William Robert Wingate, 47, was killed in a San Bernardino car accident after he lost control of his SUV and crashed, the morning of March 5, 2010. According to a news report in The San Bernardino Sun, Wingate was driving a Toyota 4Runner on the southbound 15 Freeway near Duncan Canyon Drive, in Fontana. According to witnesses, the SUV veered off the roadway and crashed into the back of a parked tractor trailer, which was apparently waiting for roadside assistance. The Toyota SUV rolled over and caught fire. Wingate died at the scene. No one else was injured.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of William Robert Wingate for their tragic and devastating loss. I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved this man. 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 14 deaths and 627 injuries involving car accidents in Fontana. In San Bernardino County as a whole, 263 fatalities and 8,504 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents during the same year.

Car Accident Causes

Based on this news report, it is not quite clear how exactly this rollover accident occurred. There are still several unanswered questions here. Was there a vehicle defect or mechanical malfunction in the 4Runner that caused it go out of control and crash? Was there a dangerous condition on the roadway? Was any other vehicle involved in this accident? I trust investigators are looking at different scenarios in order to determine what happened and why.

Auto Product Liability Issues

Victims in such cases would be well-advised to contact a reputed California personal injury lawyer, who is experienced in successfully handling auto product defect cases against large auto makers including Toyota, Ford and GM. In any auto product defect case, it is critical to preserve the vehicle in its current crashed condition so it can be carefully examined for vehicle defects, mechanical malfunctions and other evidence.

If the accident was caused by a vehicle defect, the auto maker or manufacturer of the defective product can be held liable for the victim's wrongful death. Victims' families in such cases could seek compensation to cover medical/funeral expenses, lost future earnings, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages.

We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.

Fatal San Bernardino SUV Rollover Accident is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

William Detore, 46, sustained fatal injuries in a Sacramento bicycle accident after his bicycle got caught under a Regional Transit bus. The Sacramento Bee reports that the crash happened near the street intersection of L Street and 5th Street, the afternoon of March 6, 2010. Detore died at the scene shortly after being hit and trapped under the bus that was headed south on L Street. Police are investigating the cause of this fatal accident.

I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved William Detore for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep this grieving family in your prayers.

Bicycle Accident Statistics

There were two fatalities and 271 injuries involving bicycle accidents in Sacramento in 2008, according to California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). Countywide, six people died and 569 were injured as a result of bicycle accidents in 2008.

What Caused this Accident?

If the details of this news report are accurate, officials say a witness at the scene stated that it didn't appear that this bicycle versus bus accident was the bus driver's fault. However, officials have not made a final determination as to who should be held at fault for this accident. They are looking at other evidence including video cameras on the bus to help determine who had right-of-way at the time of the collision. We also, do not know at this time, whether the bus driver was impaired, distracted or otherwise negligent.

Fault and Liability

There is a chance here that the bicyclist was responsible for the accident. However, if the bus driver is determined to have been at fault for this fatal bicycle accident, the transit authority could be held responsible. If there was a dangerous condition on the roadway, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could be held liable as well. California Government Code section 911.2 requires that any such claim against a governmental agency be properly filed within 180 days of the accident or injury. An experienced Sacramento personal injury lawyer will be able to give victims' families more information about their legal rights and options.

We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.

Sacramento Bus Accident Fatally Injures Bicyclist is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

The Los Angeles personal injury law firm BISNAR | CHASE has been featured in Newsweek's "The Best of Los Angeles Law" for their work in personal injury and wrongful death due to accident, defective products liability and negligence litigation.

The feature was a piece of Newsweek's larger issue about "people who matter most," highlighting prominent public figures from Hillary and Bill Clinton to Henry Kissinger, Jeff Bezos of Amazon.com to Bill Maher. BISNAR | CHASE were able to speak about their most significant cases, legal achievements and innovative approaches to helping personal injury victims in the "Best of Los Angeles Law" section.

It is BISNAR | CHASE's noteworthy reputation as a leading personal injury lawfirm that caught Newsweek's attention and propelled them to seek out Brian and John. The request was timely as John and Brian have both been named 2010 Souther California Super Lawyers by Orange Coast Magazine, for their third and fourth consecutive years, respectively.

