San Jose authorities are searching for a driver in a suspected hit-and-run accident that occurred early this morning.  The head-on collision killed two women.  Reports indicate that the women were riding in a Toyota Yaris and had taken a left when someone driving a Mercedes sedan slammed into the front of the car.  Just a few minutes earlier police had attempted to pull over the Mercedes sedan after they had seen it driving erratically.   The vehicle drove rapidly through a red light, turning left onto First St., at which point the officers decided not to engage in what they said would have been a risky pursuit on city streets.

If you or a loved one has been injured in any type of car accident – including head-on collisions – it is important to consult with a skilled Sacramento car accident attorney right away.  A knowledgeable car collision attorney can begin an investigation into all of the factors surrounding your case and help ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

The tragic deaths of the two women in this instance was compounded by the fact that the responsible driver fled the scene.    Most states including California require that a driver stop as soon as is safe following an accident.  California Vehicle Code Sec. 20001 provides that any driver regardless of fault must stop after an accident that involves property damage or personal injury and exchange identifying information.   In the event you are not the owner of the car, you must also provide the name and address of the registered owner. 

However, despite laws requiring drivers to stop, people may still flee the scene of an accident for a variety of reasons.  Many times, individuals simply panic and don’t know what to do.  They may be scared, but then later contact the authorities to report an accident.  Other times, a hit-and-run accident may be the result of drunk driving.  In these situations a driver may fear arrest and fail to stop, making the situation and potential penalties even worse.  Whatever the motivation, it’s always better to stop than to flee the scene of an accident.

In this instance, the driver fled on foot.  Police continue their investigation.

For more information, please contact a top Sacramento personal injury lawyer at the Law Office of Frederick J. Sette for an immediate consultation.

Sacramento news reports that two California teens died over the weekend as the result of a rollover car crash. According to reports, three teens were riding in a 203 Acura when they approached a roadway curve. The driver could not control the car as he maneuvered around the bend. The car left the roadway, hitting a utility and tree before flipping over. Two passengers were killed, and the driver sustained moderate personal injuries. Alcohol was not considered to be a factor in the car accident.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, it's important to seek the advice of an experienced Sacramento personal injury lawyer right away. Although the severity of car accidents varies - rollovers are some of the most serious. Rollovers typically occur as the result of drivers trying to over-correct to avoid a roadway hazard, or adjust to the curve of a roadway. However, when a driver maneuvers too quickly he or she may cause the car to flip. This may be a result of driver error, or in some cases roadway design. A roadway design like the angle of a decline, the absence of appropriate barriers or improperly designed shoulders may create a condition that makes rollovers more likely. If an entity designed a road that is unreasonably dangerous, it may be held liable for negligence.

Other times, rollovers occur due to negligence in the manufacture of a car or its parts. This may be due to a defective auto-part or tire manufacturer design. In some cases, the type of vehicle may make it more likely that a vehicle will flip - such as an SUV. Many times, it may be possible to file a negligence lawsuit where the design of a vehicle is unreasonably dangerous or has a defective design or part.

Rollover accidents lead to many different types of injuries including, but not limited to:

 • Neck injuries

 • Head injuries

 • Traumatic brain injuries

 • Broken bones

 For more information or if you or a loved one have been injured in a California car accident, please contact a top Sacramento personal injury lawyer at the Law Office of Frederick J. Sette for an immediate consultation.

A recent story in the Los Angeles Times begins "Los Angeles isn't known as a city for walking. Maybe there is a good reason - it's too dangerous." According to the article, Los Angeles drivers are responsible for a higher rate of fatal pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents than drivers nationally.

A recent study performed by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute found that one-third of all of Los Angeles traffic fatalities involved pedestrians and about 3% of the fatalities were bicyclists. These figures are triple and double the national averages, respectively.

The authors of the study however, point to the large number of people competing for space on California's roadways, rather than specific problems with Los Angeles drivers. The numbers are even worse for places like New York City, where 49.6% of all traffic fatalities involved pedestrians and 6.1% were bicyclists.

If you have suffered an injury or lost a loved one as the result of a motor vehicle accident - whether as a passenger, pedestrian or bicyclist - it's important to speak to an experienced California personal injury attorney right away to secure your rights and discuss your next steps. In many instances it may be possible to recover compensation for your injuries, including medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering.

