Southern California Injury Law Blog

Spike Recorded in California Dog Bite Claims

Thu, 17 May 2012 14:21:36 -0800

One of the largest home insurance companies in the country has recorded a spike in California dog bite claims. State Farm recently indicated that the number of claims in the state increased by 31 percent in 2011, with the insurer paying out $20.3 million on 527 claims, reported the Los Angeles Daily News.

“In California, landowners may be held liable for the expense of treating a dog bite victim’s injuries and recovery,” explained California personal injury lawyer James Ballidis, “especially if they knew or should have known that the animal posed a threat to others.”

After a dog attack, victims are often able to seek compensation for their injury or loss through the homeowner’s insurance policy. While California surpassed other states in the amount paid out in dog bite claims in 2011, increases were also recorded on a national level: the total paid out for such claims by all insurers rose from $413 million in 2010 to $479 million in 2011, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Although the Daily News article cited Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics on the annual incidence of dog bites—4.7 million people bitten every year, 800,000 of whom seek medical attention—the newspaper did not provide a reason for the upward trend in claims.

In addition to claims through the dog owner’s home insurance, victims in California may also pursue claims based on the legal theories of negligence and of strict liability. In order to successfully prove a negligence claim, the plaintiff would need to provide evidence that the owner acted in a way that an ordinary person would not have and that his or her actions directly led to the attack and injury; for example, the owner failed to properly restrain or house the dog or trained it to behave aggressively. In the case of strict liability, the plaintiff would have to show that the owner violated Section 3342 of the California Civil Code by keeping or controlling a dog that was unusually aggressive and that the owner knew or should have known about this tendency.

Given the number of dog bites in California and throughout the country, especially among children, parents should take some time during National Dog Bite Prevention Week (May 17-23) to discuss methods of avoiding attacks and the painful injuries associated with them.

Additional information on dog bites and the state laws concerning them is available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request a free book or article, or to speak with a California personal injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Highgrove: Four Seriously Injured in Crash Involving Entrapment

Thu, 17 May 2012 10:53:51 -0800

Shortly after 12 a.m. on Wednesday, May 16th, four people were seriously injured in a crash involving entrapment in Highgrove. The collision occurred on Iowa Avenue near Main Street, the impact trapping two of the vehicle occupants in the wreckage. Firefighters had to use hydraulic equipment to extricate them. Paramedics transported the accident victims to hospitals to receive treatment for trauma ranging in severity from moderate to major. Authorities have not indicated how many vehicles were involved in the crash and are investigating.

“When vehicle occupants suffer trauma in an accident, the at-fault driver may be legally obligated to compensate them for expenses incurred during their recovery,” explained California personal injury lawyer James Ballidis, “such as for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.”

In Riverside County, 120 drivers and 52 passengers were killed and 7,343 drivers and 3,620 passengers suffered injury in traffic crashes in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. That year, the agency recorded 3,081 fatalities in collisions that occurred throughout the state.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish a full recovery to the four people who were seriously injured in the crash involving entrapment in Highgrove.

The Press-Enterprise originally reported this collision.

Resources for accident victims, including books and articles on the process of pursuing an injury claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California personal injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Los Angeles: Car Slammed Into Luxury Auto Dealership, Seriously Injured Passenger

Wed, 16 May 2012 11:13:40 -0800

At about 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 16th, a car slammed into a luxury auto dealership in Los Angeles, the impact seriously injuring a female passenger. While traveling in the 1800 block of La Cienega Boulevard, a Lincoln Town Car crashed into Specialty Craft Car. Witnesses reported that the driver removed the passenger, a woman in her early 30s, from the wreckage before fleeing on foot. Several vehicles in the shop were damaged, including a Ferrari and a Lamborghini. Authorities are investigating the accident.

“When a passenger is injured in a collision resulting from the negligence of a driver, he or she may seek compensation from the driver for expenses incurred during recovery,” explained California personal injury attorney James Ballidis, “such as from medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.”

