An Orange County Sheriff’s deputy was injured in an Santa Ana car accident after being struck by a car at an intersection. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the accident occurred at Newhope and First streets in Santa Ana, the evening of February 2, 2012. Officials say the patrol car had its emergency lights on when it slowed down to enter the intersection, before being broadsided by a Toyota Camry. The deputy and the other motorist suffered non-life-threatening injuries. An investigation into the cause of the crash is underway.

My thoughts and prayers are with both individuals who were injured in this Orange County car accident. I wish them the very best for a complete and speedy recovery.

Orange County Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 11 people were killed and 1,359 were injured in Santa Ana car accidents. During that same year, 141 fatalities and 13,373 injuries occurred as a result of Orange County car accidents.

Right-of-Way Issues

Based on this news report, the sheriff’s deputy was responding to an emergency call and had the emergency lights on. California Vehicle Code Section 21806 states: “Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle which is sounding a siren and which has at least one lighted lamp exhibiting red light that is visible…the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to the right-hand edge or curb of the highway, clear of any intersection, and thereupon shall stop and remain stopped until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed.”

Liability Issues

If the police officer was at fault here, then, the injured victim can seek compensation from the at-fault officer and his employer. On the other hand, if the Toyota's driver is determined to have been at fault, then the police officer, in addition to seeking workers compensation benefits, may also file a personal injury claim seeking damages from the at-fault driver. Injured victims can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, loss of wages and benefits, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related expenses. An experienced Santa Ana personal injury lawyer will better advise victims and their families in such cases about their legal rights and options.

A man and his daughters were injured in an Oxnard car accidentafter another vehicle turned in front of them triggering a head-on collision. According to an ABC news report, the injury collision occurred at the intersection of Fifth Street and Harbor Boulevard, the night of February 2, 2012. Police say the 52-year-old man was driving a Toyota Prius north on Harbor Boulevard, when the driver of a Dodge Charger made a turn in front of him. The man and his two daughters, ages 9 and 11, suffered major injuries. They have been hospitalized and their condition is not known. The Dodge's driver was uninjured. An investigation is ongoing.

My heart goes out to the three injured victims of this crash. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 13 fatalities and 860 injuries involving Oxnard car accidents. During the same year, there were 57 fatalities and 3,421 injuries involving Ventura County car accidents.

Right-of-Way Issues

Based on this news report, the driver of the Dodge Charger made a turn in front of the victims’ vehicle at the intersection. It appears that this motorist may have failed to yield the right-of-way to the other vehicle.

California Vehicle Code Section 21801 (a) states: "The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left or to complete a U-turn upon a highway, or to turn left into public or private property, or an alley, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to the approaching vehicles until the left turn or U-turn can be made with reasonable safety."

Fault and Liability

If the driver of the Dodge is determined to have been at fault, then, he or she can be held liable for the resulting injuries and damages. Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. Car accident victims would be well advised to contact an experienced Ventura personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all facets of the incident and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable.

Personal injury attorneys in Anaheim have a bad rap, but the gentlemen over at Bisnar and Chase are looking to reshape stereotypes and convince the community that they are here to help. They are not transporting people home from hospitals nor are they making sure that ambulances are getting the proper space behind their vehicle. These attorneys are working in the Anaheim community to try and help people who are less fortunate and are rubbing off on their staff members.

Bisnar and Chase is a personal injury law firm based out of Orange County, California. Since 1978, attorneys at BC have assisted more than 6,000 clients with a 97.5% success rate.

Anaheim Personal Injury Attorneys who Care

Finding Anaheim attorneys who genuinely care about their clients is a difficult task, but finding one who spends their personal time assisting people who are not injured is a bit shocking. At Bisnar and Chase, the attorneys and staff members spend their own time and money assisting Orange County locals who could use a little help. Bisnar and Chase staff members team up and participate in local fundraising events and then the partners match whatever they raise. The following is a sample of organizations they participate in.

• Annual Walk Like M.A.D.D. Campains
• Share Our Selves Adopt A Pantry
• OC Resident Turkey Giveaway
• AIDS Bicycle Fundraisers

If you have been injured in an accident, these attorneys have a history of success and compassion.

Anaheim Personal Injury Lawyers

Following a serious injury, contact a Bisnar and Chase personal injury lawyer in Anaheim for immediate assistance. They offer free consultations and their fees start as low as 15%.

