Riverside and San Bernardino Injury Lawyer Blog

• The family members of the mother and son involved in a fatal car accident last weekend in Brawley are still trying to put the pieces together of what happened while they were traveling to visit family in Mexico. Those in the car were the mother, her two sons (8 years old and 19) and a friend. The friend who had been in the car recounts the accident and indicates that the mother had been speeding in an attempt to get out of a dangerous area of the drive as soon as possible. The car was traveling at 40 mph in a 15 mph zone, on a stretch of road where sharp turns were common. When they came upon their second sharp turn the car was already turning over and ended up in a nearby canal, turned over.

The teenage friend was able to kick his window out and pull the 8 year old out of the car but was not able to help his friend or his friend's mother. There were no indications what kind of car they had been driving. Family members are still seeking answers as to what went wrong in the crash. Friends are planning car washes to help raise money for the burial services.

• Earlier this month another woman, this time from Apple Valley, lost her life in a rollover crash. The woman allegedly lost control of her car and it turned over into the driveway of a home on Red Feather Road. The 31 year old woman died at the scene just before 8:30pm.

• Just yesterday another group of teens were involved in a serious crash on Highway 74 east of Lake Elsinore. One teen died and the others were injured badly. Officers indicate the car they were traveling in, a Honda Civic, crossed into oncoming traffic and ended up colliding head on with another car (coincidentally another Honda Civic), although that driver had made an attempt at avoiding it. Officers are not sure of the reason that the Civic crossed into oncoming traffic but it was eventually broadsided on the driver's side. The injuries sustained by the driver were too severe he died at the hospital later that night.

Continue reading "Report Of Latest Accidents On San Bernardino And Riverside Roadways " »

Multiple news sources have reported the results of the rain and driving on the Riverside and San Bernardino roadways. An early morning crash took place when a big rig skidded on a wet highway and went over the side of the southbound 215 connector. The result was practically all of westbound I-10 closed in order for Caltrans crews to clean up the 150 gallons of fuel that had spilled onto the highway. Thankfully, the driver survived and there were no other cars struck.

As you head out in your car or motorcycle today, please make sure to remember a few very important safety tips to insure you arrive at your destination and back home again safely! First, slow down. High speeds and wet roads just do not mix. The speed limits that are posted on roads and freeways are for ideal conditions so when rainy weather is brought into the mix drivers must lower their speeds in order to enjoy a safe ride.

Second, give yourself some extra time. If a driver is not in a hurry they will be less likely to increase their driving speeds. Pay attention to the experts that are reporting about road closures and current driving conditions, this can help a driver gauge how much time they need to allow themselves in order to get to their destinations on time.

Third, be prepared. Drivers need to have windshield wipers that are in good condition. If drivers are heading to mountain-country then it is a good idea to have chains for their tires and clothing that is water resistant and warm. Having headlights that work, making sure bulbs are replaced when needed, can insure that a car is visible to others around you in rain, snow and fog conditions. Being prepared (don't forget to make sure your gas tank is full!) for any of these conditions leaves drivers with the peace of mind that they can enjoy a day out of the house and return home safely.

Continue reading "Riverside and San Bernardino Rainstorms Increase Dangers While Driving " »

Auto accidents take place in all kinds of weather but when rain falls on Southern California freeways there is a good chance auto accidents will occur. Those residents that live in the mountain areas of Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead are more than aware of the inconveniences to their commute that can arise during the winter months. Maintenance crews for Caltrans are trying to do what they can to prepare for the winter and prevent as many problems as possible.

Weather conditions are typically unpredictable leaving some best efforts to wash away with the rainwater but according to Caltrans spokeswoman Terri Kasinga, that has not stopped maintenance crews from preparing for winter, since the end of last winter. Maintenance crews in the mountain areas spent the warmer months of the summer inspecting the roads for cracks, clearing and ensuring that screens that prevent closures of highways due to rockslides were clear, and cleaning culverts. The maintenance crews in the cities worked on cleaning drains and smoothing roads by paving potholes. Maintenance workers for utility companies have prepared for the windy weather and the possibility of power lines snapping because trees fall over.

The memories of last year's problems on the roadways are still fresh in the minds of officials in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. The six month long closure of Highway 330 was a severe blow to all preparation steps taken during the summer months last year. The heavy rains that fell in December completely washed away parts of the highway and crews spent those long months trying to repair the road and make it safe for commuters again. The recent rains have some officials beginning to worry, especially since some maintenance crews have not finished their cleaning preparations.