Hit-and-run accidents claimed the lives of 185 people and injured another 20,260 throughout California in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. Driving while intoxicated or without a license are two of the most common reasons for which drivers flee the scene of a collision.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish a full recovery to the passenger who was seriously injured when the car she was riding in slammed into the luxury auto dealership early this morning.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this crash.

Additional information, such as books and articles on the process of filing a claim for compensation for expenses related to an injury sustained in an accident, is available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California personal injury attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Low-Cost Insurance Program Does Not Eliminate Need to Purchase Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:22:06 -0800

California, like other states throughout the country, requires that drivers purchase liability automobile insurance coverage. Liability coverage protects motorists with whom a driver may be involved in an accident. For instance, when someone with liability coverage causes a crash and damages property or injures people, his or her liability policy will pay for the damage to those who were hit, up to the limit of his or her policy, explains a California personal injury attorney. Liability coverage does not provide protection to the insured for either injury or property damage; additional coverage would need to be purchased by the insured if such protections were desired.

Liability coverage is required because California is a fault state. This means that a party who is at fault for causing an accident is expected to bear the financial burden that results from that accident. Under California tort laws, a car accident victim may sue or otherwise make a claim against the person who caused the accident in order to collect compensation for property loss, medical bills, and lost wages arising from an injury, as well as for pain and suffering and emotional distress related to the injury.

To ensure that the party who caused the accident can pay these damages, California law generally requires that all drivers purchase a policy minimum of $15/$30/$5. This essentially means that they must purchase $15,000 in bodily injury liability coverage that will pay a single person they injure up to $15,000. The $30,000 refers to the total amount of bodily injury coverage purchased (i.e. if more than one person was injured in a single accident, the insurer would pay up to $30,000 total spread among those who were injured). The $5,000 refers to property damage coverage.

Many people choose to buy more than these required coverages since the protection they provide is somewhat limited.

Others, however, buy no insurance at all due to the cost. In order to try to encourage more people to actually purchase insurance, California has instituted a program designed to allow good drivers with a low income to buy insurance at affordable rates. This program is called California's Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program (CLCA), and it was established in 1999 to try to combat the problem of uninsured drivers. The program provides auto insurance for premiums promised to be less than $400 per year.

However, there is an important difference between the insurance provided by CLCA and standard policies. The insurance provided by CLCA offers only $10/$20/$3 instead of the standard minimum required limits. This means a person has liability coverage only for $10,000 for injuries, $20,000 for the accident as a whole, and $3,000 for property damage.

If an individual is involved in an accident with an insured with low policy limits, that individual may have difficulty obtaining the full compensation he or she is afforded under California law. The difficulty is exacerbated by the fact that CLCA caters to low-income drivers: even if the injured plaintiff received a judgment in excess of the defendant’s insurance policy limit, the defendant likely would not have the resources or funds to pay the judgment.

While the program may have removed a significant number of uninsured drivers from the road, it has unfortunately replaced them with underinsured ones. Although receiving a fraction of a judgment is most likely preferable to nothing at all for many plaintiffs, the program has not eliminated the need for many drivers to purchase uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to ensure they are fully compensated after an accident.

Additional information on California’s Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program, uninsured and underinsured motorist policies, and the personal injury claims process, is available to the public free of charge through our office’s Preferred Friends and Clients Program.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to discuss a specific legal matter with a California personal injury attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Canoga Park: Truck Struck, Injured Woman and Child

Tue, 15 May 2012 11:44:04 -0800

Shortly after 8 a.m. on Monday, May 14th, a pickup truck struck and injured a woman and a child in Canoga Park. The accident occurred in the 7600 block of Shirley Avenue. Paramedics transported the injured pedestrians to Northridge Hospital to receive medical attention. The driver of the truck remained at the scene and cooperated with the police investigation.

“Whether walking inside or out of a crosswalk, pedestrians have rights and, if injured by a negligent driver, may seek compensation for expenses related to their recovery,” explained California personal injury lawyer James Ballidis.

