According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, San Francisco’s cable cars are among the most accident-prone means of mass transportation in the country─averaging one accident every month, per vehicle mile traveled annually. San Francisco city officials acknowledge the cable cars have safety issues. The city has reported 126 accidents injuring 151 people over the last 10 years. According to the Associated Press, public records show the city paid nearly $8 million to settle about four dozen legal claims generated by cable car passengers. The city pays $12 million annually to settle all claims relating to its mass transportation system, which includes cable cars, electric street cars and buses. Federal transportation accident statistics document 19 injuries and 16 cable car accidents last year, the second highest amount reported in the last 10 years. There were 36 cable car accidents reported in 2004. Recently, a cable car came to a sudden stop, injuring five passengers and two cable car workers, who suffered facial and internal injuries, including cracked ribs, transit officials reported. The incident occurred after the cable car slammed into a bolt in the track. Legal settlements for injuries sustained aboard the cable car have ranged from $4 million to $2,500. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a San Francisco cable car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Estey & Bomberger [...] Read more »
ORANGE COUNTY – A 24-year-old pedestrian was struck and tragically killed by a hit-and-run driver late Monday night in Westminster, reports The Orange County Register. Police received several calls at approximately 11:50 p.m. about a man lying on Beach Boulevard near 23rd street. When authorities reached the scene of the accident they found a man identified as Brennon Solt in the northbound lanes of Beach Boulevard suffering from multiple injuries. Solt was pronounced dead at the scene of the tragic November 12, 2012 pedestrian accident. Westminster police were able to recover debris from a vehicle around the accident scene, which indicated Solt was struck by a gray vehicle. Police believe the vehicle could have been a Toyota and could have sustained windshield damage. Anyone with information about the pedestrian hit-and-run accident should contact Westminster Police Department Traffic Division at (714) 898-3315. Hit-and-run Accident Liability Following a tragic accident such as this one, the victim’s family members should speak to a pedestrian accident attorney at the law firm of Estey Bomberger. Using our vast resources and our partnership with some of the best in investigation and accident reconstruction, we can assist police with the investigation and the search for the hit-and-run driver. If the driver is found, we can help surviving family members take legal action against the driver. We will go after the driver [...] Read more »
RIVERSIDE COUNTY – A 74-year-old man was hit and tragically killed by a car Wednesday night in Moreno Valley, reports The Press-Enterprise. The man, identified as John Page Jr., was crossing Alessandro Boulevard west of India Street shortly before 8 a.m. when he was hit by a Nissan sedan. Page died at the scene of the tragic October 17, 2012 pedestrian accident. The driver of the Nissan was not injured and at press time, had not been issued any citations. Riverside County Pedestrian Accident Liability While police determine the cause of the heartbreaking accident, the family members of the victim should talk to a caring and compassionate pedestrian accident lawyer at the law firm of Estey Bomberger. We can help determine how and why the accident occurred. Did the driver of the Nissan run a red light or fail to yield the right of way? Was the driver of the Nissan speeding? If an investigation reveals that the driver of the Nissan’s actions caused or contributed to the accident happening, the victim’s family members may be able to file a claim against the at-fault driver. We understand how devastating a tragic loss can be and know how difficult it may be to think of taking legal action, but oftentimes, it is the only way to ensure the at-fault party is held accountable. Our lawyers [...] Read more »
SAN DIEGO COUNTY – A woman who was helping motorists involved in a collision on State Route 78 was seriously injured after being struck by a hit-and-run driver, reports the San Diego Union Tribune. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), a dark colored sedan with an antenna on the rear window hit the woman as she ran south across eastbound lanes at about 11:30 p.m. Reportedly, the woman had just finished checking on the condition of a 36-year-old driver whose Nissan crashed into the highway’s center divider. The CHP said the driver of the Nissan crashed after trying to avoid a mattress on the highway. Moments after the initial crash, the driver of a Toyota pickup truck hit the mattress and crashed into the Nissan. Three other vehicles also collided as they tried to avoid the crash scene. The woman who helped the driver of the Nissan was taken to Palomar Medical Center in Escondido with major injuries and the driver of the Nissan was transported to Tri-City Medical Center in Oceanside with moderate injuries. One other person was taken to Tri-City Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. The CHP is asking anyone with information about the devastating October 15, 2012 accident to call (858) 637-3800 or (760) 757-1675 during business hours. Hit-and-Run Accident Liability Hopefully police can locate the hit-and-run driver [...] Read more »
MERCED COUNTY – A 26-year-old Turlock woman was killed early Wednesday morning when she was struck by a car near Delhi, the Merced Sun Star reported. The fatal accident was reported at 2:27 a.m., on South Golden State Boulevard, south of Griffith Avenue. According to the news report, the woman walked from the shoulder of the road into the southbound lane, and was struck by a 2005 Mazda. The pedestrian suffered fatal injuries, and the driver was taken to Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock with minor injuries. The sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one is heartbreaking and devastating. Our condolences go out to the family and loved ones of the woman killed during this difficult time. Please keep her grieving family members in your thoughts and prayers. Pedestrian Accident Fault and Liability The cause of this October 10th Merced County pedestrian accident remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. Based on the information provided in news reports, it is unclear why this accident occurred and whether or not the driver could have prevented the collision. If negligence of the driver was a factor in this collision, the driver may be liable for the victim’s death. An experienced California personal injury lawyer can monitor the official investigation and ensure the legal rights of the victim’s family are protected.