An April 15, 2010 car accident in Merced injured several people including five children after a driver lost control of his vehicle and went into opposing lanes of traffic. The Merced Sun Star reports that the accident caused major injuries to Damian Gordiano, 15, and 6-year-old Miguelito Valencia who were passengers in a 2004 GMC Yukon. The Yukon was struck by a 1999 Toyota Corolla driven by 27-year-old Michael Hollenhorst. The force of the collision caused the Yukon to slam into a concrete pillar on the side of the road. It is not clear why Hollenhorst drifted into opposing lanes. Drugs or alcohol are not suspected. Read More

A car accident in Riverside injured two people -- Jose Rubio, 51 and 42-year-old Julio Hernandez. The Press-Enterprise reports that Rubio was critically injured while Hernandez suffered minor injuries. Police officials say that car accident occurred at the intersection of Avenue 50 and Van Buren Street when a 2008 Nissan Sentra driven by Hernandez and a 1971 Ford Ranger truck driven by Rubio collided. Officials are looking into a possible red light violation by one of the drivers. An investigation is ongoing. Read More

An SUV rollover accident in Los Angeles fatally injured 27-year-old Brian Flores and seriously injured 28-year-old Robert Alaniz and Anthony Holguin, 19. According to a news report in The Signal, the fatal crash occurred the night of April 25, 2010 on the Highway 14 near Agua Dulce Canyon Road. Alaniz lost control of the SUV and crashed through the guardrail after which the SUV rolled several times down an embankment. Drugs or alcohol did not cause the incident, California Highway Patrol officials said. Flores was pronounced dead at the scene while Alaniz and Holguin were taken to a local hospital. The extent of their injuries is not known.

My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Brian Flores for their tragic and devastating loss. I also wish the injured victims the very best for a complete recovery. Please keep these victims and their families in your prayers. Read More

Police in Compton say that a DUI collision the morning of April 25, 2010 led to the death of 16-year-old Chanel Lenard. An ABC News report states that Chanel and her friend were walking back home from a party when they were struck by a Mercury Voyager on 154th Street. The driver of the Voyager did not stop and fled from the scene of the crash. Police apprehended the driver thanks to tips from neighbors who saw the fatal pedestrian crash occur. Read More

If a client is disabled, unmarried, and over the age of 65, a pooled special needs trust may be a good way to ensure important services, property, and assets. These kinds of trusts are set up to preserve supplemental care and compliment the benefits the beneficiary receives from governmental programs. Read More

A San Francisco Muni bus accident occurred the morning of April 21, 2010, killing local attorney Scott Whitsett, 49, who was struck near his office at a street intersection. According to news reports, Whitsett had stepped off the curb to catch a cab when he was struck by one Muni bus and pushed into another bus that was stopped at the intersection of Mission and Beale streets. Whitsett was taken to an area hospital where he died.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of Whitsett for whom this must be a devastating loss. They will be in my thoughts and prayers.

San Francisco Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents are getting to be a serious problem in the city of San Francisco. Two months ago, a group called Transportation for America released a study, which showed that 27 percent of all traffic accident fatalities in the San Francisco region involved pedestrian accidents. In 2008 alone, 72 people died in pedestrian accidents in San Francisco. That number was up from 64 in 2007, according to that report. Accidents involving Muni vehicles in San Francisco are also on the rise, according to recent reports released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Fault and Liability

In this particular case, the driver of the Muni bus that hit Whitsett, Kimberly Johnson, told police that she hit the gas instead of the brake. If investigators determine that Johnson's negligence, inattention or error caused this fatal accident, she and her employer could be held liable for Whitsett's wrongful death.

Families of accident victims, in such cases, would be well-advised to contact an experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyer, who will help them pursue their rights. Any personal injury or wrongful death claim against a governmental agency in California must be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury, under California Government Code 911.2.

What do you think Muni officials should do to make their vehicles safer and prevent these types of accidents?

None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.

Officials in La Habra have identified a 49-year-old woman killed in a recent La Habra bicycle accident as 49-year-old Annette Ferrin-Rodgers. The Whittier Daily News reports that the fatal bicycle versus bus crash occurred when a Foothill Transit bus was turning from Beach on to La Habra Boulevard the evening of April 20, 2010. The driver said he did not see the bicyclist riding in the crosswalk until it was too late. Read More

A pedestrian was critically injured in a hit-and-run collision the night of April 17, 2010, ABC News reports. The man, who officials say, was in his 30s, was struck while crossing at the intersection of Victory Boulevard and Willis Avenue in Van Nuys. The driver of the vehicle was eastbound on Victory when the collision occurred. The injured pedestrian lay on the roadway, but the driver did not stop and fled east on Victory. The hit-and-run vehicle is described as a late model white or gray Nissan Xterra.

I sympathize with this injured pedestrian and his family. I wish him the very best for a speedy and full recovery. He and his family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Hit-and-Run Statistics

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's 2001 hit-and-run statistics, hit-and-run traffic accident deaths in California jumped by 10 percent from 1999 to 2001. Nearly 300 people are killed annually in hit-and-run accidents in California. In 2001, hit-and run accidents accounted for 7.8 percent of the state's fatal crashes. That figure is more than twice the national average of 3.8 percent.

Laws and Liability Issues
Hit-and-run is a serious crime under California Vehicle Code section 20001 (a). A motorist who is involved in an accident must stop at the scene, remain at the scene and administer aid to the injured victim. Motorists involved in car accidents are also required under the law to exchange information such as insurance, license number and contact information. Drivers are required to remain at the scene regardless of who is at fault. Read More

A car accident, which officials say was caused by a suspected drunk driver, has left two people dead, according to a KTLA News report. The fatal car accident occurred near the intersection of South La Cienega Boulevard and Rodeo Road in Baldwin Hills. Los Angeles police say an SUV driven by 25-year-old Paul Collins, was traveling at about 75 mph when it went out of control and crashed. All five of the SUV's occupants were ejected as the vehicle rolled over several times. Two of the passengers were killed and two others sustained critical, but not life-threatening injuries. Collins himself escaped with minor injuries. He has been booked on suspicion of felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter. Read More

Police in Carson have arrested a man in connection with a fatal bicycle accidents in that city, CBS News reports. Police arrested 40-year-old William Keith Square on suspicion of driving under the influence, vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run after he reportedly struck the man on the bicycle with his SUV the night of April 17, 2010 at the intersection of Santa Fe Avenue and East 218th Place. Officials say Square fled the scene, but was arrested shortly afterwards. The victim succumbed to his injuries after he was taken to an area hospital. Read More