If you’ve been in a collision it’s always better to hire a lawyer earlier rather than later. One of the reasons this is true is that we work on a contingency fee, which means we only get paid if your case settles. So if your case involves significant injuries or a wrongful death type case, we prefer for a number of reasons, including preserving evidence, collecting evidence, talking to witnesses, to get involved in that case early on. It costs our clients usually the same if they hire us a week after the collision versus a year and a half after the collision. However, most of the time, we’re able to achieve better results the earlier we get involved with the case because of the fact that we can preserve evidence and track witnesses down and do what we need to do to start building our case as soon as we get involved. That’s not to say that we don’t take cases if they’re not within the first couple of weeks.

Three people were hurt by a hit and run driver in Woodland on Sunday.  The California Highway Patrol reports that  around 2 p.m. a red SUV, possibly a Mitsubishi, was traveling west bound on Interstate 80 near the County Road 32A exit when it changed lanes and struck the back end of a white Ford Taurus driven by Jose Antonio Delacruz, 36, of Sacramento.  As a result of the first impact, Delacruz’s Taurus veered to the left and slammed into the center divider before bouncing back into the path of an oncoming Mercedes SUV driven by Antoliy E. Keush, 34, of San Francisco.   The Taurus struck the Mercedes, which then rolled several times. This California hit and run accident just adds to the already staggering statistics for the state.

The driver of the red SUV did not stop and authorities are asking that anyone with information regarding this collision call the California Highway Patrol at (530)662-4685.

Mr. Delacruz was transported to U.C. Davis Medical Center with minor injuries.  Mr. Keush sustained cuts and on his arms and legs and was treated at the scene, and his passenger, Kseniya Sanakina, 23,  was taken to U.C. Davis Medical Center with a possibly broken leg.

Hit & Run Accidents in California

Unfortunately, some of the worst drivers are also the most irresponsible drivers.  California law makes it a misdemeanor to leave the scene of a collision without stopping unless someone suffers serious bodily injury, in which case it becomes a felony.  Despite these potential penalties, California Highway Patrol statistics  indicate that 22,091 safe drivers were injured in 2008 by irresponsible drivers who caused hit and run collisions.

Besides driving defensively, the best way to protect yourself against hit and run drivers is to have adequate uninsured motorist coverage in your own policy.  If you are injured by someone driving a hit and run vehicle or an unsinsured vehicle, the uninsured motorist coverage in your policy will provide coverage for medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering to the extent of the other driver’s liability.  In the above scenario, the hit and run driver was legally liable for all of the damages sustained by Mr. Delacruz, Mr. Keush and Ms. Sanakina because he made an unsafe lane change.  However, responsible driver will never be found.  However, if there is uninsured motorist coverage on the Taurus and the Mercedes, the occupants of those vehicles should be compensated for their losses.

Seek The Help of a Qualified California Personal Injury Lawyer

Insurance companies do not usually cooperate in paying all that is owed to an uninsured motorist claimant.  If you or a loved one is injured  by a hit and run driver, it is a good idea to consult with an experienced Sacramento Personal Injury Attorney.  In hit and run cases, a knowledgeable California Personal Injury Lawyer can investigate and, if possible, hold the hit and run driver responsible for his or her actions.  A good California Auto Accident Attorney will advise you of all your rights with regard to a civil claim for damages and recovery under all available insurance policies.

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 California car accident on a rain slicked road killed an 11-year-old boy in Modesto on Monday.  Witnesses report that at around 4:40 P.M., a BMW started to spin on a street made wet by a recent rain when it was broadsided by a pickup near the intersection of West Orangeburg Avenue and Martin Avenue in Modesto.  An 11-year-old boy in the BMW was pinned inside the car and had to be extricated before being transported to a nearby hospital where he died a short time later.  A 9-year-old passenger and the driver of the BMW suffered only minor injuries. The driver of the pickup was not injured.

The cause of the Modesto collision remains under investigation, although it appears weather conditions played a role.

Our deepest condolences go out to the family of the young boy whose life was tragically cut short.

California Highway Accidents

California Highway Patrol records indicate that in 2008, 53 children between the ages of 5 and 11 suffered catastrophic personal injuries in California car accidents.  Nothing is more devastating than an injury to or, god forbid, the death of one of our children.  Anyone driving with such precious cargo should take special care and drive defensively.  Unfortunately, it is not always possible to account for the other driver or an act of god.