John and Brian have been recognized many times prior to these honors; in 2009, Avvo.com, an online attorney rating service, gave John a "perfect 10" and "superb" ratings for his background, experience, successful track record, reputation with clients and peers, and professional accomplishments within the realm of personal injury law. Brian also is AV rated with a "Preeminent 5 outo f 5" by Martindale-Hubbell and "Superb 10 out of 10" by Avvo, the highest rating possible. He was 2004 Trial Lawyer of the Year by Orange County Trial Lawyers Association in the area of defective products and was named as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the American Trial Lawyers Association in 2007.

"Being entrusted with clients' legal rights and economic futures is a serious responsibility the success of which is measured by how many clients we help and how well we help them," said John Bisnar, founder of BISNAR | CHASE. "We very much appreciated the opportunity to be able to communicate our dedication to personal injury victims, our expertise in personal injury law and the successes our firm has achieved through Newsweek, one of the most respected news publications in the U.S. and abroad."

BISNAR | CHASE represents catastrophically injured accident victims, or the families of victims, of serious injury accidents involving defective products and negligence. They have won myriad difficult personal injury and defective product cases and have a team of expert litigators who are among the best when to comes to fighting and winning cases against governmental agencies, insurance companies and huge corporations.

For more information please see Newsweek Features BISNAR | CHASE in "The Best of Los Angeles Law". Stay current with BISNAR | CHASE press releases .

Newsweek Names BISNAR | CHASE "The Best of Los Angeles Law" is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

Nursing home abuse is a serious problem in our society today. Our seniors, who are a vulnerable section of our population, are at risk for abuse and negligence when they enter a convalescent home, nursing home or skilled care facility. A recent CBS news article reports that a 94-year-old woman who was sexually assaulted by an employee in a Los Angeles convalescent home was awarded $12.5 million in a civil lawsuit.

Sophie Schwartz, who has dementia, was sexually assaulted in her room by Jose Vazquez, an illegal immigrant who worked at the Santa Clarita facility as an assistant. Vazquez apparently admitted that he was drunk at the time and even said that he and other workers often drank when they were on-the-job. Schwartz sued Vazquez as well as the owners of the facility, Oakdale Heights Management Corp. Vazquez was sentenced to eight years in prison for attempted rape.

Convalescent Home Held Liable

The jury found that the company deliberately falsified employment documents at the time of Vazquez's hiring and violated several state laws relating to the care of residents with dementia. Vazquez had a master key allowing him access to every resident's room. The company did no background checks on him and did not give him any training on interacting with the elderly.

First of all, my heart goes out to Sophie Schwartz and her family for having undergone this nightmare. Apparently, this facility hired an illegal immigrant. They did not check his eligibility to work in the United States. They did not do any criminal background checks. They gave him no training to work with the elderly, which is a highly specialized field. I'm glad that the jury evaluated the facts and held this facility and its administrators liable for the neglect and abuse of a frail, elderly, ill woman. Where were Vazquez's supervisors when this happened? Who was responsible for hiring this man? How many more illegal immigrants work in this facility? How many more employees work here without undergoing any type of background checks?

Pursuing Your Legal Rights

Going after these unethical businesses and hitting them in their wallet – where it hurts them the most – is the best recourse that exists for nursing home abuse victims. If you are looking to place a loved one in a nursing home or convalescent facility, it's always a good idea to take a proactive approach and do some research about the place. Visit the facility several time before making a decision and visit at different times of day. If there is something wrong in that facility, believe me, you would know. You will see the red flags. In cases involving negligence or abuse, an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer will be able to help victims and their families pursue their legal rights.

We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.

Jury Awards $12.5 Million to Nursing Home Abuse Victim is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

Sarah Rachelle Phillips, 31, was fatally injured in a San Diego car accident after losing control of her SUV at a highway ramp and crashing. According to a news report in The San Diego Union-Tribune, Phillips was going southbound on the Interstate 805 in a Nissan Xterra SUV the morning of February 27, 2010 when she lost control of the vehicle as it went over a puddle in the connector ramp to the 15 Freeway. Phillips was ejected from the SUV that rolled over several times. She died at the scene.

My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Sarah Rachelle Phillips for their tragic and devastating loss. I offer my deepest condolences to them. Please keep them in your prayers.

Rollover Accidents

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that rollover accidents are responsible for at least 10,000 fatalities each year in the United States. That number accounts for about 25 percent of all traffic accident fatalities in the United States. SUVs contribute to a number of rollover accidents. Studies have shown that this is because of defective design. SUVs have a high center of gravity and a narrower track width than other vehicles, which make them more prone to tipping over, especially at freeway speeds.

