Wrongful Death | Northern California Personal Injury Blog - Part 2

San Francisco Motorcycle Accident Takes Life of San Bruno Man

By Kelly Balamuth on April 24, 2012

A motorcycle accident in San Francisco recently cost a San Bruno motorcyclist his life, according to The San Jose Mercury News.

The motorcyclist was riding his Suzuki motorcycle along Highway 101 near the ramps to South Van Ness Avenue, according to investigators. As he approached the interchange with Interstate 80, he seemed to lose control of his motorcycle. The bike veered to the right and crashed into the catwalk. Rescue workers were unable to save the life of the motorcyclist, who was thrown from his bike during the crash.

Investigators are still trying to determine what caused the motorcycle to veer into the catwalk and have not yet ruled out many common causes of loss of control, such as defective parts or botched repairs. The conditions of the roadway or bad placement of the catwalk may also have contributed to the fatal motorcycle crash.

According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), about 680 motorcyclists lose their lives on California roads each year, a significant increase over the last decade. The CHP urges motorists to watch carefully for motorcyclists, and urges both new and experienced bikers to take safety training classes and other courses that will help them build their skills and prevent a crash from turning deadly.

At Balamuth Law, our experienced northern California wrongful death attorneys have helped many injured people and their families seek the compensation they need after a motorcycle accident causes serious injury or even death. If you or someone you love has been hurt in a motorcycle crash, call us today at (888) 254-1234 for a free and confidential consultation.

Sacramento Road Rage Incident Ends in Four-Year-Old’s Death

By Kelly Balamuth on February 15, 2012

A car crash that appeared to be sparked by road rage ended in the death of a four-year-old boy near Sacramento recently, according to a recent news report from ABC News 10.

The boy was riding in the backseat of his family’s Honda Accord when the crash occurred. The driver, the boy’s father, said that as they traveled, a black SUV pulled up beside them and swerved toward their vehicle, forcing it off the road and into a rollover down the side of an embankment.

The four-year-old lost his life in the Sacramento auto accident. His father and mother, who were riding in the front passenger seat, were treated for minor injuries and released. Both are expected to make a full physical recovery. The vehicle suffered serious damage. Police are still looking for the driver that forced the family’s car off the road. Until they find that driver, they say, they are unable to comment on whether drugs or alcohol played any role in the crash.

At Balamuth Harrington, our experienced northern California wrongful death lawyers have handled hundreds of cases in which a crash injured or killed a driver or passenger who was practicing careful driving. We understand that while there are many things you can do to reduce your risk of an accident, controlling the negligent behavior of others is not one of them. That’s why we’re dedicated to helping those injured in car accidents and their families seek compensation from any negligent parties who may have caused a crash. For a free consultation, call us today at (888) 254-1234.

Accused Driver in San Francisco Fatal Bike Accident to Stand Trial

By Kelly Balamuth on August 12, 2011

An Oakland man accused of hitting and killing a bicyclist with his car in a San Francisco neighborhood last summer was ordered to stand trial in the upcoming case.

As reported August 3 by the SF Examiner, the accident occurred on the night of August, 13, 2010, when 37-year-old Joshua Calder allegedly struck Nils Linke, 21, who was visiting the United States from Germany. Calder reportedly fled the scene. But after witnesses gave police a description of the vehicle (an older model Mercedes Benz) and incident, he was located approximately two blocks away. According to authorities, eye witnesses reported that they saw Calder get out of his driver’s seat, move Linke’s bike to the side of the street, and trade seats with his girlfriend prior to fleeing the accident scene. Shortly following his arrest, Calder posted the $500,000 bail.

During the preliminary hearing, which started on July 25, attorneys on both sides of the case acknowledged that Calder had been drinking prior to the accident, while the Assistant District Attorney Todd Barrett claimed the defendant had a blood alcohol level equivalent to seven alcoholic drinks, in addition to THC in his system from using marijuana. District Attorney Barrett also declared that Calder had been speeding before allegedly hitting Linke from behind.

