California Injury Blog

Published on: January 3, 2011

Two Injured in Orange County Accident

By Brian Chase

A police officer and a driver were injured in a Huntington Beach car accident when the officer’s motorcycle and a car collided at a street intersection. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the injury motorcycle accident occurred at the intersection of Brookhurst Street and Adams Avenue the night of January 1, 2011. The Irvine police officer and the driver of a 2005 Mercedes sustained moderate injuries when their vehicles collided. An investigation is ongoing.

My thoughts and prayers are with both men injured in this Orange County auto accident. I wish them both a speedy and complete recovery from their injuries.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 49 people were injured in Huntington Beach motorcycle accidents. During that same year, there were 35 fatalities and 801 injuries reported as a result of motorcycle accidents in Orange County, California.
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Published on: January 1, 2011

Fatal Orange County Car Accident

By Brian Chase

Dennis Schenk, 55, of Fountain Valley, was killed in a car accident in Orange County after his vehicle crashed into a street sweeper the morning of December 27, 2010. The Orange County Register reports that the fatal car accident happened at the intersection of Beach Boulevard and Catherine Avenue in Stanton when Schenk’s Hyundai Elantra struck the street sweeper. Officials are still looking into what may have caused this accident.

I offer my heartfelt sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Dennis Schenk for their devastating loss. Please keep this grieving family in your thoughts and prayers.

Car Accidents

There were 152 deaths and 13,414 injuries reported as a result of car accidents in all of Orange County in 2008, according to California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In the city of Stanton, one fatality and 122 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents in 2008.

Causes and Compensation Issues

Based on this news report, it is not quite clear how or why this car accident may have occurred. We do not know at what speed Schenk was traveling at the time. This car accident occurred at the street intersection. It is possible that one of the vehicles failed to yield right-of-way to the other.
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Published on: December 31, 2010

Woman Killed in Chula Vista Hit-and-Run Car Accident

By Brian Chase

Authorities have identified a homeless woman who was killed in a hit-and-run car accident in Chula Vista the night of December 25, 2010 as 54-year-old Robin O’Quinn Fortson. 10News reports that the car accident happened on Third Avenue when a white Pontiac sedan driven by a man, later identified as 23-year-old Angel Gutierrez, struck Fortson. She was attempting to cross the street when she was hit. Gutierrez fled the scene, but was apprehended shortly afterward in his home, thanks to eyewitness reports. He faces hit-and-run and vehicular manslaughter charges. An investigation is ongoing.

I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Robin O’Quinn Fortson for their tragic loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Hit-and-Run Car Accident Statistics and Law

According to the California Highway Patrol’s traffic accident statistics, there were 17,158 hit-and-run car accidents that resulted in fatalities or injuries in California in 2008. A majority of these car accidents involved injuries. There were a total of 247 deaths in 2008 involving hit-and-run car accidents statewide. During the same year, 246 fatalities and 13,527 injuries were reported as a result of San Diego County car accidents.
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Published on: December 30, 2010

Orange County Boy Killed in Car Accident

By Brian Chase

Joshua Archila, 11, of Orange, was killed in a Riverside car accident when the Toyota Camry in which he was a passenger, was rear-ended. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal car accident occurred in the northbound lanes of the15 Freeway in Riverside County. A 2006 Ford F150 crashed into the Toyota the morning of December 28, 2010. Joshua was transported to a nearby hospital where he died. An investigation is ongoing.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Joshua Archila following this tragic car accident. My thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.

Riverside County Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 121 people were killed and 2,615 were injured due to car accidents in the unincorporated areas of Riverside County. During the same year, there were 220 fatalities and 8,561 injuries reported as a result of Riverside County car accidents.
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Published on: December 29, 2010

Orange County Car Accident Proves Fatal for Woman

By Brian Chase

Elvira Bermudez, 57, was killed in a Westminster car accident after the vehicle she was driving was struck by a pickup truck at a street intersection. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal car accident occurred at the intersection of Goldenwest Street and Georgetown Avenue the night of December 23, 2010. Bermudez, who was driving a Saturn sedan was northbound on Goldenwest, when a GMC pickup truck making a left turn from Goldenwest to Georgetown hit her vehicle. Police say the pickup hit Bermudez’s Saturn head-on. Bermudez died at the scene. Both occupants of the GMC were uninjured. An investigation is ongoing.

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

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were four fatalities and 467 injuries as a result of Westminster car accidents. During the same year, 152 people died and 13,414 were injured as a result of Orange County car accidents.

What Caused This Car Accident?