Auto Product Defect Issues

One of the issues in this particular case, is whether the Nissan Xterra SUV caused or contributed to her fatal injuries. If I were a member of her family, I would also look into whether seatbelt failure caused Phillips to get ejected from the vehicle. Seatbelt defects are unfortunately all too common. Seat restraint systems could fail in many ways. A number of side release belts are prone to false latching and many end-release belts are prone to unlatching during car accidents. The product liability attorneys at BISNAR | CHASE have seen numerous cases of seat belt failure involving seat belt mounts, buckles, webbing and grabbers.

A reputed San Diego personal injury lawyer, who has successfully handled auto product liability cases relating to SUV rollovers and seatbelt defects will be able to help such victims and their families pursue their legal rights. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free and comprehensive consultation to injured victims and their families.

We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.

San Diego Rollover Accident Kills Woman is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

One woman was injured in an Orange County car accident after the vehicle which she was driving collided with a trash truck at a Garden Grove intersection. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the injury collision occurred at the intersection of Haster Street and Lampson Avenue the morning of March 2, 2010, when a Nissan Altima collided with a Disposal Service truck. The female driver of the Altima was transported to a local hospital for treatment of her injuries. A 1-year-old child in the car was said to have been uninjured. The extent of the woman's injuries is not known.

I sympathize with the woman who sustained injuries in this crash. I'm relieved to hear that the 1-year-old child in the vehicle was not injured. I wish the injured woman the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 12 fatalities and 717 injuries involving car accidents in Garden Grove. In Orange County as a whole, 152 people died and 13,414 were injured as a result of car accidents during the same year.

Fault and Liability

Based on this news report, it is not clear how or why this injury collision occurred. But, the news article does state that this accident occurred at an intersection. The main question here is which one of the vehicles failed to yield right-of-way at the intersection. If the trash truck driver was at fault, then he and his employer, the disposal company, could be held liable for the accident and the injuries caused. Victims in such cases could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, physical therapy and other related damages.

If an accident is caused due to a dangerous intersection, then, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could be held liable. Any such claim against a governmental agency in California must be properly filed within 180 days of the accident or injuries.

Victims in such cases would be well-advised to seek the counsel of an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer who will analyze all aspects of the incident and ensure that the negligent parties are held accountable for their actions. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free and comprehensive consultation to injured victims and their families.

We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.

Orange County Car Accident Causes Injuries is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

Six people were injured in a San Diego car accident that involved at least three vehicles. According to a news report in The San Diego Union-Tribune, the accident occurred in the Spring Valley area the morning of February 28, 2010. A BMW was going south on Avocado Boulevard when it struck a Honda whose driver was attempting to make a left turn on to Challenger Boulevard. The Honda spun around, the BMW went off the roadway, hit a wall and then a truck parked in the driveway of a home. Six people were transported to local hospitals for treatment of injuries. One woman sustained a head injury. An investigation is ongoing.

I hope the woman who was injured in this crash did not sustain any catastrophic injuries. I wish her and the other injured victims the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep them in your prayers.

San Diego Car Accidents

There were 81 fatalities and 6,123 injuries involving car accidents in San Diego in 2008, according to California Highway Patrol's traffic accident statistics. In San Diego County as a whole, 246 deaths and 13,527 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents in 2008.

The Law Relating to Left Turns

Based on the news report, this injury collision occurred right at an intersection when one of the vehicles was attempting to make a left turn. 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

In such cases, the focus of the investigation is on who had the right-of-way at the intersection. In this particular case, there are still a few questions concerning who had the right-of-way or the green light at the time. Did the vehicle turning left have a green arrow? Did one of the vehicles run a red light?

The injured victims in such cases, would be well-advised to consult an experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of the case and make sure that their legal rights and best interests are protected. If there was a dangerous condition on this roadway, the city or governmental agency responsible for its maintenance could also be held liable. Please remember that any claim against a governmental entity must be properly filed within 180 days of the accident or injury, under California law.

We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.

San Diego Car Accident Injures Six is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

With the recent number of auto defect recalls many consumers may be wondering why auto makers continue to manufacture defective auto products. With the advancements in technology and manufacturing defective vehicles have still been produced and sold to consumers like you.

