Cirila Guzman, 76, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident, which officials say may have involved a suspected drunk driver. According to a news report in The San Gabriel Valley Tribune, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred on January 26, 2012 at the intersection of Foothill Boulevard and Dalton Avenue in Azusa. Guzman suffered major head trauma and died from her injuries.

Police booked the driver, 74-year-old Luis Sanchez, on suspicion of DUI causing injury and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. However, he has been released this week after the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office sent the case back to police for further investigation. Officials are waiting for the results of a blood alcohol test. Officials say they plan to present their case to the DA once more evidence has been gathered.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Cirila Guzman for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were two fatalities and 13 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Azusa. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 179 people died and 4,918 were injured due to pedestrian accidents, during the same year.

Gross Vehicular Manslaughter

Based on this news report, it appears that the driver who struck Guzman may have been under the influence of alcohol. Under California Vehicle Code Section 23152, it is illegal to drive a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. A driver whose act of driving under the influence results in the death of another will likely face vehicular manslaughter charges.

California Penal Code Section 191.5 (a) states: "Gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated is the unlawful killing of a human being without malice aforethought, in the driving of a vehicle, where the driving was in violation of Section 23140, 23152, or 23153 of the Vehicle Code, and the killing was either the proximate result of the commission of an unlawful act, not amounting to a felony, and with gross negligence, or the proximate result of the commission of a lawful act that might produce death, in an unlawful manner, and with gross negligence."

Claim for Compensation

If it is determined that Sanchez was at fault, then, in addition to facing criminal charges, he can be held financially responsible for Guzman's wrongful death. In cases where negligence is involved, the family of a deceased victim can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages. An experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer will advise victims and their families in such cases about their legal rights and options. . For more information about the dangers of driving under the influence, please visit the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) web site at www.madd.org.

A 65-year-old woman was seriously injured in a San Diego car accident when a Lexus SUV backed into her. According to a 10News report, the pedestrian accident occurred on Girard Avenue in La Jolla, the morning of January 27, 2012. Officials say the woman was crossing the road when the SUV began backing up to take a parking space and struck her. The woman fell onto the roadway and suffered severe head trauma. It is not clear if the 20-year-old driver will be cited for the collision. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor. An investigation is ongoing.

My thoughts and prayers are with the woman who was injured in this San Diego pedestrian accident. I wish her the very best for a complete and speedy recovery.

San Diego Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 18 people were killed and 494 were injured in pedestrian accidents in the city of San Diego. Countywide, 57 fatalities and 937 injuries occurred due to pedestrian accidents, during that same year.

Laws Relating to Pedestrians

Based on this news report, the woman was crossing the road mid-block. Pedestrians must yield the right of way to vehicles when crossing outside a crosswalk, but that does not excuse drivers from exercising due care to avoid collisions with pedestrians.

California Vehicle Code Section 21954 states: "Every pedestrian upon a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway so near as to constitute an immediate hazard." The same section also states: "The provisions of this section shall not relieve the driver of a vehicle from the duty to exercise due care for the safety of any pedestrian upon a roadway."

Liability Issues

In this particular case, if it is determined that the driver was inattentive, distracted or negligent in any other way, he or she could be held liable for the pedestrian's injuries and damages. Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. Pedestrian accident victims would be well advised to contact an experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of the incident and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable.

A 58-year-old man suffered major injuries in a San Diego car accident after a postal truck hit him as he was crossing the road. According to a 10News report, the injury collision occurred the afternoon of January 9, 2012 at the intersection of Gramercy Drive and Sandrock Road in San Diego. Officials say the westbound vehicle struck the man who was not walking in a marked crosswalk. The man was transported to an area hospital with bleeding in the brain, a leg fracture and shoulder injuries. The driver of the postal vehicle told officials that his vision had been blocked by a pickup truck turning into the driveway right before the crash. An investigation is ongoing.

My thoughts and prayers are with the pedestrian who has apparently suffered a traumatic brain injury in this accident. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

San Diego Pedestrian Accidents

According to California Highway Patrol's 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 18 fatalities and 494 injuries involving San Diego pedestrian accidents. Countywide, 57 fatalities and 937 injuries were reported as a result of pedestrian accidents, during that same year.

Laws Relating to Pedestrians

Based on this news report, it appears that the pedestrian was crossing at an intersection. Officials, however, suspect that he was not walking in a crosswalk at the time. California Vehicle Code Section 21954 states: "Every pedestrian upon a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway so near as to constitute an immediate hazard." The same section also states: "The provisions of this section shall not relieve the driver of a vehicle from the duty to exercise due care for the safety of any pedestrian upon a roadway."