Continue reading "San Bernardino and Riverside County Freeways Being Prepared For Winter" »

If you are a Riverside or San Bernardino motorist who drives a General Motors car please be aware of the recall that was recently issued for more than a million trucks and cars. According to reports the recall was issued because there is a potential fire hazard to the cars involved with the heater washer fluid that could short-circuit. General Motors has notified their dealers that they are to permanently put the heater washer fluid system out of action. General Motors will also be compensating each of its vehicle owners whose cars have been recalled with $100.

General Motors is aware of approximately five fires caused by the heater washer fluid system. Thankfully, none of these reports had injuries or accidents involved. It is estimated that 155,000 recalled cars and trucks are in the United States. The cars that have been recalled are:

• 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
• 2006-2009 Buick Lucerne, Cadillac DTS and Hummer H2
• 2008-2009 Buick Enclave, Cadillac CTS
• 2007-2009 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Avalanche, Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Acadia, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon, Saturn Outlook

This recall, unfortunately, is not new territory for General Motors. Just a few years ago many of these same cars were recalled for the same fire hazard issue. The car company attempted to correct the fire hazard with the installation of new wiring. The problem continued to persist after the changes were made. It was just a short time later that the company who installed the heater washer fluid system had filed for bankruptcy. This company had been the sole supplier of the kind of technology required for the heater washer fluid system. When they went bankrupt there was no option to General Motors but to stop offering this option in his automotive packages. The $100 being offered by GM is actually a refund for loss of the heater washer feature.

Continue reading "More Problems For General Motors Cars, Recall Issued" »

Riverside and San Bernardino injury lawyers shared the news late last year of the injuries and deaths that took place at a off-road racing event when one of the racers lost control of their truck and it rolled into a group of spectators that had been allowed to get "too close" to the action. Promoters and professionals in the off-road industry are feeling a bit skeptical now that the Bureau of Land Management has begun charging a higher fee for racing permits.

Opponents of off-road racing are upset with the way the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently "discounted" fees for permits to an event that took place in February. The BLM was supposed to charge roughly $44,000 to cover the expense of technical staff, police and putting some of that back into preserving the land used. Hammerking Productions, the promoters of the King of Hammers event held in February, got away with paying under $30,000 and opponents say this is just another example of the favoritism that BLM has for fans of off-roading. The BLM contends that King of Hammers was the first event to take place since the tragedy last fall and the Bureau had not had sufficient time to calculate the recovery costs but that they "negotiated the cost recovery amount with [Hammerkind Productions] and let them know there would be no concessions in next year's amount, which has already been calculated at $45,000."

Of course, off-road supporters think the increase in fees can only mean bad things for the industry. Higher permit costs will mean fewer participants in racers, which means fewer spectators at the races. Dave Cole, who is head of Hammerkind Productions, believes that "the BLM is pricing off-roaders right off public lands" and this could end off-road racing for Southern California. Cole noted that in just a couple years the cost for a permit jumped from $1,600 to $30,000-$40,000 and this could pose a big problem for the events that have smaller promoters. The change in spectator position on the off-road race track might also pose a problem to the event. Cole also indicated that fans of off-road racing are adamant about being close to the action but the new requirements push them farther back then they like. This might further decrease the crowds that come out to support races and the industry will lose money.

Continue reading "Update: Riverside/San Bernardino Area Off-Road Race Crash Possibly Led To Higher Cost Of Race Permits" »

Product liability cases stem from being injured while using a product. Riverside and San Bernardino product liability lawyers seek to keep their clients informed of any kind of recall or special announcement regarding products in wide use. It is important to keep up to date and even register products so that companies can contact you and inform you of defects or precautions that need to be taken when using their product.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently announced, via a posting on its website, that using ShoulderFlex Massagers could pose life-threatening injuries, specifically injuries due to strangulation while using this device. A report came to the FDA from the Consumer Product Safety Commission that one individual died because of their use of the ShoulderFlex Massager. The FDA also noted that it is aware of a different consumer who suffered a near-strangulation due to their use of the ShoulderFlex Massager. The FDA lists that strangulation can take place when a consumer's clothing, hair or jewelry get caught in the rotator of the device. The FDA warns consumers who have purchased a ShoulderFlex Massager to immediately discontinue use and dispose of it. The rotating fingers and power supply unit for the device must be disposed separately.

