Attorney Blog

San Diego Hit and Run Driver Involved in Fatal Pedestrian Accident Identified

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)27961 — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST

An 18-year old teenage boy lost his life in a San Diego pedestrian accident when he was hit by two cars on El Camino Real near Cassia Avenue. This fatal accident took place on March 5, 2010 around 9:45 pm. Now, a local San Diego woman, Lisa Hutchinson, has come forward and contacted the Carlsbad Police Department reporting that she may be the hit and run driver who struck and killed the pedestrian.

The victim, Steven Anthony Kelley, was attempting to cross the street when he got struck by the first car. Though Officers stopped the second car's driver near the scene, but the first vehicle that struck the teenager kept on going. Kelley died in an ambulance en-route to McClellan-Palomar Airport, where he was to be flown to a hospital. The next day, on March 6, 2010, a 44-year-old Lisa Hutchinson came forward as the driver of one of two cars that may have struck the youth. She says she may have unwittingly struck the teenaged boy but had left the scene after failing to spot any victim.

Our office wishes to offer our sincere prayers and condolences to the family and friends of Kelley. We can understand how distraught the family must be at this moment. There are no words to express a tragedy of this kind. We hope that the guilty person is caught and prosecuted We can never stress enough on the fact that how important it is to be vigilant of your surroundings while driving. And in case, you hit someone on the road, at least stop and help him/her out!

Ross Jurewitz is a San Diego personal injury attorney and the managing lawyer of the Jurewitz Law Group, a California law firm dedicated to representing people seriously injured and the families of people killed by the negligence of others. If you or a loved one has been hurt or killed in a San Diego pedestrian accident , 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.

Fatal East San Diego County SUV Accident Near Barona Casino

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)27913 — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST

One person was killed and another injured in an East San Diego County SUV accident that took place on State Route 67 (SR-67) near Muth Valley Road, on March 7, 2010. This fatal car accident occurred around 12:20 pm.

The traffic collision between a pickup truck and SUV happened near the Barona Resort & Casino, just south of the Barona Indian Reservation. One person was pronounced dead at the scene and at least one other was taken to a hospital according to a Heartland Fire dispatcher. The police are still investigating the cause for the auto accident.

Our office forwards our condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased. We also pray for a quick recovery for the injured person. We never like to hear that anyone is injured or killed in a car wreck. Unfortunately, it happens all too often—particularly along Wildcat Canyon Road and SR-67. That stretch of highway is the most dangerous road in San Diego County and is home to more fatal auto accidents than any other highway based upon traffic volume. We recommend that motorists avoid using this highway unless they absolutely have to drive it. If you have to drive on this road, be extra careful.

Ross Jurewitz is a San Diego auto wreck lawyer and the managing attorney of the Jurewitz Law Group, a California law firm dedicated to representing people seriously injured and the families of people killed by the negligence of others. If you or a loved one has been hurt or killed in a San Diego car crash, 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.

Adjustor Comes to Your Door | Early Lowball Insurance Offer | Lawyer Attorney

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)27800 — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST

We've written before about Progressive Insurance's tactic of coming to injury accident victim's home to make a lowball offer early on following an accident . This practice seems to be growing in popularity amongst insurance companies. More and more insurance adjustors are trying to get to accident victims early on to convince them to sign a release before they can hire a personal injury attorney.

The insurance companies are not dumb. They know that their own insurance studies show that injury accident victims receive three times as much compensation when they hire a lawyer than when they do not. It is the goal of the insurance companies to try to get away with paying as little money to settle claims. This is just one tactic to acheive that goal.

A recent post on Facebook reminded our office of this tactic and how widespread it is. According to the post, the insurance company offered the victim $1,000 as final payment to settle his claim. Unfortunately, he said yes and he accepted the settlement amount as payment in full. When he told his family and a lawyer friend about the settlement, they all said he she should have waited until his medical treatment was done. When he tried to reverse the agreement, the insurance company said "too bad, you signed a release."

It is always a smart idea to consult with a personal injury lawyer prior to settling an insurance claim. Often, attorneys will provide a free consultation and advise you whether you should accept the settlement offer. Since this does not cost anything, it is a very smart thing to do. Don't sell yourself short by settling with the insurance company early.

Seat Belt Use at All-Time High

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)27732 — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST

According to a new study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), seat belt use during 2009 was at an all-time high. Eighty-four percent (84%) of all vehicle occupants use seat belts while traveling in vehicles. That was up from 2008 where the same study found 83% of all vehicle occupants wore their seat belts.

According to the same study, the NHTSA found that seat belt use was higher in "primary law" states such as California (states where vehicles can be pulled over solely for passengers not using seat belts) than in "secondary law" states that require the violation of another California Vehicle Code section before a vehicle can be pulled over.

This is encouraging news. It isn't surprising that the best way to prevent or limit injury in motor vehicle accidents is the use of seat belts that restrain occupants around the waist and shoulders. Why the percentage of passengers using seat belts is not at least 90% is beyond me. Using seat belts should be second nature and people should put them on when they first enter a car.

Please help get this number to at least 90% by putting on seat belts immediately and encouraging all other passengers in your vehicle to do the same to prevent serious injury or even death.

Fallbrook Pedestrian Killed in Fatal San Diego County Bus Accident | Lawyer Attorney Personal Injury

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)27605 — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST

In a tragic accident, a 38-year old man lost his life after he was struck by a school bus in the 1700 block of Reche Road in Fallbrook. The victim, Deio Alcala, was standing in front of his girlfriend’s North San Diego County home, drawing with chalk on the road, when he was hit by the 25-seat vehicle. It is believed that he was trying to draw a marriage proposal on the road for his girlfriend to see. The bus accident took place around 5:30 am on February 26, 2010.

Though Alcala looked up before the accident, hecould not move in time and was knocked into a Ford Explorer. He died at the scene. The bus driver, en route to pick up special-needs students for transport to school, was uninjured.

Our office wishes sincere prayers and condolences to the family and friends of Deio Alcala, especially his girlfriend. This fatal accident would have been tragic under any circumstance, but to have it happen while Mr. Alcala was preparing a marriage proposal is all the more painful. Even worse, his girlfriend saw the accident and its’ aftermath. It must have been torturous to see someone you love so dearly dying in front of you.

If she consulted with our office, we would be sure to advise her that under California law she may have a separate right to compensation and recovery because she watched the accident unfold. The gray area, however, is that she is not a blood relative and she was not married to Mr. Alcala at the time. Had she been, she would clearly be entitled to an award of damages. Unfortunately, California law may not accurately reflect today’s realities and the relationships people have amongst themselves when they are serious boyfriend-girlfriend or when they are engaged to be married.

Ross Jurewitz is a San Diego pedestrian accident attorney and the managing attorney of the Jurewitz Law Group, a California law firm dedicated to representing people seriously injured and the families of people killed by the negligence of others. If you or a loved one has been hurt or killed in a San Diego bus accident , 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.

Toyota Sudden Acceleration Defect Demonstrates Government Conflict of Interest and Need for Trial Attorneys to Hold Manufacturers Accountable for Dangerous Products

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)27340 — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

Toyota and its' executive leadership have had a tough week before a House Subcommittee investigating the nature and impact of what many believe is a serious product defect involving the gas pedal-floormat-electronic accelerator which has led to sudden acceleration of their vehicles. One of the most prominent accidents allegedly arising from this defect was the Santee auto accident which took the lives of California Highway Patrol Officer Saylor and members of the Lastrella family. That accident led to the widespread recall of Toyota floor mats.

As it turns out, the federal government's investigation ignores not only its' own involvement and complicity in allowing these widespread defects to exist but also its' clear conflict of interest as the owner of Toyota's main competitor for glogal automotive dominance: General Motors.

The federal government has long held oversight over a regulatory structure which governs the safety of motor vehicles which use America's highways. Its' purpose was to set basic and general safety requirements and manufacturing standards which would apply to all manufacturers. When products were later discovered to fall short of these standards, the government agencies and US safety regulators, foremost of which is the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), would take action including recalling vehicles from the public so that they could receive much needed safety repairs and fixes.

In the case of Toyota, though, the federal government now appears to have been complicit in aiding and abetting the ongoing existence of dangerous vehicles on the roadways. For approximately a decade, the NHTSA has received numerous complaints about sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles. When it became very apparent that a recall would occur, the government regulators bowed down in the face of pressure from Toyota who negotiated a more limited recall than the government sought with respect to the floor mats in its' vehicles. Toyota executives then communicated internally, as recently discovered in an internal document, that they had got one over on the feds and had saved $100 million for the company.

This reduction of safety concerns to a quantifiable cost is a consistent refrain from manufacturers and, in particular, automobile manufacturers. The most infamous example was Ford Motor Company's mathematic formula for determining when and/or if it would recall its' Pinto line which tended to ignite upon very minor contact.

