Lolita Buenviaje, 49, of Elk Grove was killed in a solo-vehicle accident near Gustine, CA on Sunday, after the car she was in  overturned on northbound Interstate 5. She died after being ejected from the 2005 Chevrolet.

Initial reports from authorities indicate the vehicle, driven by Arnel Buenviaje, 46, sustained a tire blowout which caused the car to overturn. Mrs. Buenviaje was ejected from the vehicle. She is the only person in the vehicle who was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected. The driver of the vehicle suffered major injuries and was life-flighted to Memorial Medical Center in Modesto. Three teenage passengers were transported to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto with minor personal injuries.

The Chevrolet was traveling approximately 70 mph just north of the Pete Miller Road near Gustine when it started to swerve following the blowout The vehicle veered left and the driver lost control of the car. The Chevrolet the overturned multiple times in the shoulder. The Gustine car crash remains under investigation. Alcohol and drugs were not a factor.

We are sending our deepest condolences to the family of Ms. Buenviaje. It is indeed a tragic loss. We hope that the driver and passengers are recovering well from personal injuries.

California Auto Accidents

As reported by the California Highway Patrol there were 10,857 seriously injured car accident victims who were not using safety equipment in 2008. Failure to wear a seat belt contributes to more losses than any other single traffic safety-related behavior. In the United States each year 40,000 people die in car accidents. Deaths may be prevented in about half of these accidents by seatbelt use.

Thorough investigation is required in such cases to determine all other possible contributing factors, including the possibility of defectively manufactured or installed tire, the involvement of another vehicle, road conditions,  and even manufacturing defects in the car itself.

Wrongful Death Cases & California Law

Hiring a California Personal Injury Attorney

In such cases, families and friends of deceased accident victims are highly advised to contact an experienced California Personal Injury Attorney who will stay abreast of the investigation, hire expert accident reconstruction experts and investigators to thoroughly evaluate the cause of the collision and make sure every angle is examined, including possible claims for defective products. Anyone injured in a solo-car collision is urged to consult with an experienced Sacramento Personal Injury Attorney. It is always important to act quickly so that all legal rights are protected. A knowledgeable Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer will investigate the circumstances of the collision and hire experts to evaluate any potentially defective products as well as evaluate the roadway for dangerous conditions that may have causes or contributed to this fatal accident. If a public or governmental entity is liable,  the California Government Code requires that a claim be filed against the proper entity within 180 days of the accident or injury.

The Demas & Rosenthal personal injury law firm is not currently representing anyone mentioned in this article at the time it was posted. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your legal rights and options, call us or another well recognized and respected personal injury law firm. Please do not rely or act solely upon the information provided in this article. Please consider getting a consultation immediately. The best California personal injury law firms will provide a free consultation. Demas & Rosenthal will provide a free, confidential consultation to the persons who were not at fault named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

Four people died Thursday morning in an accident involving two big-rigs on state Highway 12 east of Kirkland Ranch Road, near American Canyon. A tractor trailer big-rig was traveling west bound on the two lane highway behind a Subaru Forester when traffic began to slow to a stop. The big rig rear ended the Subaru and pushed it into the opposing lane of traffic directly in the path of an east bound big-rig.The east bound big-rig struck the car head on and pushed it about 200 feet before coming to a stop. CHP reported that all four occupants of the Subaru were declared dead at the scene. According to the CHP, the Subaru’s driver was 48-year-old Matthew Jay Smith of Ashland, Oregon, his daughter 19-year-old Laura Smith, and his parents, 80-year-old Richard Smith and 74-year-old Sally Smith.

We are sending our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased victims. It is indeed a tragic lost. We hope that the truck driver is recovering well from his personal injuries.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 5,374 people were killed during 1998 in collisions involving large trucks. In those fatal collisions, 86 percent of the victims were occupants of another vehicle or not in any vehicle. Because of their size, big-rigs represent an especially dangerous threat on the roadways. In many instances, the conduct of the big-rig driver and/or their employer can greatly increase the risk of the general motoring public. Statistics show that many of the big-rig collisions resulting in injury or fatality are caused in part by the following:

1. Truck driver fatigue caused by driving long hauls while failing to comply with minimum sleep and continuous driving regulations;
2. Use of drugs by drivers to assist in driving long hours and for recreation and failure to maintain an effective drug testing program;
3. Failure to maintain the tires, brakes and other mechanical conditions of the tractors and trailers through minimum required inspections;
4. Trucks with loads that over the weight limit or that are subject to shifting due to improper balance or lack of restraint;
5. Excessive speeding and other driving violations often ignored by the employer;
6. Lack of training and minimum experience requirements.