King International, based in Oregon, is the distributor of the ShoulderFlex Massager. This product is a personal massager to be used on an individual's shoulder, neck and back areas. The parts of the massager include the handheld controller, the massage unit, a sleeve, a rotating bar that has removable fingers to allow the user to customize the massage area and a memory foam pillow. It is in the rotating bar that the FDA warns users that their clothing and jewelry can be caught and cause personal injury. These massagers have been sold by retailers and online since 2003. King International is expected to issue a recall of the massagers soon.

Continue reading "Product Warning From The FDA" »

Reports of a recent California State Supreme Court ruling are buzzing throughout personal injury and media circles in California touting the reversal to a previous appeal that has ruled in favor of insurance companies. A 6-1 vote declared that a victim of an accident who seeks compensation from the party responsible can only receive damages equal to what the insurance company would have negotiated to pay to the hospitals or doctors who had provided medical help. Victims can no longer seek the full cost of that treatment in their lawsuit. Insurance companies and businesses are relieved to be released from the burden of multi-million dollar payments that take place each year in legal battles.

This ruling is the most recent in the case of Rebecca Howell v. Hamilton Meats & Provisions, In. A few years ago Howell had been in an auto accident after the driver of a truck from the Hamilton Meats company made an illegal U-turn. She was injured and doctors found she needed surgery leaving her with almost $200,000 in medical bills. As is common practice, her health insurance company negotiated their payment down to roughly $60,000. Howell decided to sue Hamilton Meats for the full amount in damages and was granted that appeal in court previous to this ruling. Lawyers for Hamilton Meats appealed that ruling to the State level and the trial was heard this last spring. A brief section of the ruling indicated, "We hold no such recovery is allowed, for the simple reason that the injured plaintiff did not suffer any economic loss in that amount."

Others are upset with the ruling, saying that it penalizes the individual based on the quality of health coverage they can afford. The view is that individuals who act negligently, as the Hamilton Meats employee in making the illegal U-turn did, will not be fully penalized for such decisions because of the savings a victim's insurance company can negotiate and that "the value of medical care should be determined by courtroom evidence, not a negotiated discount." Insurance companies retort that the savings is passed on to the consumer when their insurance rates are not increased because of the high cost of liability.

Continue reading "Supreme Court of California Makes Important Ruling For Personal Injury Lawsuits" »

When a family checks into a hospital to prepare to welcome a baby into their lives they never expect to encounter any source of contamination or dirty and/or malfunctioned medical product within the hospital that would harm their new child. Unfortunately, there are times when no one foresees a product malfunction or contamination of a product that should be "squeaky clean." When an individual suffers injuries due to circumstances such as these then a product liability lawsuit may be the course of action to take in order to recover lost wages or to not suffer financial devastation on top of the physical ailments being endured due to unforeseen medical costs.

In 2007 two young boys, twins, were born and all seemed to be well until shortly after birth one of the twins named Myles began to show serious signs of illness. Doctors discovered the baby had become infected with a bacteria stemming from the Bacillus Cereus organism. The potentially deadly infection wreaked havoc on the little baby's brain and parts of it were left liquefied causing significant delays in his development. Hospital personnel were astonished that this had happened. They took various measures to determine where the bacteria had come from. After not being able to successfully find any bacterial sources on their own they asked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to assist them and were not successful yet again. The question so many were puzzled by was how did this happen to one baby and not the other? What had been different?

Just within the last 12 months the family of this little boy were able to get another piece of the puzzle after a company named Triad Group and its sister company H & T Industries issued a substantial recall of alcohol prep pads and wipes that were found to be contaminated. The wipes and alcohol prep pads had been included in medical prep kits and it was brought to their attention that some of the pads and wipes had been contaminated with the Bacillus Cereus organism. With this new information the child's family believes those pads were to blame for their son's infection and decided to add Triad Group and H & T Industries to the product liability lawsuit they had filed against the hospital previously.

