to contact an experienced Stockton accident lawyer promptly to preserve your rights and determine your next steps. Even though a lawsuit may be the furthest thing from your mind, it is important to discuss your options with a dedicated personal injury attorney in order to protect your future.

Reports indicate that the cause of the accident wasn't "immediately clear." Here, as in any accident it is important to investigate all potential factors in order to determine exactly what happened. Many times, the real cause of serious injuries and wrongful death isn't readily apparent. For example, an accident may be the result of driver error - including recklessness or careless such as driving too fast for the conditions, distracted driving or drunk driving. Other times, a defective auto part - such as tires, brakes or lighting - leads to an accident. In these situations a knowledgeable Stockton product liability lawyer can advise you of your rights. In some cases, negligent roadway design - such as improper lighting, inadequate signage or poor maintenance is the real cause of an accident.

Continue reading "Elderly Woman Killed In San Jose Pedestrian Accident" »

A recent bike safety article provided by the Bay Citizen for the New York Times reviewed the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of Brandon Sorenson, a 13-year-old Alameda boy would was killed last month while riding his bike. While Brandon was in an intersection, he was struck by an S.U.V. and later died at a nearby intersection.

While the accident is still under investigation, the incident brings to light a startling statistic - Bay Area bicyclists aged 10 to 19 are at the highest risk for suffering injuries in a bike collision. Half of the accidents involved boys ages 12 to 16.

If you or a child has been injured in a bike accident, it is important to speak to an experienced bike accident lawyer immediately to begin investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and preserve your right to seek compensation.

Based on California highway patrol data, 434 San Jose teenagers were involved in bike collisions with cars, the most of any Bay Area City. Oakland was second with 193 bike accidents. Although in some instances accidents may be the fault of the bicyclist, in many others the driver is to blame. Figuring out just what happened is crucial to determining fault.

Continue reading "Youth Prone To Bay Area Bicycle Accidents " »

Oakdale news reports an alarming statistic. A 40-year-old woman crossing Highway 108 this week was the 17th pedestrian, bicyclist or skateboarder to be hit by a car or truck in Oakdale in a year.

The Oakdale pedestrian accidents have resulted in one fatality and numerous serious injuries. If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, it is important to contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer immediately. Often the full impact of an injury isn't known until days, weeks or even months following an accident. It is important to speak to someone right away to preserve evidence and your rights.

As a result of the excessive number of accidents, Oakdale police are beginning to crack down - ticketing drivers who don't stop for people in the crosswalk and people who walk in front of cars before it is safe to cross.

"Distraction" is the number one reason cited for accidents, including drivers and pedestrians texting, eating, and putting on make-up.

Although most of the injuries have been minor, one death occurred after an intoxicated man was hit by a car while crossing Hwy. 108 at night, and a boy was seriously injured when he was run over by a car driving at slow speeds. The 40-year-old woman was crossing the highway during heavy traffic and was struck by a car.

Continue reading "Oakdale Pedestrian Accidents On The Rise" »

This week has been particularly traumatic for one Central Valley community. One day after a horrific Ceres pedestrian accident killed a teenager and injured four students on their way to Mae Hensley Junior High, another Ceres car accident hit two boys walking to Central Valley High School.

In the first incident, a pick-up truck ran into a group of girls walking to school after failing to stop at stop sign. The driver told the media that he "may have fallen asleep" while driving.

In the other pedestrian accident, four boys were crossing the street when a man driving a Buick turned right, bumping into two of the boys. Fortunately, the boys did not sustain serious injuries.

If you have been injured in a pedestrian or car accident, an experienced California personal injury attorney can help.

Continue reading "Ceres Pedestrian Accidents Kill One And Injure Six" »

"Be careful on Halloween," warns a local insurance company, and for good reason. According to the Sacramento Business Journal, the number of pedestrian/motorist collisions skyrockets by some 25% on Halloween compared to the rest of October.

Both youthful and adult trick-or-treaters are advised to be alert and watch for dangers while crossing roads and to be careful while texting and walking. Often accidents occur even when pedestrians have the right of way. Distracted drivers may not see pedestrians in crosswalks until its too late. Likewise, if pedestrians are distracted by texting or music, they may step into the path of on-coming traffic, leaving drivers little time to react.

Regardless of fault, when collisions occur between pedestrians and cars, serious injuries can result, including head, spinal cord and brain injuries, and in some cases, wrongful death.

Continue reading "California Pedestrian Accidents Dramatically Increase On Halloween" »