Personal Injury Legal Blog

Santa Clara Intersection Accident Kills One Driver, Injures Other

admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:00:28 +0000

A Santa Clara County car accident recently took the life of a 21-year-old Morgan Hill motorist after his vehicle struck a produce truck during an intersection accident. The 41-year-old driver of the truck was taken to Saint Louise Regional Hospital with minor injuries, while a passenger riding with the 21-year-old was also injured, although the severity of his injuries was not made available in the report. According to California Highway Patrol investigators, the 21-year-old driver was traveling at excessive speeds at the time of the crash, which took place at the intersection of Columbet Avenue and East Middle Avenue. Further details about the accident will undoubtedly be uncovered as the investigation carries on.

Tragic accidents are an all too common occurrence on California roads and highways. When motorists choose to drive recklessly, the probability of an accident taking place is greatly increased. For those individuals injured during car crashes, it is important to remember as many details from the crash as possible. All Northern California traffic accidents are thoroughly investigated to determine as accurately as possible the events that led up to a crash.

Injured motorists are entitled to seek compensatory damages from negligent parties who are found to have contributed to their accident. For more information about Santa Clara car accidents and victims’ rights, please contact the personal injury attorneys at Van Der Walde & Associates. Our experienced Santa Clara car accident attorneys will determine whether or not negligence led to your injuries, and will hold negligent parties accountable for their actions in a court of law. For a free case evaluation, please call 877-862-6288.

California Property Owners Have an Obligation to Keep You Safe

admin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:10:32 +0000

When individuals are on another person’s property, the property owner has a responsibility to do everything he or she can to prevent personal injury from befalling those individuals. However, each and every year, premises liability injury cases affect a large number of Northern California residents. Fortunately, if an individual is injured, he or she does have the option to seek compensatory damages from a property or building owner if the owner’s negligence in some way contributed to the injury.

There are a variety of different instances in which an individual can become injured under premises liability law. Santa Cruz slip and fall accidents are the most common form of accident relating to premises liability. These accidents can occur when flooring, including stairs and uneven sidewalks, contribute towards a person sustaining injury, either because the surface is slippery, in disrepair, or poses a hazard in some other way.

Another form of premises liability involves poorly lit and obstructed pathways, which can prevent an individual from safely traveling from one location to another. In the event of an emergency, all individuals on the premises must be able to safely flee from the location.

Property owners can even be held liable in the event that a visitor to their property is assaulted, and adequate lighting and security were not in place to deter such an attack from taking place. In the state of California, property owners are responsible for the well being of all people who enter onto their property.

The Santa Cruz personal injury lawyers of Van Der Walde & Associates have handled a variety of cases stemming from premises liability. If you’ve been injured due to another person’s negligence, please don’t hesitate to contact our Santa Cruz premises liability attorneys today for a free evaluation of your case. Call 877-862-6288 for more information.

Big Rig Accident on Santa Clara-Santa Cruz Border Sparks Congestion, Other Accidents

admin — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:00:23 +0000

The destruction often left behind after a big rig accident can be immense, and the aftermath can affect a larger number of individuals than those actually involved in the incident. According to San Jose’s Mercury News, a big rig accident that took place near the Santa Cruz County and Santa Clara County border blocked northbound traffic on Highway 17, forcing many motorists to find alternate routes of travel. Unfortunately, a second accident on Highway 9, the primary alternate route, further impeded traffic. As a result, motorists had to search yet again for alternate routes, with a number of smaller accidents taking place throughout those routes soon after the primary crash.

The driver of the truck involved in the initial crash was reportedly uninjured, while the driver of the truck involved in the Highway 9 crash was injured. No further details about the extent of the driver’s injuries or whether other motorists were involved were made available in the report.

As exemplified by this crash, the actions of one can have a great impact on many individuals. In the event that a motorist is involved in a big rig crash, it is of the utmost importance that the motorist first seek medical attention to ensure their well being, and then retain the services of an experienced Santa Clara truck accident attorney who will ensure their rights as accident victims are not infringed upon in a court of law.

At Van Der Walde & Associates, our experienced Sunnyvale personal injury attorneys will examine the circumstances surrounding your accident to determine where negligent action may have contributed to your injuries. For more information about your rights as a Santa Clara truck accident victim, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at 877-862-6288. We offer free case evaluations.

Mariposa County Motorcycle Accident Kills Three, Injures Four More

admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 23:25:28 +0000

A recent Mariposa County motorcycle accident resulted in the loss of three lives and injured four others, according to a fresnobee.com news story. Reportedly, the head-on collision involved a Ford Bronco, a Harley Davidson motorcycle, and a Ford Escape. The driver of the Ford Bronco allegedly crossed over a double-yellow line while maneuvering a curve in the road, and consequently struck the motorcycle and then the Ford Escape. The two Chowchilla residents riding the motorcycle, 39 and 43, were killed, as was the 55-year-old driver of the Ford Escape. All four people in the Ford Bronco, including the 18-year-old driver, sustained injuries, which ranged in severity from moderate to major.