In addition to the federal government's complicity, a clear conflict of interest now exists with respect to its' oversight over the auto industry. General Motors, the former world's largest automobile company, is now majority owned by the federal government as part of the government's bailout of the United States automobile industry. How can the federal government be taken seriously and not present serious doubt amongst the public when it investigates a competitor like Toyota? Even more importantly, how can the government investigate General Motors now that it is the primary owner? If it did, how could anyone take the investigation seriously with such an inherent conflict of interest? In that situation, many would argue that the government gave light treatment to General Motors due to its' ownership just as many now argue that it is treating Toyota, a competitor, in a heavy handed manner.

The government's decision to take ownership in the auto industry requires it to largely abdicate its' oversight role. Who, then, will hold the auto industry accountable when they put profits ahead of safety? If all the manufacturer cares about is money and profit, the importance of plaintiffs' trial lawyers to obtain civil judgments and even punitive damages against the manufacturer of defective products increases significantly. Reducing the harm and negative effects caused by their defective and dangerous vehicles to monetary damages--and monetary damages that are great enough to be noticed at the company's bottom line--is one of the last ways to reign in a manufacturer's dangerous and reckless decision to put a dangerous vehicle into the marketplace.

Lakeside Rollover SUV Accident Kills Man Along SR-67

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)27287 — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

Date: February 21, 2010

Type: Rollover SUV accident

Location: State Route 67 (SR-67) north of Slaughterhouse Canyon Road, Lakeside, CA

Outcome: Driver killed

A Valley Center man was killed after his SUV rolled over as he was driving on State Route 67 (SR-67) in the Lakeside area of San Diego County. According to the California Highway Patrol, the driver drove off the highway north of Slaughterhouse Canyon Road, drove onto the soft shoulder, and overcorrected when he turned back onto the road. The overcorrecting left turn caused his SUV to rollover at least one full time.

The SUV came to rest on its' wheels near the center of the four lane road. Although the driver was wearing a seat belt, he died when the Jeep's roof caved in, causing him to suffer a massive head injury.

Orange County Auto vs. Pedestian Accident | CA Injury Attorney Lawyer

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)27112 — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

Date: February 20, 2010

Type: Auto vs. Pedestrian Accident

Location: Newport Beach, Orange County, CA

Outcome: Pedestrian Seriously Injured

A Fountain Valley man was left seriously injured when he was struck by a car while crossing the road. The accident took place in Newport Beach. The car was being driven by a 64-year-old Huntington Beach resident. The authorities have ruled out driving under influence as the cause for this pedestrian accident.

While it is unclear if the driver’s age could have contributed to causing this accident, it has to be said that driving in old age is potentially very dangerous, not only for the elderly driver but also for fellow drivers and pedestrians. Thought has to be given to the danger posed by senior citizens driving when they perhaps should not.

Virginia Judge Rejects Challenge to Attorney Blog Post About Case

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)27015 — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Virginia judge recently ruled that an attorney blog about eight currently pending wrongful death case did not need to be removed or deleted, despite the challenge by the wrongful death defendant, a Virginia hospital, who brought a Virginia State Bar complaint and an emergency motion before the court to have case documents removed from the plaintiff's attorney's blog.

The hospital, Sentara Hospitals, did not want certain facts about the wrongful death case to become public. However, the hospital had created an incident report which contained these facts and turned over the incident report to plaintiff's lawyer. The lawyer, Avery Waterman, of Newport News, Virginia, blog about the case and the facts contained in the incident report.

The court ruled that the blog post could stand in that the attorney was free to post whatever you wanted regarding a case here in the court declined to make any judgment whether the post violated the attorney's ethical or professional conduct.

You can read the entire opinion from the court on Virginia medical malpractice attorney Ben Glass's website.

Irvine Pedestrian Accident Injures Orange County Woman

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)26987 — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

Date: February 16, 2010

Type: Pedestrian struck by car

Location: Southwood Intersection, Irvine, California

Outcome: Pedestrian injured

A 21-year old woman was seriously injured after being struck by a car while crossing an Irvine intersection. The Orange County pedestrian accident occurred just before 8:30 a.m., when a 2000 Nissan Maxima traveling southbound on Yale hit the woman as she walked across the Southwood intersection.

The injured woman was treated at the scene, before being taken to a nearby hospital. Police have not identified the woman or the male driver, both of whom are Irvine residents. Authorities are also yet to determine the cause of the accident, which is still under investigation.

San Diego Boy Struck by Car | CA Auto vs. Pedestrian Lawyer Attorney | Jurewitz Law Group

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)26899 — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

Date: February 15, 2010

Type: Car vs. Pedestrian

Location: North Park, San Diego

Outcome: Boy Injured, Hospitalized

A 9-year-old boy was left injured when he ran out into an alley and got struck by a 2005 Acura that was going at a speed of 10-15 miles per hour. The accident took place in the west alley of the 4100 block of Arizona around 5 p.m. The boy sustained two open leg fractures and is currently hospitalized.

Riverside Motorcycle Accident Kills Motorcyclist | CA Motorcycle Lawyer Attorney

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)26898 — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

Date: February 15, 2010

Type: Motorcycle accident

Location: Rest Area Parking Lot beside the Westbound Lanes of Interstate 10, a Mile West of Whitewater Cutoff Road

Outcome: Motorcyclist killed

A 47-year-old Calimesa motorcyclist lost his life after he hit a curb and wrecked his 2006 Harley Davidson. Gene Gomez had pulled into a freeway rest area near Whitewater when he crashed, according to Riverside County Coroner's Officials. Gomez died at the scene of the 2:10 p.m. accident. The crash was witnessed by his brother who was following on another motorcycle.

Temecula Motorcycle Accident Kills Motorcyclist

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)25806 — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

Date: January 19, 2010

Type: Motorcycle vs. big rig truck accident

Location: SR-79, east of Vail Lake Road, outside Temecula, CA

Outcome: Motorcyclist killed

A motorcycle crashed into a big rig tractor trailor near Vail Lake Road, killing the motorcyclist, according to the California Highway Patrol. The motorcycle accident took place around 10:25 a.m. when the motorcylist tried to pass slower moving traffic and crashed into the truck travelling in the opposite direction. Both directions of State Route 79 were closed due to the wreck. A third vehicle carrying a pregnant woman reportedly was also involved, but it is unknown whether she sustained any injuries.

Temecula Car Accident Caused by Mudslide

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)25805 — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

Date: January 21, 2010

Type: Auto Accident

Location: SR-79 East of Vail Lake Road near Temecula, CA

Outcome: Two people injured

A motorist was injured after a mudslide caused his vehicle to leave State Route 79 and fell 70 feet down an embankment. An ambulance that responded to the scene also crashed into an embankment. The car accident happened outside of Temecula east of Vail Lake Road around 5:36 p.m.

Caltrans was later called to fix the mudslide. Emergency towing cars also reported to the scene to winch the vehicles up the embankment.

Reduce San Diego, CA Auto Accidents | CA Injury Lawyer Attorney

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)24801 — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

It is well-known that the majority of San Diego auto accidents are caused by excessive speed, driving under the influence of alcohol, or due to age and inexperience.

Recently, Seattle, WA car accident lawyer Jason Epstein of Straight Talk Law recommended raising the minimum driving age from 16 years old to 18. His argument is that 16 years olds are too immature to handle the responsibility of driving and that the rest of us bear the cost of this carelessness in the form of a higher rate of car wrecks and injuries.

Why does he think 18 is the appropriate age to issue a drivers' license? No real empirical evidence supports the decision other than at that age, the person becomes an adult and can be drafted and fight for our country in the military.

Although I would have been very upset to have had to wait until I was 18 to receive my driver's license, in hindsight Mr. Epstein's argument rings true. Like most 16 year-old children, I was too immature and likely to take silly and stupid risks. While I still took silly and stupid risks at 18, the number and frequency of such poor choices was greatly reduced.

You can read the entire article on Mr. Epstein's Seattle, WA personal injury lawyer blog.

Reduce San Diego, CA Auto Accidents | CA Injury Lawyer Attorney

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)24798 — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

Reduce San Diego, CA Auto Accidents | CA Injury Lawyer Attorney

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)24797 — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

Virginia Medical Malpractice Attorney Takes On Outrageous Frivolous Defense from Doctor

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)24409 — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

The battleground of Republican tort reform arguments lies with medical malpractice claims. Often, tort reform proponents argue that tort reform in the form of capping damages, limiting attorneys' fees, and prohibiting punitive damages. The thought is that such measures will reduce medical costs by eliminating "frivolous lawsuits".

But are "frivolous lawsuits" increasing medical costs? Or are they increased by frivolous defenses by dangerous or incompetent doctors?

Virginia medical malpractice lawyer Ben Glass has a post about a Fredericksburg, VA orthopedist who is asserting a variety of outrageous defenses after he admitted that he performed surgery on the wrong side of his patient's body. Reading over the list of egregious mistakes made by this surgeon, as told by Mr. Glass, is amazing. How could this doctor defend his actions?