In Los Angeles County, traffic collisions claimed the lives of 177 pedestrians and injured another 5,215 in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. Comparing the design and pedestrian safety of 52 metro areas in the nation with populations of over one million residents, Transportation for America ranked the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana area 27th in its Pedestrian Danger Index.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish a full recovery to the woman and child who were struck and injured by the truck yesterday.

The Los Angeles Daily News originally reported this Canoga Park pedestrian accident.

Resources for accident victims and their families, such as articles on pedestrian rights and on filing a claim for compensation for expenses related to the injury, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California personal injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Casa Blanca: Police Car Struck, Fatally Injured Pedestrian Isabel Pablo Tomas

Mon, 14 May 2012 13:35:55 -0800

Shortly before 8 a.m. on Sunday, May 13th, a police car struck and fatally injured pedestrian Isabel Pablo Tomas in the Casa Blanca community of Riverside. While crossing Madison Street in front of St. Anthony’s Church, she was hit by a patrol car driven by an officer who was on duty at the time of the collision. According to Angel Gaytan Jr., a resident of the neighborhood, several people who were standing in front of the church may have witnessed the accident. Tomas was transported to a local hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries at about 3 p.m., according to her son.

“Whether walking inside or outside of a crosswalk, pedestrians have rights,” explained California personal injury lawyer James Ballidis. “In the event that a motorist causes fatal harm to a pedestrian in an accident, the motorist may face a wrongful death claim from the victim’s family.”

Traffic accidents claimed the lives of 40 pedestrians and injured another 395 throughout Riverside County in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. That year, 567 pedestrians were killed in collisions in the state.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of Isabel Pablo Tomas, the pedestrian who was struck and fatally injured by the police car.

The Press-Enterprise originally reported this Casa Blanca pedestrian accident.

Resources for accident victims and their families, including articles on pedestrian rights and on the wrongful death claims process, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California personal injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Palm Desert: Truck Struck, Seriously Injured Boy

Mon, 14 May 2012 10:30:21 -0800

At about 8:40 p.m. on Sunday, May 13th, a pickup truck struck and seriously injured a 4-year-old boy in Palm Desert. The boy was crossing the street at the intersection of Fred Waring Drive and San Pablo Avenue with his mother when the truck ran a red light and hit him. He was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Witnesses have been asked to contact traffic investigators at 760-836-1600.

“When a driver fails to heed a traffic signal or safety law and causes an accident resulting in serious trauma, the driver may be held liable for the expense of treating the victim’s injuries and recovery,” explained California personal injury lawyer James Ballidis.

Palm Desert accounted for none of the 40 fatalities and 15 of the 395 injuries suffered by pedestrians in traffic accidents throughout Riverside County in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. Comparing 104 cities with populations ranging in size from 50,001 to 100,000 residents, the California Office of Traffic Safety ranked Palm Desert 67th for fatal and injury accidents suffered by pedestrians under the age of 15.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish a full recovery to the boy who was struck and seriously injured by the pickup truck.

The Press-Enterprise originally reported this Palm Desert pedestrian accident.

Resources for accident victims and their families, including articles on pedestrian rights and on the process of pursuing an injury claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California personal injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Poor Sidewalk Maintenance Can Lead to Pedestrian Accidents and Litigation

Sat, 12 May 2012 10:38:04 -0800

In the state of California, all property owners, or those in control of property, are expected to maintain their property in accordance with minimum acceptable standards. When a property owner fails to do so, he or she may be sued under premises liability law, explains a California personal injury attorney. Commonly referred to as "slip-and-fall" cases, injury that occurs due to dangerous maintenance conditions can happen anywhere and can be caused by anything from a wet floor to a cracked floor to a poorly designed sidewalk or staircase that causes a fall to occur.

When the property is owned or controlled by the government, however, there are special legal rules that apply. These rules exist because of a legal doctrine called "government immunity." In the state of California, the Government Code establishes limited government immunity in section 817, which mandates that public entities are not liable for injuries caused by acts or omissions unless a statutory exception exists. In other words, a government agency, and government employees, cannot be sued unless the law specifically says that the government agency may be sued.