San Francisco Superior Court Judge Newton Lam commanded Calder to stand trial on all of the allegations in court on September 1. Prosecutors said Calder pleaded not guilty to charges of drunken driving, hit-and-run, and vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.

Bicyclists are incredibly vulnerable on the road, and it’s every driver’s solemn duty to always watch and act with their safety in mind. If you have lost a loved one in a bicycle accident due to dangerous or impaired driving, call 1-888-254-1234 for a free case consultation with the northern California wrongful death lawyers at Balamuth Harrington. We will help you hold negligent parties legally responsible for their wrongdoing.

Lawsuit Alleges Activist Killed by Unsafe Elevator in San Francisco

By Kelly Balamuth on April 1, 2011

The family of a prominent activist who was killed in an elevator accident in San Francisco in 2008 has filed a lawsuit suing the elevator manufacturer and the building’s owner for wrongful death, according to The New York Times.

The victim was a prominent and controversial activist in San Francisco. The accident occurred when he entered an elevator to go to the lobby. The elevator stopped suddenly after going down only half a floor. Minutes later, the man fell 60 feet to his death down the elevator shaft, and his body was only discovered six days later. After the accident, conspiracy theories abounded about whether he was murdered.

However, the victim’s mother recently filed a lawsuit alleging negligence by the elevator manufacturer and the owner of the building. Under California law, door restrictors must be installed on elevators in order to prevent the doors from opening more than four inches if the elevator is moving or is stuck between floors. The restrictors force people who are trapped in elevators to wait for help instead of attempting to climb out, which can lead to tragic results.

The elevator restrictor in the victim’s elevator was broken, allowing him to open the door and plunge to his death. Three weeks before the accident, an OSHA inspector reported to the elevator manufacturer that the door restrictor had been disabled and turned upside down. The elevator needed a spare part which was never ordered, and the problem was forgotten.

Elevators that are available to the public must be safe. If you have lost a loved one as the result of an unsafe condition inside a public building, contact the Northern California wrongful death attorneys at Balamuth Harrington at 888-254-1234. We will discuss your case with you and help you understand your legal options.

Elderly San Francisco Pedestrian Struck and Killed by Crane Truck

By Kelly Balamuth on March 30, 2011

A 71-year-old woman was struck and killed by a crane-ferrying truck on the morning of March 18. According to SFGate.com, the woman was in the Second Street crosswalk at Townsend Street in the South of Market neighborhood when a truck, carrying a crane, made a left hand turn onto Second Street and hit the woman as she was crossing. Firefighters rushed the woman to a local hospital, but she died early that afternoon. The truck driver was given drug and alcohol tests at the scene of the accident and was cooperative, albeit distraught..

Unfortunately, between 4,000 and 5,000 pedestrians are killed each year in the U.S. by motor vehicle accidents. That amounts to 11 deaths in the U.S. each day. Even considering those statistics however, pedestrian injuries and deaths appear to be on the decline. It’s unclear whether this decline is due to pedestrian safety improvements or whether the number of walkers has decreased..

When you are a pedestrian, following some basic safety tips can make travelling on foot safer:1) Be careful at intersections. Drivers frequently fail to yield the right of way to pedestrians when they are turning; 2) Only use crosswalks to cross the street; and 3) If you are walking at night, carry a flashlight and wear reflective clothing in order to make yourself more visible to drivers.

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a pedestrian accident with a truck or other vehicle, you have legal rights. The driver of the automobile may be liable for any financial or emotional losses or other damages resulting from the accident. To learn more about your options, contact the Northern California wrongful death attorneys at Balamuth Harrington at 888-254-1234.

Fatal Car Crash in Sacramento Kills Woman, Driver Charged With Drunk Driving

By Kelly Balamuth on December 17, 2010

According to The Sacramento Bee, a fatal car accident occurred late Sunday evening, November 14, and left one young woman dead.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is still investigating the fatal crash, but reports that at about 10 p.m., a Jeep Cherokee was driving at a high rate of speed on Lambert Road in Sacramento. For unknown reasons, the motor vehicle left the road and struck a tree, causing the right side of the Jeep to suffer major damage on impact. The woman was a passenger in the vehicle and died at the scene of the car accident. The male driver of the Jeep suffered only minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital.