San Diego, CA Child Injury Attorney Warns of IKEA Highchair Recall

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)24090 — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

IKEA-USA and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a recall order for all IKEA LEOPARD highchairs that come with a separate tray and seat that snap together using locks. Apparently the defective seat locks have posed a choking hazard or have allowed children to fall through the seat and injure themselves. Although no reported injuries have happened inside the United States, the recall aims to ensure that no future injury will occur in the U.S. either.

For more information about this highchair recall, read this article at our child injury lawyer website. If your child or a loved one has been injured due to a defective product, such as a LEOPARD highchair, please contact our office at 888-233-5020 for a free consultation.

Long Term Brain Injury Symptoms in NFL Players | San Diego Brain Injury Lawyer Attorney

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)24005 — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A recent self reporting study demonstrates that former NFL players aged 50 and over suffer from demensia related diagnosis at a rate five times the national average. The study is so important that the NFL is now undertaking its' own study of the long term affect of concussions and brain injuries on its' players.

For more information about this important brain injury study, please click the link to visit our brain injury website.

Why You Need an Attorney for Allstate Claim | San Diego Personal Injury Lawyer

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)23977 — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Injured by an Allstate driver? Wondering whether you should hire a personal injury attorney to help you with your California accident case when Allstate is insuring the other driver?

San Diego injury lawyer Ross Jurewitz gives you an example of one case where Allstate did not have any evidence to support their position yet did not increase their offer to settle to more than $6,500 until just before trial. Read why he recommends that you should hire a personal injury lawyer for every Allstate claim due to their history of lowball offers and hardball litigation tactics that have earned it the title of the worst insurance company in America according to the American Association for Justice (AAJ).

If you have an Allstate claim and wonder whether you should cooperate with their adjustors, contact the California personal injury attorneys at the Jurewitz Law Group at 888-233-5020 for a free consultation and case evaluation.

San Diego Bay Boat Accident Kills 8-Year-Old Boy

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)23728 — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: December 20, 2009
Location: San Diego Bay, San Diego, CA
Type: Boat Accident
Outcome: 8 year-old-boy killed and 6 others injured

Tragedy struck during Sunday's Parade of Lights on San Diego Harbor when a US Coast Guard vessel crashed into a recreational boat watching the parade. You can read more about this San Diego Bay boating accident here.

Major Defeat for Insurance Companies in San Diego Appellate Court

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)22551 — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

The California Court of Appeals handed down perhaps the most important case in favor of injured Californians in the last decade earlier this week when it issued it's ruling in Howell v. Hamilton Meats and Provisions, Inc. The ruling made it clear that the collateral source rule is still California law and that negligent people who cause injuries cannot receive the benefits obtained by their victim's health insurance companies.

Read the opinion (link above). In the Howell case, the trial court allowed a reduction of over $130,000 from a San Diego jury verdict because that was the reduced amount negotiated by Ms. Howell's insurance company. The Appellate Court held that the negligent commercial truck driver and his employer could not obtain that benefit because doing so would unfairly reward them solely because Ms. Howell had the foresight to obtain health insurance prior to the accident.

This is a tremendous victory for all Californians.

Tour Bus Accident Kills Two People, Seriously Injures Car Driver

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)17321 — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: August 14, 2009

Location: Northeast Indiana

Type: Bus vs. auto wreck

Outcome: Two people killed, driver seriously injured

Two passengers in a car that turned in front of a Christian rock band tour bus were killed and their pregnant driver seriously injured when their car abruptly turned in front of the bus, leaving no room for the bus to stop. The accident happened in Fort Wayne, Indiana and involved the Dallas, Texas based band, MercyMe. The driver, Kara Klinker, was hospitalized with serious injuries and concerns about her unborn baby. Her two deceased passengers were not yet identified. Members of the band suffered bumps and bruises, but no reported serious injuries.

Our sympathies go out to Ms.Klinker, her family, and the families of her passengers. The loss of life is always tragic and unfortunate.

San Diego Hit-and-Run Car Accident Seriously Injures Man | Personal Injury Lawyer San Diego

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)16719 — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: August 3, 2009
Location: Fairmount Avenue at Myrtle Street, City Heights neighborhood of San Diego, California
Type: Car accident vs. pedestrian
Outcome: Pedestrian seriously injured

A 66-year-old man was seriously injured and suffered a head injury and possible traumatic brain and neck injury when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver while attempting to cross the street. He was struck by a Honda at approximately 9:15 p.m. The Honda was described as having tinted windows and neon lighting under the car. It was located several hours later near the intersection of Poppy Place and 40th Street, about one mile away from the accident. This San Diego pedestrian accident is still being investigated by the San Diego Police Department.

Sheriff Injured in Imperial Beach ATV Accident | San Diego County ATV Injury Lawyer

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)16715 — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: August 9, 2009
Location: Seacoast Drive near Elder Avenue, Imperial Beach, California
Type: ATV accident
Outcome: One Sheriff's Deputy suffered minor head injuries

Two San Diego Sheriff's Deputies were involved in an Imperial Beach ATV accident when one Deputy rear-ended the other Deputy's ATV. Late in the morning on Sunday, August 9, the two Deputies were heading north on Seacoast Drive when one stopped his ATV. The other Deputy collided with the rear of the ATV and knocked the Deputy off the all-terrain vehicle, causing him to land on his head and arm. The injured Deputy suffered head injuries and is recovering.

Driver Killed in Imperial Beach Rollover Car Accident | Injury Lawyer San Diego

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)16687 — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: August 6, 2009
Location: 1200 block of 11th Street, Imperial Beach, California
Type: Rollover car accident
Outcome: Driver killed

John Kirk Colgan, Jr. was killed on August 6 around 10:00 p.m. when his Toyota pickup truck struck several parked cars and overturned after it blew a tire. Mr. Colgan was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from his vehicle during the car crash. Although the cause of the car crash is under investigation, outside factors are likely at play, such as alcohol, cellular phone usage, or texting which would have distracted Mr. Colgan or affected his ability to drive his truck.

He is survived by his wife and son, both of whom live in Imperial Beach. Our prayers go out to them.

Unfortunately, this is another tragic example why we must always wear seat belts when riding in a vehicle. While there is no way to know for sure, the survival rates for people involved in car accidents increase tremendously when seat belts are used.

San Diego Car Accident Injures Firefighter | San Diego Auto Crash Lawyer

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)16681 — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: August 9, 2009
Location: I-15 Freeway, San Diego, California
Type: Car struck fire truck which then struck firefighter
Outcome: One firefighter injured

An early morning auto accident along Interstate 15 injured a San Diego firefighter when a car crashed into his fire truck at a very high rate of speed. The accident took place at 1:00 a.m. on August 9 when the car struck the firefighter, who was placing cones in the roadway. The vehicle then hit the firetruck.

There were three people in the car when it struck the fireman and his truck, including a child and his father who were both rushed to the hospital with critical injuries.

The firetruck was blocking traffic for the fireman at the time of the accident. However, the car struck the truck at such a high rate of speed that it moved the truck forward and launched the fireman 10 feet into the air after it struck him. The fireman had jumped behind the firetruck for safety.

Oceanside Car Accident Kills 9 Year-Old Girl, Injures Two Others

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)16314 — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: August 3, 2009
Location: Northbound I-15 near the Cassidy Street exit, Oceanside, CA
Type: Drunk driver car accident
Outcome: One girl killed, two people injured

A 9 year-old Los Angles girl was killed in an early morning multi-vehicle Oceanside car accident caused by a suspected drunk driver. The accident occurred after midnight in heavy traffic when a Lexus in the fast lane changed lanes to avoid hitting a car just ahead of it. In doing so, the Lexus struck a car, which hit a Honda CRV and a big rig truck before stopping.

The girl was a passenger in the Lexus and was taken to Rady's Children's Hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival. Two other drivers were injured and taken to Tri-City Medical Center in Vista, California.

Two Injured in Fallbrook Rollover Car Accident

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)15535 — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: July 15, 2009
Location: Northbound Mission Road, Fallbrook, CA
Type: Car Accident
Outcome: Two people injured

A 59 year-old woman suffered life-threatening injuries and a 66 year-old woman was also injured when their car rolled over while they were travelling northbound on Mission Road at 11:30 a.m. Another vehicle had pulled in front of them near Green Canyon Road and they had swerved to avoid hitting that car. The women were taken to Palomar Medical Center in Escondido and Fallbrook Hospital.

San Diego Child Suffers Head Injury in Hillcrest Car Accident

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)15534 — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: July 17, 2009
Location: 4000 Block of Sixth Avenue, San Diego, CA
Type: Car Accident
Outcome: Child suffers head and brain injury

A 10 year-old boy suffered a serious head and brain injury when a southbound vehicle on Sixth Street crossed over the double-yellow line and struck a northbound vehicle. The boy was a passenger in the southbound vehicle. He was taken via ambulance to the hospital where he was treated for a skull fracture.

