2012 June Archive

A 48-year-old man was struck and injured by a 34-year-old Vista man riding a 2009 Kawasaki east on Mission Road in San Diego on June 24 around 4:35 p.m. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the motorcycle rider ran into a pedestrian, leaving him seriously injured.

Paramedics responding to this San Diego motorcycle crash immediately transported both men to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

We wish the injured pedestrian all the very best for a complete and quick recovery.

According to CHP’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 18 fatalities and 494 injuries were reported as a result of pedestrian accidents in the city of San Diego. Countywide, 57 people were killed and 937 were injured in pedestrian accidents, during that same year.

California law requires motorists to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks. California Vehicle Code Section 21950 states: “The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.” The same section also states that the driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian within any marked or unmarked crosswalk “shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of a vehicle or take any other action relating to the operating of the vehicle as necessary to safeguard the safety of the pedestrian.”

We trust that officials are looking into whether the motorcyclist was distracted, inattentive, speeding, or negligent at the time of the crash. If the motorcycle driver is determined to have been at fault, then he can be held liable for the injuries sustained by the pedestrian.

The injured pedestrian may be entitled to compensation that will cover their medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, and other related damages.

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed due to a negligent or speeding biker, talk to the experienced San Diego County pedestrian accident attorneys to ensure that your legal rights are protected. For a free assessment of your case, call our legal team at 1-888-233-5020.

A motorcyclist broke his pelvis and suffered multiple cuts to his legs after crashing into a pickup on June 21 around 6:45 a.m. in San Marcos. Sheriff’s Deputy Frank Stalzer said that the motorcyclist was traveling south on South Rancho Santa Fe Road when he hit the Chevrolet pickup, which was exiting the freeway.

The injured motorcyclist was immediately transported to Palomar Medical Center for medical treatment. The pickup driver escaped unhurt in this two-vehicle crash. We wish the injured motorcyclist the very best for a complete and speedy recovery.

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 15 fatalities and 357 injuries involving motorcycle accidents in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County.

Based on this news report, it is still unclear how or why this two-vehicle accident occurred. If officials determine that the pickup driver was at fault, then he may be held liable for the injuries, damages, and losses. We trust that the investigators are looking into whether one of the drivers failed to yield the right-of-way or was speeding.

Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, and other related damages.

The injured victim would be well advised to contact an experienced San Diego County motorcycle accident lawyer, who will analyze all facets of the incident and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable.

At the Jurewitz Law Group, our dedicated legal team will work to get you the most money for your injuries. For a free assessment of your case, call our San Diego personal injury office toll-free at (888) 233-5020.

23-year-old Ashley Garcia was in critical condition after the 2006 Kia Rioshe she was riding in crashed into a swimming pool behind a North County home on June 19 around 11:55 p.m. near Escondido.

The driver of the car, 33-year-old Robert Aaron Anderson, reportedly got out of the vehicle, leaving his girlfriend, Garcia, trapped inside. Moments later, a neighbor, 22-year-old Jarit Welles, dove into the pool, freed Garcia, and pulled her out.

Welles performed CPR until the paramedics arrived at the accident scene to restore Garcia’s pulse and respiration. Garcia was immediately taken to Palomar Medical Center to receive medical treatment for the life-threatening injuries suffered.

Anderson initially denied being the driver, putting the blame on his younger girlfriend. He was going at a speed of approximately 80-90 miles an hour when he lost control of the vehicle on Calavo Road, also called “Roller Coaster Road.” It is given that name because speeding cars hit the bump on the road, which causes some to go airborne for a short time. Anderson was taken to the CHP’s Oceanside station for questioning and later released pending further investigation into the accident.

Residents of Calavo Road say that they have been asking the county since 1999 to make improvements to the street. A neighbor named three other accidents on that stretch of road caused by speeding drivers.

According to CHP’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 71 fatalities and 5,819 injuries reported as a result of car accidents in San Diego. Countywide, 217 people died and 12,998 were injured due to car accidents, during the same year.

Because excessive speed was determined to be a major factor in the crash, the driver could be held financially responsible for the injuries to the female passenger.

In situations such as this one, where a passenger is the victim of a serious auto accident, the injured passenger or their family members may benefit from speaking to a personal injury attorney about their rights to compensation for their medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed due to a speeding driver, talk to an experienced San Diego County car crash injury lawyer to ensure that your legal rights are protected. At the Jurewitz Law Group, our dedicated legal team will work to get you the most money for your injuries. For a free assessment of your case, call our legal team at (888) 233-5020.