California Auto Accident Lawyers Will Fight For You

Insurance companies will often try to capitalize on the grief suffered by parents by attempting to settle a serious personal injury or wrongful death claim soon after it happens.  Don’t let an insurance company dictate the terms of a settlement in a situation like this.  It is important to thoroughly investigate all aspects of a motor vehicle collision to determine all contributing causes and to learn all of your rights or the rights of the child before making any decisions about settlement.  As a parent or guardian of a child injured in California car accident you must consider how you will pay for that child’s financial security if they are unable to work, how you will pay past and future medical bills, and otherwise provide for their financial security.

It is always a important to consult with a California Personal Injury Attorney as soon as possible after an incident to learn your rights and rights of your children.  It is important to get legal advice quickly so that all rights are protected.  A dedicated Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer will investigate all circumstances of a catastrophic accident and provide legal guidance.

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.

What do the worst and most irresponsible drivers do after causing an accident?  They run.

One recent example occurred in a Jackson City rollover car accident in which an elderly couple was seriously injured by hit-and-run driver.  On April 28, 2010, 80-year-old Richard Kelly of Pioneer and his 72-year-old wife, Barbara, were traveling eastbound on Highway 88 in their Chevrolet Blazer when they saw a silver SUV come directly into their path from the opposite direction.  In an effort to avoid a certain head-on collision, Mr. Kelly veered to the right, as did the car behind him.  Unfortunately, Mr. Kelly lost control of the Blazer and it flipped and spun into a crashing roll.

Jackson firefighters rescued the couple from the wreckage and they were transported Sutter Amador Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.  We wish the Kelly’s a speedy and full recovery.

The California Highway Patrol is currently seeking information about the driver of the silver SUV, who fled the scene.  “The driver is described only as a male with a Fox racing emblem prominently displayed on the chrome, custom, front-grill logo of his vehicle. His truck is also described as a later model, with a black lumber rack and custom, silver tool boxes mounted on the top of the bed.”  Anyone with information is asked to call the CHP Amador Unit at 209-223-4890.

California Hit and Run Accidents

California law requires that a driver that has been involved in a collision to stop and provide his or her license and insurance information, regardless of the level of seriousness or extent of injury.  Failing to do so can result in criminal charges including a Felony Hit & Run charge when a victim sustains serious bodily injury.  Unfortunately, injuries occur far too often in these types of auto accidents. Based on the Californian Highway Patrol, 22,091 safe drivers were injured in 2008 by irresponsible drivers who caused hit and run collisions.

If you or a loved one is injured or dies in hit and run accident, it is a good idea to consult with an experienced California Personal Injury Attorney.  In hit and run cases, law enforcement does not always have the time or resources to investigate and track down a hit and run driver.  A knowledgeable California Personal Injury Lawyer can investigate and hold a hit and run driver responsible for his or her actions.  A good California Auto Accident Attorney will advise you of all your rights with regard to a civil claim for damages and recovery under all available insurance policies.

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.

Foresthill Car Accident Kills a Woman, Seriously Injures Another

A 52-year-old woman was killed in a Foresthill car accident after the Chrysler Sebring she was driving collided with a sport GMC Acadia. According to a California Highway Patrol news release the tragic accident happened around 7 a.m. on Foresthill Road, close to Happy Pines Drive. The driver of the Sebring apparently left her lane of travel and struck the driver of  GMC Acadia head on.

The 52-year-old driver of the Sebring died at the scene. She was not wearing a seat belt. The driver of the GMS Acadia was seriously injured and transported to UC Davis Medical Center by air ambulance. The cause of the accident is under investigation although early reports suggest the Sebring driver was at fault.

Our  condolences go out  to the family and friends of the killed woman.  We are keeping the injured Acadia driver in our prayers.

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.  It is probably no coincidence the woman who survived this tragic collision was the one who was wearing a seatbelt.

Although fault appears to rest on the Sebring driver, it is important the injured victims contact an experienced  Sacramento personal injury attorney who has the knowledge and resources to handle these types of claims.  Among other things, important evidence from the scene of the collision may need to be gathered, witnesses may need to be interviewed, photographs need to be taken, etc.