Continue reading "Product Liability Case Holds Another Company Responsible For Child's Injuries" »

Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that using a bicycle as a mode of transportation is still relatively safe and a good option for getting around. In 2008 bicycle accidents only accounted for two percent of deaths in traffic crashes. Although this is good news for cyclists throughout Southern California it does not diminish the need for a good bicycle accident attorney if you find yourself in an accident.

San Bernardino bicycle accident attorneys are saddened to hear of another accident that killed one of its devoted detectives, Duane Parkison. He was not on duty at the time of the accident but out on the streets enjoying a ride on his bike through Irvine where he lived. Irvine is well known for its bike trails and has a healthy population of cyclists. The accident took place in the afternoon, around 1 o'clock, on Shady Canyon Drive. Parkison was traveling northbound when a woman driving an SUV, also traveling northbound, struck him. Firefighters and officers reported that two other bicyclists had stopped and were performing CPR on Parkison upon their arrival, he was then taken to a local hospital but died from the injuries he suffered.

Police are still investigating the accident to determine if Parkison had been biking along the curb or in the traffic lane and to clarify what lane the SUV was occupying at the time of the accident in order to establish which party held responsibility. Police are reportedly confident that alcohol and/or drugs did not have an influential role in this tragic accident. Parkison's wife and three children were visited by his colleagues from the Sheriff's Department, who say they thought of him as a family member. There was no mention of whether Parkison had been using a helmet, or the speed the SUV had been driving at. Helmets have been shown to decrease the severity of injuries bicyclists experience in accidents.

Continue reading "Bicycle Accident Kills Off Duty San Bernardino Detective " »

Asthma, a respiratory disease, is one of the most chronic conditions afflicting American children. Studies estimate that approximately 13% of youth 18 years and younger suffer from asthma in the United States. That translates to 9.4 million people in the United States with this condition. From 1980 to 1996 Asthma occurrences in the American population increased by 74%. Various medical studies have been performed in attempts to determine any correlations between external factors and the development of Asthma.

One such study, published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, recently found that high exposures of electromagnetic fields to pregnant women can increase the incidence of asthma development to their children, reportedly up to 75% more risk. A California doctor, Dr. De-Kun Li, put together what he calls a prospective study where he was able to research 801 pregnant women. Each woman wore a monitor to measure the amount of exposure to magnetic fields within 24 hours. Low-frequency electronic devices like hair dryers, microwaves, fluorescent light bulbs, coffee grinders, transformer stations and power lines were the target. It is important to note that higher frequency electronic devices such as cell phones were not monitored.

Dr. Li and his team followed the medical records of the children after birth for a period of 13 years, specifically watching to see if the children development asthma. They found that 130 of the children develop asthma and the majority of the diagnosis came before the children had reached the age of five. Upon further analysis they found that the children whose mothers had the highest amount of electromagnetic field exposure were also 3.5 times more likely to be asthmatic. It is still unclear why exposure to power lines would increase asthma risk.

Continue reading "California Doctor Finds Possible Correlation Between A Mother's Exposure to Magnetic Fields And Children Developing Asthma" »

For many years the ability to fly has led many people to push the limits of adventure in their lives. The results have ranged from successful discoveries in aerodynamics to devastating loss of life and means. Since 9/11 flying has been seen in a whole new perspective and many people were hesitant to ever fly again. Flying nowadays is ripe with red tape but that hasn't kept people from benefitting from the time saving mode of travel or learning how to navigate through the blue skies on their own.

Although we don't hear about them as often as we do motor accidents flying is not without injury and accident. A week ago a small plane crashed in the Cleveland National Forest, two men died. The coroner was not able to positively identify the men without dental records or some other form of assistance. The crash led to a relatively small fire in the brush surrounding it but firefighters were able to extinguish the fire quickly. Officials from the National Transportation Safety Board are conducting an investigation as to the cause of the crash.

The National Transportation Safety Board indicates that general aviation (GA) accidents are high each year, roughly 450 deaths in 2010 with reported injuries sustained in the thousands. Within civil aviation general aviation accidents are the highest. The NTSB advises that pilots need to be thoroughly familiar with the plane's technology and the possibilities wherein it can malfunction. Pilots also need to be prepared for various weather circumstances and ready for changes in weather that might not be anticipated.