Call 1-866-990-8787 to speak with an experienced attorney and get FREE LEGAL ADVICE

If you have been the victim of a Buena Park personal injury accident, there are some preliminary steps you can take to protect your right to file a lawsuit and collect damages for your injuries.  Knowing the steps to take can be the difference in you being able to collect your legitimate damages, and losing the right to compensation.

1)  First, be sure that your medical needs are met.  It does no good to worry about how much you can make in a lawsuit until you find out the extent of your injuries and how much it will cost you to have them treated.  Ongoing and projected medical bills can greatly change the outcome of a settlement, so be sure to visit a doctor and talk to him about exactly what will be involved in the form of rehabilitative therapy or ongoing care.

2)  Next, talk to a personal injury attorney immediately.  The number of people who lose their opportunity to file a claim due to hesitance has never been measured, but it has to be high.  People are afraid after an accident, and confused; they may not know where to turn.  Hesitation can be costly, however; by waiting too long, you give the defendants time to organize their defense, come up with a low settlement figure, and begin bombarding you with demands to settle.  If you wait too long, you could lose your right to file a case altogether.  If you have received even one phone call from a defendant or an insurer, you should talk to a Buena Park personal injury attorney immediately.

3)  Talk to friends and family about their experiences with attorneys.  You can probably find a great referral to a good personal injury attorney without going outside your family circle.  Many people have used attorneys in the past and are happy to recommend one to meet your needs.  If you do not know anyone who has used a Buena Park personal injury lawyer, you can get recommendations from your family attorney, or contact the local Bar Association.  Beware, however, of personal injury attorneys with a lot of “flashy” advertising; these large firms are sometimes too big to be concerned with your personal injury case, and will try to make you settle for far less than you should actually collect.

4)  Finally, find the right attorney to meet your needs.  You do not need an attorney who simply tells you what you want to hear, or who pushes you into an early and disastrously low settlement.  A professional Buena Park personal injury lawyer should always listen to your story, answer your questions, and explain every step of the process to you so that you can understand it.  Find an attorney with whom you feel comfortable; you will be working closely with this person for some time.  Be sure that you and your attorney have a mutual respect for each other and that your attorney has your best interests at heart, not a quick settlement and payoff.

Four people including two firefighters were injured in a San Bernardino car accident, the afternoon of February 1, 2012. According to a news report in The Press-Enterprise, the injury collision occurred at the intersection of U.S. Highway 395 and Main Street in Hesperia. Officials say a San Bernardino County fire ambulance, which was responding to a medical call in Hesperia, collided with another vehicle at the intersection. Two firefighter-paramedics in the ambulance and two people in the other vehicle suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the incident.

My thoughts and prayers are with the injured victims of this collision. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 10 fatalities and 221 injuries involving car accidents in Hesperia. In San Bernardino County as a whole, 223 people died and 7,870 were injured as a result of car accidents, during the same year.

Right-of-Way Issues

Based on this news report, the ambulance collided with the other vehicle at a large street intersection, which is regulated by traffic lights. It is not clear if the other vehicle failed to yield the right-of-way to an emergency vehicle or if the driver of the ambulance was at fault here.

California Vehicle Code 21806 states: "Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle which is sounding a siren and which has at least one lighted lamp exhibiting red light that is visible…the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to the right-hand edge or curb of the highway, clear of any intersection, and thereupon shall stop and remain stopped until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed."

Fault and Liability

I trust officials are looking into whether the ambulance had its emergency lights and sirens on or if there was a right-of-way or red light violation here. If this accident was the fault of the ambulance driver, then, the driver and his or her employer can be held liable for injuries and damages caused. At the same time, if the driver of the other vehicle was at fault, then, he or she can be held liable as well. An experienced San Bernardino personal injury lawyer can better advise injured victims in such cases about their legal rights and options.

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.