One of the purposes of the study was to expose traffic issues with an eye toward improving safety and preventing accidents. However, an important component of change is funding - currently less than 1% of transportation funding goes to improvements for pedestrians and bicyclists. As stated by a representative of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition:

"If we want to get serious about traffic safety, we need to get serious about funding equity so we can build infrastructure that allows people to walk and bike safely around their communities," he said. "Our current metrics value automobile throughput over traffic safety."

Unfortunately, recent bike safety legislation that would have improved conditions was just vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown. SB 1464 would have required motorists to give bicyclists at least three feet of room while passing, or slow down -- citing concern that it could cause more car accidents. Brown said he worried about requiring motorists to slow to 15 mph when passing bicyclists if there is not three feet between them.

Sacramento area pedestrians and bikers fare better than those in Los Angeles, but the state still needs to work on comprehensive laws that will improve California's roadways for all foot, bike and motorized transportation.

For more information, or if you or a loved one has suffered a serious personal injury, please contact a knowledgeable Sacramento personal injury lawyer at the Law Office of Frederick J. Sette for an immediate consultation. 

Sacramento news reports that a California man died after being struck by a hit-and-run driver and then being run over by another car. The California Highway Patrol reports that the Sacramento hit-and-run car accident happened near the intersection of Fulton Avenue and Hurley Way.

The unknown vehicle struck a 60-year-old man, Phillip Dale Jensen who lives close to the area, and left him lying in the roadway. He was then struck a second time by a taxi driver who was making a u-turn and did not see the body. Jensen was taken to UC Davis Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

The CHP is now requesting help from the public for information relating to this accident.

With help, it is often possible to identify drivers responsible for California hit and run car accidents. A California HP sergeant notes, "It's a serious crime...these cases stay open for up to 20 years. We don't ever get rid of the physical evidence. We keep actively investigating as long as we can."

If you or a family member has been injured in a hit and run accident, it is also important to seek the advice of an experienced Sacramento personal injury attorney.

Pursuant to California's hit and run laws, individuals in car accidents are required to stop and exchange identifying information as soon as is safely possible. The failure to stop where property damage occurs is a misdemeanor. Failing to stop where a personal injury or wrongful death results, is a felony. In addition to criminal charges, those drivers who fail to stop may also face a California civil personal injury lawsuit.

Despite laws requiring an individual stop, drivers may still flee the scene of an accident for a variety of reasons. In some situations, they may simply panic. Other times, the accident may be the result of drunk driving and a driver may fear arrest. Whatever the motivation, drivers who flee the scene face stiff penalties.

What Type Of Damages Can I Recover In a Hit-and-Run Accident?

Injuries from hit and run accidents may include serious personal injuries such as:

• head and neck injuries

• brain injuries

• spinal cord injuries

• lacerations

• cuts and bruises

As with other types of California car accidents, drivers injured in hit-and-run collisions may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and other legal costs.

Even where it isn't possible to locate the culprit, an injured party or his or her surviving family members may be able to file an accident claim against his or her own insurance policy either as an uninsured motorist claim or a "hit and run" claim.

Hopefully, in this instance the culprit will be caught and justice served.

For more information, please contact the top Sacramento hit-and-run accident lawyers at the Law Office of Frederick J. Sette for an immediate consultation.

The family of a bicyclist who died after being hit by a car on Grizzly Peak Boulevard has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Oakland. The negligence suit alleged that the condition of the roadway contributed to the death of Allen Lee, 53, due to its poor maintenance.

According to the lawsuit, the city should be held responsible in Lee's death because it knew that the roadway was in bad repair but failed to make the necessary improvements despite repeated complaints.

Accidents may happen for any number of reasons. While driver error, driver distraction or drunk driving may be the leading causes of car accidents, bike accidents and other roadway injuries, many times the seriousness of an accident is contributed to or exacerbated by the condition of the roadway.

Where the condition of the road - how it is designed or maintained - contributes to a bicycle accident or car accident, it may be possible to bring a roadway negligence lawsuit. By filing a roadway negligence lawsuit you may be able to recover compensation for various types of damages including medical expenses, pain and suffering and lost past and future wages.

Seeking the advice of a top Sacramento personal injury lawyer is important to determine all possible factors that may have caused or contributed to an accident to ensure you may recover all the compensation you deserve.

