San Diego Personal Injury Lawyers Blog

Dangerous roads in El Centro can cause injury to motorists, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians, and can create liability against the State of California, Department Of Transportation (CalTrans). Of course, liability may be apportioned between the class of persons noted above, and potentially other defendants who may have played some role in creating or maintaining a dangerous condition.

A motor vehicle operator driving an automobile (passenger vehicle, big rig truck, van, or bus), must make sure that they constantly stay alert, and maintain continual awareness of the numerous harmful factors that can cause an auto crash to occur at any moment. Many people may not be aware that numerous accidents and injuries occur because of defectively designed or improperly maintained roadways. Knowledgeable El Centro attorneys understand dangerous roads.
The condition of the roadways that are continuously traveled on, highways, intersections, and even safety equipment on roadways can pose a serious threat to vehicle drivers. Not only do a number of accidents occur in cities such as Imperial, Brawley, Heber, Seeley & Calexico, auto accidents are caused by poorly maintained roads. Additional causes of road defect accidents include problems occuring with medians, barriers, signs, shoulders, lights, exit ramps, lane markers, and intersections.

Continue reading "El Centro Truck Accidents ~" »

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

After an automobile crash or any other event involving serious injury or the wrongful death of a loved one, it is extremely 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 to innocent victims. 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 automobile 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.

Continue reading "Have You Been Injured In A San Diego Automobile Accident?" »

Local news agencies report that 19-year old Bishop crash survivor, Derek Thomas, returned to Encinitas yesterday, arriving at Scripps Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation Services in the early afternoon. He was greeted by hundreds of his former classmates, friends, family, co-workers, and well-wishers. Derek is expected to continue physical therapy for a few more weeks before returning home.

Derek was injured in a horrific fiery crash in Bishop, California last summer, sustaining burns over 85 percent of his body. The crash claimed the lives of Derek's girlfriend, Amanda Post; her best friend, Natalie Nield; and his coach, Nathan Adams. Also killed in the fiery crash was 35-year-old Wendy Rice of Corona, who was a California Baptist University of Riverside cheerleading coach. Encinitas resident Drew Delis also sustained severe burns in the crash.

Derek underwent more than 70 medical procedures and 42 surgeries over the past 11 months during his stay at the Grossman Burn Center in West Hills, California. His chances of survival were estimated at less than 1 percent, so it is great news that he is doing so well in the aftermath of the crash.

News reports indicate the California Highway Patrol is still investigating the incident.

Sources: 10news.com, LAtimes.com

Continue reading "Local Teen Derek Thomas Returns To San Diego ~" »

Automobile accidents in the Imperial Valley and surrounding regions occur often, causing serious injuries and death to pedestrians, drivers, and cyclists. Incidents that occur on El Centro roadways may be caused by distracted drivers, drunk drivers, vehicle defects, and/or dangerous road conditions. Negligent drivers who cause accidents may be held financially liable for resultant injuries and deaths that they cause.

The El Centro auto accident lawyers at Kerckhoff Law, APC have represented hundreds of seriously injured victims of Imperial County auto accidents in personal injury claims, including incidents occurring in Imperial, Brawley, Calipatria, Holtville, Seeley, El Centro, Calexico, Heber, Winterhaven, and Mexicali.

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Please contact Kerckhoff Law, APC for a free consultation if you or a family member has been seriously injured or killed in an automobile crash, dog bite, or wrongful death incident.

Continue reading "Looking For An El Centro Attorney?" »

Have you or a loved 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.

Continue reading "Injured In A Del Mar Accident?" »

At Kerckhoff Law, APC, we use our experience in handling accident cases to investigate every possible contributing cause of an accident to ensure that you will receive full compensation for your injuries. Evaluating all of the facts involved in the cause of a motor vehicle accident requires skill and experience.

Our San Diego automobile accident attorneys will take over the investigation of your case so that you can concentrate on recovering from your injuries. We can assist you in finding an appropriate medical specialist to treat you, and we can make arrangements with your medical care providers to wait for payment until your case is resolved through settlement or trial.

What To Do After An Auto Accident

What information should I obtain?

Should I call the police?

When should I contact an attorney?

Should I contact my own insurance company?

Should I go to the doctor?

Is there anything special I should tell my doctors?

Do I need to take pictures of the accident scene?

Do I have to take photos right away or can I wait?

What about preserving other evidence besides photos?

Should I talk to the other driver's insurance company? What if they call me?

Click here for a free consultation. No recovery, no fee. All costs advanced.

The state Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) released a new survey on Wednesday contending that southern Californians (including those of us residing in San Diego County) are only slightly worse that the rest of the nation when it comes to texting or talking on a cell phone while driving.

The state's study conducted in March and billed as the first-ever observational study, revealed that 9.8 percent of Southern Californians are texting or yakking.

OTS Director Christopher J. Murphy is quoted as stating: "This study is highly significant for California ... it gives us a base to measure against in years to come as we combat this serious threat to safety on our roadways."