In the above scenario, the big-rig that struck the Subaru from the rear violated Vehicle Code §22350 and possibly other regulations, and is legally responsible to the families of the victims for wrongful death damages, including funeral expenses, an loss of income or support, as well as loss of love, affection and companionship. Unfortunately, the victims of a big-rig or truck collision often have a difficult time obtaining fair compensation, sometimes because the trucker is from out of state and the insurance company is an obscure commercial carrier with experience in avoiding payment of claims. Injured victims or the family of a deceased victim are urged to obtain the legal assistance of a Personal Injury Attorney, who will investigate the causes of the collision and protect their legal rights to be compensated appropriately.

The Demas & Rosenthal personal injury law firm is not currently representing anyone mentioned in this article at the time it was posted. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your legal rights and options, call us or another well recognized and respected personal injury law firm. Please do not rely or act solely upon the information provided in this article. Please consider getting a consultation immediately. The best personal injury law firms will provide a free consultation. Demas & Rosenthal will provide a free, confidential consultation to the persons who were not at fault named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

Four young adults were injured in a serious t-bone auto collision that occurred on Athens Avenue west of Rocklin on Wednesday. The California Highway Patrol reports that 19 year old Amanda Dias of Roseville was driving her Honda Civic north on Foothill Boulevard when she attempted a left turn onto Athens Avenue. Unfortunately, Ms. Dias turned left directly in front of a Dodge Intrepid being driven by 25 year old Iva Adrian of Cottonwood. Ms. Adrian was not able to avoid hitting the Civic and both cars sustained major damage as a result of the crash.

Ms. Dias was transported to the Sutter Roseville Medical Center by Cal Star helicopter ambulance. Two passengers in the Civic were also taken by the ambulance to Sutter Roseville Medical Center. All three occupants of the Honda suffered major personal injuries according to the Highway Patrol. Mr. Adriano was taken to Mercy Sun Juan Medical Center with minor injuries.

California Highway Patrol records indicate that 73 people were injured in car accidents in Rocklin during 2008.

Based on the available information, it appears that an unsafe turning movement in violation of Vehicle Code §22107 caused this auto accident. If that is the case, the driver of the Honda Civic could be held legally responsible to both to the passengers of the Civic and to Ms. Adrian for all medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering damages incurred as a result of the accident. In most cases, the insurance covering the responsible drivers vehicle would pay for these losses.

Persons injured in these type of California injury accidents have a number of complex legal and insurance issues to deal with. Auto insurance companies often make it difficult for injury victims to get fair compensation. It is always a good idea for injury victims to consult with an experienced Rocklin Personal Injury lawyer before settling out of court.

The Demas & Rosenthal personal injury law firm is not currently representing anyone mentioned in this article at the time it was posted. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your legal rights and options, call us or another well recognized and respected personal injury law firm. Please do not rely or act solely upon the information provided in this article. Please consider getting a consultation immediately. The best personal injury law firms will provide a free consultation. Demas & Rosenthal will provide a free, confidential consultation to the persons who were not at fault named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as

A 50-year-old woman of Fremont was killed in a three-car crash on Friday afternoon. The tragic accident took place near Huron.

As reported by the California Highway Patrol, Mary Dagle, 22, of Discovery Bay was traveling north on Interstate 5 near South Lassen Avenue. Suddenly she made an unsafe lane change into the path of Victoria Alexander, 25. In effort to avoid Dagle’s vehicle, Ms. Alexander swerved to the right and onto the shoulder of the highway.  Unfortunately, the Dagle vehicle was struck causing it to veer across the center median into the path of the unidentified Fremont driver, who was driving south on Interstate 5 in a rented 2010 Nissan. The impact ejected  Fremont woman. The Dagle vehicle overturned and hit an embankment, a road sign and a barbed-wire fence.

Dagle and Alexander had minor injuries. Unfortunately the Fremont woman died at the scene.

California Car Accidents

The Fremont car accident remains under investigation, however as reported by the California Highway patrol drugs and alcohol were not a factor.