Exceptions to the government immunity rule are also found within the same government code. For instance, Government Code section 830 carves out certain exceptions to the limitations on government immunity when the government creates or fails to correct an especially dangerous condition that is likely to cause harm.

One recent case where a dangerous condition contributed to a pedestrian’s injury occurred in Glendale, California. A city sidewalk had become raised and cracked as a result of the uncontrolled growth of a magnolia tree root. A man named Michael Donovan tripped over the cracked sidewalk as he was carrying a large bowl of leftovers home from a dinner party at a friend's home.

Mr. Donovan woke up in a hospital room after the fall rendered him unconscious. Upon awaking, he learned that he had bruises and cuts on his face and arms. More seriously, however, he had ruptured his eye globe. This necessitated emergency surgery and a six-day hospital stay. Unfortunately, despite the medical treatment, Donovan will suffer a significant reduction in vision in his left eye that will remain with him for the rest of his life.

In the settlement with the city of Glendale—the party responsible for maintaining the sidewalk and the tree—the city agreed to pay $125,000 in damages. The Los Angeles Times reported that this was an unusually large settlement for the city in a slip-and-fall case.

The large settlement likely stemmed from the permanent nature of Mr. Donovan's injuries. Personal injury and slip-and-fall damages are intended to provide full compensation for a victim who suffers from harm. This means that the damages should cover medical costs to date; future medical costs; compensation for any reduction in earning power in the future or lost wages to date; as well as compensation for pain and suffering. When an injury is disfiguring or permanent, the damages associated with that injury would be larger, just as they would be for an injury that is extremely painful or expensive to treat.

Mr. Donovan will experience a lifetime reduction in his ability to see out of his left eye. This is a serious impairment and one for which the city of Glendale was responsible for providing fair compensation. The $125,000 settlement is a reasonable and just result in light of the city's negligence and the lifelong consequences of their careless maintenance.

Additional articles on premises liability, as well as other issues concerning personal injury law, are available to the public free of charge through our office’s Preferred Friends and Clients Program.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California personal injury attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

North Hollywood: Woman Killed in Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident

Sat, 12 May 2012 09:12:02 -0800

Shortly before 9 p.m. on Friday, May 11th, a woman was killed in a hit-and-run in North Hollywood. The pedestrian accident occurred in the 4100 block of Cahuenga Boulevard near Lankershim Boulevard and involved a dark colored, four-door sedan with collision damage to the front end. Authorities are investigating the accident.

“In the absence of the driver who caused the fatal accident, the family of the victim is not only deprived of justice but also of the ability to seek damages for their loss through a wrongful death claim,” explained California personal injury lawyer James Ballidis.

Traffic accidents claimed the lives of 177 pedestrians and injured another 5,215 throughout Los Angeles County in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. That year, hit-and-run accidents claimed the lives of 88 pedestrians and injured 2,127 in the state.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of the woman who was killed in the hit-and-run accident last night.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this pedestrian accident.

Resources for accident victims and their families, including books and articles on the injury and the wrongful death claims process, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California personal injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

San Rafael: Drunk Driver Guadalupe Pantoja Seriously Injured Two Passengers in Crash

Fri, 11 May 2012 09:23:06 -0800

Shortly before 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 10th, a drunk driver caused a crash that seriously injured her two passengers in San Rafael. While speeding eastbound in a 1999 Dodge Intrepid on Point San Pedro Road, 20-year-old Guadalupe Pantoja slammed into the rear of a parked 2004 Porsche Cayenne just east of Summit Avenue, the impact sending the Porsche into a parked 1995 Jaguar sedan, causing the Jaguar to hit a utility trailer. The Dodge proceeded to strike a fence and trees and ignite into flames. A 22-year-old San Rafael man sitting in the front seat exited the vehicle and fell to the ground, having suffered a collapsed lung, dislocated right shoulder, and multiple fractures; the back-seat passenger, a 20-year-old Richmond man, also escaped the burning vehicle after sustaining serious kidney trauma. Pantoja suffered a broken ankle and lacerations to her forehead and leg. They were transported to a nearby hospital, where Pantoja was arrested on suspicion of DUI causing bodily injury, DUI with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 percent or greater causing bodily harm, and driving without a license.

