2011 May Archive

An unidentified woman is her 40s was killed in a car collision with a police cruiser on May 24‚ 2011‚ around 1 a.m. near Manchester Avenue. According to Officer Travis Ruiz‚ the victim was a front seat passenger in the Range Rover car that collided with one of the three Inglewood Police Cruisers responding to shooting accident nearby. 

The impact of the collision was so strong that the victim was ejected out of her car and struck the concrete pathway.  The injured woman was pronounced dead at the accident scene. The driver of the car and the police officers suffered minor injuries and scratches. From the limited information available‚ it is unclear what lead to this fatal car accident. The first police car made it through the light. The second cruiser collided with the Range Rover. It appears that a right-of-the-way violation contributed to this crash. Investigators are reviewing the patrol car video and red-light camera.

According to California Vehicle Code section 21802 (a): "The driver of any vehicle approaching a stop sign at the entrance to‚ or within‚ an intersection shall stop as required by Section 22450. The driver shall then yield the right-of-way to any vehicles which have approached from another highway‚ or which are approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard‚ and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to those vehicles until he or she can proceed with reasonable safety."

If it is found in the initial investigation that the police officer violated the Range Rover’s right-of-the-way‚ then the Police department may be held liable for victim’s wrongful death. It would be in the best interest of the victim’s family to immediately seek counsel from an experienced auto injury lawyer in Los Angeles County to learn about their legal rights and obtain compensation to cover funeral and burial costs‚ loss of anticipated earnings‚ loss of love and companionship‚ and other accident-related expenses.

Our law office offers sincere condolences to all those who knew the victim.

Ross Jurewitz represents people killed in auto collisions in Los Angeles County and is the managing lawyer of the Jurewitz Law Group‚ a California personal injury law firm dedicated to representing families of people injured or killed in vehicle crashes.  If you or a loved one has been killed or injured in a car accident in Los Angeles County‚ please order your free copy of Mr. Jurewitz’s California car accident book. It is full of helpful information that will help you protect your legal rights and it is free to all California residents.

Two people suffered critical injuries in a San Diego bus accident that occurred on May 26‚ 2011‚ around 6:10 a.m. at Murray Ridge Road inSerra Mesa. According to the CHP‚ light-colored Mercedes SUV collided with the rear side of a school bus on southbound Interstate 805 (I-805).

Two passengers in the SUV were hurt and immediately transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Fortunately there were no children in the bus when the accident occurred. From the available information‚ it is unclear what made the SUV driver rear end the bus.

The cause of the accident is under investigation. There are several possibilities. Did the bus driver apply breaks suddenly? Was the SUV driver in alert state? It could have been anyone’s fault. An outside factor like bad condition of the road or mechanical failure could also be the possible reasons for the accident.

Regardless‚ the injured motorist should immediately consult with an experienced San Diego bus accident lawyer who would hire a trained private investigator to investigate how the accident occurred and to determine if there are any facts which would suggest that the accident was the cause of someone else’s negligence.

An experienced traffic lawyer will make it easy for the victims to obtain compensation to cover treatment‚ medical costs‚ and other accident-related expenses.

Our personal injury law office hopes that the victims heal soon and they recover to their full health.

Ross Jurewitz represents people injured or killed in bus accidents in San Diego and is the managing lawyer of the Jurewitz Law Group‚ a California personal injury law firm dedicated to representing families of people injured or killed in auto accidents. If you or a loved one has been killed or injured in a bus accident in San Diego‚ please order your free copy of Mr. Jurewitz’s California car accident book. It is full of helpful information that will help you protect your legal rights and it is free to all California residents.

An unidentified 71-year-old pedestrian was struck and killed in a fatal car accident that occurred on May 24‚ 2011‚ around 2:45 a.m. in San Diego. According to San Diego Police Officer Dino Delimitros‚ the pedestrian’s body was found in the 7800 block of Claremont Mesa Boulevard. After a short time‚ officer noticed Toyota Scion XB with severe front-end damage parked outside a store near the accident scene.

