Sacramento Personal Injury Attorneys » Sacramento Injury Attorneys

Fresno Hit and Run Accident Injures CHP Officer

Injury Attorneys Sacramento — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 02:41:14 +0000

An off duty California Highway Patrol officer suffered serious personal injuries when his motorcycle struck by a hit by a car in Northwest Fresno. Witnesses saw a silver Toyota Tundra driving erratically on east bound Herndon Avenue before it veered into the motorcycle and forced it off the roadway and into a curb. Police are looking for the driver of the Toyota, who fled the scene. The officer sustained a serious leg injury and was flown to a Bay Area Hospital to undergo surgery.

This Fresno injury collision remains under investigation, but it appears the driver of the Toyota bears complete responsibility for this collision. 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 victims were injured in 2008 by irresponsible drivers who caused hit and run collisions.

Hit & Run Accidents, California Injury Law

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 uninsured vehicle, the uninsured motorist coverage in your policy will pay 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 the CHP officer but if the drive of the Toyota is not found, he may have to make a claim under the uninsured motorist coverage of his own motorcycle insurance policy.

Fresno Personal Injury Attorneys

If you or a loved one is injured or dies in a hit and run accident, you should consult with an experienced Fresno 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 Sacramento 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.

Hiring a Fresno Injury 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.

Elk Grove Motorcyclist Killed in an Accident

Injury Attorneys Sacramento — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:11:44 +0000

A 44-year–old Elk Grove man died after his motorcycle collided with the rear of a pickup truck on Interstate 80 in Davis. Donlad J. Halverstadt and his wife were riding on their Harley Davidson on Interstate 80. As reported by the California Highway Patrol, around 11:15p.m. the couple on the motorcycle was traveling behind and slightly to the right of a Toyota Tundra pickup. Suddenly and for unknown reasons the motorcycle veered left and collided with the rear of the Tundra. The driver was instantly ejected from the motorcycle. Mr. Halverstadt was taken to the U.C. Davis Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Dana Halverstadt, suffered major injuries to her hands, knees and hips. The driver and the passenger of the pickup were not injured. The Davis crash remains under investigation. Alcohol and drugs do not appear to be a factor. The motorcycle and the pickup appear to have been traveling at a safe speed.

We are sending our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Halverstadt. We hope his wife will have a fast and complete recovery.

Motorcycle Accidents in California

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System there were 11,764 people injured in motorcycle accidents. In Yolo County as a whole, motorcycle accidents claimed three lives and injured 51 people in 2008

Thorough investigation is required in such cases to determine all other possible contributing factors, including the involvement of another vehicle, road conditions, including any ongoing construction in the area, and even manufacturing defects in the motorcycle itself. When the negligence of someone other than the injured or deceased party contributes to an accident, that negligent party is responsible for paying his or her share of medical bills, lost income and pain and suffering.

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 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.

Sacramento 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 California personal injury law firms will provide a free consultation.

Alcohol Involved in Deadly Solano County Crash

Injury Attorneys Sacramento — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:04:45 +0000

Several people sustained serious injuries and a motorcyclist was killed on Tuesday in a four vehicle collision on southbound Interstate 505 north of the Patah Creek Bridge. According to the California Highway Patrol, the first collision occurred at approximately 10:12 p.m. on Tuesday when Thomas Roberts of Newark allowed his Ford Taurus to drift into the center median then overcorrected, cut across several lanes of traffic, and hit collided with a guardrail before bouncing back into the roadway. The Taurus, which had 5 passengers, was then struck by a Toyota Corolla at a high rate of speed, knocking it into the opposing lanes of traffic where it was struck again by a Lexus driven by 74 year old Robert Ardave.

Immediately after the first collisions, Oscar Alfaro, 48, of Antioch, encountered the strewn vehicle wreckage on his southbound motorcycle and tried to use the shoulder to go around the obstructions. However, he ended up laying the motorcycle down and was ejected over the bridge embankment and into the creek. Unfortunately, Mr. Alfaro was pronounced dead on the scene.