In 2009, a federal study showed that approximately 9% of drivers nationwide were talking on cell phones or texting while driving.

The study included 130 intersections in 17 California counties, where observers took notes while observing 5,413 drivers holding phones to their ears, wearing a Bluetooth or headset device, or those who were texting.

In the first half of April - Distracted Driving Awareness Month - more than 20,000 drivers were ticketed for holding phones to their ears while driving, as well as for texting. The fine for a first offense is $159 and rises to $279 for repeat offenses.

Personal Injury & Wrongful Death Liability In Automobile Accidents

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. 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.

Vehicle accidents in the El Centro area and surrounding regions occur often, causing serious injuries and death to pedestrians and drivers. Incidents that occur on Imperial County roadways may be caused by distracted drivers, drunk drivers, vehicle defects and/or dangerous road conditions. Negligent drivers who cause accidents may be held financially liable for resultant injuries and deaths that they cause.

The El Centro auto accident lawyers at Kerckhoff Law, APC have represented hundreds of seriously injured victims of Imperial County car accidents in personal injury claims, including incidents occurring in Brawley, Calipatria, Holtville, Imperial, Seeley, El Centro, Calexico, Heber, Winterhaven, and Mexicali.

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Please contact Kerckhoff Law, APC for a free consultation if you or a family member has been seriously injured or killed in an El Centro automobile crash or Imperial County wrongful death incident.

This morning at approximately 6:45 a.m., authorities reportedly issued a Sig Alert for northbound Interstate 5 just south of H Street in Chula Vista. Apparently five automobiles were involved in a crash which left at least ten people injured. Six people were transported to a local hospital with injuries, two with major trauma.

California Highway Patrol officers are continuing their investigation into the cause of this multi-vehicle crash.

Auto Accident Liability

If you have been injured in an auto accident, you may be considering whether or not you should hire a San Diego auto accident attorney to handle your claim. At Kerckhoff Law, APC, we use our experience in handling accident cases to investigate every possible contributing cause of an accident to ensure that you will receive full compensation for your injuries. Evaluating all of the facts involved in the cause of a motor vehicle accident requires skill and experience. Our office will take over the investigation of your case so that you can concentrate on recovering from your injuries. We can assist you in finding an appropriate medical specialist to treat you, and we can make arrangements with your medical care providers to wait for payment until your case is resolved through settlement or trial.

To make sure you receive the compensation you deserve, you need an experienced San Diego auto accident attorney working for you. 



Continue reading "San Diego I-5 Crash Leaves 10 People Injured ~" »

Have you or a loved one been seriously injured or killed in an automobile accident in Imperial County? If so, you should consult with an experienced El Centro personal injury lawyer to find out what your legal rights are and what your next step should be.
Imperial County personal injury attorney 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 An El Centro-Imperial Valley Injury Attorney

After an automobile crash or any other event involving serious injury or the wrongful death of a loved one, it is extremely 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 to innocent victims. 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 automobile accident or wrongful death case are very specific. Our El Centro 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.

CBS8.com reports that a Monday morning collision on a rain-soaked stretch of Interstate 805 in Clairemont Mesa killed a 60-year-old motorcyclist and tangled traffic for hours during the morning commute.

The incident occurred shortly before 6 a.m. amid heavy rainfall. Apparently the driver of a Lexus SUV was traveling about 80 mph in the number one southbound lane of the freeway when he encountered slow-moving traffic ahead of him near the Balboa Avenue exit. He lost control of his vehicle, slid to the right, struck a big rig, then traveled back to the left across the roadway, crossing directly into the path of a BMW motorcycle.

The motorcycle struck the driver's side of the Lexus, ejecting the operator - Paul Palika of Oceanside. The CHP reported that he died at the scene. It was reported that the driver of the sport utility vehicle was uninjured. The investigation is ongoing and it is not clear whether or not he will be cited for this incident.

Motorcycle Accident Fatalities

Crashes on freeways most often occur because a driver was speeding, not paying attention, texting, or using a cell phone, causing needless injury and/or death to others. The CHP will conduct an investigation into the cause of the incident and make the appropriate recommendation to the District Attorney's office.

Choosing A San Diego Motorcycle Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one has been killed in a motorcycle crash, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages. 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. Our San Diego motorcycle 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.

Sources: 10news.com, CBS8.com, California Highway Patrol

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.

San Diego County law enforcement has teamed up with El Capital High School in Lakeside to show teenagers the true dangers of driving and texting through an interactive obstacle course.

A few of the high school students were asked to drive through the course one time without texting, and the next time while texting. Student Justin Garcia was the first student to drive through the course. He said it was smooth sailing for him without using his phone, but after he had to answer a text message, he hit several cones and almost missed a turn altogether. Garcia said: "It was really hard ... it's definitely going to change my mind if I text or not, so I'm not going to be texting anymore."

National Teen Safety Driving Week

October 16-22, 2011 was dedicated to raising awareness and seeking solutions to unnecessary teen deaths on the road. Established by Congress in 2007 and held annually each third week of October, the goal is to focus the country's attention on this serious issue.

