California Injury Blog

Published on: May 24, 2011

Vacaville Tour Bus Accident Injures 13

By Brian Chase

At least 13 people were injured in a tour bus accident in Vacaville the afternoon of May 23, 2011. According to a CBS News report, the injury collision occurred off the Interstate 80 when a tour bus veered off the roadway and crashed through 50 to 60 feet of perimeter fencing on Lyon Road, near Cherry Glen Road. There were 50 people on board the bus including the driver. California Highway Patrol officials said 13 people were transported to local hospitals. All victims are expected to survive. Officials say the bus was exiting the freeway when it went out of control and crashed. An investigation is ongoing.

My heart goes out to the many injured victims of this bus accident. I’m relieved to hear that none of the injuries in this bus crash were life-threatening. I wish the injured victims the very best for a quick and full recovery. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Bus Accident Statistics

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were 30 fatalities and 1,140 injuries involving bus accidents in California in 2009. During the same year, 254 people died and 15,428 sustained personal injuries as a result of bus accidents in the United States.
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Published on: May 23, 2011

Los Angeles Bus Accident Injures Eight

By Brian Chase

Eight people were injured in a Los Angeles car accident involving four buses and one car, the morning of May 19, 2011. According to a news report in the Los Angeles Times, the major injury accident occurred in the northbound lanes of the 5 Freeway, near Washington Boulevard, in Commerce. California Highway Patrol officials report that the chain reaction collision was triggered by a car that suddenly slowed down in front of one of the buses. The bus directly behind the car slammed on the brakes. Three buses, which were behind the first bus, collided. Two of the injured victims were inmates and six were military personnel. One of the victims was critically injured. An investigation is ongoing.

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

Car Accident Statistics

According to CHP’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), seven people were killed and 234 injured in Commerce car accidents. During that same year, 667 fatalities and 52,229 injuries occurred as a result of Los Angeles County car accidents.
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Published on: May 21, 2011

Woman Suffers Head Injury in Ventura Car Accident

By Brian Chase

Adriana Nicanor, 29, was critically injured in a Ventura car accident when she was ejected from the vehicle in which she was a passenger. According to a news report in the Ventura County Star, the single vehicle accident occurred on Highway 101 near Victoria Avenue in Ventura, the morning of May 16, 2011. Ricardo Avila, 24, was driving south when his car veered off the roadway, entered the shoulder and struck a concrete wall. Nicanor was ejected from the car as it rolled over numerous times after hitting the wall. She suffered critical head injuries and Avila sustained a cut to his finger. Avila was later arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

My thoughts and prayers are with Adriana Nicanor following this DUI collision. I wish her the very best for a complete and quick recovery.

Ventura County DUI Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), two people were killed and 63 injured as a result of alcohol-related crashes in Ventura. During that same year, Ventura County DUI collisions claimed 27 lives and injured 475 people.
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Published on: May 20, 2011

Elderly Bicyclist Killed in Los Angeles Hit-and-Run Car Accident

By Brian Chase

Eduardo Perez, 71, of Canoga Park died from injuries sustained in a Los Angeles car accident, which officials say, involved a hit-and-run driver. According to an NBC news report, the fatal bicycle accident occurred the afternoon of May 14, 2011 when Perez was riding his bicycle eastbound on the south crosswalk of Sherman Way. Officials say a small, black, four-door SUV hit him. The vehicle was going east on Sherman Way and turning right on Canoga Avenue just before the collision happened.

The driver of the SUV fled the scene of the crash. Perez was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries. He died two days later. Anyone with information about this hit-and-run car accident is asked to contact LAPD’s Valley Traffic Division at 818-644-8045. Tipsters are also encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).

I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved Eduardo Perez for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. This grieving family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
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Published on: May 18, 2011

5-year-old Boy Killed in Los Angeles DUI Collision

By Brian Chase

Christian Martinez, 5, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident, which police report, was caused by a suspected drunk driver. According to KTLA News, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred on Poplar Place in Huntington Park the evening of May 15, 2011. The driver, a 25-year-old man who lives in the neighborhood, is facing felony DUI charges and could also be charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. It is not clear at this time if the child ran into the street, or if a driving error by the intoxicated motorist was the primary cause of the accident. An investigation is ongoing.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Christian Martinez following this tragic pedestrian accident. My thoughts and prayers are with the boy’s parents during this difficult time.