The California Highway Patrol is currently investigating the crash, which at this point does not appear to have been the result of the 18-year-old driver being under the influence of either alcohol or drugs. Regardless of the severity of a crash, all details are thoroughly investigated in order to determine as accurately as possible exactly what happened. Further details of this incident will undoubtedly be revealed in the near future.

Motorcycle crashes are especially dangerous, particularly given the fact that motorcyclists and their passengers cannot rely on being protected by the steel reinforced sides that an automobile has to offer. Every year, far too many motorcycles are injured or lose their lives in California as the result of motorist negligence of some kind.

For more information about your rights as an accident victim, please contact the San Jose motorcycle attorneys at Van Der Walde & Associates. Our experienced Sunnyvale personal injury attorneys will fight to ensure that your rights are not infringed upon in a court of law, and will hold negligent parties accountable for their actions. For more information and a free evaluation of your San Jose motorcycle accident injury case, call 877-862-6288.

Pleasanton SUV Strikes Tree, Driver and Two Passengers Injured

admin — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 23:14:26 +0000

While single vehicle crashes do not necessarily result in as much damage as a multi-vehicle collision, the extent of personal injuries sustained can be just as serious. According to a recent mercurynews.com article, a male motorist crashed his SUV into a tree in Pleasanton. There were a total of three people in the vehicle at the time of the crash, all of whom were transported to Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley for treatment of their injuries. The male motorist was reportedly fleeing from Alameda County sheriff’s deputies before crashing into the tree, and no other vehicles were reported as having been involved in the crash.

Dangerous driving practices never end well. In the event a motorist chooses to operate his or her vehicle recklessly, all other motorists on the road are placed in harm’s way as a result. In the event that a motorist or pedestrian is injured as the result of another motorist’s reckless actions, the injured party is entitled to seek damages from the negligent party. Damages associated with Northern California car accidents can range from compensation for medical expenses, physical therapy fees, and can even represent wages lost as a result of injuries sustained.

At the Northern California personal injury law firm of Van Der Walde & Associates, our experienced Pleasanton car accident attorneys will examine the circumstances surrounding your injury accident, and will hold negligent motorists and other responsible parties liable for their actions.

For more information about accident victim rights in Pleasanton, don’t hesitate to contact the Pleasanton personal injury attorneys at Van Der Walde & Associates. Call us today at 877-862-6288 for a free evaluation of your case.

San Mateo Man Crashes into Garage During Auto Accident

admin — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:26:16 +0000

Car crashes can occur in any number of ways. According to a San Francisco Examiner article, a recent auto accident involving a San Mateo man did not involve another motorist, but a Pacifica home owner’s garage. Reportedly, the 25-year-old driver of the vehicle lost control of his SUV immediately before crashing into the detached garage. Luckily, no one was injured during the incident, including the 25-year-old motorist. Investigation into the cause of the San Mateo County vehicle accident is underway.

Regardless of the cause of an accident, San Mateo motorists involved in Northern California car crashes may want to retain the services of an experienced San Mateo County auto accident attorney to ensure that the circumstances of the accident are thoroughly examined. Sometimes, the true cause of an accident is not immediately evident, and it may appear as though one party was responsible for the accident when in fact multiple parties are liable.

Car accidents in San Mateo and throughout Northern California may be caused by a defective vehicle part that alters a motorist’s ability to control or maneuver the car, thus leading to an accident that could potentially cause personal injury. Regardless of whether a faulty car component or a negligent driver causes an accident, it is important for professionals to thoroughly investigate an accident and utilize accident reconstruction to determine a collision’s precise cause.

If you’ve been involved in a San Mateo car accident, get in contact with an experienced San Mateo personal injury lawyer with experience handling auto accident cases. At Van Der Walde & Associates, our San Mateo car accident attorneys will examine the circumstances surrounding your accident and protect your rights as an accident victim. For more information and a free consultation, please call 877-862-6288.

Greyhound Bus Swerves to Avoid Fresno Accident, Crashes and Kills 6

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 16:23:41 +0000

A recent Greyhound bus crash in Fresno, California has left six people dead and several injured, according to a MSNBC news report. The bus was carrying 47 total passengers at the time of the crash, which occurred at 2:14AM PST. Two other vehicles were involved in the Central Valley bus accident, and it is still unclear whether or not the six fatality victims and others injured were all passengers on the bus, or motorists/passengers from one or both of the other two vehicles involved. Those injured were transported to Fresno Community Regional Medical Center for treatment. Although the number of individuals injured was not known at the time of this article’s release, KMPH-TV did report that a total of nine people were taken to the hospital, but this number has not been confirmed.

The Fresno Greyhound bus crash is still being investigated, but the California Highway Patrol did report that the bus driver attempted to avoid an overturned vehicle prior to losing control of the bus. As a consequence, the bus crashed into a concrete divider and hit one of the two other involved vehicles. Further details of the crash will undoubtedly reveal themselves in the coming days, as investigators attempt to determine whether or not any other factors played a contributing role in the California bus accident. If it is determined that negligence played a role in the collision, then the party or parties responsible for said negligence may be held liable for their actions in a court of law.