More than 250,000 teens are killed each year while texting and driving.

Texting-While-Driving Accident & Injury Liability

We all know about the dangers associated with texting while driving. Even Oprah Winfrey has joined the cause, ending each of her shows with a request that her viewers sign her pledge to not text and drive. Wouldn't it be great to see ALL states implement a ban on texting while driving? Many lives would hopefully be saved and many auto accidents would probably be prevented.

Texting and driving is not only dangerous, it's against the law in California. Senate Bill 28, enacted on September 24, 2008, "prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while using an electronic wireless communications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication."

New legislation has been introduced that could increase the fines for sending text messages and talking on handheld cell phones while driving. On June 23, 2010, California Senate Bill 1475 was passed, which would add one point to a driver's driving record.

The bill also strengthens California's hands-free and no-texting laws for motorists. The new law also extends to bicyclists. SB 1475 now moves to the State Assembly for consideration.

Sources: 10news.com, Insurance Institute For Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute

Continue reading "Dangers Of Texting While Driving ~ San Diego Obstacle Course ~" »

KTLA.com reports that studies show driving while texting is more dangerous than driving under the influence. Recent fatalities involving texting while driving occurred in 2007 when a New York high schooler and her for fellow cheerleaders were killed due to her slamming head-on into a truck, killing all of them. The 2008 Chatsworth train collision, in which 25 people died and more than 100 were injured, was officially attributed to the engineer of the Metrolink commuter train being distracted by text messaging.

Unfortunately, the laws applicable to the problem of texting while driving reflect vital misunderstandings about why cell phone use combined with a moving vehicle can be so deadly. This was a major topic at the Transportation Department's Distracted Driving Summit on Sept. 21st.

Studies reflect that texting while driving can be more dangerous than driving while swigging Jack Daniels. In a 2009 survey, Car and Driver magazine tested two of its staffers under a variety of conditions. It found that on average, driving at 70 mph, one man braking suddenly while legally drunk (0.08 blood alcohol content) traveled 4 feet beyond his baseline performance. However, when reading an e-mail while driving sober, he traveled 36 feet beyond the baseline result and 70 feet while sending a text. In the worst case - while texting - he traveled 319 feet before stopping.

66% of respondents to a 2007 Harris Interactive poll admitted they've texted while driving, even as 89% said it should be banned.

Not to mention that our youngest drivers, who already are in far more than their share of roadway accidents and deaths, text the most, according to government and insurance industry reports.

Texting While Driving & Accidents

Texting and driving is not only dangerous, it's against the law in California. Senate Bill 28, enacted on September 24, 2008, "prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while using an electronic wireless communications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication."

New legislation has been introduced that could increase the fines for sending text messages and talking on handheld cell phones while driving. On June 23, 2010, California Senate Bill 1475 was passed, which would add one point to a driver's driving record.

The bill also strengthens California's hands-free and no-texting laws for motorists. The new law also extends to bicyclists. SB 1475 now moves to the State Assembly for consideration.

We all know about the dangers associated with texting while driving. Even Oprah Winfrey has joined the cause, ending each of her shows with a request that her viewers sign her pledge to not text and drive. It would be great to see ALL states implement a ban on texting while driving. Many lives would hopefully be saved and many auto accidents would probably be prevented.

Sources: Insurance Institute For Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute, KTLA News.com

Continue reading "Texting Worse Than Drunk Driving ~" »

The Highway Loss Data Institute reports that a recent study determind that texting-related crashes did not decrease in those states which passed laws banning texting while driving. Rather, the texting bans were found to be associated with an increase in the number of insurance claims filed for collision damage in vehicle crashes.

The HLDI study compared collision claim rates in the months before & after texting while driving was banned in Washington, California, Louisiana, and Minnesota with the claim rates in nearby states that don't currently have texting laws. A previous HLDI study uncovered similar results for bans on driving while talking on a hand-held cell phone.

This evidence may indicate that texting laws are ineffective, and that other measures to decrease texting while driving should be explored.

Texting While Driving & Accidents

Texting and driving is not only dangerous, it's against the law in California. Senate Bill 28, enacted on September 24, 2008, "prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while using an electronic wireless communications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication."

New legislation has been introduced that could increase the fines for sending text messages and talking on handheld cell phones while driving. On June 23, 2010, California Senate Bill 1475 was passed, which would add one point to a driver's driving record.
The bill also strengthens California's hands-free and no-texting laws for motorists. The new law also extends to bicyclists. SB 1475 now moves to the State Assembly for consideration.

We all know about the dangers associated with texting while driving. Even Oprah Winfrey has joined the cause, ending each of her shows with a request that her viewers sign her pledge to not text and drive. It would be great to see ALL states implement a ban on texting while driving. Many lives would hopefully be saved and many auto accidents would probably be prevented.

Sources: Insurance Institute For Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute

Continue reading "Prohibition Of Texting While Driving Has Not Reduced Crashes ~" »