An officer and the prisoner he was transporting were injured in a San Diego car accident after his patrol car was rear-ended. According to a news report in The U-T San Diego, the car crash occurred on East H Street near Paseo Del Rey in Chula Vista, the night of February 1, 2012. Officials say the patrol car was struck by another vehicle that was travelling approximately 40 to 50 miles per hour. The condition of the officer and prisoner were not made available. It is not clear what caused the collision or if the other motorist will be cited.

My thoughts and prayers are with the two injured victims of this San Diego accident. I wish them both a complete recovery from their injuries.

San Diego Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 10 people were killed and 695 were injured in Chula Vista car accidents. Throughout San Diego County, 217 fatalities and 12,998 injuries occurred involving car accidents, during the same year.

What Caused This Collision?

Based on this news account, it is unclear as to what led to the rear-end collision. There are a many questions that have not been answered yet. Was the driver, who hit the patrol car, speeding or under the influence of alcohol? Was the motorist driving distracted or recklessly? Was the other driver following the patrol car too closely, or negligent in some other manner?

Rear-end accidents are often caused by drivers following too close behind another vehicle or by distracted drivers. California Vehicle Code Section 21703 states: "The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicle and the traffic upon, and the condition of, the roadway." California Vehicle Code Section 21704 also states that the driver "shall keep the vehicle he is driving at a distance of not less than 300 feet to the rear of any other motor vehicle subject to such speed restriction which is preceding it."

Liability Issues

Victims of rear-end accidents would be well advised to contact an experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of the incident and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable. If it is determined that a car driver’s negligence was a contributing factor, the at-fault motorist can be held liable for the victim’s medical bills, time away from work, physical pain, mental anguish, cost of rehabilitation services, and other related losses. A skilled car accident attorney can also help a victim file for workers compensation benefits if the accident occurred while he or she was on the job at the time of the crash.

What is the first thing you think of when contemplating personal injury attorneys in Laguna Niguel? My guess is that it has nothing to do with free Lakers tickets. Well, sorry to burst your bubble but the personal injury lawyers at Bisnar and Chase are raising the bar for Orange County attorneys with their new program that allows children with disabilities to go see a game. It seems that almost everyone who is applying is being sent to a game.

Bisnar and Chase has been serving Orange County accident victims since 1978 with professionalism and honesty. Their original Lakers ticket program was a giveaway which allowed anyone who visited their Facebook page the ability to win free Lakers tickets. John Bisnar, managing partner, recently changed the criteria to help disabled kids receive priority. If you know of a likely candidate, send an email to jjbisnar@bestattorney.com and tell them why your child deserves to go to a game.

Bisnar and Chase is active in the community and is a part of several fundraising programs that help less fortunate Orange County residents. If you or a loved one have suffered injuries and need legal assistance, contact a Bisnar and Chase personal injury lawyer in Laguna Niguel. Their reputation for honesty and success has made them one of the top law firms in the nation.

Call 1-866-990-8787 to get expert advice from proven legal professionals

Anthony Andrade, 33, and Vincente Santos, 25, were killed in a Solano County car accident involving a drunk driver. According to an article in The Report, the fatal DUI collision occurred on the Interstate 80 in Fairfield, the morning of January 29, 2012. Officials say Michelle Henry, 42, was under the influence when she rear-ended a Ford Explorer with her Buick Lucerne. The impact caused Andrade, the driver of the Explorer, to lose control and the SUV to overturn on the roadway. As Andrade and his front-seat passenger, Floyd Williams, Jr., were attempting to free Santos from the back seat, a 2005 Toyota Corolla driven by 35-year-old Michael Soto of Sacramento struck the Explorer.

Andrade and Santos were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, but it is unclear if Santos suffered fatal injuries in the first or second collision. Williams and Soto suffered minor injuries. Henry faces felony DUI causing injury charges and Soto could face vehicular manslaughter charges depending upon the outcome of the investigation.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Anthony Andrade and Vincente Santos for their terrible loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Solano County DUI Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), three people were killed and 41 were injured in Fairfield DUI collisions. During that same year, there were 13 fatalities and 169 injuries reported as a result of alcohol-related crashes in Solano County.

What Caused this Tragic Accident?

Based on this news report, Henry was under the influence at the time of the collision. According to California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a): "It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle."

I trust investigators are also trying to determine why Soto was unable to avoid the wrecked car. Was he drunk, speeding, distracted or driving carelessly? If his negligence contributed to the fatal accident, then, he may be held liable for the fatal injuries suffered as well. In addition to facing criminal charges, negligent drivers in such cases can be held financially responsible for the injuries and damages they cause.

Liability Issues

The family of a deceased car accident victim would be well advised to speak with an experienced California personal injury lawyer, who will stay on top of the official investigation and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable. In cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, the family of a deceased victim can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, and loss of companionship. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to victims or their families. For more information about the dangers of driving under the influence, please visit the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) web site at www.madd.org.

A 44-year-old man was critically injured in a San Diego County motorcycle accident after his 1997 Honda 650L veered out of control and he was ejected. According to a news report in U-T San Diego, the crash occurred on Interstate 5 near Camp Pendleton in North County, the afternoon of January 30, 2012. Officials say the Mission Viejo man was riding southbound on the freeway when he turned his motorcycle to the right and veered across several lanes of traffic. He landed on top of an on-ramp after being ejected from his vehicle. The motorcyclist suffered serious injuries and has been listed in critical condition. Officials are still looking into what caused the motorcyclist to lose control. They do not believe alcohol or drugs were factors.

My thoughts and prayers are with the motorcyclist injured in this crash. I wish him the very best for a complete and speedy recovery.

San Diego Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 15 people were killed and 357 were injured due to motorcycle accidents in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County. Countywide, 39 fatalities and 989 injuries occurred involving motorcycle accidents, during the same year.

What Caused This Serious Injury Accident?

Based on this news report, it is not clear why the vehicle veered out of control. There are a number of questions, which I trust investigators are trying to answer here. Did the motorcyclist lose control because of an auto defect or mechanical malfunction? Did the motorcycle strike a pothole or try to avoid debris on the freeway? Were other vehicles involved? For example, was the motorcyclist run off the roadway by another driver? It will be important for authorities to look into these and other factors in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.

Liability Issues

In such cases injured victims or their families would be well advised to preserve the vehicle that was involved in the crash, intact, so an expert can thoroughly examine it for defects and malfunctions. Victims would also be well advised to speak with an experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of the incident and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.

One of the first things most people want to know after an Irvine motorcycle accident is, “How much is my claim worth?”  Of course, this is a natural question, but it is one that may be difficult to answer, especially at the very beginning of your case.  Here is why.

When you are injured in an Irvine motorcycle accident, you will incur several types of expenses.  First, your motorcycle will probably need repairs, and an estimate must be gathered from a qualified repair shop, including parts, labor, and perhaps paint and body work.  Next, you will probably have some form of medical bills.  It is a well-known reality that when a car and a motorcycle collide, the motorcycle tends to fare worse in the collision.  It is unusual to see a motorcycle rider walk away from an impact with absolutely no medical bills.  A third type of payment which may need to be collected is lost time from work due to injuries and trauma.  With all of these figures to be collected, it may take a little time for an Irvine motorcycle accident attorney to come up with a firm figure for damages.  After all, the last thing you want to do is underestimate how much your medical bills will be, or how much time off from work you will need.

The next figure which must be calculated in your pain and suffering.  This is where a good Irvine motorcycle accident lawyer begins to earn his or her fee.  The calculation of “abstract” costs such as pain and suffering or punitive damages is a very difficult task and requires skill and experience.  For example, if the at-fault driver was criminally negligent or purposely hit the motorcycle rider, a personal injury attorney will approach the subject of damages quite differently than if the driver had mitigating circumstances, such as failed brakes.  It takes a professional personal injury lawyer to understand all the nuances of calculating damages in these various cases.

Finally, your Irvine motorcycle accident attorney will discuss with you a figure which is “ballpark.”  This means that the attorney has considered the facts and come up with a range of figures within which he or she feels settlement will probably fall.  These figures are not “set in stone,” but represent the attorney’s best guess as to what the defendants and their insurers will offer.

One other factor that affects the amount you will collect in your Irvine motorcycle accident claim is the circumstances of the accident and who was “at fault.”  Your attorney will need all the facts about the accident to advise you well on how much your claim is truly worth.  If you were engaging in negligent behavior at the time of the accident, such as drinking and riding, then it is likely that the settlement figures will be affected by these facts.  Going to trial is always a gamble, so in a case like this, your attorney would probably be right in advising you to settle, even for a slightly lower figure.  On the other hand, if the accident was completely the other person’s fault, then you can probably expect a higher settlement figure.  Most Irvine motorcycle accidents of this type never go to trial, as the insurers are well aware that juries could award plaintiffs in such a case a very large judgment.

Noah Ferrer, 11, and three brothers, aged 35, 37 and 39, were killed in a San Bernardino County car accident, the night of January 29, 2012. According to a news report in The Press Enterprise, the fatal car accident occurred at the intersection of Base Line Road and Cherry Avenue in Fontana. Officials say a Chevy Suburban ran through a red light before shearing off the back of a 1998 Honda, striking a Toyota and an utility pole. Noah, who was a passenger in the Honda, suffered fatal injuries and died later in surgery. Of the occupants in the SUV, the three brothers died from their injuries. Officials are looking into what caused this tragic accident.

My deepest condolences go out to the family members and friends of Noah Ferrer and the three brothers killed in this tragic car accident. Please keep them all in your thoughts and prayers.

San Bernardino Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), nine people were killed and 498 were injured as a result of Fontana car accidents. During that same year, there were 223 fatalities and 7,870 injuries reported as a result of San Bernardino County car accidents.

What Caused this Fatal Crash?

Based on this news report, it is not clear if the SUV was exceeding the speed limit or if the driver was under the influence or driving distracted. Officials have said that the SUV went through a red light.

California Vehicle Code Section 21453 (a) states: "A driver facing a circular red signal shall stop at the limit line before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection, and shall remain stopped until an indication to proceed is shown."

Liability Issues

The family of a victim killed in a car accident has it in their best interests to speak with an experienced San Bernardino personal injury lawyer who will help protect their legal rights and best interests. If it is determined that negligence was a contributing factor in the crash, a skilled car accident attorney can help the family file a wrongful death claim and pursue compensation for medical bills, funeral expenses, lost future wages, and other related damages. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to accident victims or their families.

Mary Jo Reid, 45, sustained severe injuries in a Fresno car accident involving three vehicles. According to a news report in The Fresno Bee, the car crash occurred at the intersection of Mountain View and Academy avenues near Kingsburg, the morning of January 27, 2012. Officials say Reid was traveling east, when a westbound vehicle driven by Alexandra Alves, 18, and stopped to make a turn, was rear-ended by a car driven by Adriana Gonzales, 25. Alves' car was then forced into a head-on collision with Reid's vehicle. She suffered major injuries while Gonzales and Alves sustained relatively minor injuries. It is not clear what caused Gonzales to crash into the back of Alves' vehicle or if she will be cited for the crash.

My thoughts and prayers are with Mary Jo Reid, Adriana Gonzales and Alexandra Alves following this Fresno accident. I wish them all the very best for a complete and quick recovery.

Fresno Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 76 people were killed and 1,301 were injured in car accidents in the unincorporated areas of Fresno County. Countywide, 103 fatalities and 3,179 injuries occurred as a result of car accidents, during the same year.

What Caused This Car Accident?

Based on this news report, the head-on collision resulted from a vehicle being rear-ended. There are several questions here. What led to Gonzales' car to strike the back of the other car? Was Gonzales speeding, distracted, inattentive, or otherwise negligent? I trust officials are looking into these and other factors in order to determine precisely what caused this collision.

Liability Issues

If Gonzales is determined to have been at fault, she can be held liable for the injuries caused to the other victims. Injured victims can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. An experienced Fresno personal injury lawyer will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that the victims' legal rights and best interests are protected. Those injured in a car accident involving multiple vehicles and multiple victims would be well advised to not accept a quick settlement from an insurance company, but instead to first discuss their case with a knowledgeable injury lawyer.

An Irvine car accident lawyer is an absolute necessity if you want to recover all the damages to which you are entitled from your car accident.  But how do you choose the right Irvine car accident attorney?  With so many attorneys around, many of them advertising for your business, it can be a bit confusing to choose the one which will work best with you.  However, there are some basic rules to choosing an attorney which do not change, no matter what the situation.  Here are some tips for finding the right Irvine car accident attorney to handle your case.

1) Listen to what others tell you. One of the best ways to find out how an attorney works with clients is to talk to those who have used that particular lawyer.  Former clients tend to give unbiased reviews; if a former client is angry with an attorney, there is usually a reason.  On the other hand, a client who tells you that the attorney was approachable, easy to talk to, and worked hard to get her a fair settlement is probably not just trying to drum up business for her former lawyer.  Talk to people you trust who you know have used a personal injury lawyer in the past and ask for honest recommendations.

2) Talk to the attorney during a free consultation.  Any attorney who tries to charge you for a consultation should not be used.  Any reputable Irvine car accident attorney will always talk to you about your case for free.  During this conversation, ask the attorney questions you have about the process of collecting your damages, and also listen for how the attorney responds to you.  If he or she is too busy to talk or brushes you off, you might want to talk to another attorney.  On the other hand, if both of you seem to see "eye-to-eye," you probably have the start of a good working relationship.

3) Be realistic and fair.  You might think your case is worth far more, or far less, than your attorney.  No good attorney will deliberately inflate settlement figures, but no good attorney will go for the fast and quick settlement if there is a good possibility of a higher recovery, either.  You should listen to your attorney; if he or she says to wait, there is a reason for it.  If he or she says it is time to settle, it probably is.

4) Understand how your attorney will be paid.  Some people sign a fee agreement without understanding what it says.  This is the most important document in the whole process of hiring a personal injury attorney, so be sure you understand what it says, and ask questions if you do not.  Most personal injury attorneys operate on a contingency basis, meaning they are paid with a portion of the proceeds of your settlement.  However, be sure you understand all the implications of a retainer, of fees charged against your settlement, and other issues.

Franchesca Bredwick, 40, of Yucca Valley, was injured in a San Bernardino car accident involving a hit-and-run driver. According to a news report in The Desert Trail, the hit-and-run accident occurred on Indian Trail east of Morongo Road in Twentynine Palms the afternoon of January 17, 2012. Officials say Valentin Gonzalez, 18, was driving a black 2005 Nissan Altima when a red mid-1990s Honda or Toyota type four-door sedan veered into his lane of traffic. Gonzalez swerved to the right and his vehicle overturned on the dirt shoulder. Bredwick suffered a broken wrist in the crash. The driver and his 2-year-old sister were not injured. Officials are asking for help to find the hit-and-run driver. Anyone with information is asked to contact CHP at 760-366-3707.

My thoughts and prayers are with Franchesca Bredwick following this hit-and-run car accident. I wish her the very best for a quick and complete recovery and I’m relieved to hear Gonzalez and his young sister were not injured.

San Bernardino Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), three people were killed and 52 were injured as a result of car accidents in the city of Twentynine Palms. Throughout San Bernardino County, there were 223 fatalities and 7,870 injuries reported due to car accidents during the same year.

Leaving the Scene of a Crash

Based on this news report, the driver of the red car ran the victims' vehicle off the roadway forcing it to overturn. This driver did not even stop to make sure that the occupants of the other vehicle, including a 2-year-old child, were all right. Appalling! Not only is leaving the scene of a car accident an inhumane and irresponsible act, but it is also illegal.

California Vehicle Code 20001 (a) states: "The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident."

Holding Drivers Accountable

Officials are searching for the driver and the red sedan involved in this crash. If you have any information about this accident, please visit our web site, www.hitandrunreward.com. Our site allows witnesses to provide an anonymous tip and to become eligible to receive a $1,000 reward.

Victims of hit-and-run accidents would be well advised to contact a skilled San Bernardino personal injury lawyer who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected. A skilled car accident attorney will better inform families in such cases about how their own auto insurance policy applies to an incident where the suspect is not found, or, in a case where the at-fault motorist is uninsured or underinsured.

The driver of the Muni bus that ran over and killed Emily Dunn in a horrific pedestrian accident at a Castro intersection will face criminal charges. According to a news report in The Bay Citizen, the fatal accident occurred August 11, 2011 at the intersection of Hartford and 18th streets. Police said the 23-year-old Dunn had almost finished crossing Hartford Street when a Muni bus turning from 18th Street hit and crushed her under its wheels. The driver, Wallace Loggins, has been charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. He could face up to one year in county jail if convicted.

Prosecutors Going after Drivers

Safety advocates say these criminal charges come at a time when the District Attorney is aggressively pursuing pedestrian accident cases. Pedestrian safety advocates see the charges against the Muni driver as a bold step on the part of the DA because it is basically one city agency prosecuting another city agency. Last year, the DA charged a bicyclist who struck and killed a 68-year-old pedestrian. Charges are also expected to be filed against a motorist who hit and killed a pedestrian and against a UC San Francisco shuttle driver who fatally struck a pedestrian. The fatal accident involving Dunn prompted Muni officials to consider requiring buses to follow set routes while in service.

My heart goes out to the family members and friends of Emily Dunn, who have suffered an irreparable loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Muni Accident Statistics

According to a news report in The San Francisco Examiner, of the 2,110 Muni drivers on the transit agency's roster in 2010, 348 – more than 16 percent – were in at least one "preventable" collision during the year. What this means is that the agency's safety inspectors determined that the driver was at fault. In 2010, there were 1,399 collisions, 379 of which were ruled preventable. Four drivers racked up three such at-fault accident in 2010 and 23 had two. Eight drivers were actually involved in five to seven collisions last year although most of those accidents were ruled not their fault.

Victims' Claim for Compensation

Injured victims of Muni accidents or families of deceased victims would be well advised to contact an experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyer who has successfully handled similar cases. Please remember that any personal injury or wrongful death claim against a California governmental agency must be filed within 180 days of the incident. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to pedestrian accident victims or their families.