The Fresno bus accident attorneys at Van Der Walde & Associates send their condolences to the victims and families affected by this tragic accident. For more information about bus accidents, please don’t hesitate to contact our Northern California personal injury attorneys today at 877-862-6288.

Salinas Motorcyclist Dies After Collision with SUV

admin — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:30:04 +0000

According to Santa Cruz’s local CBS-affiliate, KION-46, a 19-year-old motorcyclist was involved in an accident with a Ford Expedition being driven by a 31-year-old motorist. Reportedly, the driver of the Expedition was stopped at an intersection waiting to make a left-hand turn while traveling northbound. The teenage motorcyclist, traveling eastbound, was unable to make a controlled stop, lost control of his bike, and crashed into the driver’s side of the SUV as it was turning. Unfortunately, the extent of injuries sustained by the 19-year-old was too great, and the teenager was pronounced dead at Natividad Medical Center.

While no further details surrounding this Northern California vehicle accident were made available, a more thorough investigation will undoubtedly take place in order to determine as accurately as possible exactly what happened.

The California Department of Transportation notes that there were 452,595 vehicle accidents in 2008, 3,113 of which led to the death of a vehicle occupant. In any traffic accident in California, it is essential that all available evidence is carefully examined to determine whether or not negligence contributed towards the accident and subsequent injuries or wrongful death. In some cases, dangerous road conditions may be deemed at least partially responsible for causing an accident. More specifically, if roads are not properly maintained by local municipalities and construction crews, then those roads may be dangerous to travel over for motorists. Motorists injured as a result of such improper maintenance may be able to hold negligent parties accountable for their actions in a court of law.

If you’ve been involved in a Santa Cruz motorcycle accident, your best course of action should always involve retaining the services of an experienced Santa Cruz personal injury lawyer. At Van Der Walde & Associates, our skilled Santa Cruz motorcycle accident attorneys will fight to ensure that your rights as an accident victim are not infringed upon. For more information and a free consultation, please call us today at 877-862-6288.

Reckless Driver Runs Red Light, Injures Family and Kills 15-Year-Old

admin — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 23:25:21 +0000

According to the San Jose Mercury News, what would have been a minor traffic stop turned into a San Jose car crash when a motorist attempted to flee police, ran a red light, and struck another vehicle, injuring a mother and her three children. Reportedly, the driver made an illegal right-hand turn at a red light, prompting a nearby police cruiser to take pursuit. Rather than stopping his vehicle though, the 24-year-old driver attempted to evade police, recklessly maneuvering his vehicle before striking the vehicle being driven by the 35-year-old mother.

Both drivers, along with a female passenger in the 24-year-old male’s car, sustained minor to moderate injuries. However, the impact was great enough that it practically tore the 35-year-old mother’s vehicle in half, and launched her 15-year-old daughter out of the car and into traffic. The 15-year-old was unable to recover from her injuries. At the time of this report, the woman’s 12 and 6-year-old sons, both passengers in the backseat, are listed in stable condition.

Reckless driving of any kind greatly increases the likelihood of personal injury and wrongful death accidents in San Jose and throughout Northern California. In the event that an individual is injured due to the negligent behavior of another motorist, the injured party has the right to seek damages from the individual or individuals who caused them harm.

If you’ve been involved in San Jose car accident, it is essential that you retain the services of an experienced San Jose personal injury attorney. At Van Der Walde & Associates, our San Jose car accident lawyers will examine the circumstances surrounding your accident, ensuring that all negligent parties responsible for your injuries are held accountable for their actions. For more information and a free consultation, please contact us today at 877-862-6288.

CPSC Warns of Fireworks Injuries During the Fourth of July

admin — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:12:20 +0000

Fourth of July celebrations have already begun throughout Northern California. While a patriotic spirit is understandable, citizens must not overlook safety when choosing to use fireworks or other potentially dangerous objects. A U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) study reveals that fireworks-related incidents were responsible for two deaths in 2009 and approximately 9,000 emergency room visits for injuries. According to the CPSC, throughout the 30 days near last year’s holiday, about 6,000 injuries involving fireworks were reported in which half of the injuries related to firecrackers, bottle rockets, and sparklers.

Consumers below the age of 20 are the most prone to fireworks injuries; however, the risk of serious injury or even death still exists for anyone within close proximity of fireworks or other pyrotechnics. Some common fireworks injuries and hazards include:

Lacerations
Burns
Loss of Limbs
Wrongful Death
Residential Fires

Parental supervision is very important if legal fireworks are being used. Do not allow young children to ignite or tamper with fireworks or other gadgets. It is also crucial to never throw or point fireworks at another person. To find out more about how you can help prevent severe injuries related to fireworks this Fourth of July holiday, please refer to the CPSC’s website for consumer fireworks safety tips.

The San Jose personal injury attorneys at Van Der Walde & Associates cannot stress enough the importance of consumer safety during the Independence Day holiday both in California and nationwide. Take every necessary precaution to keep your loved ones safe.