Based on this news report, it appears that the driver of the GMC made an unsafe left turn. It is not clear what caused the driver of the pickup to make a sudden left turn across traffic lanes. Was he or she traveling at an unsafe speed or driving recklessly? Were drugs or alcohol involved? Was distracted driving a factor?
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Published on: December 29, 2010

Nursing Home Star Ratings Reveal the Truth

By Brian Chase

As the date mandating the implementation of nursing home star ratings approaches, victims of nursing home neglect and abuse are coming forward more frequently. Those who were afraid to tell of their horrific experiences are now feeling that their voice will be heard, and are attempting to hold their wrong-doers responsible for the pain and suffering they have caused. Instead of the respect and care that American seniors have earned through lifetimes of service they face abuse, neglect, and fraud at the very hands of those tasked with keeping them safe.

Many citizens are shocked by the allegations that arise when seniors reveal instances of elder abuse, but if you are familiar with California nursing homes you know that these problems have existed and transpired for several decades. The nursing home star ratings will help many families choose a nursing home that is fit for their loved ones, but this should be the first of several steps to help protect America’s elderly before it’s too late.
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Published on: December 28, 2010

Two Pedestrians Injured in DUI Collision

By Brian Chase

Christine Sanchez and Darlene Delira, both 25, were injured in a Ventura car accident, which police say, was caused by a drunk driver. According to a news report in The Ventura County Star, the injury accident occurred as the pedestrians were walking in a marked crosswalk on Main Street in Ventura early morning on December 24, 2010. The two women were crossing the road when they were struck by a southbound vehicle driven by Brendan Conaty, 26. The two victims were transported to an area hospital with injuries, but have been listed in stable condition. Conaty has been arrested on suspicion of felony DUI.
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Published on: December 28, 2010

California Nursing Home Star Ratings

By Brian Chase

California’s nursing home rating system is going public this new year, giving seniors something to cheer about. California being infamous for their disturbingly high instances of senior abuse has made it clear that not only do they require a rating system, but each nursing home’s rating must be displayed so that anyone walking through the front door can see it. Although 187 homes achieved the top 5 star rating, 195 received the lowest. Many nursing home officials are upset with the new rating system, which is a small price to pay to answer the public outcry that has arisen over the years.
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Published on: December 27, 2010

Seniors Relieved by Nursing Home Star Ratings

By Brian Chase

A sigh of relief is heard across California as nursing homes are now required to participate in a public nursing home rating system. According to the Los Angeles Times, nursing homes throughout California have begun to post federal star ratings giving prospective seniors and their families a fighting chance at comfortable and safe care. Few can argue that these ratings are not useful, but some are arguing that they are unfair.

Senior Abuse Becomes a Sore Subject

Victims of senior abuse can vouch that this subject is very personal, but nursing home owners and operators have wasted no time to complain about their own injustices in regards to the new rating system. Nursing home officials complain that the scoring system does not accurately reflect a facility’s quality.

“It should just be a straight rating in a free-market system where you get stars based on performance,” said Mary Jann, director of regulatory affairs for the Sacramento-based California Assn. of Health Facilities, which represents about 800 skilled nursing facilities statewide.

This stance towards the new rating system is pretty ironic. Their stance leads to some obvious questions; shouldn’t we be incorporating state public health complaints and citations? If a facility is constantly alleged to be participating in nursing home abuse, the general public has a right to know.
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Published on: December 27, 2010

Man in Wheelchair Injured in San Diego Hit-and-Run Car Accident

By Brian Chase

A man in a motorized wheelchair was seriously injured in a San Diego car accident, which police report, was caused by a hit-and-run driver. According to an article in The San Diego Union-Tribune, the serious injury pedestrian accident occurred near the intersection of Paradise Valley Road and East 8th Street in National City the morning of December 25, 2010. The 57-year-old man was riding along the shoulder of Paradise Valley Road when he was struck from behind by a pickup truck. The 22-year-old driver, Joshua Becerra, left the scene of the accident. The victim sustained severe head injuries. Becerra has been arrested on suspicion of felony hit-and-run.

My thoughts and prayers are with the injured victim of this hit-and-run car accident. I wish him a complete and prompt recovery from his injuries.

San Diego Pedestrian Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), two people were killed and 29 were injured in National City pedestrian accidents. During that same year, there were 63 fatalities and 998 injuries reported involving pedestrian accidents in San Diego County.

What Caused This Serious Pedestrian Accident?

It appears from the report that the driver, Becerra, veered off the roadway and struck the man in the motorized wheelchair, who was traveling on the shoulder of the roadway. Under California law, those operating motorized wheelchairs have the same rights and responsibilities as pedestrians.
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