Fullerton Woman Killed in Los Angeles Area Freeway Car Accident

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)15529 — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: July 19, 2009
Location: 605 Freeway near Waddell Street, Whittier, CA
Type: Car Accident
Outcome: One woman killed, two people injured

A Fullerton woman was killed when her car stalled alongside the 605 Freeway near Waddell Street when the car she was riding in was struck by a suspected drunk driver. The victim was transported to Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital where she was pronounced death. Two other people were transported to St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood with moderate injuries. The driver was arrested for vehicular manslaughter and bail was set at $25,000.

Riverside County Car Accident Kills Elderly Couple

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)14411 — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 24, 2009
Location: Northbound SR-111 near Gateway Drive, Palm Springs, CA
Type: Two-car accident, rear-end collision
Outcome: Two people killed

An elderly couple from Yucaipa, Clyde Arnett and Mildred Arnett, died in a Palm Springs car accident when a speeding car struck their sedan from behind as they were stopped along the shoulder of Highway 111. The fatal auto accident happened early in the morning as the Arnetts were parked. Their vehicle was struck from behind by a Victorville man driving a Mercedes. Several witnesses observed the driver of the Mercedes driving erratically before the car crash.

Man Injured in San Diego Rollover Auto Accident

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)14410 — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 18, 2009
Location: Southbound SR-163 in San Diego, California
Type: Rollover car crash
Outcome: One person injured

A San Diego rollover accident on Highway 163 seriously injured a man when his Toyota 4Runner SUV rolled over on southbound SR-163. The car accident happened when the SUV and another car tried to merge and the the SUV ended up overcorrecting and rolled over. The driver of the SUV was ejected and taken to the hospital with major injuries.

Elderly Couple Injured in Chula Vista Auto Accident

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)14409 — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 25, 2009
Location: 200 block of Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, California
Type: One-car accident
Outcome: Two people hurt

An elderly couple in their 70s were injured when the car they were driving swerved off the road and struck six parked cars before crashing into a home. The accident happened while the male driver was exiting a parking lot on Fourth Avenue in Chula Vista, striking several cars parked along the east side of Glover Avenue. Paramedics took the driver to UCSD Medical Center to treat his broken arm. His passenger was suffering from chest pains.

Victim of El Cajon Motorcycle Accident Identified

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)14408 — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 25, 2009
Location: 200 block of West Bradley Avenue, El Cajon, California
Type: Motorcycle vs. auto accident
Outcome: Motorcyclist killed

A motorcycle rider killed in an El Cajon motorcycle accident was identified as Lane Michael Hagerty. Hagerty was riding his motorcycle westbound on West Bradley Avenue after 5:00 p.m. when he rear-ended a slower moving car. He was taken to the emergency room at Sharp Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Bicyclist Killed in Dublin Bike Accident

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)14403 — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 26, 2009
Location: 8600 block of Camino Tassajara, Contra Costa County, near Dublin, California
Type: Auto vs. bicycle accident
Outcome: Bicycle rider killed, woman injured

An unidentified bicyclist was killed when a car hit him and pinned him underneath the vehicle. The woman driver of the car then crashed into oncoming traffic, suffering serious injuries. The bicyclist was heading south on Camino Tassajara when he was hit by the green Honda Accord, driven by the Cupertino woman. She was taken to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek. The driver of the car she hit was a Danville man who had minor injuries.

Man Injured After San Diego Car Accident

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)14401 — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 26, 2009
Location: Interstate 5 (Golden State) Freeway near Sea World Drive, San Diego, California
Type: One-car accident
Outcome: One person injured

A San Diego man was injured when his car skidded off the I-5 freeway near Sea World and crashed into the Tecolote Creek riverbed. The vehicle came to rest in about two feet of water. The man was taken to the hospital for undisclosed injuries, while the California Highway Patrol cleared the accident from the highway.

Tracy Car Accident Kills Woman and Throws Toddler from the Car

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)14400 — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 26, 2009
Location: 1800 block of MacArthur Drive, Tracy, California
Type: One-car accident
Outcome: Woman killed, toddler injured

A single car auto accident killed a 22-year-old woman and critically injured her 3-year-old son after their car crashed into a tree. The woman's son was life-flighted to UC Davis Medical Center and is in critical condition. He was found at the crash scene 35 feet from the crash site in a stream bed. The woman was still stuck inside her seat belt. The cause of the wreck is still unknown.

Navy Man Killed in Chula Vista Car Accident

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)14398 — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 23, 2009
Location: Otay Lakes Road near Wueste Road, Chula Vista, California
Type: One-car wreck
Outcome: One person killed

A 24-year-old Coronado Navy man who was stationed on the aircraft carrier Nimitz died after he drove his car off the road in Chula Vista. He drove his 2001 Nissan Maxima down an embankment when he failed to negotiate a turn and ran down the road around 11:00 p.m. His name was not released by the California Highway Patrol.

San Diego Bay Boating Accident Causes Yacht to Sink

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)14395 — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 27, 2009
Location: San Diego Bay under Coronado Bridge
Type: Boating accident
Outcome: No one injured

A mid-day harbor cruise in San Diego Bay went wrong for the owner of a brand new yacht when his ship began taking on water and sinking near the Coronado Bridge, which spans between San Diego and Coronado. It is unknown why the ship began to sink but we do know that the owner and any crew on board escaped unharmed.

A local passerby snapped this picture during the rescue operation by San Diego emergency vessels:

Pedestrian Struck by Car in Spring Valley Area of San Diego

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)14371 — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 19, 2009
Location: Westbound Highway 94, east of Kenwood Drive
Type: Auto vs. pedestrian accident
Outcome: One person killed

A pedestrian struck and killed by a car in the Spring Valley of San Diego was identified as 51-year-old, Patrick Edward Crowe. Crowe was dancing on the side of the freeway of westbound SR-94 when he jumped forward and dashed into traffic. He was declared dead at the scene. The car accident is being investigated to determine if the death was due to negligence or suicide.

CalTrans Considers Barrier Along State Route 67 in San Diego County

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)14369 — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

California Department of Transportation officials are considering installing a barrier on dangerous State Route 67 which runs through the eastern part of San Diego County, including Ramona and Lakeside. Despite stepped up enforcement by California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers, deadly car accidents continue to occur. Based upon an appeal from San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob, CalTrans is considering a concrete center median barrier to prevent street racing accidents like the one that killed Alexandria Drake of Chula Vista. Since 2003, there have been 29 fatal accidents along the same stretch of SR-67.

3-Year Old Girl Killed in San Diego Auto Accident in Mission Hills

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)14367 — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 21, 2009
Location: I-5 (Golden State) Freeway near the Mission Boulevard onramp
Type: Car vs. big-rig crash
Outcome: 3-year-old girl killed and two seriously injured

A young girl was killed when the car driven by her mother crashed into a big-rig and then a pole while driving along the 5 Freeway in the Mission Hills area of San Diego. It is believed that the mother, Mariana Ruiz, was driving at an unsafe rate of speed on a wet highway when she lost control of her car. The young girl was pronounced dead at Holy Cross Medical Center while her parents were transported to the hospital and placed in critical care. The father, Juan Torres, fractured his arm and suffered a concussion and possible minor traumatic brain injury (MTBI). Ruiz suffered an injury to her chest.

Teenage Skateboarder Killed in San Bernardino Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)14083 — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 15, 2009
Location: Cottonwood Avenue near Poplar Street, San Bernardino, California
Type: Hit-and-run auto vs. pedestrian accident
Location: One person killed

A teenage skateboard rider, Dustin Rogers Martin, 17, died in a San Bernardino County pedestrian accident after he was hit by a driver who fled the scene. The driver, Kenneth Stotelmyre, drove a sedan and left the scene only to return later with his own father. He was arrested for suspicion of felony hit-and-run.

Woman Injured after Car Tumbles off I-15 in Fallbrook Auto Accident

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)14081 — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 19, 2009
Location: Northbound I-15 freeway, Fallbrook, California
Type: Car accident
Outcome: One person seriously injured, one person missing

Paramedics rushed a woman to Palomar Medical Center in Escondido after she swerved off Interstate 15 freeway. The car rolled-over several times and plummeted nearly 200 feet down an embankment until it came to a rest at the bottom of the hill. California Highway Patrol and North County Fire Department Protection District paramedics had to use a parallel dirt road, Dunlin Road, to access her Toyota Scion. The found the woman nearly 25 below the dirt road. Paramedics strapped her to a back board and carried her unconscious body up to the ambulance. When the woman came to, she emphatically told paramedics that her husband was also in the car. The missing man has not yet been found.

Caltrans Construction Worker Seriously Injured in El Cajon Pedestrian Accident

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)14075 — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 19, 2009
Location: Southbound State Route 125, El Cajon, California
Type: Car vs. pedestrian accident
Outcome: One person seriously injured

A Caltrans construction worker was seriously injured when an out of control truck hit the worker's truck as it was parked on the southbound shoulder of State Route 125 just south of Grossmont College Drive. The construction worker, a 41-year-old man, suffered internal injuries and broken bones. The driver of the truck was a 22-year-old El Cajon man. It is believed the accident occurred when the tread separated from his truck's left-rear tire while travelling 70 mph.

Murder Charged in a Los Angeles Big-Rig Trucking Accident

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)14060 — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

A grand jury indictment was unsealed on Friday, June 19, 2009, bringing murder charges against the big-rig truck driver who lost his brakes descending a grade in the freeways north of Los Angeles, hitting a car and killing a father and his 12-year-old daughter. The truck driver, Marcos Barbosa Costa, previously faced a vehicular manslaughter charge.

Bail is currently set at $2.09 million.

According to prosecutors, Costa drove over the San Gabriel Mountains toward Los Angeles on a road on which big-rig trucks are banned. At La Canada Flintridge, he found he had no brakes and his double-decker car-hauler went through an intersection at the bottom of the hill and crashed into a bookstore. The accident killed Angel Posca, 58, and his daughter, both of Palmdale.

Carson Woman Killed in Long Beach Freeway Car Accident

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)14059 — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 19, 2009
Location: Southbound I-705 (Long Beach) Freeway at Sixth Street, Long Beach, CA
Type: Car accident
Outcome: One person killed

A 19-year-old woman was killed Friday when her 1993 Acura Integra crashed on a Long Beach (I-705) Freeway offramp in the early morning. All evidence shows that the driver lost control of the car, causing a roll-over accident before coming to rest on its hood on the Sixth Street offramp. Long Beach fire paramedics responded and pronounced the driver dead at the scene.

Woman Killed in San Diego Freeway Car Accident

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)14058 — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 19, 2009
Location: Northbound San Diego (405) Freeway, south Ventura Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA
Type: Car vs. big-rig semi-tractor trailer
Outcome: One person killed, one person injured

Dawn Hanna of Santa Monica, a 25-year-old woman, was killed after her car spun out of control and crashed into a semi-tractor trailer on the I-405 (San Diego) Freeway. The car accident shut down several lanes of traffic on the northbound freeway just south of Ventura Boulevard. The car crash forced Hanna's vehicle and the big-rig into the center divider. A third vehicle, driven by a pregnant 31-year-old woman, was also involved. She was taken to a local hospital.

Calexico Man Fatally Injured in El Centro Head-On Car Accident

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)14047 — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 19, 2009
Location: El Centro, California
Type: Head-on car accident
Outcome: One man killed

An unidentified 81-year-old Calexico man died on June 19, 2009, due to injuries he suffered from an El Centro head-on car accident. The man was in the front seat of a 2002 Ford Escape when it crashed head-on into a 2007 Toyota Corolla. The accident happened on northbound Highway 111 on June 18.

Moorpark Car Accident Caused by Rock Thrown through Windshield, Man Seriously Injured

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)14043 — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 18, 2009
Location: State Route 118 in Moorpark, California
Type: Car accident
Outcome: One man seriously injured

Nicholas Angell was seriously injured when a rock broke through his windshield and hit him in the face as he was driving along State Route 118 in Moorpark, California. Based upon the investigation, it appears that the rock, which was softball sized, was thrown from the right shoulder of the highway. Angell suffered multiple facial fractures and several broken teeth. The police also found that two other rocks were thrown onto the highway. One of the rocks bounced off another woman's windshield and another crashed through another vehicle's sunroof. Police are looking into the facts and may charge the assailant with assault with a deadly weapon.

Woman Killed in San Bernardino Roll-over Car Accident

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)14041 — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 12, 2009
Location: Interstate 15 (I-15) Freeway in Fontana, CA
Type: Roll-over car accident
Outcome: One person killed

A San Bernardino County roll-over car accident took the life of Karen Hernandez, 65, when she veered off the I-15 Freeway in Fontana, California. Her Chevrolet s10 pickup went off the freeway from the number 2 lane (the second lane closest to the center median), rolled over several times, and came to rest on the freeway embankment. She was declared dead at the scene.

Two California Rollover Car Accident Verdicts Send Strong Message to Manufacturers

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)13931 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

During this last week, a San Francisco jury and a Los Angeles jury have awarded $18 million and $21.1 million, respectively, to the victims of serious rollover car accidents caused by the manufacturer's defective or dangerous vehicles. In the San Francisco case, a federal jury awarded $18 million to a Bay Are musician from Ford after a 2005 15-passenger van rolled over causing him to become a quadriplegic. In the Los Angeles trial, a jury awarded $21.1 million to a man paralyzed as a result of a Land Rover Discovery SUV rollover.

Actor Orlando Bloom Escapes Car Accident Without Injury

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)13930 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 16, 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Type: Car accident
Outcome: No apparent injuries

Actor Orlando Bloom walked away from a Los Angeles car accident on Tuesday when the vehicle he was driving struck another car. Bloom did not suffer any visible injuries following the accident and exchange his auto insurance information with the other driver. This is the second notable auto accident that Bloom has been involved in during the last two years. In 2007, Bloom was involved in a car crash where he left the scene of the accident and his two passengers who required emergency medical treatment.

Driver Killed in San Mateo SUV Accident

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)13929 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 14, 2009
Location: Guerneville Road and Vine Hill Road, San Mateo, CA
Type: Car accident
Outcome: One person killed

A San Mateo car accident killed the driver of a two-car crash in San Mateo. As a result of the accident, the driver of one of the vehicle. 47 year-old Kathleen Acord, was killed after she pulled out in front of an SUV. The SUV hit the driver's side door of the Acord's vehicle, killing her. Acord's husband, Charles Chapman, sustained major injuries and was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital by California paramedics.

Young Woman Killed in San Bernardino County Pedestrian Accident

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)13928 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 13, 2009
Location: Highway 395, Adelanto, CA
Type: Car vs. pedestrian accident
Outcome: One person killed

A San Bernardino pedestrian accident took the life of Crystal Smith, 16, when she was struck by a car while crossing Highway 395 in Adelanto. The car that struck her did not see Smith because of a tractor-trailer driving north in the lane next to her. The driver, a 28 year-old woman, was driving a Chevy Cavalier.

San Diego Police Officer Suffers Head Injury After Fall

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)13874 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 17, 2009
Location: 12700 block of Carmel Country Road, San Diego, CA
Type: Motorcycle accident
Outcome: Head injury, TBI, MTBI

A San Diego Police Department motorcycle officer suffered a head injury after falling in Carmel Valley. The officer was bleeding from the back of his head and was taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla following the fall. As of this afternoon it was unclear what caused the motorcycle accident.

Carlsbad Big Rig Accident Injures Two; Ties Up Interstate 5

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)13872 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 17, 2009
Location: Interstate 5 southbound just north of Tamarack Avenue, Carlsbad, CA
Type: Big-rig truck accident
Outcome: Two people injured

An early morning San Diego trucking accident occurred when a big-rig truck overturned while driving along southbound I-5 just north of Tamarack Avenue in Carlsbad. Two people were injured and taken to the hospital and traffic backed up to State Route 78 as three lanes of traffic were closed.

San Diego Helicopter Crash Remains Found

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)13871 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: May 19, 2009
Location: Coronado Islands, off-shore from San Diego, CA
Type: Helicopter crash
Outcome: Five people killed

The remains of a Navy helicopter crash were discovered yesterday, June 16, 2009. The helicopter crash happened southwest of San Diego when the helicopter crashed into the Pacific Ocean near the Coronado Islands. All five Navy personnel on board--Lt. Cmdr. Eric J. Purvis of Poway, CA; Lt. allison M. Oubre of Slidell, LA; Chief Petty Officer Samuel "Grant" Kerslake of Hot Springs, AR; Petty Officer 2nd Class Aaron L. Clingman of Bend, OR; and Petty Officer 2nd Class Sean Ward of Lovelock, NV--were killed. The remains will be brought to North Island Naval Air Station in Coronado for inspection.

Our prayers go out to the families of these Navy seamen.

Car Accident in San Diego County May Have Been Caused by Street Racing

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)13870 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

San Diego police authorities now believe that a fatal car accident along SR-67 resulted from illegal street racing. The driver who struck and killed 25 year-old Alexandria Drake will be charged with vehicular manslaughter after witnesses watched him and another vehicle race northbound along State Route 67 until his vehicle forced Ms. Drake's vehicle off the road and forcing her fatal crash. The driver, Melvin Pearless, may face up to six years in prison if convicted.

San Diego Car Accident Injures Two People; DUI Driver Causes Rollover Crash

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)13869 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 7, 2009
Location: State Route 76 near Oceanside, CA
Type: DUI rollover car accident
Outcome: Two injured

61 year-old Josh Vera and 50-year-old Maria Torres were seriously injured after a drunk driver hit their vehicle head-on while they were driving along State Route 76 in San Diego County. The drunk driver, 44 year-old Cristoforo Colin, was driving a Nissan 200 when he crossed the double yellow line into oncoming traffic near Gird Road. This is not the first DUI incurred by Colin. He was driving with a suspended driver's license. Vera suffered a fractured skull and Torres was also treated for his injuries.

Hit and Run Driver Kills Normal Heights Man

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)13731 — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 14, 2009
Location: 3200 block of Meade Avenue, San Diego, CA
Type: Car vs. pedestrian accident
Outcome: Pedestrian killed

A Normal Heights pedestrian was killed after being struck by a hit-and-run driver Sunday. The victim, described as a man in his 30s, was heading north on Meade Avenue when he was struck by the eastbound vehicle. The pedestrian victim suffered traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and died at the scene. Witnesses describe the hit-and-run vehicle as a late model white hatchback.

Johnny Cash's Son-in-Law Dies in Ventura Motorcycle Accident

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)13730 — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 13, 2009
Location: Ventura, CA
Type: Motorcycle accident
Outcome: One dead

Eddie Panetta, the son-in-law of Johnny Cash, died after being injured in a Ventura, California motorcycle accident. Panetta was reported missing after failing to return from his motorcycle ride. Panetta's own son-in-law retraced his motorcycle ride and found Panetta dead on Saturday. Panetta was married to Cindy Cash.

Suspected Drunk Driver Kills Motorcyclist in San Bernardino

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)13729 — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 14, 2009
Location: Interstate 215 near Second Street, San Bernardino, CA
Type: Car vs. motorcycle, hit and run
Outcome: One person killed, one person injured

A Sunday night hit and run car accident took the life of a 26-year-old motorcycle rider and seriously injured his passenger when they were rear-ended by a suspected drunk driver. The motorcycle driver was identified as James Hayward Julian IV of San Bernardino. His motorcycle was struck from behind by a 1999 Ford pickup truck driven by a 28 year-old-man from Rim Forest. The motorcycle was pushed into a freeway barrier, ejecting Julian and his passenger. Julian was declared dead at the scene and his female passenger suffered a fractured elbow and multiple abrasions on the right side of her body. The driver of the pickup truck crashed into a tractor trailer and was arrested for suspicion of murder.

Three People Seriously Injured in Camp Pendleton Car Crash

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)13668 — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 14, 2009
Location: I-5 North at Orange County Border
Type: Car Accident
Outcome: Three people injured

Two men and a woman were seriously injured and hospitalized after their car crashed at the end of a high-speed car chase as they tried to flee California Highway Patrol officers. The three people were racing their car northbound on Interstate 5 through Camp Pendleton in the early morning of June 14, 2009. The CHP officer originally tried to pull over the vehicle near Las Pulgas Road when they pulled away at speed greater than 100 mph. An Orange County Sheriff's officer also spotted the racing vehicle as he was commuting to work from Oceanside. As the driver of the car approached the US Border Patrol station near San Clemente, the vehicle lost control and crashed into the foundation of the checkpoint's awning.

San Diego Red-Light Runners Targeted by Red-Light Cameras

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)13642 — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

San Diego officials announced that it's red-light cameras were having a tremendous effect on catching red-light running drivers. In fact, more than half of all citations were issued at one intersection: Grape Street and Harbor Drive. In less than a year, San Diego issued 8,261 red-light tickets and 54.5 percent were issued at that intersection (4,503 tickets).

Other busy intersections for red-light camera tickets were at the intersections of Aero Drive and Murphy Canyon Road, North Torrey Pines Road and Genesee Avenue, Rosecrans Street and Nimitz Boulevard, and Kearny Villa Road and Balboa Avenue.

Other San Diego County cities that use red-light cameras are El Cajon, Solana Beach, Vista, Oceanside, Encinitas, and Escondido.

Person Dies after Falling from Downtown San Diego Building

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)13641 — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 12, 2009
Location: Three story building in Downtown San Diego, 14th Street and Broadway
Type: Premises liability accident
Outcome: One person dead

A person died late Friday night after falling from the top of a three story building in Downtown San Diego. It is unknown whether the person fell or was pushed from the building. Neighbors report hearing noise from the top floor immediately prior to the incident.

Former University of Kansas AD Dies in Bike Crash

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)13640 — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 12, 2009
Location: Lawrence, KS
Type: Bicycle Accident
Outcome: One person killed

Bob Frederick, the former University of Kansas athletic director, died late Friday from injuries suffered in a cycling accident. Frederick was an avid cyclist. He was riding his bike on a city street in Lawrence, Kansas, when he hit a pothole, flew over the handlebars, and struck the pavement. He was wearing a helmet at the time, but was rushed to the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City for treatment of massive head injuries. He was 69.

Encinitas Bicyclist Hit by Hit-and-Run Driver

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)13639 — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 12, 2009
Location: Coast Highway 101 near Chesterfield Drive, Encinitas, CA
Type: Bicycle accident, bicycle hit by car
Outcome: One person injured

A cyclist was struck by a hit-and-run car driver early on Friday. The bicycle rider was riding southbound on Coast Highway 101 with his girlfriend on another bike when he was struck by a tan, older box-shaped van. The driver of the van initially stopped, but left the scene after he told the girlfriend that he was simply moving his van to a safer location. The van was last seen driving toward Solana Beach.

22 People, Mostly Children, Taken to Hospital Due to Illness

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)13638 — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: June 12, 2009
Location: Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Coronado, CA
Type: Unknown illness, most likely carbon monoxide poisoning
Outcome: Twenty-two people hospitalized

Twenty-two people, most schoolchildren, fell ill and were taken to San Diego area hospitals after they were thought to be exposed to carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas. The people were attending a morning Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Coronado, CA at the intersection of C Avenue and Seventh Street. However, after being taken to the hospital, none of the twenty-two people tested positive for carbon monoxide poisoning. It is currently unknown what caused them to feel ill.

Oceanside Car Accident Hospitalizes Four

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)13057 — Sun, 31 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: May 29, 2009
Location: Mission Avenue and Douglas Drive, Oceanside, CA
Type: Three motor vehicle accident, involving cars and trucks
Outcome: Four people injured and hospitalized

A Friday evening car accident in Oceanside sent two teenagers and two adults to the hospital after a three vehicle car crash occurred at the intersection of Mission Avenue and Douglas Drive. The auto accident involved a Hyundai Tiberon, a Chevrolet Silverado truck, and a GMC Yukon SUV and occurred just after 10 p.m.

The cause of the car accident is under investigation by Oceanside police.

California Highway Patrol Reports 3 Motorcyclists Killed in San Diego County this Memorial Day Weekend

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)12747 — Mon, 25 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

Thankfully the California Highway Patrol reported that DUI arrests and motor vehicle fatalities were low during the Memorial Day Weekend. There were no deaths from pedestrian accidents or bicycle crashes in San Diego County over the weekend. Unfortunately, three motorcyclists were killed.

Statewide, only 15 people died in motor vehicle accidents over the weekend. Six of the 15 people killed were not wearing their seatbelts at the time of the accident.

North San Diego County Motorcyclist Seriously Injured Along SR-78

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)12744 — Mon, 25 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: May 20, 2009
Location: SR-78 just west of Sycamore Avenue
Type: Motorcycle accident
Outcome: One person seriously injured

An unidentified motorcyclist was taken to Palomar Medical Center in Escondido after his motorcycle collided with a coyote crossing SR-78. The driver's condition is currently unknown. However, the CHP reports that the coyote was killed as a result of the crash. The motorcycle accident was reported just after 8:00 a.m.

Perris Man Treated for Life-Threatening Injuries Following North San Diego County Motorcycle Accident

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)12743 — Mon, 25 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: May 20, 2009
Location: SR-76 just east of I-15, just north of Escondido
Type: Motorcycle accident
Outcome: One person seriously injured

Robert Early, 36, or Perris was seriously injured after losing control of his 2007 Suzuki motorcycle as he rounded a curve along SR-76 at too great a rate of speed. He was attempting to pass a truck at the time and had crossed the double yellow line. He suffered severe head, chest, and abdominal trauma as a result of the motorcycle crash.

Multiple Vehicle San Diego Auto Accident Ties Up Traffic In La Jolla

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)12741 — Mon, 25 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: May 21, 2009
Location: Northbound I-805 south of Nobel Drive, La Jolla | UTC | San Diego
Type: Multiple vehicle car crash
Outcome: Two people injured

A late-night, early morning car accident tied up northbound I-805 from 4:20 a.m. until 7:00 a.m. Thursday morning after a 21-year-old Imperial Beach man lost control of his 1999 Chevrolet Malibu, which careened across all lanes of traffic and came to rest facing south near the center median. The Malibu was then struck by 3 other cars as the driver attempted to exit his car.

The driver of the Malibu was taken to Scripps La Jolla Hospital with serious injuries to both legs and possible head trauma.

Two San Diego Hospitals Fined For Medical Malpractice

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)12274 — Wed, 20 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest and Scripps Mercy Hospital in Hillcrest were both fined the maximum allowed by state law by California state health regulators for significant medical mistakes.

UCSD was fined after its' staff left a sponge inside a patient that required the patient to undergo a second surgery two months later to remove the sponge. Scripps Mercy was fined for using a faulty respirator that left the patient unable to breathe and caused him to suffer heart failure.