The reason why auto defects still exist today is the same reason why they existed a decade ago. Auto defects still happen because corporations have put profits over safety. A number of manufacturers are still using the same platform they used 20 or 30 year ago. Your new car might not be as new as you think. Under the skin of your car could be a 30 year old platform.

Victims who have suffered catastrophic injury due to an auto defect may request a free book, "Still Unsafe At Any Speed." This auto defect book offers valuable information regarding common vehicle defects. After reading this book you will be better able to evaluate an auto products liability case.

If you or a loved one has been injured from an auto defect please contact BISNAR | CHASE Personal Injury Lawyers for a complimentary consultation. We have helped over 6,000 accident victims recover hundreds of millions of dollars.

Why Have Auto Makers Continued To Manufacture Defective Automobiles? is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

Mary Waseko Kasubuchi, 93, was killed in a Portland car accident after she was struck while crossing a road. According to a KGW news report, Kasubuchi was attempting to get across SE Cesar Chavez Boulevard at the intersection of Powell the evening of February 24, 2010 when the fatal pedestrian accident occurred. Kasubuchi died at the scene. No charges have been filed yet in connection with this accident. The intersection of Cesar Chavez and Powell is "notoriously dangerous," according to the news report.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mary Waseko Kasubuchi for their heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your prayers.

Portland Accident Statistics

According to the Oregon Department of Transportation's (ODOT) crash statistics, 11 fatalities and 154 injuries were reported as a result of pedestrian accidents in Portland in 2007. During the same period in Portland, car accidents claimed 34 lives and caused 5,087 injuries.

Was This a Dangerous Roadway?

This news report does not offer much information about how or why this pedestrian was hit. Based on the information, Kasubuchi was crossing at the intersection. The question is whether she was crossing against the light. Who had the right-of-way in this case? Also, what makes this intersection "notoriously dangerous" other than the fact that it is a busy intersection? Are there any visual obstacles at this location that prevents motorists from spotting pedestrians in the crosswalk? Is this intersection well-lit? Are there any other dangerous conditions on this roadway or intersection, which may have caused this pedestrian accident?

Liability Issues

If there is in fact, a dangerous condition on this roadway, then the city of Portland or the governmental entity in charge of maintaining that roadway could be held liable for the injuries that occur at that location. In this particular pedestrian accident, I trust officials are also looking into whether there was negligence on the part of the motorist as well. If that was the case, the driver could also be held responsible. In such cases, victims' families would be well-advised to consult an Oregon personal injury lawyer, who will ensure that their rights are protected. Please remember that any personal injury or wrongful death claim against a governmental agency in Portland must be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury.

We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.

Elderly Pedestrian Killed in Portland Car Accident is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

A 74-year-old driver has been charged with gross vehicular manslaughter and DUI in connection with a San Diego car accident that killed 66-year-old Randy Eugene Smith. The accident occurred when Richard Alfred Daus drove his SUV into a Carl's Jr. restaurant in El Cajon, the morning of January 3, 2010. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that Daus has been charged under a section of state DUI law that calls for harsher sentences for drunken drivers who have prior DUI convictions or a previous vehicular manslaughter conviction. Daus has apparently been convicted twice – in 1952 in Illinois for reckless homicide and in 1988 in Alaska for DUI. In this case, Daus' blood alcohol was 0.22 percent two hours after the fatal crash – nearly three times more than the legal limit of 0.08 percent.

Tragic DUI Collision

I offer my deepest condolences to everybody who knew and loved Smith. What a devastating blow for his family and friends! Apparently, Smith came every morning to have breakfast at that restaurant. The fatal DUI collision threw Smith across the restaurant and he died before he could be transported to a hospital.

California Drunk Driving Laws

If Daus is found guilty, I hope he gets the punishment he deserves. In this case, that means, he could face a prison sentence for the rest of his life. A driver whose act of driving under the influence results in the death of another will likely face vehicular manslaughter charges, as Daus does in this case.

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."

Getting Help from an Injury Lawyer

Smith's family would be well-advised to seek the legal counsel of an experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer, who will better inform them about their legal rights and options. Where there is negligence or wrongdoing involved, families of deceased car accident victims can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation to cover funeral expenses, lost future earnings, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages.

We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.

Man Charged in Fatal San Diego Car Accident is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal