San Diego Personal Injury Lawyers Blog

10news.com reports that the death of Junethea Centeno on April 12th is calling attention to a potentially dangerous problem on Interstate 15 in the Escondido area. Ms. Centeno lost her life on northbound I-15 near Felicita Road after losing control of her vehicle after driving into a concrete barrier near a construction site.

Her father, June Centeno, cannot understand why his daughter lost her life that morning. Junethea's boyfriend, Jon Mata, arrived at the scene moments after the crash. He told 10News: "There were no orange drums, no cones, no reflectors, nothing like that ... if she only hit the side of the road where the barrier is, the car could have slid down, versus hitting the end of a barrier. If things were set up the way they should be, they could have softened the impact. She'd be alive today."

Friends and family gathered yesterday afternoon to say goodbye to the 18-year-old Palomar College student.

Dangerous Roadway Crashes & Wrongful Death Liability

10news.com reports that CalTrans has refused to comment on the crash, and that the California Highway Patrol investigation is expected to take another two weeks. What is the cause of the April 12th crash? Is CalTrans liable? These are questions that can be answered after the CHP's investigation is complete.

When a person dies due to the negligence of another, his or her family would benefit from speaking to a wrongful death lawyer about the incident and the wrongful death liability issues involved. An experienced attorney can help the family members of the victim get answers as to exactly what happened and who is responsible, as well as explain what the family members' legal rights and options are should they wish to pursue a wrongful death claim.

Source: 10news.com

Have you or a loved one been seriously injured or killed in an accident? If so, you should consult with an experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer to find out what your legal rights are and what your next step should be.

San Diego personal injury attorney A. Jason Kerckhoff knows how serious and life-changing accidental injuries can be, and how frustrating it is to try to obtain relief from insurance companies and other responsible parties.

Choosing A San Diego Injury Attorney

After a vehicle crash, dog bite attack, slip/trip-and-fall incident, bicycle injury, motorcycle injury, or any other event involving serious injury or the wrongful death of a loved one, it is very important to work with a law firm that specializes in personal injury.

Unfortunately, sometimes people are negligent, reckless, or violent, and their irresponsible or wrongful behavior causes injuries. When these tragic, expensive injuries happen to you or a loved one, the person or company who caused the injuries should be held responsible.

The types of skills required to successfully handle a serious accident or wrongful death case are very specific. Our San Diego personal injury law firm is dedicated to assisting injury victims in obtaining the maximum financial compensation they are entitled to, so that they can move on with their lives.

Have you or a loved one been seriously injured or killed in an accident? If so, you should consult with an experienced injury attorney to find out what your legal rights are and what your next step should be.

San Diego personal injury attorney A. Jason Kerckhoff knows how serious and life-changing accidental injuries can be, and how frustrating it is to try to obtain relief from insurance companies and other responsible parties.

Choosing A Cardiff-By-The-Sea Injury Lawyer

After a vehicle crash, dog bite attack, slip/trip-and-fall incident, bicycle injury, motorcycle injury, or any other event involving serious injury or the wrongful death of a loved one, it is very important to work with a law firm that specializes in personal injury.

Unfortunately, sometimes people are negligent, reckless, or violent, and their irresponsible or wrongful behavior causes injuries. When these tragic, expensive injuries happen to you or a loved one, the person or company who caused the injuries should be held responsible.

The types of skills required to successfully handle a serious accident or wrongful death case are very specific. Our Cardiff By The Sea personal injury law firm is dedicated to assisting injury victims in obtaining the maximum financial compensation they are entitled to, so that they can move on with their lives.

The State of California has been held partially responsible for a mudslide at a church camp near Crestline, California which killed 14 people.

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A jury in San Bernardino County held that CalTrans' faulty design of Highway 18 was partially responsible for the flooding and subsequent mudslide at St. Sophia Camp on Christmas Day in 2003. The jury found the State 31% liable for the deaths, holding St. Sophia Church 69% liable. The church settled its cases with the victims' families in 2008 for $13 million, then sued the State.

Jurors must now decide how much money the State should pay. The church is asking for $3.9 million, while CalTrans estimates its liability at $2.2 million.

CalTrans has only made minor changes to the design of Highway 18 since the mudslide.

Continue reading "California Held Partially Liable For Deadly Mudslide In Crestline ~" »

The CHP reports that the northern part of state Route 67 was completely closed down this morning following a crash between a tractor-trailer and three vehicles during the morning commute.

According to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, the crash occurred just north of Poway Road on a two-lane stretch of the highway around 7:25 a.m. As of 8:00 a.m., the SR-67 was closed to southbound traffic at Archie Moore Road and to northbound traffic at Poway Road.

SR-67 Crash Liability

The cause of the crash has not yet been determined. Investigators are still conducting their investigation as to how the crash occurred and who will be determined to be at fault.

Continue reading "Multi-Vehicle Crash On SR-67 Shuts Down Poway Road ~" »

Have you or a loved one suffered a personal injury due to the negligence of someone else?
If so, you should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to find out what your legal rights are and what your next steps are.

Choosing A Solana Beach Personal Injury Lawyer

After an automobile accident, dog bite attack, slip/trip-and-fall incident, bicycle injury, motorcycle injury, or any other event involving serious injury or the wrongful death of a loved one, it is very important to work with a law firm that specializes in personal injury.

The types of skills required to successfully handle a serious accident or wrongful death case are very specific. Don't be fooled by choosing a lawyer who dabbles in these types of cases, rather than one who handles them exclusively, as we do. Making a bad choice in getting the wrong attorney can be one of the most regrettable decisions you can make, and may significantly reduce the outcome you might otherwise be able to achieve.

Jason Kerckhoff is an experienced Solana Beach accident lawyer with over 28 years of experience providing legal representation to serious accident victims in southern California, including Encinitas, Carlsbad, Cardiff-By-The-Sea, Solana Beach, and Del Mar.

A motorcyclist from Kennewick was fatally wounded in a motorcycle crash just south of Burbank this past Monday at 1:30 p.m.

The Walla Walla Union-Bulletin reported that Bart Lee Auckland, 50, was riding on his 2005 Harley-Davidson Road King on Monument Drive, when he apparently drifted into gravel on the side of the road. A sheriff's deputy said the motorcyclist had just purchased the bike a couple days prior to the crash, so he may have been an inexperienced rider, although this has not been confirmed.

After he lost control of his bike, Mr. Auckland traveled down an embankment and sustained head and chest injuries. He was unfortunately pronounced dead at Lourdes Medical Center in Pasco.

Officials said Mr. Auckland was traveling with a partner motorcyclist who apparently did not realize the accident had happened behind him.

Source: Tri-City Herald

Continue reading "Motorcyclist Killed In Crash On Burbank Roadway ~" »

10News.com reports that yesterday, two female drivers were seriously injured in a head-on collision on Via de la Valle near the intersection of Calzada del Bosque at approximately 11:30 a.m.

Two fire engines and two battalion chiefs from Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District responded to the incident. They were assisted by two ambulances from San Diego Medical Services, a fire engine from Solana Beach Fire Department, an air ambulance from Mercy Air, and San Diego's Copter 2. RSF Patrol and CHP assisted with traffic control. The RSFFPD freed the two female drivers from their crumpled vehicles, and crews then airlifted them to the Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla trauma unit.

A dog was also injured in the crash, and was taken to a local veterinarian for care and treatment.

Via de la Valle remained closed for investigation and clean-up until about 1:30 p.m.

Accident Liability Issues

The official cause of the accident is still under investigation. Officials may be trying to determine whether or not alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash, as well as text messaging/cell phone use.

Source: 10News.com, 92127news.com

Continue reading "Rancho Santa Fe Head-On Crash Seriously Injures Two Women ~" »

Have you or a love one been injured by someone else's negligence in a Del Mar accident? If so, you should consult with an experienced, aggressive attorney to find out what your legal rights are and what your next steps are.

Choosing A Del Mar Personal Injury Lawyer

After an automobile crash, dog bite attack, slip/trip-and-fall incident, bicycle injury, motorcycle injury, or any other event involving serious injury or the wrongful death of a loved one, it is very important to work with a law firm that specializes in personal injury.