Sacramento California Personal Injury Lawyers

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.

The law of worker’s compensation is designed to deal with injuries that are sustained at work. However, some situations are so serious that they can involve claims in civil court as well as the District Attorney’s office. It appears that the case of a seriously injured woman against Hershey avoided much of that recently when a settlement was announced between the parties.

According to the Modesto Bee:

“A 35-year-old Ceres woman whose arm was severed as she cleaned a Hershey chocolate factory machine will get $100,000 in exchange for criminal charges being dropped against the company, a prosecutor said Wednesday.

Erica Domen also received a $300,000 lump sum as well as $5,000 a month in workers compensation, which will continue for the rest of her life.

The Hershey Co. faced two charges alleging it did not secure safety checks on the machine that injured Domen.

The company faced a maximum fine of $1.5 million if the case had gone to trial. But Deputy District Attorney John Goulart said dropping the criminal charges helped ensure some money would go to Domen because she might not have been entitled to more restitution.

On March 24, 2007, Domen was cleaning the inside of a “conomill,” a batter-sifting machine, when a rotating paddle in the machine caught Domen’s left arm and amputated it at the shoulder.

A report by Cal-OSHA found that employees weren’t properly trained in how to lock a machine so it couldn’t begin operating while being cleaned or repaired.

OSHA’s report also noted that a switch that was supposed to stop the machine from operating in such a situation was broken.”

If you or someone you love has been seriously injured at work or anywhere else, you need the help of Sacramento personal injury attorneys who understand all of the complexities of different types of laws. Contact Demas & Rosenthal today to schedule a free initial consultation.

When the economy is mired in a recession that’s historic in scope and nature, more people than usual find themselves in a situation where cash is short. When this occurs, people will look in several different directions for help, and many will work with companies despite not being familiar with the industry in which they tend to deal. One of those companies, CashCall, Inc., has been providing quick loans to consumers strapped for cash for several years, and the company is well-known based on its heavy television advertising.

However, the company has encountered serious problems with its practices, and was ordered on Monday to pay a $1 million fine and to halt its ‘loan-shark’ collection activities. According to the Sacramento Bee:

The Anaheim-based company, was accused by state Attorney General Jerry Brown of deceptive advertising and making “excessive and verbally abusive” phone calls to consumers, some of whom pay interest rates as high as 139 percent.

“Their activity was egregious,” said Scott Gerber, spokesman for Brown’s office, which investigated CashCall for more than a year.

Preying on people who are “desperate to get quick cash,” Gerber said, CashCall used abusive tactics when people couldn’t afford to repay.

According to the attorney general’s complaint, the lender phoned delinquent consumers “at all hours of the day and night”; discussed borrowers’ private financial information with their friends, colleagues and neighbors; and ignored requests to cancel automatic bank withdrawals.”

If you or someone you love has been harassed by this or any other loan or collection company in such a way that it constitutes clear abuse, you need the help of Sacramento personal injury lawyers who understand how to hold these companies accountable for their illegal practices. Contact Demas & Rosenthal today to schedule a free initial consultation.

The Fourth of July is obviously a holiday that celebrates our country, our freedom and our time together. It’s also seemingly an annual rite of passage that people attend huge fireworks shows and are injured when something goes awry. Apparently, that all-too-common scenario played itself out once again on Thursday night, as six people suffered injuries when a shell launched into the crowd.

According to the Sacramento Bee:

“Nearing the finale of the Folsom Rodeo fireworks show Thursday night, a shell propelled into the stands, causing minor burns to six people, according to the Folsom Fire Department.

The children and adults were treated by Folsom Fire Department paramedics who were on the scene, Fire Chief Dan Haverty said.

There will still be fireworks at the show tonight, but the fireworks contractor has proposed shielding the fireworks trailer with heavy plywood so this doesn’t happen again, Haverty said.”

Obviously, there is liability here, but who the defendants would be in a legal claim could be somewhat open to question. Therefore, if you or someone you love has been injured in a fireworks display gone awry, do not simply assume that you have to just get over it and move on, as you don’t.

You need to seek the help of a Sacramento personal injury lawyer who understands the complicated liability issues that are inherent in these sorts of scenarios. Contact Demas & Rosenthal today to schedule a free initial consultation.