Later‚ officers arrested 28-year-old Sean Alvarez‚ for fatally hitting the pedestrian and leaving the victim after the accident. The initial investigation found Alvarez driving under the influence of alcohol after failing a sobriety test. From the available information‚ it is evident that the double felony of driving and drinking and then leaving the scene of accident took an elderly pedestrian’s life.

Alvarez will most likely be found guilty for violating California Vehicle Code Section 23152(a) which states that "It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug‚ or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug‚ to drive a vehicle."  Also‚ leaving the scene of an accident is another serious violation under California law.

Alvarez’s family should immediately seek counsel from pedestrian accident lawyer serving in San Diego to obtain compensation to cover funeral and burial costs‚ loss of love and companionship‚ loss of anticipated income and other accident related expenses. A qualified and experienced pedestrian accident attorney would assure that Alvarez is brought to justice.

Our law office offers sincere condolences to all those who knew and loved the pedestrian for such a tragic loss.

Ross Jurewitz represents pedestrians killed in DUI car accidents in San Diego County and is the managing lawyer of the Jurewitz Law Group‚ a California personal injury law firm dedicated to representing families of people injured or killed in auto accidents.  Initial consultations are always free at our office.  In addition‚ the Jurewitz Law Group offers a "No Fee Guarantee" which means that potential clients not only receive a free consultation but also will not be charged any attorneys’ fees unless our law office recovers money for the victim. If you or a loved one has been killed or injured in a car accident in San Diego‚ please order your free copy of Mr. Jurewitz’s California car accident book. It is full of helpful information that will help you protect your legal rights and it is free to all California residents.

Brenda Hollingsworth of Auger Hollingsworth‚ an Ottawa personal injury law firm‚ recently reported about a serious school accident that led to the death of a student.  The accident happened earlier this week at Mother Theresa Catholic High School when gases in the shop ignited and caused an explosion when they came into contact with heat.

Just like any entity‚ schools have a duty of care to people coming onto its’ property to ensure that dangerous conditions on the property are not present that can cause injury.  However‚ schools have a heightened duty of care to students who they are not only charged with educating but also to provide a safe school environment.

According to Ms. Hollingsworth‚ her office has received a number of inquiries about whether the school can be sued for its’ negligence‚ if any‚ in causing the explosion.  They can‚ but it is best to consult with an attorney about the available statutory defenses to liability that the school may have.  The good news is that school districts‚ like car drivers and businesses‚ have insurance policies.  Money that is used to pay for the settlement or judgment will not come from the education budget–definitely a concern in this day and age of budget cuts.

We hope that the families of the wounded or killed students consult with an experienced personal injury attorney and learn about their rights and to have their claims evaluated.

We have previously written about the very important California Court of Appeals decision handed down in the case of Howell v. Hamilton Meats and Provisions‚ Inc. which clarified that the collateral source rule is still the law in California‚ thereby permitting injured people to recover the full amounts of their medical bills from the negligent party rather than just the amount "paid" by their insurance company via monetary payment.  You can read the prior articles and the Court of Appeals opinion here and here.

Now‚ after the California Supreme Court heard oral arguments during the appeal‚ it appears that the highest court in the state is poised to side with insurance companies and drastically limit or change the collateral source rule–for the benefit of negligent parties and their insurance companies.  That is the exact OPPOSITE rationale for why the collateral source rule exists:  the tortfeasor should not benefit for the foresight of the injured person in purchasing and then paying for health insurance prior to the accident‚ sometimes for years.

Law.com did a writeup of the oral arguments and it appears that the justices of the Court were very cold to the idea of maintaining the law and the collateral source rule as is.  Nobody is sure what chages are coming‚ but it appears certain that change will be coming–and at the expense of injured Californians for the benefit of insurance companies.

Six people were hospitalized in a drunk driving car accident in Tierrasanta on May 18‚ 2011‚ around 8 p.m. According to San Diego Police‚ an 18-year-old Serra High School senior Joseph Walsh was driving a Volkswagen Jetta when he crashed head-on into an SUV on Rueda Road near Tierrasanta Boulevard. The SUV’s 35-year-old male driver‚ his 33-year-old wife and a 4-year-old child were seriously injured and transported to a hospital.