Two occupants of the Taurus, including an infant, sustained major injuries and were transported to U.C. Davis Medical Center in Sacramento for emergency medical care. Other victims involved in this California car crash suffered minor personal injuries.

Mr. Roberts was arrested on suspicion of felony drunken driving.

Driving under the influence of alcohol is a crime resulting in felony charges when crash victims sustaining personal injuries. The California Highway Patrol Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System indicates that in 2008, there were 1,355 fatal collisions involving drunk drivers.

California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a) states, “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.” If the drunk driver causes a death of another, the drunk driver can face vehicular manslaughter charges based on California Penal Code section 191.5 (a): ”Gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated is the unlawful killing of a human being without malice aforethought, in the driving of a vehicle, where the driving was in violation of Section 23140, 23152, or 23153 of the Vehicle Code, and the killing was either the proximate result of the commission of an unlawful act, not amounting to a felony, and with gross negligence, or the proximate result of the commission of a lawful act that might produce death, in an unlawful manner, and with gross negligence.”

Victims of DUI car accidents should to consult a reputable Sacramento personal injury attorney, who will conduct a thorough investigation of the collision and hold the offending driver accountable for their actions. A qualified California personal injury attorney can advise you regarding a claim for civil damages, including recovery of medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. Victims should know their rights under the law and any applicable insurance policies. Family members of a deceased victim may have a wrongful death claim, which includes funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages.

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.

Folsom DUI Accident Injures Four People

Injury Attorneys Sacramento — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:46:17 +0000

Four teenagers were seriously injured in a Folsom roll-over car accident on Wednesday night. Based on the police report, drugs and alcohol could be a factor in the Folsom car crash.

Around 11:40 pm a sports car overturned on Heritage Place. As a result, three passenger teens were ejected from a red Ford Explorer. A 17-year-old driver was still belted in the car.

The four victims were taken to local hospitals for the medical treatment. As police were investigating the Folsom car accident, broken bottles of whiskey and marijuana paraphernalia were found along the path of the crash. The SUV was speeding northbound on Heritage Place, when the driver lost control and crossed over the center of the road. The driver did not have a license and was the only person in the Ford Explorer wearing seatbelts. He was arrested for driving under the influence and taken into Sacramento Juvenile Hall.

California Drunk Driving Accidents

Seek a Reputable Sacramento Personal Injury Attorney

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.

Woodland Hit and Run Collision Injures Three

Injury Attorneys Sacramento — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 17:06:26 +0000

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.

Dixon Rollover Car Accident Injures Four People

Injury Attorneys Sacramento — Fri, 21 May 2010 00:33:34 +0000

A California car accident on Wednesday injured four people, after the car flipped on Interstate 80 in Dixon.

Shelbee Szeto, an 18-year-old driver from Oakland, was driving his Mazda sedan on westbound Interstate 80. Around 10 a.m. for unknown reasons Mr. Szeto lost control of the vehicle. The incident took place near Highway 113 exit. As the vehicle went out of control, it started rolling over. The Mazda landed upside down on an embankment along the shoulder of the freeway.

As reported by the California Highway Patrol, Mr. Szeto suffered minor injuries but was taken by the ambulance to University of California, Davis, Medical Center in Sacramento for evaluation.

One of the passengers, 19-year-old Fiona Wong of Davis, was hurt in the Dixon car crash and was transported to the UC Davis Medical Center. Two other passengers, Bonnie So, 18, and Sandra Ho, 20, both of Davis, also suffered injuries..

The California Highway Patrol is still investigating the Dixon car crash.

We will keep the injured victims in our prayers. Hopefully the injuries suffered in this car crash are not too serious. We wish them all quick and complete recovery.

California Auto Accidents

Although the police report doesn’t give much information it is extremely important to learn how the accident happened. The driver who is determined to have been at fault for this accident could face criminal charges and be held financially responsible for the injuries, damages, losses sustained by the other victims. The injured passengers may ask damages to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation, etc.,

All injured victimizes of car accidents have a number of issues to deal with following a serious car crash. It is important to seek medical attention immediately. If possible, obtain documentation of your treatment and prognosis as soon as you can. Seek follow-up attention to reduce the risk of subtle injuries that go unnoticed. Talk to your insurer as required, but don’t discuss potential accident causes. Consult with your lawyer first. Do not talk to any other insurance companies, and do not settle out of court without legal advice.