“When a driver’s violation of safety laws and negligence results in a collision causing injury to his or her passengers or to the occupants of other vehicles, the driver may be legally obligated to compensate the victims for expenses incurred from their medical care and recovery,” explained California personal injury attorney James Ballidis.

San Rafael accounted for none of the 9 fatalities and 333 of the 1,155 injuries suffered by motor vehicle occupants in traffic collisions throughout Marin County in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. Alcohol was a contributing factor in 5 of the fatal and 91 of the injury accidents that occurred in Marin County that year.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish a full recovery to the two passengers who were seriously injured in the crash caused by the drunk driver. We would also like to wish a full recovery to the driver, Guadalupe Pantoja.

KTVU.COM originally reported this San Rafael collision.

Resources for accident victims, such as books and articles on the process of filing a claim for compensation from the at-fault driver for expenses related to the injury, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California personal injury attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Hesperia: One Killed, One Seriously Injured in Collision

Fri, 11 May 2012 07:56:43 -0800

At about 3:20 p.m. on Thursday, May 10th, one person was killed and another was seriously injured in a collision in Hesperia. The crash, which involved a Camaro and a gold-colored sedan, occurred near the intersection of E Avenue and Peach Avenue. The driver of the Camaro was pronounced dead at the scene. Paramedics transported the other driver to a local hospital, where the driver was airlifted to Loma Linda University Medical Center. Authorities are investigating the crash.

“The formal investigation into a fatal accident can take several weeks to complete,” explained California personal injury lawyer James Ballidis, “which can present challenges to obtaining details about the incident for the family of the victim.”

Hesperia accounted for 7 of the 192 fatalities and 356 of the 10,983 injuries suffered by motor vehicle occupants in traffic accidents throughout San Bernardino County in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. That year, 3,081 people were killed in traffic collisions throughout the state.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of the driver who was killed in the collision yesterday. We would also like to wish a full recovery to the driver who was seriously injured.

Resources for accident victims and their families, including books and articles on the process of pursuing an injury or a wrongful death claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California personal injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Corcoran: Robert John Andrade Jr. and Jared Austin Sweeney Killed, Mathew Andrade and Acila Williams Seriously Injured in Collision on Highway 43

Thu, 10 May 2012 10:10:52 -0800

Shortly after 2 a.m. on Sunday, May 6th, Robert John Andrade Jr. and Jared Austin Sweeney, both 19, were killed and 18-year-old Mathew Andrade and 46-year-old Acila Williams were seriously injured in a collision on Highway 43 near Corcoran. While traveling southbound in a Nissan, Robert veered into the opposing lanes of traffic and crashed into a Chrysler driven by Acila. Robert and Jared, a passenger in the front seat of the Nissan, were pronounced dead at the scene. Mathew, who was sitting in the back seat, and Acila sustained major trauma and were transported to a local hospital. Authorities are investigating the accident.

“The formal investigation into a fatal collision can take several weeks to complete,” explained California personal injury lawyer James Ballidis, “which can be frustrating for family members seeking information about their loved one.”

Corcoran accounted for none of the 26 fatalities and 21 of the 704 injuries suffered by motor vehicle occupants in traffic accidents throughout Kings County in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. That year, 3,081 people were killed in traffic crashes that occurred in the state.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the families of Robert John Andrade Jr. and Jared Austin Sweeney, the driver and passenger who were killed in the collision on Highway 43. We would also like to wish a full recovery to Mathew Andrade and Acila Williams.

The Fresno Bee originally reported this Corcoran crash.