These two San Diego hospitals were two of eleven California hospitals that received the maximum fine.

North Carolina Boy Drowns in San Diego Pool Accident

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)12229 — Tue, 19 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: May 16, 2009
Location: Winecreek Court, 4S Ranch neighborhood of San Diego, CA
Type: Premises Liability, Negligent Supervision
Outcome: One Killed

A North Carolina boy visiting family in San Diego died after drowning in his grandmother's pool. The boy, Malachi Gardner, was found in the deep end of the pool early Saturday evening by a babysitter. Unfortunately, the babysitter could not swim and could not reach the young boy.

Gardner was transported to Pomerado Hospital and later transferred to Rady Children's Hospital where he was pronounced dead early Sunday.

Our prayers go out to his family.

Woman Seriously Injured in Vista Auto Accident

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)12112 — Sun, 17 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: May 13, 2009
Location: Eucalyptus Avenue near Escondido Avenue, Vista, CA
Type: Car Accident
Outcome: One injured

A 48-year-old woman was injured after driving off the road and striking trees and telephone polls as she careened down the hillside. The woman was knocked unconscious and was luckily found by San Diego Sheriff's deputies. She was flown to Palomar Medical Center to treat several severe injuries.

It is unknown whether the woman was driving under the influence of alcohol.

Cyclist Killed in San Diego County Bicycle Crash

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)12109 — Sun, 17 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: May 13, 2009
Location: Valley Center Road near Cole Grade Road, Valley Center, CA
Type: Bicycle Accident
Outcome: One Killed

Jose Mejia was killed as a result of being struck by an oncoming vehicle. Mr. Mejia inexplicably swerved in front of the oncoming vehicle. He was transported to Palomar Medical Center where he died later the next day as a result of a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Our prayers go out to his family for their loss.

Two Injured in San Diego Car Accident

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)12106 — Sun, 17 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

Date: May 9, 2009
Location: Valley Center Road near SR-76, Valley Center, CA
Type: Auto Accident
Outcome: Two Injured

A female driver made a left turn in front of an oncoming car driven by a San Diego County Sheriff's deputy. Unfortunately, there was not enough space between the two vehicles and the Sheriff's deputy collided with the woman's car as it was turning.

The impact was so strong that both vehicles travelled for several feet before coming to rest. Fortunately, neither injury was fatal.

New Tort Reform Proposal....From Personal Injury Lawyers?

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)12024 — Fri, 15 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

There seems to be a constant effort by the insurance industry and their friends in state and federal government to "fix" the system justice system. These proposals are part of a planned scheme, called "Tort Reform", to limit insurance companies' exposure to paying injured people full value for their claims. The most recent example is taking place in Oklahoma, where the Republicans in the state legislature--led by a former medical malpractice defense attorney--are trying to pass as many different changes to current law as they can. Not surprisingly, while all the proposals are favorable to the insurance companies, they are also all detrimental to protecting and compensating the general public. We wrote about the Oklahoma tort reform efforts on our San Diego Injury Lawyer Blog, here.

Now, here comes a new report and possible effort to reform the civil justice system. However, the source of this report is from an association of personal injury attorneys--those who represent injured people.

This report, described in this AP news story, recommends major changes in the civil justice system in the way that courts hear civil lawsuits. The reasoning behind these suggestions is that the current system drags out disputes unnecessarily by demanding irrelevant and hard-to-find information through the "discovery" process where the parties are able to request information from one another.

Focusing on the federal civil justice system, the authors of the report point out that the federal discovery rules (which are very similar to state discovery rules) are out of date because they were created in the 1930s. Accordingly, they were written for a time when the volume of documents were much smaller than they are today in an age of e-mail communication. Major corporations are now hiring personnel merely to manage their document systems if they ever get sued to ensure they can, in the possible future, comply with federal discovery statutes.

In addition to updating the view of electronic discovery management in the federal discovery rules, the report also suggests creating new specific requirements for expert witness testimony, making sure a judge handles a case from beginning to end, and giving the judges the power to order mediation in some cases.

San Diego Personal Injury Attorneys of the Jurewitz Law Group on Twitter

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)12022 — Fri, 15 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

Ever wonder what our San Diego personal injury attorneys are working on? Want to know about important news affecting San Diego injury accident victims?

You can now follow the Jurewitz Law Group on Twitter.com, a social media site providing instantaneous news.

To follow along, create a Twitter account and go to http://www.twitter.com/sandiegoinjury.

Jurewitz Law Group Opens North San Diego County Office in Carlsbad, CA

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)12021 — Fri, 15 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

The Jurewitz Law Group announces that it has a second location to serve clients seriously injured by slip and fall accidents, dog bites, and bicycle accidents in North San Diego County. We have opened a second office conveniently located in Carlsbad and within easy driving distance from San Marcos, Encinitas, Oceanside, Vista, and Escondido.

Our North San Diego County office is located at:

2768 Loker Avenue West, Suite 101
Carlsbad, CA 92010

Progressive Insurance Company's Newest Dirty Trick

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)12020 — Fri, 15 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

Progressive Insurance's slippery and underhanded tactics have been profiled before. See here.

Now comes Progressive's latest dirty trick: offering personal injury settlements in auto accident cases before victims even get a chance to see a doctor.

Here's how the new strategy works:

If Progressive determines that it's insured is at fault, it sends its' adjustor to the victim's home--typically within 48 or 72 hours of the accident. At that time, the adjustor will express Progressive's sympathy and willingness to help. Then the adjustor will offer a nominal sum to settle the victim's claims. Typically the offer is between $500 and $1,000.

If the victim won't agree to the settlement, usually because they have not seen a doctor yet, the adjustor will then up the ante and offer the money and to pay for all medical bills within the next 30 days. Since the victim is entitled to have all medical bills paid to treat the injuries from the accident, without time limit, this is a horrible deal.

Our San Diego personal injury lawyers have seen this strategy play out on a number of occasions. The most notable was a potential client from Rancho Cucamonga who had his new BMW totalled by a Progressive Insured. The potential client went to the doctor and was experiencing pain. The next day the adjustor arrived offering $1,000. The potential client, thinking his pain would go away, agreed to the money and to Progressive covering his medical expenses for 30 days.

3 months later, he continued to have excruciating pain including symptoms which would indicate possible orthopedic and neurologic injuries. But he had already settled his claims.

Don't fall for this strategy. The first call you should make after being involved in a serious car accident--after calling the police--is to call our office and get trained accident attorneys working for you.

Trusting the other driver's insurance company is the worst mistake one can make.

Jurewitz Law Group Opens New Office in Downtown San Diego

raj@jurewitz.com (Blog Author)12019 — Fri, 15 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

Jurewitz Law Group, a San Diego personal injury law firm representing injured clients throughout California, announces that it has recently moved and opened its' new San Diego office location.

The new office is located at:

The Koll Center
501 West Broadway, Suite 1780
San Diego, CA 92101
Tel: (619) 233-5020
Toll Free: (888) 233-5020
Fax: (888) 233-3180

New and existing clients can meet with attorneys at the new office or, if preferable, at any location throughout San Diego County, including El Cajon, Chula Vista, La Mesa, and Lemon Grove. Face to face meetings outside Southern California are also possible, but require more lead time.

Rancho Cucamonga Jury Awards Woman $23.4 Million for SUV Accident

contact@jurewitz.com;7605226100@vtext.com (News Author)12926 — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

A San Bernardino County jury awarded a one-man $23.4 million for catastrophic injuries she suffered after a 2007 car accident. The civil judgment was entered against Ford Motor Company and arose after the plaintiff, Cynthia Castillo, lost control of her 1997 Ford Explorer because the tread on her left rear tire separated as she drove along the freeway.

According to the evidence presented at trial, Ms. Castillo's Explorer swerved off the freeway and rolled three times down an embankment you for coming to rest. This serious rollover accidents led to her legs and most of her body being paralyzed. The evidence showed a trial that the Explorer's design cause it to lose control when Ms. Castillo's tire tread separated.

At the time of the accident, Ms. Castillo was 38. She has been a quadriplegic ever since. She has been confined to bed and has difficulty caring for a young daughter.

According to Ford Motor Company and its' attorneys, the accident was caused by a worn-out tire that Ms. Castillo put on her own vehicle and had failed to replace. Ford also blamed Ms. Castillo or failure to maintain the vehicle, arguing that her failure to replace the shocks and other maintenance failures demonstrated her own lack of care and cost are accidents and injuries.

Nonetheless, the Rancho Cucamonga, CA jury came back with a unanimous verdict in Ms. Castillo's favor, finding Ford Motor Company almost 100% at fault for causing her injuries.

This is a fantastic verdict and result for a severely injured person who now has to face life largely paralyzed and need the help of others for assistance with even the most basic tasks and routines. We are very happy for Ms. Castillo and hope that the jury's verdict will finally bring her some peace and much-needed help.