Ameen Eric Alfadl-Andreasson, 25, of Ontario, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident after his motorcycle was struck by another vehicle on the 101 Freeway. According to an Associated Press news report, the fatal motorcycle accident occurred during the early morning hours of January 29, 2012 near Hollywood Boulevard. Officials say Alfadl-Andreasson was just south of the Cahuenga Pass when his Kawasaki motorcycle collided with a van. The man who was driving the 2008 Ford E-350 van, a 48-year-old from Istanbul, Turkey, was not cited or arrested. Both, he and his passenger, a 16-year-old girl also from Istanbul, suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Ameen Eric Alfadl-Andreasson for their devastating loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 35 fatalities and 1,248 injuries involving motorcycle accidents in the city of Los Angeles. Countywide, motorcycle accidents claimed 83 lives and injured 2,719 people, during the same year.

What Caused This Crash?

Based on this news report, it is unclear as to how or why this van versus motorcycle collision occurred. There are several questions here. Was the motorcycle rear-ended by the van? Did driver distraction, inattention or excessive speed play a part? Did the driver of the van make an unsafe lane change or an unsafe pass? I trust officials are looking into these and other issues in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.

Fault and Liability

If the van's driver is determined to have been at fault, then, he can be held liable for Alfadl-Andreasson's wrongful death. In cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, the family of a deceased victim can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for damages including medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income and benefits, and loss of love and companionship.

In such cases, victims' families would be well advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of the incident and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to accident victims or their families.

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.

At least two people were injured in a Los Angeles bus accident after a Metro bus collided with a FedEx truck, the morning of January 25, 2012. According to a KABC news report, the crash happened in the 9600 block of Van Nuys Boulevard. The impact from the crash knocked the delivery truck on its side and spilled an unknown amount of fuel on to the roadway. Two people were taken to an area hospital with injuries. Officials are still looking into what led to this crash.

My thoughts and prayers are with the two injured victims of this collision. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery, and sincerely hope that they were not seriously hurt.

Los Angeles Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 227 fatalities and 25,043 injuries involving Los Angeles car accidents. Countywide, car accidents claimed 554 lives and injured 50,817 people, during the same year.

What Caused This Crash?

Based on this news report, it is unclear as to what caused this bus versus truck accident. There are still several unanswered questions here. Who was at fault for this crash? Did one of the vehicles make an unsafe turn? Did the bus or the FedEx truck make an unsafe lane change? Did one of the drivers fail to yield the right-of-way? Did impairment, driver distraction, inattention, speed or some other form of negligence play a part in this injury crash? I trust officials are looking into these and other factors in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.

Fault and Liability

If the bus driver is determined to have been at fault, then, the driver and his or her employer can be held liable. On the other hand, if the FedEx truck driver is found to have been at fault, that driver as well as his or her employer can be held financially responsible for the resulting injuries and damages. Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages and benefits, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. An accident victim would be well advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all facets of the incident and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to victims and their families.

Eight people were hospitalized with injuries after a San Diego car accident, which involved two vehicles colliding at a street intersection, the night of January 24, 2012. According to a news report in U-T San Diego, the injury crash occurred at the intersection of Lake Badin Avenue and Jackson Drive. Officials say an 18-year-old man with four passengers was driving on Jackson in a Dodge Charger when the vehicle was struck by a Dodge SUV approaching the intersection on Lake Badin.

A man and his three young children were in the SUV. All the occupants of the SUV were hospitalized as were four people in the Charger. The teen driver of the Charger was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol. But officials say that driver was not at fault in the collision. The investigation is ongoing.

My thoughts and prayers are with the many injured victims of this collision. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

San Diego Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 71 fatalities and 5,819 injuries occurred involving San Diego car accidents. Also, countywide, car accidents claimed 217 lives and caused 12,998 injuries, during the same year.

Right-of-Way Issues

Based on this news report, it appears that the driver of the Dodge Charger was impaired, but officials say he was not at fault. The intersection where this collision occurred is regulated by a two-way stop sign. Traffic on Lake Badin is required to stop and yield right-of-way to traffic on Jackson. In this particular case, it appears that the driver of the Dodge SUV failed to stop and yield right of way to the Charger.

California law requires drivers to come to a complete stop at a stop sign and proceed with caution. According to California Vehicle Code Section 21802 (a): "The driver of any vehicle approaching a stop sign at the entrance to, or within, an intersection shall stop as required by Section 22450. The driver shall then yield the right-of-way to any vehicles which have approached from another highway, or which are approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to those vehicles until he or she can proceed with reasonable safety."

Fault and Liability

In such cases, the at-fault driver can be held liable for injuries and damages caused. Injured victims can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. Car 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. 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.