Fault and Liability

In this particular case, if the driver of the postal truck is determined to have been at fault, he and his employer can be held liable for the pedestrian's injuries and damages. In such cases, injured victims can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.

An experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer will be able to determine whether a dangerous roadway condition caused or contributed to the accident. If that was the case, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway can also be held liable. Please remember that any personal injury claim against a California governmental agency must be properly filed within 180 days of the incident.

Mark Mettias, 21, and his four passengers were injured in a Los Angeles car accident when his BMW 335i crashed into a center divider. According to a City News Service report, the DUI collision occurred on the Hollywood 101 Freeway near Union Station in Los Angeles, during the early morning hours of December 11, 2011. Officials say the BMW hit the center divider before veering across all lanes of traffic and stopping in the far right lane. Mettias and four passengers were treated for minor to major injuries. Mettias suffered a cranial hemorrhage and a broken collarbone. He was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving.

My thoughts and prayers are with the many injured victims of this Los Angeles DUI crash. I wish them all the very best for a complete and speedy recovery.

Los Angeles DUI Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), DUI collisions resulted in 83 fatalities and 2,218 injuries in the city of Los Angeles. Countywide, 204 people were killed and 4,672 were injured in alcohol- related car accidents, during the same year.

Drunk Driving Laws

Based on this news report, Mettias was under the influence of alcohol when he crashed his BMW into the center divider. According to California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a): "It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle." The same section also states that it is illegal for a motorist to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher.

Liability Issues

Injured victims of DUI collisions would be well advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer who has a successful track record of holding drunk drivers liable. Victims in such cases can seek compensation for medical expenses, hospitalization, the cost of rehabilitation, lost wages, and other related damages. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to car accident victims and their families. For more information about the dangers of driving under the influence, please visit the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) web site at www.madd.org.

A gas station worker was severely injured in a Los Angeles car accident after he was struck and dragged by a driver, who then left the scene. According to a City News Service report, the hit-and-run car accident occurred at an Arco gas station in Van Nuys, the night of August 16, 2011. The gas station worker grabbed onto the hood of the car after it struck him. The vehicle travelled for about a half-mile before the victim was thrown from the car. The victim suffered major head injuries and remains hospitalized in critical condition. Officials suspect that the accident may have been the result of a dispute or disagreement, but an investigation is ongoing. Officials are looking for the hit-and-run driver. The suspect vehicle has been described as a red four-door Toyota Camry LE with the partial license plate 6SNL.

My thoughts and prayers are with the injured victim of this hit-and-run car accident. I wish him the very best for a complete and speedy recovery.

Los Angeles Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 227 people were killed and 25,043 were injured in Los Angeles car accidents. During that same year, 554 fatalities and 50,817 injuries occurred involving Los Angeles County car accidents. Also, 179 people died and 4,918 were injured due to pedestrian accidents, countywide in 2009.

Leaving the Scene of a Crash

Based on this news report, not only did the driver of the Toyota strike and injure the victim, but also dragged him until he fell off the hood, causing his severe head injuries. Then, the driver sped away from the scene. Unconscionable! Not only is leaving the scene of an injury crash an inhumane and irresponsible act, but it is also illegal. California Vehicle Code Section 20001 (a) states: "The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident."

I certainly hope this driver will soon be apprehended and brought to justice. If you have any information about this accident, please visit our web site, www.hitandrunreward.com. Our site allows witnesses to provide an anonymous tip and become eligible to receive a $1,000 reward.

Liability Issues

In cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, injured victims would be well-advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will stay abreast of the investigation and make sure that their legal rights are protected. A knowledgeable car accident attorney will also inform victims about how their own car insurance policy applies to an incident where the driver is never identified or found, or, in a case where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.

A bicyclist has been injured in a Newport Beach car accident, after he was hit by a car at the intersection of Jamboree Road and Bison Avenue the morning of December 9, 2009, The Orange County Register reports. The driver of the car did not stop and left the scene of the accident. The bicycle rider, who was estimated to be in his mid-40s, was taken to an area trauma unit. Newport Beach police arrested the female driver shortly after the accident.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of this injured bicyclist. I sincerely hope he did not sustain catastrophic injuries. According to this report, the rider was taken to a trauma unit and police say the bicyclist is "in bad shape." I pray that this injured victim will make a quick and complete recovery.

Newport Beach Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), one fatality and 91 injuries were reported as a result of bicycle accidents in Newport Beach. In Orange County, 16 deaths and 1,020 injuries were reported as a result of bicycle accidents. Also, Orange County car accidents claimed 178 lives and injured 14,185 people during the same year.

I trust the hit-and-run driver who apparently injured this bicyclist and took off will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. However, we don't know where the bicyclist was on the roadway at the time of the collision. Was he riding across the road? Was he riding on the side of the road? In such cases, eyewitnesses can be extremely important to tell authorities exactly what happened.