Hiring A Dixon Personal Injury Attorney

All injured victims in accidents like this are strongly urged to consult with an experienced Dixon Personal Injury Attorney to protect their rights. Do not talk to insurance adjusters or attorneys for other parties without first consulting your own lawyer. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer should also tell victims about how their car insurance policy or other insurance policies will apply to an accident.

Jackson City Accident Illustrates Hit & Run Peril

Injury Attorneys Sacramento — Mon, 10 May 2010 23:11:34 +0000

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.

Plaintiff’s Lawyers Stand Up to Insurance Companies

Injury Attorneys Sacramento — Thu, 06 May 2010 23:03:34 +0000

Insurance companies are in a business to do one thing, and that is to make money. And the way they make money is by collecting as much as possible in the premiums and paying out as little as possible when they have a claim. It’s simple economics, the more they collect and the less they pay out, the more money they make. Their only incentive then, when someone makes a claim, is to pay out as little as possible. And the only way to equalize the field and to level the playing field, is to have someone on your side that knows how to obtain fair and equitable compensation for you. Many times insurance companies will often play, especially close in time to the collision, the good guy. Pretend that they’re on your side to get you to give them a recorded statement or to get our clients to turn over some valuable documents or evidence to them. And the reason they do this is because they know when the person is not represented they are more likely to get this information than when they are. And the only reason that they do this is to get evidence to hurt the claimant’s case.

Demas & Rosenthal has been representing injury victims for nearly twenty years. We are committed to offering the highest quality representation and level of service. 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 if you were injured. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

Sacramento Bicycle Accident Kills a Man, Personal Injury Lawyers Sacramento

Injury Attorneys Sacramento — Mon, 03 May 2010 22:52:36 +0000

A Sacramento bicyclist died this weekend after colliding with a minivan. He was identified by the Sacramento Coroner as Thomas Irwin (38), a resident of Lincoln.

The fatal accident occurred around 8:15 a.m. at the intersection of Carlson Drive and H Street, in front of Fremont Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Irwin, suffered multiple traumatic injuries and was unfortunately pronounced dead at the scene. The woman who was driving the minivan was not injured.

One witness apparently reported that the minivan had a green light at the intersection at the time of the crash. Although further details of the accident are still under the investigation, a spokesperson for the Sacramento Police Department reports that drugs and alcohol were not a factor.

Our deepest condolences go out to the to the family and friends of Thomas Irwin. Unfortunately, this tragedy is a reminder to both motorists and bicyclists of the importance of driving safely. The California Highway Patrol Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System shows that, in 2008, 11,683 people were injured in bicycle accidents. 131 of those bicycle crashes were fatal, and 11 of the victims were between 35 and 44 years old.

Our sympathies also go out to the driver of the minivan. Regardless of fault, the survivors of a fatal crash often experience significant guilt and emotional distress.

We do not know who was responsible for causing this tragic Sacramento bicycle accident. The police report may provide some of the information needed to determine who was at fault. However, follow up investigation is often necessary to get all of the relevant details, including the layout of the intersection, the location of the vehicle versus the bike, and relative visibility.

Bike traffic is known to be heavy at the intersection where this occurred because several bike paths and routes converge in the area. In these situations, it’s possible that faulty construction, design or maintenance of the intersection by the responsible government entities played a role in creating a dangerous condition for bicyclists at the intersection. These type of dangerous conditions can be the result of poor design, inadequate lighting, improper placement of signs, road markings and traffic signals, or poorly maintained trees or vegetation.

Anyone injured in a bike versus auto 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 evaluate the roadway for dangerous conditions that may have causes or contributed to this fatal accident. If a public or governmental entity is liable, for instance the City of Sacramento, the County of Sacramento, or CALTRANS, the California Government Code requires that a claim be filed against the proper entity within 180 days of the accident or injury.