2009 July Archive

The Mercury News recently reported in a story that a motorcyclist was struck by a white BMW on Interstate 680.  The motorcycle accident in Pleasanton occurred on the northbound I-680 near Sunol Boulevard.  The driver of the BMW fled the scene, leaving the motorcyclist seriously injured.

California Highway Patrol revealed that the driver of the white BMW sedan was traveling at upwards of 100 mph, and nearly collided with other vehicles before clipping the rear wheel of the motorcycle.  It was reported that the driver of the white BMW was following closely behind a 2005 Chevrolet SUV when it came to a curve in the highway.  The BMW’s front wheel then struck the rear wheel of the 2007 Suzuki GSXR750 being ridden by the motorcyclist.  The motorcyclist was thrown from the bike and onto the concrete roadway, the motorcyclist’s head colliding with the concrete pavement.

The driver of the white BMW fled the scene without offering assistance to the motorcyclist.  The BMW’s front tire that hit the motorcycle was flat, and CHP are still trying to ascertain the driver’s identity.  The driver of the Chevrolet SUV stopped to help the motorcyclist, who was eventually taken to Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley.   Updates on the motorcyclist’s injuries are unknown.

Injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents can be very serious and often are not the fault of the motorcycle operator.  The San Jose motorcycle accident injury attorneys at Van Der Walde & Associates have years of experience in assisting those injured in motorcycle accidents with seeking compensatory damages to help with recovery.  If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, please don’t hesitate to contact the skilled attorneys at Van Der Walde & Associates for a free consultation.

San Francisco’s local CBS news affiliate, KPIX-TV (channel 5), recently reported in an account that a female motorist inadvertently caused harm to a female pedestrian and her 4-year-old son outside of Green Acres Elementary School at 966 Bostwick Lane. No parties involved were identified by name. The female pedestrian sustained major industries, while her son sustained minor injuries.

The pedestrian accident in Santa Cruz occurred around 8am, as the female pedestrian and her young son were walking through the school parking lot. At that same time, a female motorist accidentally hit her car’s gas pedal instead of the brake pedal as she attempted to pull into a parking space at the school. The motorist’s vehicle struck a nearby chain-link fence, which consequently dislodged from the ground. The end post of the fence struck the female pedestrian in the head. There was no report as to whether or not her son was struck by the post and/or fence. Both mother and son her were airlifted to a nearby trauma center for treatment.

It was determined that the female motorist was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and was not arrested by CHP officers who responded to the scene. The female motorist did not sustain any injuries and her child who was in the car with her also was not injured.

Thoughtless mistakes can lead to serious injuries. Under the law, you are entitled to compensation in the event of being injured in an accident caused by another person’s negligence. This compensation can include reimbursement for medical bills and lost wages as the result of the accident. The Santa Cruz personal injury attorneys at Van Der Walde & Associates specialize in cases regarding pedestrian and automobile accidents, and are prepared to assist you with your case. Please call us today for a free consultation so that we may examine the details of your case.

Local San Francisco CBS news affiliate KPIX-TV channel 5 recently reported in a story that a motorcyclist was killed in a crash that involved a big-rig on highway 238 in Castro Valley, CA.  The motorcyclist, identified as a 29-year-old male, sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene.  The man was on his way to take the oral board review portion of the California Highway Patrol entrance exam.

The man’s motorcycle collided with a big-rig just north of interstate 580.  The motorcycle crash in San Francisco took the man’s life, but it is not known whether or not the driver of the large truck was injured.  CHP officers did not have any further information regarding the specifics of the crash, and did not speculate on who was at fault.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a staggering total of 5,037 motorcyclists died in crashes in 2007.  Though it had been steadily declining since the 1980s, the number of motorcycle deaths each year has unfortunately been steadily rising since 1998. Motorcycle deaths accounted for 12% of all motor vehicle deaths in 2007.  Due to such a large difference in size and the fact the motorcyclists are more exposed than truck drivers, motorcycle crashes involving large trucks almost always end in fatality for the motorcyclist.

The skilled San Jose motorcycle accident injury attorneys at Van Der Walde & Associates are experienced and skilled in seeking compensatory damages in motorcycle cases.  Our diligent attorneys will hold those responsible for your accident accountable for their actions, and will get you the compensation you deserve to help cover the costs of medical bills, physical therapy fees, motorcycle repair, and, in some cases, funeral costs and loss of potential wages.  Please call us today for a free consultation.

The San Francisco Chronicle recently reported in an article that a $2.3 million settlement was awarded to the parents of a bicyclist who was struck and killed by a sheriff’s deputy.  Parents of the 29-year-old victim filed the claim against a Deputy Council member who reportedly fell asleep at the wheel of his cruiser before striking the decedent and two others. The wrongful-death lawsuit was filed in Superior Court against Council, Santa Clara County, and the sheriff’s department.

Council’s cruiser crossed the center line after he fell asleep at the wheel on March 9, 2008. The bicycle accident in Cupertino, which occurred on Stevens Canyon Road, took the lives of two and seriously injured another. Lead deputy county counsel said that the county was “pleased that [it] was able to reach a resolution with the family.” Other lawsuits filed against the county and Council by the other parties are still pending, but county officials, according to the lead deputy, “hope to be able to resolve those matters in the near future.”

Council pled guilty to two counts of misdemeanor criminal manslaughter and was sentenced to four months in jail and 800 hours of community service. At the time of the accident, Council did not have drugs or alcohol in his system, and had not been driving recklessly prior to falling asleep.

Unfortunately, accidents can be caused even by those who are meant to serve and protect us. In the event of negligence of any kind that results in injury or death, experienced legal counsel is a necessity. The Northern California wrongful death attorneys at Van Der Walde & Associates offer free consultations of cases, and will exhaust all possible resources to ensure that you receive the closure and compensation that you deserve to help deal with the stress and heartache that personal injury can bring about. Please don’t hesitate to contact us today.