Continue reading "Two Dead In Riverside County Plane Crash" »

Being involved in an auto accident can result in a lengthy legal battle with the parties involved in the accident. When an injured driver tries to hold a car company legally responsible for defects or faulty mechanics they can get trapped in litigation. This is one of the reasons it is imperative to find a personal injury lawyer to help you on your journey to legal restitution and receiving the compensation you deserve. An auto accident that results in traumatic injuries to the spine or any part of the body can change the manner in which a person is capable of living their lives and inundate them with medical bills they no longer have the capacity to pay for.

One woman is in the midst of a drawn out legal battle that began when she was in an auto accident in 2007 on I-15 in California. She was driving her 1997 Ford Explorer when she alleges that there was a loud noise before her SUV then went out of control. The car proceeded off the right side of the highway, down an embankment and stops when it collides with a tree. The injuries she sustained left her a quadriplegic. She initially sued Ford Motor Co. and Michelin Tires. Two years later she would settle with Michelin. After trial a jury awarded her $21 million but Ford contests that there was "no basis for expert's opinion."

Continue reading "$21 Million Verdict Supported By Evidence In Paralyzing Crash On I-15" »

There are a handful of daily comforts that are easy to take for granted until they no longer available. Having running water, electricity to light our homes and streets and many other places, gas to put in our cars and warm our homes, and food to eat when we are hungry. Sometimes having these comforts around us can also pose a health risk or possible personal injury. There are news reports of children drowning in bath tubs, gas leaks leading to poisonings and burns, fires and deaths caused by electrical systems in homes and around towns.

Riverside County Fire Department responded to an auto accident which also led to a small brush fire on Tuesday. The car driver collided with a power pole which brought the power lines down and those in turn ignited a fire in the brush nearby. The driver was fortunate enough to leave the scene with only minor injuries and the Fire Department was able to put out the fire promptly. Investigators are still determining the cause of the collision.

Then in La Quinta a homeowner was burned due to an electrical fire burning at his residence. Investigators have yet to determine the cause of the electrical fire but the homeowner was taken by medivac helicopter to be treated for his injuries sustained in the fire. There was minor damage to the actual home.

Continue reading "Riverside Electrical Accidents Cause Injuries, Safety Tips" »

Seat belt use is one of the easiest ways to protect ourselves while driving in automobiles or other motor vehicles. Seat belts are also much neglected, many people take for granted the amount of protection they offer. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that buckling up "is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash." Between the years 2004 and 2008 more than 75,000 lives were saved by seat belts. Using a seat belt keeps the person safely within the vehicle instead of being thrown out. Seat belts are imperative in keeping our children safe when in cars also. According to another study by the NHTSA, in 2006 there was an average of 5 children (age 14 and younger) killed every day. That is an astounding statistic!

Two more precious lives were lost this week in a rollover accident that took place on a Riverside freeway. A six year old boy and 14 year old girl were both thrown from the car they were traveling in when one of the car's tires blew out causing the car to roll. They were in a Mitsubishi Montero SUV being driven by the six year old's mother, Tomasa Fuentes, who was buckled in. Only three, one of which was a baby in a child carrier, of the supposed eight passengers in the car were safely seat belted. Further investigation is ongoing to determine the condition of the car and interview witnesses but alcohol was completely ruled out.

Continue reading "Riverside Freeway Accident Claims The Lives Of Two Children Not Wearing Seatbelts" »

It's the weekend and you are ready to head out to the water and cool off. You have plans to take the boat out with some friends and have a good time, maybe some good food and your favorite alcoholic beverage to help keep you cool under the sun. It might be wise to pack some non-alcoholic beverages while you're out and enjoy your favorite wine or beer when you get back. Boating under the influence can be just as harmful as drinking and driving! The United States Coast Guard estimates that roughly 17% of recreational boating accidents are due to alcohol impairment.

The Colorado River attracts many boaters this time of year. A woman who lives in Santa Clarita, Brittany Stark, was there with some friends when she was involved in a boat accident. Investigators are not certain if alcohol was involved but the investigation is continuing. Stark was a passenger in the boat that 20 year old Gregory Kettelkamp was operating. For reasons yet to be determined Kettelkamp hit the riverbank sometime after 10 p.m. on Sunday. The impact was enough to throw the boat's passengers off the vessel. Stark was pronounced dead at the hospital she had been taken to. Two other passengers are being treated for critical injuries.

Continue reading "Boating Accident Claims Life Of Santa Clarita Woman On Colorado River" »