Resources for accident victims and their families, including books and articles on the process of pursuing an injury or a wrongful death claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California personal injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Hemet: Vehicle Struck, Seriously Injured Toddler

Wed, 09 May 2012 16:23:12 -0800

At about 11:18 a.m. on Wednesday, May 9th, a vehicle struck and seriously injured a toddler in Hemet. The accident occurred in the 400 block of Mayberry Avenue. The two-year-old girl sustained major trauma and was transported to a local hospital. Authorities are investigating the incident.

“Whether walking inside or outside of a designated crosswalk, pedestrians have rights,” explained California personal injury lawyer James Ballidis, “and, in many cases, may seek compensation from the at-fault driver after an accident causing injury.”

Hemet accounted for 2 of the 40 fatalities and 28 of the 395 injuries suffered by pedestrians in traffic accidents throughout Riverside County in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. Out of 104 cities with populations ranging in size from 50,001 to 100,000 residents, the California Office of Traffic Safety ranked Hemet 12th for fatalities and injuries among pedestrians under the age of 15, which is a poor score considering that 1st place is the worst.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish a full recovery to the toddler who was struck and seriously injured by the driver this morning.

The Press-Enterprise originally reported this Hemet accident.

Resources for accident victims and their families, including books and articles on the process of filing an injury claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California personal injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Running Springs: Motorcyclists Justin Kilgore and Michael Anson Seriously Injured in Head-On Collision with Vehicle

Wed, 09 May 2012 09:26:04 -0800

At about 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 6th, two motorcyclists were seriously injured in a head-on collision with a vehicle in Running Springs. While riding southbound on Highway 18, 30-year-old Justin Kilgore, of Homeland, and 30-year-old Michael Anson, of Hesperia, crashed into the left front end of a 2001 Subaru Outback that had veered into their path from northbound lanes, the impact throwing both motorcyclists from their bikes. They were transported to Loma Linda University Medical Center to receive treatment for their injuries. The driver of the Subaru, 21-year-old Justin Evans, of Big Bear Lake, was also hurt in the crash. Authorities are investigating the accident.

“When a person drives negligently and causes a collision that harms others, that person may be legally obligated to compensate the injured parties for expenses incurred from their medical care and recovery,” explained California personal injury lawyer James Ballidis.

Traffic accidents claimed the lives of 32 motorcycle riders and injured another 478 throughout San Bernardino County in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. Although the incidence of fatality rose among motorcyclists on the national level, it decreased in California from 394 in 2009 to 352 in 2010.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish a full recovery to Justin Kilgore and Michael Anson, the two motorcyclists who were seriously injured in the head-on crash with the vehicle. We would also like to wish a full recovery to the driver of the vehicle, Justin Evans.

The Press-Enterprise originally reported this Running Springs collision.

Resources for motorcycle accident victims, such as books and articles on the process of seeking compensation for injury-related expenses from the negligent driver, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California personal injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Victorville: Motorcyclist Michael Johnson Killed in Crash with Left-Turning Van

Tue, 08 May 2012 12:20:01 -0800

Shortly after 5 a.m. on Monday, May 7th, 47-year-old motorcyclist Michael Johnson was killed in a crash with a left-turning van in Victorville. While traveling east on D Street in a 2003 Ford Windstar van, 32-year-old Casey Hunter turned left at Second Street in front of Johnson, who was riding westbound on a 2005 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities are investigating the collision.

“In many cases, a wrongful death claim may arise from a fatal crash attributable to the negligence of one of the drivers involved,” explained California personal injury lawyer James Ballidis.

Victorville accounted for 4 of the 32 fatalities and 14 of the 478 injuries suffered by motorcyclists in traffic collisions throughout San Bernardino County in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. Although fatalities among motorcyclists increased on the national level in 2010—accounting for 14 percent of all traffic fatalities that year—they decreased in California by 10.7 percent, from 394 to 353.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of Michael Johnson, the motorcyclist killed in the crash with a left-turning van.

The Press-Enterprise originally reported this Victorville collision.

Resources for accident victims and their families, including articles on investigating a motorcycle accident and filing a personal injury or a wrongful death claim for compensation from the negligent party, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California personal injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.