San Diego Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

San Diego Union Tribune reported that 20-year-old Landen Swanson of Vista was taken off life support from injuries he sustained in an auto accident on January 9, 2012. Swanson suffered a brain injury resulting from head trauma when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver while skateboarding on Alamitos Way and Orlando Avenue in San Marcos, on his way home from work. According to sheriff's Sgt. Stephanie Guerra, the driver of the vehicle that hit him fled the scene, but later called police and told them he was involved in the incident. He was later arrested and criminal charges are pending.

Applicable California Law

The driver of the hit-and-run vehicle will face felony criminal charges for leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury or death (see my prior Blog post on Hit-And Run law in California). Furthermore, he will be subject to civil claims by the Swanson family for the wrongful death of Landen (see my prior Blog post on California Wrongful Law And Survivor Actions). As always, whenever there is a fatality or catastrophic injuries, the adequacy of the responsible parties' insurance and assets are at issue (see my prior Blog post on California Uninsured And Underinsured Law).

Skateboarders are especially vulnerable to vehicles on the road because they are moving fast and are not very visible. Auto accidents, truck accidents and bus accidents involving skateboarders, pedestrians, and bicyclists often result in catastrophic injuries or wrongful death. Getting the guidance and council of an experienced personal injury attorney can be an invaluable resource.

San Diego News 8 reported that an unidentified woman passenger in a Hyundai Sonata was fatally injured on October 8, 2011. The tragic auto accident happened at around 2:30 a.m. on state Route 78 and Bear Valley Parkway in Escondido, when 21-year-old Joshua Goldbaum of Escondido collided into a Ford Aerostar van. One of Goldbaum's passengers died, another was injured as well as the driver of the van. The passenger in the van, who sustained major injuries is expected to survive. According to CHP Officer Bettencourt, Goldbaum who fled the scene, was later arrested and taken to the Vista jail and faces numerous felony charges for hit-and-run, gross vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence.

Our condolences go out to the families and friends of those who tragically lost their lives

Applicable California Law

Goldbaum will face felony criminal charges for driving under the influence and leaving the scene of the accident (see my prior Blog post San Diego Hit-And-Run Auto Accident Causes Severe Brain Injury for California hit-and-run and DUI Law). In addition, Goldbaum and the owner of his vehicle will be liable for any property that was damaged as well as the wrongful death of the victims and those who sustained personal injury (see my prior Blog post San Diego Woman Killed by Auto Accident Debris for California law on Wrongful Death and "survivor actions"). However, if the passengers in the Goldbaum vehicle knew he was intoxicated and chose to ride in his vehicle, there will be allegations of comparative fault, which will affect the value of any claims made by them or their heirs. As always vehicular accidents involving fatalities, serious injuries, and multiple claimants raises issues as to the adequacy of insurance coverage or other assets of those responsible (see my prior Blog post Uninsured / Under-insured Auto and General Accident Guide on California insurance coverage).

Young adult drivers pose some of the highest risk to themselves and others on the road. They often ignore the risks of driving recklessly and or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, causing auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, and bike accidents resulting in wrongful death or catastrophic injuries. When the impact of a serious injury or the loss of a loved one touches your life, talk to an experienced personal injury attorney.

San Diego News 10 reported that an unnamed 25-year-old woman was killed by a hit-and-run driver on August 22, 2011. The auto accident happened at around 3:30 a.m. on state Route 76 near the La Jolla Indian Reservation. The woman was walking on the side of the road when she was struck by a 2002 Ford Taurus, whose driver fled the scene. According to CHP officer Chris Parent, the vehicle was found abandoned near Valley Center Road and the alleged driver Rickey Burns, 69, of Escondido was later arrested on suspicion of felony hit-and-run.

Our condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased woman.