The types of skills required to successfully handle a serious accident or wrongful death case are very specific. Don't be fooled by choosing a lawyer who dabbles in these types of cases, rather than one who handles them exclusively, as we do. Making a bad choice in getting the wrong attorney can be one of the most regrettable decisions you can make, and may significantly reduce the outcome you might otherwise be able to achieve.

Jason Kerckhoff is an experienced Del Mar accident lawyer with over 28 years of experience providing legal representation to accident victims in southern California, including Del Mar, Solana Beach, Carmel Valley, Torrey Pines, and La Jolla.

Have you or a loved one suffered a personal injury due to the negligence of someone else?
If so, you should consult with an experienced, aggressive attorney to find out what your legal rights are and what your next steps are.

Choosing An Encinitas Personal Injury Lawyer

After an automobile accident, dog bite attack, slip/trip-and-fall incident, bicycle injury, motorcycle injury, or any other event involving serious injury or the wrongful death of a loved one, it is very important to work with a law firm that specializes in personal injury.

The types of skills required to successfully handle a serious accident or wrongful death case are very specific. Don't be fooled by choosing a lawyer who dabbles in these types of cases, rather than one who handles them exclusively, as we do. Making a bad choice in getting the wrong attorney can be one of the most regrettable decisions you can make, and may significantly reduce the outcome you might otherwise be able to achieve.

Jason Kerckhoff is an experienced Encinitas accident lawyer with over 28 years of experience providing legal representation to serious accident victims in southern California, including Encinitas, Carlsbad, Cardiff-By-The-Sea, Solana Beach, and Del Mar.

10News.com reports that two sailors died Tuesday in a South Bay crash when the car in which they were driving crashed over the rail of the ramp from Interstate 5 south to State Route 54 east in San Diego County.

A 1998 Chevy Corvette fell 100 feet and landed upside down on the I-5 north shoulder at approximately 4:10 p.m. Fortunately, no cars below were involved. According to a sergeant with the California Highway Patrol, motorists and witnesses stopped to help and actually overturned the upside down vehicle.

The driver, who was an active-duty sailor, was pronounced dead at the scene. His passenger, a fellow active-duty sailor, died an hour later at UCSD Medical Center.

Dangerous Roadway Liability

Apparently, this is not the first time that a vehicle has flown off of the ramp to SR-54 east. A man died in the summer of 2005 when his pick-up truck crashed over the rail. The victim's mother told 10News that they blame the ramp's engineering, referring to it as a "launch pad."

The families of the victims should contact a San Diego personal injury attorney to investigate the cause of the crash and to discuss their legal options.

Continue reading "San Diego Sailors Killed After Car Plunges Off Ramp ~" »

It's been two weeks since two north county San Diego teenagers were killed in a horrific SUV versus van crash near Bishop, California. Two survivors of the crash, Derek Thomas and Drew Delis, who are recent graduates of Cathedral Catholic High School, are still fighting for their lives. On Sunday, August 22nd, a blood drive was held for them at St. Therese of Carmel in Carmel Valley.

According to 10news.com, Derek Thomas is showing signs of improvement, but needs multiple surgeries and donated blood. Apparently he requires two surgeries per month for the next several months.

Thomas was riding in a Ford Expedition which crossed into oncoming traffic on Highway 395 and crashed into one of three vans carrying athletes from Cal-Baptist in Riverside.
Killed in the crash were Amanda Post and Natalie Nield, also graduates of Cathedral Catholic High School. Derek Thomas and Drew Delis suffered severe burns in the crash.

Aside from the two San Diego survivors of the crash, the blood drive will benefit a blood supply that is always diminished in summer.

Accident Liability Questions

Who is to blame for the injuries and deaths that occurred in the fiery crash in Bishop? Was the driver of the Ford Expedition the cause of the crash? Was the roadway dangerous? Consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney can help to answer these questions and pursue all available legal channels.