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY – On September 18, 2012, a city crossing guard was hit and injured by a car at the intersection of East Las Tunas Drive and Burton Avenue in San Gabriel. After receiving multiple 911 calls, officers arrived on the scene at about 7:30 a.m. to find 70-year-old Robert Kotob lying in the middle of the right lane of eastbound Las Tunas Drive. Kotob was transported to Huntington Memorial in Pasadena, where he is listed in critical but stable condition. The driver of the car was not injured in the crash and based on a preliminary investigation; the driver does not appear to have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The devastating September 18, 2012 pedestrian versus car accident is under investigation. Pedestrian Accident Liability If the Pasadena Star-News report is accurate, the motor vehicle driver is at-fault for the accident occurring. All too often, drivers who are not paying attention to the road fail to see a pedestrian before it is too late. However, “not seeing a pedestrian” does not absolve a driver of all responsibility. Drivers whose negligent or careless behavior caused or contributed to a pedestrian accident occurring may be liable for the damages related to a serious injury. Victim’s Legal Rights While police conclude their investigation, it is highly recommended the victim consult a pedestrian accident [...] Read more »
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY – On September 17, 2012, at about 4:29 a.m., a 40-year-old man was struck and killed by a Metrolink train in Rancho Cucamonga. In a written statement released by the San Bernardino County coroner’s office, the man, identified as Allan Fajardo, died at the scene of the pedestrian versus train accident, which took place along the tracks north of Eighth Street between Grove and North Baker Avenues. It is not known what the victim was doing before the train struck and deputies in San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties are investigating the tragic accident. Determining the Cause of the Pedestrian Accident While police conclude their investigation of the devastating accident, the victim’s family members would be well advised to seek the counsel of a trusted pedestrian accident attorney. A skilled attorney can assist authorities with the investigation to determine how and why the accident occurred. Pedestrian versus train accidents can occur for a number of reasons, including malfunctioning crossing signals, poorly lit tracks, and train operator error. San Bernardino Pedestrian Accident Liability If the victim was killed through no fault of his own, the victim’s family members may be entitled to financial compensation from the person or entity responsible for the accident. Although no amount of money could ever replace the life of a loved one, compensation can help surviving family [...] Read more »
RIVERSIDE COUNTY – According to a Kesq.com news report, a 16-year-old boy was seriously injured in a hit-and-run accident Monday night in Palm Desert. A preliminary investigation revealed that a white two-door compact car (make and model unknown) struck the teen boy shortly after 7:30 p.m. while he was walking on Deep Canyon Drive near Fred Waring Drive. The car fled the scene of the accident, but authorities described the driver of the car as a Hispanic woman in her 30’s, approximately 5’6” with black shoulder length hair. The teen was taken by helicopter to a local hospital for treatment. At press time, the teen’s identity and condition was not known. Authorities are investigating the September 10, 2012 pedestrian accident and anyone with information about the accident is asked to contact the Palm Desert Police Department’s Traffic Division at (760) 836-1600 or Valley Crime Stoppers at (760) 341-STOP. Riverside County Hit-and-Run Accident Liability Hopefully, police can find the hit-and-run driver. If the driver is found, the victim may have legal rights that allow him to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. By filing a claim, the victim can seek monetary compensation from the driver responsible for the accident and resulting injury. In a personal injury claim, compensation can be recovered for air ambulance costs, health care expenses, rehabilitation bills, pain and suffering, and [...] Read more »
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY – A 68-year-old woman was struck and killed by a car while crossing a street in Hesperia Monday morning, reports the San Bernardino Sun. The tragic pedestrian accident occurred at the intersection of Bear Valley Road and Bornite Avenue at approximately 5:45 a.m. At press time, the woman’s identity has not been released because her relatives have not been notified. Causes of Pedestrian Accidents Due to the limited amount of information provided by the news report, it is impossible to know what caused the devastating September 10, 2012 pedestrian accident. Did the woman cross the street in an unmarked part of the street? Was the driver of the car speeding or not paying attention to the road? Drivers, who are speeding, distracted, or drunk, cause many pedestrian accidents. One of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents in the U.S. is the failing to yield the right of way to a pedestrian. Assistance for the Bereaved If the investigation reveals that the driver’s negligent or reckless actions caused the crash to occur, the victim’s family members may be able to file a lawsuit against the driver. Filing a lawsuit gives surviving family members the chance to recover compensation for the losses associated with a tragic death. Although no sum of money can replace the life of a loved one, compensation can [...] Read more »
Large and densely populated cities such as San Francisco tend to have a large number of pedestrians who choose to walk and use the public transportation system for their daily commutes. In California, pedestrians have the right-of-way, meaning even when a pedestrian is crossing a road illegally, colloquially referred to as jaywalking, motor vehicles are obligated to stop and allow the pedestrian to cross. However, this does not mean pedestrians can walk across a San Francisco street with no regard to the oncoming cars. In the event of a collision, not only are pedestrians at much greater risk of injury, but also, jaywalking pedestrians may not be able to recover compensation for their injuries. As such, both pedestrians and drivers should behave cautiously on the roadways and avoid unnecessary risks. Pedestrian Safety There are a number of ways in which pedestrians can help reduce the risk of a pedestrian accident. No matter how busy or late a person might be it is never worth the risk to cross the street outside of the crosswalk or when the light is red. Even with the right-of-way, it is still necessary to check the streets before crossing and not assume that the drivers have seen you. Cars occasionally run red lights or turn into a road without seeing recognizing the pedestrian on the road, causing pedestrian accidents that [...] Read more »