Sacramento Injury Attorney Blog

This past weekend Sacramento news reports that a tragic Sacramento train accident took the lives of three people in a collision between a light rail train and a vehicle. According to reports, 22-month-old Damian Antiwon Williams, his grandfather Leon Williams Sr. and his aunt, Shantal Hope Williams were all killed when the vehicle they were in was broadsided by the Sacramento Regional Transit train. The accident remains under investigation, with investigators reviewing video and other evidence from the crash site to determine the various factors involved.

Whenever a significant accident occurs with catastrophic personal injuries, it is important to speak to an experienced Sacramento personal injury attorney to answer your personal injury questions and determine your next steps. Where a wrongful death occurs, the surviving family members may have numerous questions about determining fault and their right to compensation where another's negligent conduct caused the harm.

In train accidents many different issues may arise. For example, were the gates working properly? Were all warning signals functioning? Were the tracks properly maintained? Although initial reports indicate that here the driver of the car went around the crossing arm before being hit, other factors may have contributed to the incident. A knowledgeable train accident attorney can investigate all potential sources of fault and determine the survivors right to compensation.

In addition to the victims in the car, several train passengers were also injured, with three adults and three juveniles taken to nearby hospitals for treatment of injuries. Whether adequate safety precautions were in place on the train should also be investigated.

Continue reading "Tragic Sacramento Light Rail Accident Devastates Family" »

San Francisco news reports that distracted driving may be a substantial factor in the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) shuttle bus crash that killed a passenger. Reports indicate that the driver, Wallace Richardson, may have been distracted by a conversation with the man who died in the accident. As a result of the crash, Dr. Kevin Mack died from serious injuries sustained after being thrown from the vehicle.

The shuttle bus accident occurred moments after Richardson was engaged in a conversation with Mack. According to reports, Richardson was talking with Mack then subsequently ran a red light. The shuttle bus then collided with a big-rig truck. The truck driver tried to avoid the accident by slamming on the brakes, but wasn't able to stop the semi from crashing into the shuttle bus.

If you have been involved in any motorvehicle accident it is important to consult with an experienced Sacramento injury attorney to discuss your rights and determine your next steps. In many situations, it may be possible to obtain compensation for your injuries.

The shuttle involved in this accident did not have seat belts however none were required by law. Whether factors other than driver error played a role in causing the accident or impacting the extent of the injuries will be investigated.

In any personal injury accident more than one factor may be to blame. Under California law, where more than one person is responsible for causing an injury, each person may be responsible for paying damages based on their percentage of fault.

Continue reading "Driver Distracted Moments Before Fatal Shuttle Bus Crash" »

Bakersfield news reports that two wrongful death lawsuits have been filed against Kern County after a sheriff ran into two pedestrians in Oildale while en route to the scene of a crime.

According to statements, the pedestrian accident occurred when Deputy John Swearengin was responding to a stolen vehicle report and began driving rapidly toward the alleged scene. Surveillance video shows Swearengin's patrol car allegedly speeding without operating its lights and sirens right before the accident occurred. The California Highway Patrol (CHP), which is still investigating the accident, has not indicated how fast Swearengin was driving.

A wrongful death lawsuit may arise in any personal injury situation where the careless or reckless conduct of another leads to the death of a loved one. In these instances, it may be possible for a family member such as a spouse, parent or child to bring a wrongful death lawsuit to recover compensation based on loss of love and companionship, lost past and future wages and to recover medical expenses. If you have questions concerning wrongful death claims, it is important to consult with an experienced and compassionate Sacramento personal injury law firm to answer your accident questions and determine your next steps.

Here, the wrongful death claims assert that the deputy was driving with "conscious disregard for the safety of the general public."

Continue reading "Wrongful Death Lawsuits Filed Against Kern County" »

Santa Clara County's annual "Avoid the 13" campaign was a success this year - with fewer drunk driving arrests than in previous years. No DUI deaths were reported, although one DUI injury accident occurred in Gilroy. The annual DUI accident campaign is conducted over 17 days in the end of December and seeks to crack down on impaired motorists during the holiday season. The most arrests occurred on New Year's Eve, which typically shows a rise in DUI activity.

The decreased incidence of drunk driving accidents is good news. Unfortunately however, drunk driving accidents still occur far too often in California and throughout the United States. Statistics reveal that drunk driving accidents represent 40% of total traffic deaths, with the highest incidence of drunk driving death occurring between Thanksgiving and New Years Day.

The "Avoid the 13" campaign is aimed at reducing this number. During the first nine days of this year's crack down, the Morgan Hills Police Department (MHPD) arrested18 people of a suspicion of DUI.

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a drunk driving accident, it is important to speak to a Sacramento accident attorney immediately to answer your injury questions and determine your next steps. Often the families of victims feel are worried about their next steps, feeling both devastated about the injury and the senseless nature of the accident. Consulting with a knowledgeable Sacramento injury attorney can provide peace of mind along with critical advice during this difficult time.

Continue reading "Santa Clara County Drunk Driving Crackdown Successful; Fewer DUI Accidents Reported During Holiday Season Than A Year Ago" »