San Diego Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Union Tribune reporter Eric Edmonds story on off-roading in Southern California's deserts, highlights the heightened risk of serious injuries to children caused by the operation of all terrain vehicles. Although off-roading in California is a year-round activity, when temperatures in the deserts are more moderate, around October, large numbers of off-road enthusiasts driving motorcycles, trucks and ATVs invade popular areas such as Glamis in San Diego. People taking vacations or getting away for the weekend for fun converge on these areas creating virtual cities. Unfortunately, with the large numbers of people racing and partying, popular areas such as Glamis start to resemble war zones due to accidents caused by reckless drivers.

An ongoing research study being conducted at Rady Children's Hospital in conjunction with Children's Hospital of Orange County has found some interesting patterns concerning desert season and off-road vehicle-related injuries in children. The age of those injured ranges from 8 months to 14 years (the cutoff age for trauma being directed toward a children's hospital). Forty percent of the injuries are fractures and 20 percent of the injuries involved the skull, brain, spine, or other internal injuries. Moreover, about half of the fractures require surgery.

The primary vehicles involved in causing serious injuries are dirt bikes, which account for approximately 45% ; ATVs, quads, and other vehicles make up the rest. Far too many children fail to use proper safety equipment and or lack the safety training in the first instance. The study suggests that the lack of adequate regulation and enforcement is of great concern.

Applicable California Law

As a result of the negligence or reckless conduct of others, many are seriously injured or wrongfully killed. Therefore they have personal injury claims, and or their heirs have potential wrongful death or survivor actions against the responsible parties (see my prior Blog post for California's Wrongful Death Laws). Many off-road enthusiasts fail to understand that even while driving off-road that they must follow the same rules of the road regardless of whether they are off-road or not. Unfortunately, many of the wrongdoers fail to carry adequate insurance coverage, or any insurance at all (see my prior Blog post on California Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Law).

Basic safety training and proper use of safety equipment can greatly reduce the risk of serious brain injuries, spine injuries, internal injuries, or broken bones requiring surgery. Motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, or ATV accidents can cause life altering injuries or death. If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or have lost a loved one in any accident before taking any action talk to an experienced personal injury attorney.

East County Magazine reported that Carlos Martinez of Escondido sustained serious internal and head injuries when he was ejected from his vehicle. The car accident happened on January 15, 2011 at around 5 a.m.. According to the San Diego Sheriff's office, Martinez, who was driving northbound on San Elijo Road in San Marcos, hit the center median, which caused his GMC Envoy to roll over. Martinez was ejected from the vehicle and transported to Palomar Medical Center.

Applicable California Law

Martinez will have potential claims for personal injury and lost earning and earning capacity against General Motors Corporation and the dealer where he purchased the vehicle. His claims will be based on theories of products liability (see my prior Blog post for California Products Liability Law). However, it is not clear why Martinez's vehicle drifted into the center divide, or if he was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident. If his conduct contributed to causing his own injuries, any claims he pursues will be reduced proportionately.

If proper safety equipment is being used, the occupants of a vehicle should not be ejected even if the vehicle rolls over. Products Liability claims arising out of auto accidents, bus accidents, or truck accidents where occupants are ejected generally cause serious brain injuries, spine injuries, or internal injuries that can be life threatening and or have lifelong consequences. Consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney to insure that a proper investigation is promptly conducted to preserve any evidence, is critical to proving your case.

Union Tribune reporter Pauline Repard reported that in San Diego County and statewide, fatalities and drivers arrested for drunk driving during the New Year's weekend were significantly less than a year ago, most likely because it lasted only three days this year as compared to four a year ago. According to CHP officer, Jesse Udovich, there were 60 arrests and one fatality in San Diego over the holiday weekend compared to last year when there were 101 DUI arrests and three fatalities. Statewide there were 961 drunk driving arrests and 25 DUI related deaths compared to 1388 arrests and 36 deaths a year ago.

Kelly McPherson, 53, of Mission Valley was fatally injured when he tried to walk across Murray Drive in La Mesa at around 1:30 a.m. on January 1, 2011. The driver of the vehicle that hit him, 48-year-old Dana Lohner was later arrested on suspicion of drunk driving.

Applicable California Law

Lohner will face felony criminal charges for driving under the influence and causing death or injury (see my prior Blog post for California DUI Law). In addition, McPherson's heirs will have wrongful death claims against Lohner (see my prior Blog post on California Wrongful Death Law). Furthermore, Lohner could face additional claims for punitive damages for her reckless conduct of driving while intoxicated (see my prior Blog post on California Punitive Damage Law).

Although seemingly the new year started out on a positive trend, it was still fraught with tragedy. Wrongful death or serious injuries resulting from auto accidents or truck accidents involving pedestrians are catastrophic. Consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney is critical to obtaining justice.