Here the personal injury complaint alleges that Lee was thrown over the front handlebars of his bike after his bike's front tire became caught in a two inch deep rut in the middle of the road that caused to bike to stop suddenly. The abrupt stop threw him into the path of an oncoming car that was unable to stop in time.

The complaint seeks damages from the city for its failure to keep the roadway in good repair. According to the lawsuit Oakland is responsible for ensuring its roadways are safely maintained. A representative of the family notes, "As recently as four or five months before this happened, there were local organizations that were communicating with the city about this particular roadway and all the cracks in it ...If the roadway poses a danger to either motorists or bicyclists and the public agency has notice of that danger, it is required to fix it."

The wrongful death lawsuit is seeking unspecified monetary damages from the city including costs associated with funeral and burial expenses, lost wages and punitive damages.

For more information about roadway negligence or wrongful death lawsuits contact an experienced Sacramento personal injury lawyer at the Law Office of Frederick J. Sette for an immediate consultation. 

San Francisco news reports that a 19-year-old man has died following a drunk driving accident. The man died just a few blocks from his Bayview district home in the arms of his brother. According to reports, he was partially ejected from a car driven by a friend who was allegedly drunk. Daniel Lara has now been charged with a number of felonies in connection with the accident. Witnesses indicate that Lara had been driving "doughnuts" when the car flipped near Griffith Street and Thomas Avenue.

If you have been involved in a drunk driving accident or any other type of motorvehicle accident it's important to seek the advice of a skilled Sacramento personal injury attorney right away. Many times, it may be possible to recover compensation for your injuries.

Here, witnesses state that Eduardo Perez was in the front passenger seat when the accident occurred and ejected him half way. His older brother was riding in the backseat with another passenger. When the accident occurred, the brother ran to pull Perez out of the car and Lara drove away. Lara later returned to the scene with his father. He has now been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving, vehicular manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident. Each of these charges is a felony.

This accident is a tragic reminder of the dangers of drunk driving.

In the United States the leading cause of auto accidents is driver intoxication. According to figures released by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), 17,013 people were killed in 2005 due to alcohol related crashes in the United States - an average of one every 30 minutes. This figure represents forty percent (40%) of the 42,643 total traffic deaths

In addition to drunk driving deaths, individuals may also suffer serious injuries including head and neck injuries, spinal cord injuries, and broken bones. Victims injured by negligent drunk drivers face medical bills, loss of wages, physical pain, emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life. If injuries are severe or permanent, families suffer economic loss, mental anguish and the loss of companionship in caring for an injured family member. In the event of death, families are torn apart without any warning.

Unfortunately despite great awareness of the risks involved with drunk driving, many California drivers continue to get behind the wheel after having one too many. If you have been injured in a California drunk driving accident or any other type of motorvehicle crash, it is important to speak with a top Sacramento personal injury attorney right away.

For more information contact the dedicated Sacramento car accident lawyers at the Law Office of Frederick J. Sette for an immediate consultation.

Half Moon Bay news reports that an apparent drunk driving crash has lead to significant injuries. Sources indicate that the car was speeding near the Half Moon Bay Airport when it spun out of control early Saturday morning and collided with a boat and van. The accident then lead to a "two-alarm" structure fire in a warehouse.

A Pacifica resident, Matthew J. Burnham was driving the car and crashed into the warehouse shortly before 2 a.m. suffering serious personal injuries. Burnham's two passengers were also injured. All three were taken to nearby Stanford Hospital.

If you have been injured in a drunk driving accident and any other motor vehicle accident, it is important to consult with an experienced Sacramento personal injury lawyer right away. A top California car accident lawyer can answer your personal injury questions and help you obtain the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Here, Burnham was arrested on a suspicion of driving under the influence and alcohol is considered to be a major factor contributing to the accident.

Alcohol remains one of the top contributing factors to California motor vehicle accidents. In fact, nationwide the leading cause of auto accidents is driver intoxication. 40% of all traffic deaths are linked to alcohol use.

Other factors leading to auto accidents include distracted driving - such as texting while driving, eating while driving or even playing loud music or adjusting the radio. Accidents may also be caused by other forms of reckless driving, i.e. speeding, failing to follow the rules of the road and not looking out for others on the road. Additional factors leading to car crashes include negligent roadway design (where a municipality or other entity creates a "dangerous design" by making curves too tight, inclines too steep, or failing to adequately place lights or warning signs) and improper roadway maintenance.