Car Accident Liability Issues

In such cases, victims would be well-advised to contact an experienced Newport Beach personal injury lawyer, who will keep up with the official investigation and make sure that the negligent parties are held accountable for their actions. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to advise injury victims about how their car insurance will apply to a hit-and-run accident or an incident involving an uninsured or underinsured driver. The best personal injury law firms will always offer free and comprehensive consultations to injured victims and/or their families.

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

A driver suffered serious injuries in a Los Angeles car accident the evening of September 2, 2009, the San Gabriel Valley Tribune reports. The man, who has not been identified, was involved in a three car crash near the intersection of Grand Avenue and San Jose Hills Road in Walnut, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department officials said. The victim suffered serious head injuries and was airlifted to an area hospital. Three other men suffered minor injuries.

My heart goes out to the victim of this car accident who apparently suffered serious head trauma. I hope his injuries are not catastrophic. I wish him and the other injured victims the best for a speedy and complete recovery. They will be in my prayers.

Los Angeles Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there was one fatal traffic accident and 53 injury traffic accidents in Walnut. In Los Angeles County as a whole in 2007, there were 712 fatalities and 56,475 injuries as a result of traffic accidents.

Based on this newspaper report, it is not clear who or what caused this multi-car crash. In such cases that involve car collisions at street intersections, usually we see that someone had run a red light or failed to yield right-of-way. I suspect that's what happened here and I trust traffic investigators will look into the exact cause. Was someone driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs? Was one of the drivers distracted or driving recklessly? Did someone run a red light? The answers to such questions will usually help determine who or what caused a street intersection car accident.

Contacting a Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer

A car accident victim and his or her family would be well-served consulting an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will follow up with the police investigation, help identify the negligent parties and hold them accountable. In these types of accidents, the at-fault or negligent parties could be held financially liable for injuries, damages or loss caused to injured victims who can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization and even long term care expenses in case of debilitating injury.

A skilled California car accident lawyer will also help a victim seek compensation through the uninsured/underinsured coverage of his auto insurance policy or another policy under which the victim has benefits, in the event the at-fault party lacks coverage or has inadequate insurance.

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our source for the facts is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, please contact us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. Most of the best law firms will provide accident victims a free consultation.

We cannot fully inform any party or family member about their rights, options or the economic viability of any claim for compensation without a full investigation and consultation. We will not be conducting an investigation into this matter unless we are retained by a party. We will provide a free, confidential consultation to any, not at fault, person named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

Qi Zhao, a 48-year-old woman who fell out of a Disneyland tram and suffered brain injuries that have left her requiring 24/7 medical attention permanently, has reached a settlement in a personal injury lawsuit she filed against the Walt Disney Co. According to a CBS News report, the lawyers for Disney and Zhao reached the agreement this week suddenly ending a two-week trial that was underway in Los Angeles Superior Court. Details of the agreement were kept confidential.

In her lawsuit against Disney, Zhao alleged that the tram driver was going too fast the day of the tram accident in February 2007. She was riding the tram with two sisters and a niece when one of the sisters fell from the tram. Reacting to the fall, the two other sisters also fell out. One woman suffered minor personal injuries while Zhao hit her head on the pavement and suffered severe traumatic brain injuries and skill fractures. She was reportedly in a coma for three weeks. Zhao's husband, Zuchun Wang, became a plaintiff last October alleging loss of consortium. Zhao and her husband were born in China, but were living in Northern California at the time. Zhao is now being cared for in Beijing.

Personal Injury Lawyers for Disney argued that the tram was not moving too fast and had a device in place limiting its top speed to 11 mph. The settlement came when the personal injury attorneys had just begun their closing arguments. Zhao's sisters apparently settled their claims against Disney before Zhao's trial began.

I'm glad that Zhao and her husband were able to settle this case with Disney. I wish them the best and hope they were able to receive fair compensation given the extent of Zhao's injuries and the damages they have suffered. Traumatic brain injuries can have a devastating effect not only on the person who has suffered the injury but also family members who have to care for the injured person. In this particular case, Zhao needs round-the-clock care and the family had to move back to China, apparently, to be able to provide that kind of care. Although brain-injured victims tend to get larger amounts in compensation, that is hardly a "reward" or a "jackpot" as many seem to view it. The victims and their families need this money to be able to afford the long term medical care and attention that will hopefully ease their lives and provide comfort.

If you or a loved one has suffered serious personal injuries in a car accident or any other type of accident caused by someone else's negligence you need the services of experienced California brain injury lawyers who can help secure the compensation you rightfully deserve and need to retain your quality of life.