Police told reporters that the Volkswagen rolled over four times‚ injuring Walsh and his two female passengers in Walsh’s car. 18-year-old Sara Martin suffered a critical skull fracture. Police said that it is suspected that Walsh was driving under the influence of alcohol when this accident occurred. The fact that several beer cans were found near Walsh’s car‚ leads to this suspicion.

It is unfortunate that this horrible accident was a result of underage drinking and driving while under the influence (DUI). Walsh will most likely be found guilty for violating California Vehicle Code Section 23152(a) which states that "It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug‚ or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug‚ to drive a vehicle."

The injured victims and their families should consult with an experienced San Diego DUI car accident lawyer to obtain a fair and timely compensation to cover treatment‚ medical and hospitalization costs‚ loss of earnings‚ loss of earning capacity and other accident-related expenses. An experienced DUI accident attorney will assure that Walsh is brought to justice.

Our personal injury law office sincerely hopes that the injuries suffered by the victims do not prove fatal and that they heal soon.

Ross Jurewitz represents people injured in DUI car accidents in San Diego County and is the managing lawyer of the Jurewitz Law Group‚ a California personal injury law firm dedicated to representing people injured or killed in auto accidents. If you or a loved one has been killed or injured in a car accident in Tierrasanta‚ please order your free copy of Mr. Jurewitz’s book‚ The Ten Biggest Mistakes that can Destroy Your California Accident Case. It is full of helpful information that will help you protect your legal rights and it is free to all California residents.

49-year-old David Webster was killed in a multiple-vehicle car accident in Riverside County that occurred on May 23‚ 2011‚ around 4:50 p.m. near Maple Street. According to the CHP‚ two motorcycles and four cars were involved in this fatal crash on Highway 91.

Webster’s motorcycle hit an SUV due to unknown reasons. Webster suffered life-threatening injuries and was immediately transported to Corona Regional Medical Center for treatment‚ where he was pronounced dead around 5:34 p.m.

From the limited information available‚ it is unclear what made Webster crash into the SUV. With the limited information available‚ there are several unanswered questions. Were any of the drivers driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol? Was there any traffic violation? Were any of the drivers speeding or inattentive?

If it is found that this multiple-vehicle accident occurred due to the negligence of any of the other motorists‚ then the guilty party will be held liable for Webster’s wrongful death. Webster’s family members should immediately seek counsel from an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Riverside County to learn about their legal rights and options and obtain compensation to cover funeral and burial costs‚ loss of future earnings‚ loss of love and companionship‚ and other accident-related expenses. An experienced attorney would assure that the at-fault party is brought to justice.

Our law office offers sincere condolences to all those who knew and loved David Webster.

Ross Jurewitz is a personal injury lawyer in Riverside County and the managing attorney of the Jurewitz LawGroup‚ a California motorcycle accident law firm dedicated to representing families of people injured in a motorcycle accident.  If you or a loved one has been killed or injured in a motorcycle accident in Riverside County‚ please order your free copy of Mr. Jurewitz’s book‚ The Ultimate California Motorcycle Accident Book:  How to Protect Yourself from Day One. It is full of helpful information that will help you protect your legal rights and it is free to all California residents. 

57-year-old Daniel Bogan was killed in a fatal motorcycle accident that occurred on May 22‚ 2011‚ at 4:20 p.m. in Hemet. According to Officer Darren Meyer‚ Bogan was riding his 2005 Harley Davidson when 22-year-old Fresno native Raymond Barrajas  turned his vehicle in front of him on Florida Avenue in an attempt to pull into a private driveway.

Paramedics responding to the accident‚ pronounced Bogan dead at the scene. CHP said that Barrajas was driving a 2002 Toyota Corolla.

From the available information‚ it is evident that the driver’s inattentiveness led to this fatal motorcycle accident that took Bogan’s life. Clearly‚ there has been a right-of-way violation and did not yield to the eastbound traffic. If this is established‚ Bogan’s family may be entitled for a compensation to cover funeral and burial costs‚ loss of anticipated earnings‚ loss of love and companionship and other accident-related damages. Therefore‚ Bogan’s family members should immediately seek counsel from an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer who would help them obtain the compensation they deserve. A personal injury attorney can assure that the at-fault party is apprehended and brought to justice.