The CHP alleges that the driver was driving under the influence of alcohol but the accident remains under investigation. The CHP is seeking witnesses to the accident. Anyone with information is asked to call Officer Stephen Newman at 916-681-2300 or the CHP dispatch at 916-861-1300.

While it appears as though alcohol was a factor in this tragic car crash, there are a number of factors that can cause a car accident, including:

• Speeding;
• Distracted driving;
• Bad weather conditions;
• Driving while fatigued;
• Driving recklessly; and
• Poor road conditions.

In cases where someone else’s negligence causes a car crash, a personal injury or wrongful death case can be filed.

The family of a victim killed in a car accident can seek financial relief in the form of damages for the loss of their loved one in a court of law. The sudden death of a loved one often results in a family being forced to pay for expenses, including hospital expenses, funeral costs, burial expenses, and more, which can be difficult, particularly in these hard economic times.

The Northern California wrongful death attorneys at Balamuth Harrington have experience representing many families who have suffered the wrongful death of a loved one and will work aggressively to ensure you are able to receive adequate compensation for your loss. Contact our law office today at 1-888-254-1234.

Greyhound Bus Crashes in Fresno, Kills 6, Injures Others

By Kelly Balamuth on July 22, 2010

A Greyhound bus that was traveling from Los Angeles to Sacramento was involved in a vehicle crash near Fresno that took six lives and injured many more, according to an Associated Press article. Reportedly, the bus driver attempted to avoid another crash involving an overturned SUV. Unfortunately, the maneuver resulted in the bus striking a concrete divider and then another vehicle, before it careened down an embankment and settled onto a freeway off-ramp. A total of six people were killed, including the bus driver. While the number of bus passengers injured was not reported, overall injuries sustained ranged from minor to critical.

While some details surrounding the Greyhound bus accident have been made public, further investigation into the matter will undoubtedly take place to determine whether or not any other factors may have played a role in causing the tragic accident.

If it is determined that negligence of any kind caused the Central Valley bus crash, then the party or parties responsible for that negligence may be held liable for their actions in a court of law. For all accident victims, it is always important to recall as many facts as possible pertaining to bus and auto accidents. If a crash is caused by another person’s negligence, injured individuals may want to contact an experienced Northern California auto accident attorney who will thoroughly investigate the details to determine where negligence may have led to the accident.

Auto accidents similar to the Fresno bus accident impose many physical, emotional and financial consequences upon injury victims as well as several challenges for their family members. For more information about the rights of Northern California bus or auto accident victims, please contact the personal injury attorneys at Balamuth Harrington, LLP. Our Northern California wrongful death lawyers are available at 888-254-1234.

Santa Clara County Fatal Bike Accident

By Kelly Balamuth on June 18, 2010

According to the Gilroy Dispatch, a motorist involved in a fatal Gilroy bicycle accident has been found guilty of vehicular manslaughter. Apparently, the motorist failed to yield during a left hand turn, striking a male cyclist and killing him at the scene. The Santa Clara County wrongful death took place in October of 2008.

The rules of the road ensure our safety. In the event that a motorist wantonly neglects those rules, that motorist may be held liable for in a court of law. Whenever negligence leads to personal injury, victims have the right to seek compensatory damages from those who have harmed them. Such damages can compensate for expenses arising from the accident, such as medical bills, physical therapy fees, and wages lost as a result of the injury. In wrongful death cases, the victim’s family may seek damages for the loss of a loved one.

In all accidents caused by negligence, victims and their families have the right to hold the parties responsible for the accident accountable. While no amount of money can ever replace a loved one, an experienced northern California wrongful death attorney can help family members of a wrongful death victim get back on their feet. If you’ve sustained injury or have lost a loved one, please contact the accident attorneys at Balamuth Harrington, LLP by calling 888-254-1234 for more information and a free consultation.