Continue reading "Blood Drive Held For Injured San Diego Grad Victims ~" »

Have you or a love one been injured by someone else's negligence in an El Centro accident? If so, you should consult with an experienced, aggressive attorney to find out what your legal rights are and what your next steps are.

Choosing An El Centro Serious Injury Lawyer

After an automobile crash, dog bite attack, slip/trip-and-fall incident, bicycle injury, motorcycle injury, or any other event involving serious injury or the wrongful death of a loved one, it is very important to work with a law firm that specializes in personal injury.

The types of skills required to successfully handle a serious accident or wrongful death case are very specific. Don't be fooled by choosing a lawyer who dabbles in these types of cases, rather than one who handles them exclusively, as we do. Making a bad choice in getting the wrong attorney can be one of the most regrettable decisions you can make, and may significantly reduce the outcome you might otherwise be able to achieve.

Jason Kerckhoff is an experienced El Centro accident lawyer & Imperial Valley personal injury lawyer who has over 28 years of experience providing legal representation to serious accident victims in southern California, including San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, and Imperial Counties.

Tragically, on Monday, August 9th, two local San Diego Cathedral Catholic high school graduates, Natalie Nield & Amanda Post, were killed in a three-vehicle crash on Highway 395 south of Bishop, California. Derek Thomas (19) sustained severe burns over most of his body. Another occuprant also sustained third-degree burns.

Also killed in the fiery crash was 35-year-old Wendy Rice of Corona, who was a California Baptist University of Riverside cheerleading coach.

According to the CHP, three Ford vans transporting members of the Cal Baptist cross-country team were being driven northbound, in a line ~ one after the other ~ when the crash occurred at 8:24 p.m.

A 2004 Ford Expedition traveling southbound was transporting several graduates of Cathedral Catholic. It veered over the center divider on Highway 395 and into the northbound lanes, striking one of the Cal Baptist vans and then bursting into flames.

After the initial crash, a 19-year-old driver of a 2000 Subaru Legacy from Ashland, Oregon, struck the burning SUV. She suffered third-degree burns and complained of pain in her left arm.

A dozen people in the Cal Baptist van suffered minor to serious injuries.

According to 10 News, an Inyo County sheriff's deputy who came upon the scene pulled a man from the burning SUV, but he was unable to return to the vehicle to help a second occupant who was screaming for help, due to the intensity of the flames.

Additionally, another person who had been ejected from the Ford SUV and whose body was on fire walked past the sheriff's deputy and then died in the fast lane.

This is an horrific tragedy for all involved, as well as for the families and friends of the victims. In incidents such as this one - where the negligence of one of the drivers apparently caused the crash and subsequent injuries and fatalities, the injured victims and their families would benefit from consulting with a San Diego attorney. A qualified and experienced attorney who has successfully represented victims of motor vehicle crashes can best advise and help the injured victims and the family of the decedents as to their legal rights.

Continue reading "Fiery Crash Near Bishop, California Kills Two San Diego Grads ~" »

Have you or a loved one been seriously injured in an accident in Cardiff-By-The-Sea? If so, you should consult with an experienced, aggressive attorney to find out what your legal rights are and what your next step should be.

Choosing A Cardiff-By-The-Sea Serious Injury Lawyer

After an automobile crash, dog bite attack, slip/trip-and-fall incident, bicycle injury, motorcycle injury, or any other event involving serious injury or the wrongful death of a loved one, it is very important to work with a law firm that specializes in personal injury.

The types of skills required to successfully handle a serious accident or wrongful death case are very specific. Don't be fooled by choosing a lawyer who dabbles in these types of cases, rather than one who handles them exclusively, as we do. Making a bad choice in getting the wrong attorney can be one of the most regrettable decisions you can make, and may significantly reduce the outcome you might otherwise be able to achieve.

Our Cardiff-By-The-Sea accident lawyers are experienced trial lawyers and have in excess of fifty years combined experience providing legal representation to serious accident victims in southern California, including San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, and Imperial Counties.

Continue reading "Cardiff-By-The-Sea Serious Accident Lawyers ~ Cardiff By The Sea Injury Attorneys " »