Our law office offers sincere condolences to all those who knew and loved Daniel Bogan.

Ross Jurewitz is a Riverside County motorcycle accident attorney and the managing lawyer of the Jurewitz Law Group‚ a California personal injury law firm dedicated to representing families of people injured or killed in auto accidents. If you or a loved one has been killed or injured in a motorcycle accident in Hemet‚ please order your free copy of Mr. Jurewitz’s book‚ The Ultimate California Motorcycle Accident Book:  How to Protect Yourself from Day One. It is full of helpful information that will help you protect your legal rights and it is free to all California residents.

At least two people are hurt in a Chula Vista vehicle collision‚ which sent one of the cars into an out-of-business Banner Mattress store on May 18‚ 2011. According to the fire officials‚ two vehicles collided with each other at Third Avenue and Naples Street‚ due to unknown reasons.

Chula Vista fire dispatcher said that two ambulances were immediately sent to respond to the accident. From the available information‚ it is unclear what lead to this serious two-car crash that left two people injured and a city building damaged. Investigating officers need to determine whether one of the drivers was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol‚ if there was a violation of traffic‚ or if the driver was speeding. Only a detailed investigation will yield answers for these questions. If it is found that one of the drivers was speeding or distracted‚ then he will be held liable for the injuries suffered by the other victims.

The injured victims should immediately seek counsel from an experienced San Diego County car accident to learn about their legal rights and to obtain compensation to cover for medical‚ treatment and hospitalization costs‚ loss of wages‚ loss of earning capacity and other accident-related expenses. An experienced auto accident attorney would assure that the at-fault party is held liable for the injuries suffered.

Ross Jurewitz represents people injured in car accidents in San Diego County and is the managing lawyer of the Jurewitz Law Group‚ a California personal injury law firm dedicated to representing people injured or killed in auto accidents.  If you or a loved one has been killed or injured in a car accident in Chula Vista‚ please order your free copy of Mr. Jurewitz’s book‚ The Ten Biggest Mistakes that can Destroy Your California Accident Case. It is full of helpful information that will help you protect your legal rights and it is free to all California residents.

A 28-year-old U.S. Border Patrol agent and a 43-year-old man from Tecate‚ Mexico suffered serious injuries in a head-on traffic collision that occurred on May 18‚ 2011‚ around 6:30 a.m. near Otay Lakes Road in the Dulzara area of East San Diego County. According to the responding California Highway Patrol Officers‚ the federal officer lost control of the government vehicle and slid on the rain-slick roads of State Route 94 (SR-94).

CHP Officer Brian Pennings reported that the patrol car crashed head-on into a Nissan‚ leaving both the drivers injured. Both were immediately transported to a nearby hospital for treatment by the responding paramedics. The driver of the Nissan suffered more trauma than the patrolman‚ including broken bones.

From the available information‚ it is unclear what lead the officer to lose control of the patrol car on the damp roads. A further investigation into the patrolman’s driving history and attentiveness of the driver during the incident would reveal whether there was negligence on the part of the patrolman.

Whatever was the cause‚ the Nissan driver appears to be the innocent party. Therefore‚ this entitles him for compensation to cover medical expenses. Apart from the visible damages‚ the victim’s injuries will likely lead to loss of wages‚ loss of physical ability and the trauma suffered. The victims’ families should consult with an experienced East San Diego County traffic accident attorney who can investigate how the accident occurred.

Our personal injury law office sincerely hopes that the injuries suffered by the victims do not prove fatal and heal soon.

Ross Jurewitz represents people injured in car accidents in East San Diego County and is the managing lawyerof the Jurewitz Law Group‚ a California personal injury law firm dedicated to representing people injured or killed in auto accidents.  If you or a loved one has been killed or injured in a car accident in East San Diego County‚ please order your free copy of Mr. Jurewitz’s book‚ The Ten Biggest Mistakes that can Destroy Your California Accident Case. It is full of helpful information that will help you protect your legal rights and it is free to all California residents.