Personal Injury Lawyer Journal

Andrea T. Cerda, 9, and Alan D. Cerda, 18, were killed in an Imperial County car accident, which officials say, involved a drunk driver. According to a news report in The Imperial Valley Press, the fatal DUI collision occurred on Fredericks Road at State Route 86 north of Brawley the afternoon of January 21, 2012. Officials say Anthony J. Aubry, 22, was driving an Acura west on Fredericks Road when he failed to yield the right of way to a Honda that was southbound on State Route 86. The Accord rolled over and Andrea T. Cerda and Alan D. Cerda were fatally injured. The driver of the Accord, Manuel A. Cerda, 25, suffered major injuries including a fractured skull, neck, back, hip and arm. Aubry was treated and then arrested on suspicion of causing serious and fatal injuries while driving under the influence of alcohol.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Andrea T. Cerda and Alan D. Cerda following this tragic car accident. My thoughts and prayers are also with Manuel Cerda who has been severely injured. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

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Five people were injured, three of them seriously, in a Bakersfield car accident, which officials say involved a suspected drunk driver. According to a news report in The Californian, the injury collision occurred at the intersection of White Lane and Akers Road, the morning of January 22, 2012. Officials say a green Saturn coupe driven by a 34-year-old driver was eastbound on White Lane when it failed to stop for a red light. The Saturn broadsided a Pontiac G6. Three people in the Pontiac sustained major injuries, while two occupants in the Saturn suffered moderate injuries. The driver of the Saturn is believed to have been driving under the influence of alcohol.

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A 35-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman were killed in a San Francisco area car accident when the Chevrolet Monte Carlo they were in ran a red light and struck a Dodge Durango. According to a news report in The San Francisco Chronicle, the fatal car accident occurred at the intersection of Fremont Boulevard and Delaware Street in Fremont, the afternoon of January 23, 2012. Officials say the Chevy driver made a number of quick turns in an attempt to avoid police, shortly before running through a red light and hitting the Dodge, which in turn struck a Ford F-150 pickup. The Chevrolet continued after the collision and came to rest in a flood control canal.

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As Arizona personal injury attorneys, we weren't surprised to learn about the results of a recent poll that showed that most drivers admit to driving while distracted.  We see a lot of car accidents caused by these types of drivers. According to the Harris Interactive/HealthDay poll, which was included in a news report from Fox 10, a whopping 86 percent of adults admit to eating while driving and 37 percent admit to texting. We want to strongly discourage people from engaging in distractions while driving…it’s just too dangerous. Read the rest of this entry »

Jessica Chavez, 25, was killed in a Hawthorne car accident after she was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street. According to a news report in the Daily Breeze, the pedestrian accident occurred on 120th Street near Crenshaw Boulevard the night of January 22, 2012. Police say Nataly Morales, 24, of Gardena was driving a Chevy Venture minivan when she hit Chavez who was outside of a crosswalk. Morales remained at the scene. Officials said alcohol was not a factor. But, she was arrested because she did not have a valid license. Chavez died from her injuries. Police are asking anyone who witnessed this fatal accident to contact 310-349-2701.

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January 24, 2012--Los Angeles, CA--one person is dead and two others are serious injured after the car in which they were riding crashed into a deep ravine and Saturday afternoon.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's authorities say that the car dropped 500 feet into a chasm off the Angeles Crest Highway in Angeles National Forest.  Vigen Sarisyan, 18, was pronounced dead at the scene after one passenger managed to escape the LA car accident and summon help.  Two other passengers were taken to area hospitals and treated for serious injuries.

There is no official word yet on the cause of the crash.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family of the victim and I wish the survivors a speedy recovery. Read the rest of this entry »

Two women and one man were injured in a Riverside car accident involving a Lexus ES 350 and a Lexus ES 330. According to a news report in The Temecula Patch, the car crash occurred on Rancho California Road near Calle Bahia Vista in Temecula, the afternoon of January 20, 2012.

Officials say an elderly man, who was driving the Lexus ES 330 collided with the other vehicle carrying the women. All three suffered injuries and have been transported to an area hospital. The two women are said to be sisters, and have also been described as elderly. Officials are investigating the cause of this injury crash.

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A Kern County Sheriff's Department Deputy was injured in a Bakersfield car accident, which officials say involved a driver who ran a red light. According to a news report in The Californian, the car crash occurred at Union Avenue and Columbus Street in Bakersfield, the night of January 18, 2012. Witnesses told officials that the patrol car was traveling through the intersection on a green light when a gray compact car struck it. The deputy suffered non-life-threatening injuries as did the driver of the other car. Alcohol does not appear to have been a factor in the collision. An investigation is ongoing.

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Kari Marks, 53, her 24-year-old daughter Jena Marks, and Patrick Campbell, 27, were killed in a Lake County car accident when the BMW 740 they were in slid sideways into the path of an SUV. According to a report in Lake County News, the fatal car accident occurred on Highway 29 near Spruce Grove Road North in Lower Lake on January 14, 2012. Officials say Michael Wright, 50, of Hidden Valley Lake, lost control of the BMW, which entered into the path of an SUV driven by Steven Beyer, 53, of Clearlake.

Kari Marks, Jena Marks and Patrick Campbell were all pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Wright, Beyer and his wife, 54-year-old Lezley Beyer suffered major injuries. They were flown to out-of-county trauma centers. Officials are still investigating the cause of this tragic collision.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Kari Marks, Jena Marks and Patrick Campbell following this devastating car accident. My thoughts and prayers are also with the injured victims. I wish them all the very best for a complete and speedy recovery.

Lake County Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 10 people were killed and 254 were injured as a result of car accidents in the unincorporated areas of Lake County. During that same year, there were 10 fatalities and 306 injuries reported as a result of car accidents throughout Lake County.

What Caused This Fatal Accident?

Based on this news report, the BMW slid into the path of the SUV. There are many questions that I trust investigators are asking here. What caused the BMW to go into the path of the SUV? Was the driver traveling at an unsafe rate of speed? Were the tires on the BMW defective? Was this accident caused by an auto defect or mechanical malfunction? Was the roadway slick or wet? Was there water or oil on the roadway? Was the driver impaired, distracted or fatigued?

Liability Issues

If Wright, the driver of the BMW is determined to have been at fault, he can be held liable for the injuries, damages and losses here. In such cases, injured victims can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. Families of deceased victims can file a wrongful death against the at-fault party seeking damages including medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, and loss of companionship. An experienced California personal injury lawyer can better advise injured victims and/or their families about their legal rights and options.

Asencion Placencia, 51, of Perris, was killed in a Riverside car accident after his truck was hit by two vehicles on the 60 Freeway in Beaumont. According to a news report in The Banning-Beaumont Patch, the fatal crash happened the morning of January 14, 2012 on the eastbound 60 Freeway west of Dowling Fruit Orchard. California Highway Patrol officials say that a total of three vehicles were involved in the collision. Two people were transported to area hospitals for treatment. Placencia, who was critically injured, died two days later from injuries sustained in the crash. Officials are still investigating the cause of the accident.

I offer my heartfelt condolences to the family members and friends of Asencion Placencia for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

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