Graco Recalls Baby Strollers | San Diego CA Child Injury Lawyer Attorn

contact@jurewitz.com;7605226100@vtext.com (News Author)12339 — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

Graco has announced the recall of certain Passage, Alano, and Spree strollers and travel systems after several children had suffered hurt fingers in the canopy hinge. The injuries resulted in the amputation of five fingertips and two lacerations according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Families were warned not to use the stroller until they received a free protective cover kit for the canopy from the company.

The Graco strollers were sold at a number of stores including Burlington Coat Factory, Walmart, Target, Sears, and Kmart between October 2004 and December 2009. Not all Graco strollers were recalled because they did not include the defective hinge. Please check this notice from the CPSC to make sure that your model number is on the recall list before acting.

In order to order a stroller hinge repair kit by calling Graco's consumer service line at 800-345-4109 or order online .

Recall of Dorel Asia Cribs | San Diego CA Children Injury Attorney Law

contact@jurewitz.com;7605226100@vtext.com (News Author)12340 — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

In the second majory recall of baby cribs in three months, Dorel Asia Cribs issued a recall of over 600,000 cribs due to threat of strangulation and suffocation. The cribs feature enough space for a child's head to become stuck and cause the airway to be cutoff, leading to death or serious brain injury.

Dorel cribs have been available in the United States since 2005.

Reportedly, at least one baby has died and at least six other babies have been injured by the Dorel cribs.

In November, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a recall of Stork Craft cribs which affected over one million drop side cribs in the United States for the same reasons.

To obtain more information about the Dorel Asia Crib recall, call their customer service representatives at 866-762-2304.

Progressive Insurance--"We'll Pay Your Client's Medical Bills but That is All..."

contact@jurewitz.com;7605226100@vtext.com (News Author)11944 — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Insurance companies and tort reform advocates often argue that plaintiff injury accident lawyers and their injured clients are running up the cost of car insurance and generally making it more expensive for all Americans to live. Not true. This is a story of a recent interaction we had with Progressive Insurance which demonstrates that insurance companies and their unreasonable positions are largely to blame for the increasing cost of auto insurance.

We recently submitted a demand package on behalf of a client who was injured after being rear-ended at a stop sign. Simple case with no liability dispute and limited and reasonable medical treatment for a few weeks to care for our client's sore back and neck.

Our client's medical treatment totalled approximately $6,000. Progressive Insurance's offer was $6,500 on a take it or leave it basis. They would offer no more money.

Fine. Although Progressive and other insurance companies think they are the final decision makers as to the value of personal injury cases in California, they are not. Juries here in San Diego and elsewhere throughout the State are the ones who ultimately must decide what a case is worth and how much compensation the injured victim will receive. In these cases, we immediately file a lawsuit and serve the defendant with a copy of the complaint, summons, and a letter which nicely explains that we are sorry to involve them, but their insurance company refused to deal with our office fairly. Now the defendant will spend time at deposition and ultimately at trial while Progressive Insurance will spend more defending the lawsuit than it would take to settle the claim--and then they will still have to pay the jury's verdict.

And somehow plaintiff's lawyers and their clients are blamed for increasing auto insurance rates. Go figure.

Insurance Companies Try to Increase Profits Through Questionable Tactics

contact@jurewitz.com;7605226100@vtext.com (News Author)11805 — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A new free report from the American Association for Justice (AAJ), "Tricks of the Trade: How Insurance Companies Deny, Delay, Confuse and Refuse", tells how the insurance industry is increasingly using questionable tactics to increase their bottom lines at the expense of injured people and claimants. This only harms the public who relies on a honest and efficient insurance system to compensate them for serious accidents.

The Report identifies the following common insurance company tricks:

Denying Claims: This is the most common tactic and is regularly employed by all insurance companies, including Allstate, State Farm, and USAA. By denying valid claims, the insurance companies boost their profits because those are monies that will not be paid out. Insurance companies have even been known to incentivize their employees to deny valid claims.
Delaying until Death: Insurance companies regularly delay claims in the hope that the claimant will die before the claim is paid or hoping that the injured person will give up or settle for less. Many people do just that rather than stay the course.
Confusing People: You are not alone if you have ever been confused after reading your insurance contract. They even confuse lawyers. Insurance companies regularly use confusing agreements and language to discourage consumers.
Discriminating by Credit Score: Insurance companies determine premiums and insurance approvals based upon credit scores. Lower scores pay higher premiums.
Abandoning the Sick: Insurance policy holders who are the most need of medical care are often targeted by the insurance companies and have their benefits cancelled to lower the amount of money paid out for health care.
Cancelling for a Call: Some people will call their insurance company to get a feel how filing a claim will affect their insurance coverage. If the effect is too negative, they won't file a claim. However, just by making the call, the insured has essentially made a claim as far as the insurance company is concerned. At renewal, the insurance company can use these phone inquiries to deny claims.

Be sure to protect yourself by doing your insurance policy homework and order a copy of Ross Jurewitz's Book, The Ten Biggest Mistakes that can Destroy Your California Accident Case, which includes a section on how to buy insurance.

Orange County Jury Awards Injured Worker $4.7 Million After Being Hit by Commercial Truck

contact@jurewitz.com;7605226100@vtext.com (News Author)11486 — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

On July 28, 2009, an Orange County jury awarded a severely injured construction supervisor $4.7 million after he was struck by a commercial truck while supervising the installation of a natural gas pipeline in Orange County. The 36 year old man was left with severe injuries that made him disabled and restricted his physical abilities.

The underlying commercial truck accident occurred on December 8, 2006, while the plaintiff was supervising the installation of a natural gas pipeline when he was struck by a Chevrolet Tahoe driven by an employee of the defendant making a lunch delivery. The defendant was a franchisee of three El Pollo Loco restaurants. The defendant driver had pulled from a stop sign into the intersection in front of an approaching Toyota 4-Runner. Neither driver saw the other before the collision. After both vehicles struck each other, the Chevy was propelled into the plaintiff, causing severe injury, including a shear fracture of the pelvis and a massive injury to the left shoulder. Total medical care costs exceeded $405,000 and the plaintiff lost $63,000 in income. He underwent three surgeries to stabilize his pelvis and beat two separate bouts of MERSA following the surgeries.

As a result of the accident, the plaintiff was forced to give up his field supervisor position in favor of a sedentary job as an estimator for underground construction. There was no claim for future medical care since the experts on both sides agreed that no medical treatment would improve the plaintiff's condition. The medical evidence was also largely undisputed. The plaintiff was relegated to a largely sedentary lifestyle following the auto accident. He could not lift over 20 pounds, had difficulty walking over half a mile, and could not sit or stand for prolonged periods. Prior to the car accident, plaintiff was in excellent health and had a very active lifestyle with his wife and two children.

The defendant driver pointed the finger at the driver of the 4-Runner and did not take responsibility for his own role in the accident.

After a jury trial, the jury rejected the argument that the driver of the 4-Runner was negligent and concluded that it was not reasonable for him to anticipate that the driver of the Chevy would enter the intersection when it was unsafe. The jury awarded over $405,000 for past medical costs, past wage loss of over $63,000, past "pain and suffering" of $2,000,000, and future "pain and suffering" of $2,250,000 for the remaining 40 years of plaintiff's life.

Congratulations to the plaintiff on receiving a fantastic and well-deserved victory. We wish him and his family the best in the future.

Follow the Jurewitz Law Group on Twitter

contact@jurewitz.com;7605226100@vtext.com (News Author)8627 — Sun, 17 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

Do you want to know what our San Diego personal injury attorneys are up to? Want to know of important news regarding San Diego? Want to know about important developments in the law, particularly concerning accident victims and the public?

You can now follow the Jurewitz Law Group on the social networking "micro-blog" site, Twitter.com.

Just create a Twitter account and go to http://www.twitter.com/sandiegoinjury to follow along.

Jurewitz Law Group Opens Carlsbad, CA Office for North San Diego County Clients

contact@jurewitz.com;7605226100@vtext.com (News Author)8628 — Sun, 17 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

The Jurewitz Law Group has opened a North San Diego County office in Carlsbad to serve clients seriously injured by slip and fall accidents, dog bites, and bicycle accidents. The office is easily reachable from San Marcos, Encinitas, Oceanside, Vista, and Escondido.

You can find our Carlsbad office (by appointment only) at:

2768 Loker Avenue West, Suite 101
Carlsbad, CA 92010

Jurewitz Law Group Opens New Downtown San Diego Office

contact@jurewitz.com;7605226100@vtext.com (News Author)8629 — Sun, 17 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

The San Diego personal injury law firm, the Jurewitz Law Group, representing seriously injured people throughout California, recently moved and opened its' new San Diego office location.

Our new Downtown San Diego office is located at:

501 West Broadway, Suite 1780
San Diego, CA 92101
Tel: (619) 233-5020
Toll Free: (888) 233-5020
Fax: (888) 233-3180

New and existing clients can meet with our San Diego injury accident lawyers at our Downtown office, our North San Diego County Office in Carlsbad, or at any location throughout San Diego County.

Face to face meetings outside Southern California are also possible, but require more lead time.