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.
Two children were critically injured in a DUI collision which officials say was caused by a driver who had done marijuana and other drugs and was driving recklessly in a Cathedral City neighborhood. KPSP News reports that the crash happened the night of April 11, 2010 after a vehicle driven by 23-year-old Cesar Adrian Munoz jumped the curb and struck a 17-year-old girl and a 2-year-old girl who were in the front yard of a home. The teenager's leg was severed and the toddler sustained severe head and internal injuries. Both victims are said to be in critical condition although they are expected to survive. Munoz has been charged with driving under influence of drugs and causing great bodily injury, reckless driving causing injury and for driving unlicensed, which is a misdemeanor. Read More
Two children sustained injuries in a San Bernardino car accident after the school bus they were traveling in was struck by a vehicle at a Victorville intersection. According to a news report in the Victorville Daily Press, the injury collision occurred the afternoon of April 8, 2010 after a vehicle tried to make a U-turn in front of a school bus and struck it. The school bus was traveling on Amargosa Road and attempting to turn onto King Ranch Road when the other car made a U-turn in front of the bus. Two children suffered injuries, which California Highway Patrol officials say are not serious or life-threatening. Read More
A 34-year-old woman sustained fatal injuries in a San Francisco car accident after she was hit by a vehicle while crossing a street the night of March 30, 2010. The Oakland Tribune reports that the woman was walking at the intersection of Mission Boulevard and Berry Avenue when a Saturn sedan driven by a 29-year-old man struck her. Officials said the woman was walking in a marked crosswalk at the intersection. However, the driver of the Saturn told authorities that he could not see her at all until it was too late. An investigation is underway. Read More
Officials have identified a man who was killed in a March 27, 2010 Huntington Beach car accident as 54-year-old Sparky Wilber. The Huntington Beach Independent reports that Wilber was traveling on Indianapolis Avenue near Magnolia Street in a 2008 Chevrolet Corvette when he lost control and crashed. Wilber died at the scene. A passenger in the Corvette was taken to an area hospital with unknown injuries. Officials say speed or alcohol may have caused this fatal car crash. Read More
A 90-year-old female driver sustained fatal injuries in a Ventura car accident after her vehicle was involved in a street intersection accident the afternoon of March 28, 2010. The Ventura County Star reports that the injury collision occurred at the intersection of Darling Road and Jazmin Avenue in east Ventura. The elderly driver was driving south on Jazmin when she struck another vehicle that was traveling west on Darling. The other vehicle was being driven by 29-year-old Roseanna Beronio. Read More
Two teenagers sustained fatal injuries in a Los Angeles car accident after an 18-year-old driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed, the night of March 23, 2010. According to a report in the Los Angeles Daily News, the fatal SUV rollover crash occurred on the 5 Freeway, close to the 605 Freeway. The Nissan Xterra SUV drifted off to the shoulder, hit some trees and then overturned. A 19-year-old passenger was ejected. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene. Read More
Authorities identified a 73-year-old woman who was fatally injured in a Los Angeles car accident on March 15, 2010, as Amelia Ordona. CBS News reports that the woman was crossing Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, with her sister Amaro Pabalan, 67, when they were both hit by a 2006 Honda Accord driven by 48-year-old Jay McNamara. Ordona was thrown into opposing traffic lanes of the highway, run over by multiple vehicles and died at the scene. Pabalan did not suffer life-threatening injuries. Read More
Sudden Unintended Acceleration (SUA) hit the news big in recent months as more and more Toyota drivers are experiencing issues with their cars unexpectedly accelerating. The various Toyota models accelerate even when the driver's foot is on the brake, the car is in idle, or the driver is keeping a steady and consistent speed. Though Toyota is hurriedly recalling vehicles and trying to fix this dangerous auto defect now, SUA has been affecting drivers for many years and has resulted in at least 815 accidents.
Initially blaming SUA on improperly installed accessory floor mats, Toyota has not found a reliable remedy. SUA has been reported under such a wide variety of circumstances that it seems there may be many contributing factors.
Since replacing floor mats, assessing pedal placement, correcting vehicle trim, and investigating many other mechanical issues in certain models has not proved fruitful for Toyota, some car experts are suggesting the auto defect stems from the electrical system. Toyota has not accepted this as plausible, claiming their vehicles' electrical systems to be fool-proof, yet it is becoming clear that a full examination of SUA with respect to the mechanical workings as affected by electronics will be necessary.
In the mean time, Toyota drivers are concerned and wanting Toyota, who has been slow to act to prevent SUA accidents until the recent recall, to place a higher regard on public safety. Many believe brake-to-idle features should be installed in all models, lines, and years, allowing the driver to override acceleration even when the throttle is open or being affected by one of the potential SUA causes.
Read more here: Toyota Sudden Unintended Acceleration.