64-year-old Catalina Torres Velazquez was fatally struck by two vehicles as she crossed the street in the Mountain View area on June 13 around 9 p.m. in the 4300 block of Oceanview Boulevard near San Pasqual Street.

Police say that Velazquez had just exited a bus and was trying to cross the street when she stepped in front of a Nissan Frontier pickup truck driving westbound on Oceanview Boulevard. Velazquez was thrown over the truck and onto the pavement. She landed in the eastbound lane of traffic, where she was then hit by an Acura.

Medics responding to this pedestrian accident in San Diego immediately transported Velazquez to UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest for medical treatment, where she was later pronounced dead.

We offer our deepest condolences to Velazquez’s family and many friends for such a tragic loss.

Both the drivers immediately stopped and helped police reconstruct this fatal crash.

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 18 fatalities and 494 injuries reported as a result of pedestrian accidents in the city of San Diego. Countywide, pedestrian accidents caused 57 fatalities and injured 937 people, during the same year.

Based on this news report, it is still unclear how or why this San Diego fatal pedestrian accident occurred. Was the victim in a crosswalk? If she was in a crosswalk, was there a signal and was she crossing with or against the light? Was the area well lit at 9 p.m.? Was she wearing dark clothing? Since speed and alcohol were not a factor, then answers to these questions are critical in order to determine liability.

In this particular case, if it is determined that any driver was at fault, then the driver can be held liable for the victim’s wrongful death. In cases where negligence or wrongdoing caused a deadly accident, families of deceased victims can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for damages including medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, and loss of love and companionship.

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed due to a negligent or speeding driver, talk to the experienced San Diego County pedestrian accident attorneys at the Jurewitz Law Group to ensure that your legal rights are protected. For a free assessment of your case, call our San Diego legal team at (888) 233-5020.

Jim Grant was injured in a pit bull attack that took place on June 12 in Ocean Beach while he was walking on the boardwalk. Grant said that an unleashed pit bull ran up to him and bit him in the forearm, according to 10 News. Luckily, he was able to fight off the dog by kneeing it in the chest several times.

Grant said the dog’s owner was standing nearby and witnessed the incident but did not try to help. Once he saw Grant grab his phone to call police, the dog owner quickly grabbed his dog, put the dog in his vehicle, and sped out of the parking lot.

Lifeguards responding to this pit bull attack and treated the injured victim at the scene for the injuries suffered. Luckily, the bite on his arm was not severe enough to cause an infection.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year. Almost one in five of those victims (roughly 885,000) need medical attention for dog bite-related injuries. In 2006 alone, more than 31,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery as a result of dog attacks.

California’s Civil Code Section 3342 states: “The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.”

In such cases, injured victims would be well advised to contact an experienced San Diego dog bite injury attorney, who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that the negligent dog owners are held liable. Victims can seek compensation to cover damages including medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, reconstructive surgery, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.

At the Jurewitz Law Group, our dedicated legal team will work to get you the most money for your injuries. For a free assessment of your case, call our San Diego personal injury office toll-free at (888) 233-5020.

The latest in a long line of lawsuits against 1-800-GET-THIN has brought to light new grievances against the company; however, this time the claim has been filed by former workers. The two former employees, one a dietitian and the other a surgical assistant, have filed a claim against the Lap-Band weight loss company claiming that they quit their jobs this year so as to not continue “to engage in unsafe patient care and the defendants’ pattern and practice of violating the law.”

According to The Los Angeles Times, the lawsuit claims that the surgery centers affiliated with 1-800-GET-THIN failed to properly sterilize equipment and did not notify several patients that they were possibly exposed to hepatitis C. Monetary damages are being sought from 1-800-GET-THIN, one of its surgery centers in San Diego, and the men who allegedly own the business. Reportedly, a machine used to sterilize surgical equipment at the San Diego clinic malfunctioned while cleaning tools used on a patient with hepatitis C. The equipment was then used on patients in both San Diego and Beverly Hills, but management did not inform patients or health authorities of the possible hepatitis C exposure.

Attorneys representing the clinic have claimed that the lawsuit is without merit and that the equipment was properly sterilized and that one of the former employees knew of it. This is only one of many lawsuits against the weight loss company and there have been five reported patient deaths caused by the procedure.

Undergoing such a procedure may have its inherent risks, but injuries or fatalities sustained due to negligence, recklessness, or other types of malpractice are inexcusable. At the Jurewitz Law Group, our San Diego personal injury lawyers understand the serious nature and long-lasting injuries that can be sustained in such cases. For more information on how our dedicated legal team can help you in your case, call us today at (888) 233-5020.

A 43-year-old biker suffered serious injuries including a fractured hip after crashing his motorcycle in Encanto on June 10 around 8:30 p.m. The accident occurred when the motorcyclist crashed his 2006 Harley Davidson in the 6300 block of Imperial Avenue.

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 15 fatalities and 357 injuries involving motorcycle accidents in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County.

Based on this news report, it is unclear as to how the motorcyclist lost control of his bike. Was there a mechanical malfunction in the motorcycle? Was this accident a result of motorcyclist’s negligence? Were any other vehicles involved?

If a defective product caused loss of control that contributed to this Encanto motorcycle accident, then the manufacturer of the faulty product or the motorcycle may be held liable for the damages.

If you or someone you love has been killed or injured in an accident that was caused by a malfunctioning vehicle, get the representation you need against large motorcycle companies. Call the San Diego motorcycle accident injury lawyers at the Jurewitz Law Group at (888) 233-5020 for a free consultation.

San Diego police are on the lookout for the hit-and-run driver in a white van that struck a 50-year-old man who was riding his moped. The moped driver was sideswiped on May 29 around 7:30 p.m. on 1300 block of Palm Avenue in Egger Highlands, causing him to spin out of control.

The victim suffered a broken foot and leg and was immediately transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Motorists involved in a crash are required by the law to stop immediately and remain at the scene. When the hit-and-run driver is found, he will face felony charges for fleeing the scene and leaving the injured victim.

Hit-and-run felony charges have severe consequences including fines, jail time, points added to your driving record, driver’s license suspension, and loss of insurance coverage. In the case that the victim dies, the hit-and-run driver will face manslaughter charges.

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a hit-and-run motor vehicle accident, contact the experienced San Diego hit-and-run accident lawyers at the Jurewitz Law Group. Our dedicated team will work with your insurance company to get a fair compensation package to cover the damages. Call us toll-free at (888) 233-5020.

47-year-old Martin David Erickson was killed in a motorcycle crash that took place on June 4 around 7 p.m. in the 10300 block of Ashwood Street in Lakeside. According to the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office, the man suffered fatal injuries after he crashed his speeding motorcycle in front of El Capitan High School.

Witnesses say that man had been speeding on Ashwood Street, north of Mapleview Street, when his 2004 Yamaha motorcycle hit a dirt and rock embankment, causing him to be thrown to the pavement.

California Highway Patrol (CHP) Officers believe neither alcohol nor drugs contributed to this fatal motorcycle accident.

If this is an auto defect-related crash, engineers will need to examine the vehicle to find out if this led to the victim’s wrongful death.

According to CHP’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 15 fatalities and 357 injuries involving motorcycle accidents in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County.

If a defective motorcycle or a faulty part caused this accident, the motorcycle manufacturer or the maker of the defective part can be held liable for the damages.

If you or someone you love has been killed or injured in an accident that was caused by a malfunctioning vehicle, get the representation you need against large motorcycle companies. Call the San Diego fatal motorcycle accident attorneys at the Jurewitz Law Group at (888) 233-5020 for a free consultation.

A woman was hospitalized after being mauled by a pit bull around 2:30 a.m. in the 2900 block of Highview Lane in La Presa. From the looks of it, the dog may have broken the woman’s leg. She was immediately taken to Scripps Mercy Hospital for treatment.

The dog was taken from the home by County Animal Control officers and may be put down. No one knows what spurred the attack or why the woman was bitten.

Dog Bite Statistics

From 2005-2011, pit bulls killed 128 people in the United States. Under California law, a dog owner can be held liable for personal injuries caused by his or her pet.

California’s Civil Code Section 3342 states: “The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.”

In this particular case, the pit bull’s owner may be held liable for the victim’s damages. Injured dog bite victims in California can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, cost of cosmetic surgery, and other related damages.

At the Jurewitz Law Group, our dedicated legal team will work to get you the most money for your injuries. For a free assessment of your personal injury case, call our offices in San Diego toll-free at 1(888) 233-5020.