San Diego Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE Elizabeth Aguilera reported that Izaiah Wallis of Vista was released from Rady Children's Hospital on May 17, 2011 after being hospitalized for seven months. Izaiah and his grandfather were on there way to a park in Oceanside when they were struck by a 17-year-old drunk driver on October 18, 2010. The toddler was thrown from his stroller and was left paralyzed and partially blind as a result of a brain injury when his head was severed from his spine. His parents were quoted as saying, "It's going to be a bumpy road, but with all the help and support we can get through this," said Jacob Wallis, Izaiah's father. "It's like bringing a newborn baby home for the first time. Lucy and I have waiting for this day to come," said Wallis, referring to his fiancé, who is also Izaiah's mother. The driver who hit them was sentenced to 480 days in custody.

Applicable California Law

The teenage driver was convicted of driving under the influence resulting in bodily injury (see my prior Blog post on California DUI Law). Furthermore, Izaiah and his grandfather will have claims for personal injury. However, there is a question as to the amount of insurance or other assets of the responsible parties to adequately compensate the victims, which is usually the case in accidents involving catastrophic injuries(see my prior Blog post on UM/UIM Coverage). Given the catastrophic nature of Izaiah's injuries and the cost of future care it is doubtful that the defendants have adequate assets. California has various assistance programs, such as the fund for victims of violent crimes. Fortunately, San Diego has exceptional facilities to help brain injury victims such as Brain Tek Institute and the rehabilitation center at Scripps Memorial Hospital in Encinitas (see my prior Blog post on Traumatic Brain Injury).

A routine stroll to the park turns into tragedy. Auto Accidents involving drunk drivers and pedestrians often result in brain injuries or other catastrophic injuries. Talking to an experienced personal injury attorney can greatly assist the victims and their families.

San Diego News 10 reported that 28-year-old Nicholas Thibault pleaded guilty to gross vehicular manslaughter and was sentenced on May 10, 2011 for the death of 48-year-old Brent Routley. The fatal auto accident happened on February 27, 2011 when Thibault, who was drunk at the time, veered off the road as he exited the I-805 in City Heights. Routley who was camping in the shrubbery was struck and killed by the BMW, which Thibault had borrowed. Routley was survived by his wife Michelle, children, and grandchildren. His wife was quoted as saying "He's (Thibault) taken away my partner for life. He's taken away my future." A friend Dorothy Fenley said Routley had just gotten a job and was on his way to getting his life back together.

Our condolences go out to the Routley family and friends.

Applicable California Law

Thibault pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter for violation of California Penal Code Section 192. Furthermore, he as well as the owner of the vehicle will be liable to the Routley family for Brent Routley's wrongful death (see my prior Blog post on Wrongful Death Law in California). The owner of the BMW will be liable for entrusting his vehicle to another regardless of any fault under California's permissive use law Vehicle Code Section 17150. If the owner of the BMW knew or should have known that Thibault was drunk when he let him use the vehicle, he would be responsible for negligent entrustment. Thibault could also face claims for punitive damages for gross negligence for driving under the influence (see my prior Blog post on California DUI Law).

Just as a man is turning his life around, he is tragically killed. Auto accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents involving reckless drunk drivers often result in serious injury or wrongful death. The aide of an experienced personal injury attorney can help surviving family members obtain justice.

San Diego Union Tribune, Debbie Baker reported that an unnamed 46-year-old man riding a bicycle sustained a life-threatening head injury on April 25, 2011. The bicycle accident happened around 5 p.m. in North Park when the bicyclist, who was riding east on University Avenue near Arizona Street, was knocked to the ground. According to police, as he rode passed a parked vehicle the 22-year-old woman driver opened the car door striking the bicyclist, who suffered a life-threatening skull fracture when he fell and hit his head on the ground. Traffic division officers are still investigating the matter.

Applicable California law

The bicyclist will have claims for any damage to his personal property as well as his personal injuries due to the driver's inattention when opening her car door. These damages include medical bills, lost earnings and earning capacity in addition to compensation for pain and suffering. However, it is not clear if the bicyclist was wearing a helmet since he sustained a skull fracture. Furthermore, he has the same obligations as other vehicles on the road to exercise due care. If he failed to do so and this contributed to the causing his own injuries, his claims would be reduced proportionately (see my prior Blog post on California Bike Law). Head injuries such as skull fractures can cause permanent consequences (see my prior Blog post on Brain Injuries and resources), which leads to the question as to whether the driver has adequate insurance coverage (see my prior Blog post on California Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Law). If the cyclist was wearing a helmet and it was defective, which contributed to his injuries, he could potentially pursue a products liability claim (see my prior Blog post on California Products Liability Law).

A routine bicycle ride results in a serious injury. Auto accidents, and bicycle accidents that cause serious brain damage can be catastrophic. The life-changing consequences can be helped by conferring with an experienced personal injury attorney.