Applicable California Law
Burns will face criminal felony hit-and run charges for leaving the scene of the accident (see my prior Blog post San Diego Hit-And-Run Auto Accident Causes Severe Brain Injury for California Hit-And-Run Law). In addition, the heirs of the deceased woman will have claims for wrongful death (see my prior Blog post Escondido Hit-And-Run Auto Accident Causes Death Of Teen for California Wrongful Death Law). However, there might be mitigating circumstances that could reduce the value of any claims, as it still unclear if by walking alongside the highway, the woman contributed to her own death (see my prior Blog post Carmel Mountain Hit & Run Auto Accident Kills Pedestrian for California Law On Comparative Negligence).

Walking along poorly lit rural roadways can be extremely dangerous. Auto accidents and truck accidents involving pedestrians often results in serious injuries or wrongful death. An analysis of the facts and circumstances of a serious accident by an experienced personal injury attorney is critical to knowing your rights.

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.

San Diego News 10 reported that 18-year-old David Mendez of Bonsall was fatally injured after being struck by a hit-and-run driver on March 28, 2011. The auto accident happened around 7:00 AM while Mendez was riding his bicycle on the 1300 block of Sleeping Indian Lane, in Oceanside. According to Lt. Leonard Mata, Mendez was found laying on the street, and was transported to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla where he was pronounced dead the following day. Debris from the 1988 Plymouth Neon that hit him and left the scene, led police to the arrest of 24-year-old Lopez Gonzalez of Oceanside who was booked for vehicular manslaughter.

Our condolences go out to the Mendez family and friends.

Applicable California Law

Gonzalez will face criminal charges for vehicular manslaughter as well as felony hit-and-run (see my prior Blog post for California Hit-And-Run Law). David's heirs will have wrongful death claims, and a survivor action for the medical costs incurred while David was hospitalized (see my prior Blog post an California Wrongful Death Law and Survivor Actions). However, given the fact that Gonzales was driving a late model economy vehicle leads to concerns as to whether he carries adequate insurance coverage. Hopefully, the Mendez family has the benefit of adequate uninsured/underinsured coverage (see my prior Blog post on Uninsured/Underinsured Law).

A bicycle ride turns into tragedy. Auto accidents and bicycle accidents can result in serious injuries, or wrongful death. If you have lost a loved one due to the carless acts of another talk with an experienced personal injury attorney.

San Diego Union Tribune reporter Harry Jones reported that a unnamed man riding a motorized scooter/wheelchair suffered a severe head injury as a result of being hit by a hit-and run driver in National City Christmas morning. Police Sgt. Robert Rounds said the 57-year-old man was riding along the shoulder of Paradise Valley Road near 8th Street when he was struck from behind by a burgundy pick up truck at around 10:30 a.m. "It totally destroyed the wheelchair and sent the man flying through the air," Rounds said. Joshua Becerra of San Diego, the 22-year-old driver of the truck, stopped long enough to pick up the debris from the truck and then fled from the scene. Later the same day Becerra's uncle called police and Becerra was taken into custody. "If the driver had just stuck around, he probably would've been OK, but when you leave like that it becomes a felony," Rounds said. The victim was hospitalized for head injuries and is in serious condition.

Applicable California Law

Becerra will face potential criminal charges for felony hit-and-run (see my prior Blog post for California hit-and-run law). In addition Becerra will have civil liability for the victim's injuries to include medical expenses, lost earnings and earning capacity as well as compensation for pain and suffering. However, it is not clear why the victim was riding in the street and not the sidewalk. If the victim's conduct contributed to causing his own injuries, his claims would be reduce proportionately. Since the victim sustained a serious head injury, Becerra's liability insurance limits are at issue. If they are inadequate, hopefully the victim is covered by his own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and or an umbrella policy (see my prior Blog post on California uninsured/underinsured liability coverage).

A day of celebration turns into tragedy. Auto accidents and truck accidents involving pedestrians generally result in serious spine and or brain injuries. Knowledge of the law and resources to get proper medical treatment are some of the benefits of talking to an experienced personal injury attorney.