San Diego Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

San Diego News 10 reported that Linda McGiness-Pleines of Poway sustained serious neck and head injuries as a result of being run over by a lifeguard truck at Torrey Pines State Beach on July 26, 2011. The truck accident happened around 3 p.m. while Linda was sunbathing and the truck ran over her head and neck. She was quoted as saying "I heard all this crunching, after it came off of me and I was able to open my mouth and speak, I started screaming." "At first I thought I was going to die and then when I realized I made it - after the tire went over - the crunching I thought... was my neck snapping... turns out it's my jaw and my ribs," she said. She was transported by paramedics to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla where she was diagnosed with a broken jaw, broken ribs, shoulder injury, spine and neck injuries.

Applicable California Law

Linda will have claims for personal injury against the lifeguard as well as the their employer the State, since the accident happened while the lifeguard was in the course and scope of his or her employment. However, the appropriate claims must be filed with the State in a timely manner to preserve any claims (see my prior Blog post San Diego Fire Crewman Killed in Car Accident Near Gorman for the law on Government Claims). Linda's claims will include past, present ,and future medical costs, lost earnings, and earning capacity as well as compensation for pain and suffering.

A day at the beach results in serious injuries. Auto accidents, and truck accidents involving pedestrians can result in lifelong injuries or wrongful death. Knowing which agencies need to be put on notice of any claims is one of the many benefits of consulting an experienced personal injury attorney if you have been injured in a serious accident.

KABC News Los Angeles Elex Michaelson reported on the homecoming of Derek Thomas of Encinitas who was critically injured in an auto accident on Highway 395 outside of Bishop last year (see my prior Blog post San Diego Students Killed In Head-On Collision). Derek, a football star at Cathedral Catholic High, was returning to San Diego from a track trip to Mammoth when the fiery crash left him with burns to 85 percent of his body and the wrongful death of his friends. His injuries required that he be placed in an induced coma and endure 33 skin graphs over the last 11 months at the Grossman Burn Center at West Hills Hospital before he could return home. When he was first admitted he was given less then a one percent chance of surviving his injuries and Grossman Burn Center Director Peter Grossman was quoted as saying "We have many, many fascinating, wonderful, courageous individuals." "But Derek Thomas stands at the very apex." However, this is only the beginning of Derek's challenges, as he will require future reconstructive surgeries in an attempt to regain some of his pre-accident mobility. Derek's father Randy Thomas said "It was the most difficult thing I ever went through, to try and touch on a reality that is unfathomable."

Applicable California Law

For review and analysis of the applicable California law see my Blog post San Diego Students Killed In Head-On Collision.

Life can change in an instance, it only takes being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Auto accidents, truck accidents, or motorcycle accidents resulting in critical injuries, which can last a lifetime or result in wrongful death. When dealing with the complicated issues associated with serious injuries or the loss of a loved one, the guidance of an experienced personal injury attorney is essential.

San Diego News 10 reported that 77-year-old James Cummings of Ocean Beach was fatally injured as a result of an auto accident on July 7, 2011. The fatal accident happened around 12:30 a.m. and was caused by an unnamed 15-year-old boy who was joy-riding in his mother's Toyota 4-Runner with four of his friends. He missed a turnoff on Ingram Street and backed up into oncoming traffic on Sea World Drive. Cummins traveling west bound in his Mercury LTD ran into the rear of the SUV and had to be cut from his vehicle before being taken to UCSD Medical Center where he died around 5 a.m.. Cummins, a physicist at the Naval Warfare Systems Center for 54 years, was a dedicated employee. His supervisor Alan Lockwood was quoted as saying "He had kind of a southern charm. He would tell the ladies 'I love you' and 'I love you, sweetheart'... that kind of thing and they would just smile at him." Lockwood said Cummins was always upbeat and did not have the personality of a typical scientist. He was also dedicated to his work. "I asked him one time, 'Why don't you retire?' And he said, 'Well, this is my life,'" said Lockwood. "He said as long as he could walk across the street from the parking lot he would keep coming every day.". Cummins was known to be somewhat eccentric and would often sleep in his car. Kevin, his grandson, said "Nobody could ever put a finger on why he was that way, but - I don't know - he was just different than everyone else." Kevin said "Gramps" was like Leonardo DaVinci, a genius with quirks.

Our condolences to the Cummins family and friends.

Applicable California Law

California Vehicle Code 12814.6 establishes the minimum age and requirements for obtaining a drivers license in California. Since the driver of the SUV was only 15 even if he had a permit, which his mother would not confirm, he is required to have an adult supervising him at the time. Furthermore, by backing up onto Sea World Drive, he violated California Vehicle Code 21804(a), which requires the driver of a vehicle entering a roadway to yield the right of way to any vehicle close enough to constitute an immediate hazard a violation of which would impose civil liability. However, given the fact that the SUV driver was under age and driving without his mother's permission there probably would be no insurance coverage. Thus, the Cummins' heirs as well as the injured passengers in the SUV would need to have their own uninsured motorist coverage to be compensated for any wrongful death or personal injury claims (see my prior Blog post on California UM/UIM and Umbrella Coverage).

Another instance of a youthful driver showing poor judgment resulting in tragedy. Auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, or boat accidents involving young inexperienced drivers often result in serious injury or wrongful death. When tragedy strikes, find out what your rights are by consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney.

San Diego News 10 reported that 18-year-old Miguel Rojas of Escondido was fatally injured in a hit-and-run accident on July 3, 2011. The auto accident occurred at around 2 a.m. when Miguel was leaving his aunt's house Sunday morning. As he turned left onto Washington Avenue his Dodge Caravan was hit by a 1995 Lexus traveling east on Washington, and burst into flames causing his tragic death. The driver of the Lexus 20-year-old Juan Carrillo, also of Escondido, fled the scene but was later arrested and charged with felony hit-and-run and driving without a license according to Escondido police officer Scott Walters. An unnamed passenger in the Lexus was also injured and taken to a local hospital.

Our condolences go out to Miguel's son, other family members and friends.

Applicable California law

Carrillo will face felony charges for leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury or death (see my prior Blog post on California Hit-And-Run Law). It is not clear thus far if Carrillo is civilly liable for Rojas' death, this will depend on whether his conduct contributed to causing the accident. However, the fact that the collision caused the van to burst into flames could result in product defect claims (see my prior Blog post on California Products Liability Law). If a defect in the van caused or contributed to Miguel's death his heirs could pursue claims for wrongful death and or "survivor action" (see my prior Blog post on California Wrongful Death Damages). The fact that Miguel violated vehicle code 21804(a), which contributed to causing his death, any claims by his heirs will be reduced accordingly. The passenger in the Lexus could pursue claims for personal injury against Miguel's estate, the registered owner of the van, and potentially the owner of the Lexus as well as Carrillo.

Young drivers are at greater risk of injury or wrongful death from driving because they often do not understand the consequences of their actions. Auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, and bicycle accidents involving youthful drivers are largely the result of inattention on their part. When serious injuries or wrongful death are caused by an accident, seek the advice of an experienced personal injury attorney.