Los Angeles DUI Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but 31 injuries reported due to Huntington Park DUI collisions. During that same year, there were 258 fatalities and 4,832 injuries reported involving alcohol-related accidents in Los Angeles County.
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Published on: May 17, 2011

Motorcyclist Injured in Orange County Car Accident

By Brian Chase

A motorcyclist was injured in an Orange County car accident after his Kawasaki collided with another vehicle. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the motorcycle accident occurred near the intersection of Crowther and Placentia avenues in Placentia the morning of May 12, 2011. Officials say the collision involved a Toyota Avalon and a Kawasaki Vulcan motorcycle. The motorcyclist was hospitalized following the crash. The uninjured car driver remained at the scene. An investigation is ongoing.

My thoughts and prayers are with the injured victim of this Orange County motorcycle accident. I wish the victim a complete and prompt recovery.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities but six injuries reported due to motorcycle accidents in Placentia. During that same year, Orange County motorcycle accidents claimed 35 lives and injured 801 people.
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Published on: May 16, 2011

Motorcyclist Seriously Injured in San Francisco Area Car Accident

By Brian Chase

A 25-year-old man was injured in a San Francisco car accident when a car turned left in front of his motorcycle. According to a news report in The Press Democrat, the injury motorcycle accident occurred at Coffey and West Steele lanes in Santa Rosa the morning of May 11, 2011. The man was riding his Honda 1000 sport bike when a Hyundai SUV attempted a left turn ahead of him. The motorcyclist suffered a brain bleed when he was thrown onto the windshield of the SUV. Officials say the driver of the Hyundai was an unlicensed 16-year-old girl. The owner of the SUV was cited for permitting the juvenile to operate the vehicle and the young driver may face charges as well.

My thoughts and prayers are with the man injured in this Sonoma County motorcycle crash. I wish him the very best for a complete and speedy recovery.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), one person was killed and 49 were injured in Santa Rosa motorcycle accidents. During that same year, there were six fatalities and 166 injuries reported due to Sonoma County motorcycle accidents.

Unsafe Left Turn

It appears based on this news account that the young driver made an unsafe left turn in front of the motorcycle. 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.”
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Published on: May 13, 2011

DUI Collision in Riverside County Causes Serious Injuries

By Brian Chase

A female passenger suffered major injuries in a Riverside car accident, which police report, involved a drunk driver. According to a KPSP news report, the DUI collision occurred at the intersection of Bellflower and Brookside avenues in Beaumont the night of May 9, 2011. Police say that the driver of a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, Darrin Hammer, ran a stop sign and turned left directly in front of a Dodge pickup truck. The Dodge pickup veered off the road and went into a concrete guardrail before overturning. A female passenger in the Dodge sustained major head, chest and abdominal injuries. Both drivers sustained minor injuries. Hammer was arrested on suspicion of felony driving under the influence.

My thoughts and prayers are with the woman who sustained severe injuries following this DUI collision. I wish her the very best for a complete and speedy recovery from her injuries.

DUI Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), one person was killed and nine were injured in Beaumont DUI collisions. During that same year, 101 fatalities and 1,090 injuries occurred due to alcohol-related accidents in Riverside County.
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Published on: May 13, 2011

Boy Critically Injured in Long Beach Car Accident

By Brian Chase

A boy sustained life-threatening injuries in a Long Beach car accident after he was struck by a vehicle. According to a news report in The Press-Telegram, the major injury pedestrian accident occurred on Carson Street near the Los Coyotes Diagonal the night of May 8, 2011. The boy, who was hit by a westbound Hyundai, was transported to a local hospital where he is said to be in critical condition. An investigation is ongoing.

My heart goes out to the young victim of this pedestrian accident. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were six fatalities and 234 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Long Beach. In Los Angeles County as a whole, pedestrian accidents claimed 214 lives and injured 4,985 people during the same year.
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Published on: May 12, 2011

Mother of Yaz Side Effects Victim Pursues Compensation

By Brian Chase

In response to another tragic display of Yaz side effects, Joan Cummins has decided to pursue compensation for the wrongful death of her daughter, Michelle Pfleger. Michelle died shortly after experiencing a heart attack on the way to class last year during which time she had been taking Yaz as an oral contraceptive. According to bizjournals.com, Pfleger’s autopsy report showed that she died from cardiac arrest caused by a blood clot in the lungs, and the lawsuit alleges that the clot was caused by Pfleger’s use of Yaz.
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