We are sending our deepest condolences to everybody who knew the tragically killed woman from Fremont for their terrible and heartbreaking loss. They will be in our thoughts and prayers. We wish Ms. Dagle and Ms. Alexander a quick and complete recovery from all personal injuries.

The most important question to be answered after a multi-vehicle accident is, “Who’s at fault?” The answer will determine whose insurance is responsible for what. In complex multi-car collisions where a fatality is involved, the California Highway Patrol may assign their Multi-disciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT), a group of highly trained experts skilled in accident reconstruction and vehicle dynamics.  Typically, insurance companies will usually follow the conclusion of the MAIT team investigators in determining liability.  Important physical evidence, witness statements, etc., should always be secured as quickly as possible regardless of the skill level of the investigating officers.

Wrongful Death California

In such cases, families and friends of deceased accident victims are advised to contact an experienced California Personal Injury Attorney who will stay abreast of the investigation, hire expert accident reconstruction experts and investigators to thoroughly evaluate the cause of the collision and make sure every angle is examined, including possible claims for defective roadway conditions. A reputed Sacramento Car Accident Attorney will also be able to advise the victims’ families about how their car insurance policy applies to an incident where the at-fault motorist is uninsured or underinsured.

The Demas & Rosenthal personal injury law firm is not currently representing anyone mentioned in this article at the time it was posted. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your legal rights and options, call us or another well recognized and respected personal injury law firm. Please do not rely or act solely upon the information provided in this article. Please consider getting a consultation immediately. The best personal injury law firms will provide a free consultation. Demas & Rosenthal will provide a free, confidential consultation to the persons who were not at fault named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

A three- car accident, near Lira’s Market in Meyers sent three people to local hospitals Saturday morning.

A resident of South Lake Tahoe, Kevin Smith (42) was driving an Audi in the west-bound lane of Highway 50. Suddenly his car began to drift into the east-bound lane. As a result the vehicle collided with the left side of a Toyota 4Runner, driven by Sacramento resident Lisa Levy (43). In the vehicle with Ms. Levy was Sacramento resident Jeff Schuitema (55). Following the collision with the 4Runner, the Audi spun around and collided with the front end of a third car, a Dodge driven by Andrew Cross (55) of Sacramento. Mr. Cross was traveling with an 11-year-old passenger. According to the Police the alcohol was not a factor in the accident.

Ms. Levy was flown to Renown Health in Reno with minor injuries. Her passenger Mr. Schuitemawas transported by ambulance to Barton Health. Mr Smith was flown to Renown Health too with major injuries to his torso, legs and head. According to the California Highway Patrol report Mr. Cross and his 11-year-old passenger did not obtain medical treatment.

Although it appears that this collision was caused by Mr. Smith, the case is still under the investigation.

California Highway Accidents

Based on the California Highway Patrol Integrated Traffic Records System there were 173,657 injured people in different kinds of collisions.

Insurance Questions in a California Car Accident

For insurance claims purposes, the most important question to be answered after a multi-vehicle accident is, “Who’s at fault?” The answer will determine whose insurance is responsible for what. Will the other driver’s insurance company have to pay for your property damage losses and bodily injury losses , or will your insurance be responsible for paying the other driver?

Insurance companies will usually follow the conclusion of the investigating police officer in determining liability. If the police officer concludes that the other party is at fault based on independent witness statements or physical evidence, his insurance company will typically accept liability. However, if the statements are conflicting – for instance drivers claimed to have had a green light at an intersection, there are no witnesses, and the officer chose to believe you over the other party – the insurance company may refuse to accept liability.

Hiring a Lake Tahoe, CA Auto Accident Attorney

While this Meyers, Lake Tahoe car accident remains under investigation, the injured victims are highly suggested to consult with an experienced Sacramento Personal Injury Attorney as soon as possible. The victims may be entitled to compensation for their injuries, pain and suffering, and lost earnings, which should be discussed in consultation with the lawyer.

The Demas & Rosenthal personal injury law firm is not currently representing anyone mentioned in this article at the time it was posted. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your legal rights and options, call us or another well recognized and respected personal injury law firm. Please do not rely or act solely upon the information provided in this article. Please consider getting a consultation immediately. The best personal injury law firms will provide a free consultation. Demas & Rosenthal will provide a free, confidential consultation to the persons who were not at fault named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.