In fact, numerous factors may cause or contribute to an accident. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury as the result of a car crash, a top Sacramento car accident lawyer can begin an investigation into all of the factors that may have lead to your injuries. When one of more parties is negligent, you may be able to recover damages from each party. Even if you may be partly at fault, you still may be able to recover damages where another party is to blame.

Victims of any car accident face medical bills, loss of wages, physical pain, emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life. If injuries are severe or permanent, families suffer economic loss, mental anguish and the loss of companionship in caring for an injured family member. In the event of death, families are torn apart without any warning.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a California car accident, contact the top Sacramento car accident lawyers at the Law Office of Frederick J. Sette for an immediate consultation.

California news reports that a jury has awarded a Fresno teacher has been awarded an $11.5 million personal injury verdict as the result of injuries she sustained in a freak car accident. Susan Reyes, a Fresno schoolteacher, was hit in the head by a "hunk of iron" that flew off of a truck on Highway 99. Reyes incurred significant brain injuries as the result of the truck accident including short-term memory loss and severe headaches. She also suffers from chronic seizures. According to the personal injury lawsuit, Reyes has lost her drivers' license and was unable to continue working as a special assignment teacher with Fresno United school district.

If you have been harmed in any type of personal injury accident, it is important to consult with an experienced California personal injury lawyer right away to answer your personal injury questions and determine your right to compensation. In many situations, more than one cause may contribute to an accident. A knowledgeable Sacramento accident lawyer can conduct a thorough investigation into all possible factors in order to ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled to.

Here, evidence at the trial revealed that Reyes was driving through Bakersfield and was following a big rig owned by Lion Raisins. The truck trailers had cables that held empty wooden bins in place. An accident investigations determined that after the truck's load shifted, a corner iron flew off the truck, likely hitting the pavement then catapulting through Reyes' windshield and into her "right skull and brain." As the result of the accident, Reyes lost control of the car and ended up in the median. She required emergency surgery to stay alive.

Reyes suffered a traumatic brain injury that has led to personality changes and "serious behavioral impairments."

The verdict represented compensation for past and future earnings, past and future medical expenses, and pain and suffering.

If you have been injured in any personal injury accident, including a car accident, bus accident or truck accident it is important to obtain the compensation you deserve. For more information, contact the dedicated Sacramento accident attorneys at the Law Office of Frederick J. Sette for a free, confidential consultation.

The family of a son who died in a car accident has recently filed a negligence lawsuit arising out of the Mateo County Coroners Office handling of the mans' body parts. According to the lawsuit, the coroners office caused the family severe emotional distress when it sharing brain tissue of the man with a private pathologist in a wrongful death lawsuit. The parents, who are devoutly Jewish, assert that the Coroners Office violated California statutes concerning remains and neglect.

Negligence lawsuits can arise in many situations and involve instances where a duty of care has been created and a breach of that duty causes harm. Generally, a duty of care is a legal obligation that requires individuals, businesses or governmental entities to act with reasonable care to avoid a foreseeable harm. When an entity fails to act with sufficient care, and harm occurs the individual, business or entity may be held liable. The question of duty often turns on a complex legal analysis, so it is important to consult with a knowledgeable Sacramento personal injury attorney if you believe you or a loved on has suffered harm do to a careless or reckless act of another.

Here the actions stem from a wrongful death action filed after a fatal car accident. During that lawsuit, an attorney requested information concerning the son's brain tissue. Rather than turning over the contents of a written report the coroner handed over custody of the man's physical remains. The pathologist took several tissue samples, turning them into at least 20 different slides.

Pursuant to their faith, dissection for a not urgent or medical reason is "a matter of shame and gross dishonor." According to the lawsuit, the family experienced significant emotional distress as the result of the coroner's neglectful indifference to their faith. In legal terms, the family's negligence lawsuit alleges that the coroner breached its duty of reasonable care to the family. Additionally the family faults the coroner for carelessly disregarding a next-of-kin notification policy.  

If you have suffered emotional or physical personal injury as the result of another's negligent conduct, it is important to contact a top Sacramento personal injury lawyer to discuss your case and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

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.

An experienced accident attorney can make an investigation into each factor and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

For more information or if you or a loved one has been injured in an Sacramento automobile accident, contact the knowledgeable Sacramento personal injury lawyers at the Law Office of Frederick J. Sette for a free immediate consultation.