Category Archives: Van Accidents

To Retain a Lawyer or to Not Retain a Lawyer, What Should You Do?

Written on February 10, 2011 by in Animal Liability, Assault and Battery, Bicycle Accidents, Big Rig Truck Accident, Bus Accidents, California Law, Car Accidents, Damages, Dangerous Conditions, Dog Bite, Editorial, Hit and Run Accident, Insurance, Intentional Torts, Medical Malpractice, medical treatment, Motorcycle Accidents, Off Road Vehicle Accidents, Other Motor Vehicle Accidents, Pedestrian Accidents, Personal Injury, Premises Liability, Products Liability, Slip and Fall, SUV Accident, Train Accidents, Trip and Fall, Truck Accidents, Van Accidents, Vehicle Passenger Accidents, Wrongful Death
California Personal Injury Attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez

California Personal Injury Attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez

As a California Personal Injury Lawyer, I give free consultations to injury victims throughout the State of California almost every day.

Inevitably about 5% of the people I talk to have either tried handling their California personal injury matter on their own, or are very reluctant to “get lawyers” involved because of what they heard about lawyers, or are clueless about how the legal system works.

Ultimately, out of the 5% of the people mentioned above, about 1% or 1 out of 100 people I talk to decide to handle the matter on their own.

To me, an experienced California Personal Injury Attorney, it is inexplicable why someone would choose not to retain an attorney to handle their personal injury case. Let me tell you why.

Firstly, most people have no clue that they are entitled to recover the following damages in a typical personal injury matter:

Out of Pocket Expenses: All out of pocket expenses flowing out of the personal injury matter such as: loss of wages, medical cost, prescription cost, cost of travel to and from the doctor, prescriptions, loss of use of vehicle, either the repair cost of a damaged vehicle, or the fair market value of a damaged vehicle when the repair cost exceeds the fair market value, rental car, loss of future wages, future medical expenses, etc.

Non Economic Expenses: Pain & Suffering, Emotional Distress, Loss of Enjoyment of life (loss of enjoyment of life consists of compensation to a person for not being able to do things that they used to do, while they are injured. Such as cleaning, cooking, walking, dancing, going out, etc.)

In a nutshell a typical person has no clue that they are entitled to the things mentioned above, how to value such things even if they know about it, and most importantly, how to get it.

Going further, if an injured person is married, they typically do not know that their spouse also has a cause of action against the person who injured them for loss of consortium. Hell most personal injury lawyers in California do not even go for loss of consortium.

Loss of consortium in a nutshell is damages that a spouse of an injured party are entitled to, for the loss of the things that their spouse used to do with and for them in the marriage, because of their injury. In many cases loss of consortium can amount to a substantial amount of money.

I have just touched the tip of the iceberg with this article. Ultimately, only a fool has themselves for an attorney.

I can assure you that in 99% of cases, a person without an attorney will get less than a person with an attorney in a California Personal Injury case.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a California Personal Injury matter you may call my personal injury hotline 7 days a week, 24 hours a day for a free consultation at 800-816-1529 extension 1. You may also check out my personal injury website at http://www.thepersonalinjury.com.

By California Personal Injury Lawyer Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., © February 10, 2011

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I am Really Sick and Tired of Ambulance Chasers who give us Real Personal Injury Attorneys a Bad Name.

Written on September 15, 2010 by in Animal Liability, Assault and Battery, Bicycle Accidents, Big Rig Truck Accident, Bus Accidents, California Law, Car Accidents, Dangerous Conditions, Dog Bite, Editorial, Hit and Run Accident, Intentional Torts, Liability in Personal Injury Cases, Motorcycle Accidents, Other Motor Vehicle Accidents, Personal Injury, Premises Liability, Product Recall, Products Liability, Slip and Fall, SUV Accident, Train Accidents, Trip and Fall, Truck Accidents, Van Accidents, Vehicle Passenger Accidents, Wrongful Death
California Personal Injury Attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez

California Personal Injury Attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez

Yes you read the headline of this article correctly; I am sick and tired of ambulance chasers who give ethical personal injury attorneys such as me, a bad name.

An ambulance chaser has been defined by an online dictionary as:

“A lawyer or entrepreneur who hurries to the scene of an accident to try to get the business of any injured persons.”

First of all let me tell all of you something right now, lawyers or their representatives are prohibited from soliciting your business at the scene of an accident in the State of California.

Any attorney who engages in such conduct can face disciplinary proceedings.

If someone is coming up to you at the scene of an accident and recommending an attorney to you; chances are they are engaging in prohibited conduct.

You should never select an attorney based upon a solicitation at the scene of an accident, at your doctor’s office, by the tow truck driver, by a body shop, etc.

Always select someone based upon your own research.

My good friend who is an ex NICB agent, and who now runs an investigative corporation, has told me stories of unethical attorneys illegally paying runners, cappers, doctors, tow truck drivers, body shops, to refer cases to them.

He has also told me stories of personal injury attorneys who are in illegal partnerships with non attorneys to get business.

No attorney can fee share or be in a partnership with a non attorney to get your business.

To be frank, I am absolutely shocked to hear such stories. It is beyond my belief that some unethical attorneys are engaging in such behavior. It is to be frank, despicable.

For attorneys such as me who play by the rules, it is outrageous to think of the poor victims of this type of illegal activity.

Going one step further, you may have recently heard about the explosion in San Bruno and the horrible aftermath.

Sure enough, there are some bottom feeder law firms putting out press releases trying to scavenge business from those poor souls in San Bruno.

Historically in the State of California, attorney advertising was prohibited. In the last several decades attorneys have been allowed to advertise. Some have taken it too far.

I am not against attorneys being allowed to advertise, but I am against what I consider to be ambulance chasing in advertising.

The same thing happened after the Chatsworth Metrorail crash, and many other disasters.

As for me, I am no ambulance chaser. I do not need to be because I am good at what I do.

All of my past and present clients know this to be true. To be good at what you do, you need to actually care about your clients, and get them the money that they deserve.

Ask yourself a question; have you ever heard any other personal injury attorney discussing the topic of this article? Heck No. Do you wonder why? It is the dirty little secret that no one wants to talk about.

Well I am talking about it.

I would like to hear any comments you have. You may comment by clicking the comment link below.

By California Personal Injury Attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., © September 15, 2010

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California Highway Patrol: Is Your Car Ready For Severe Weather?

Written on January 20, 2010 by in Bus Accidents, Car Accidents, Editorial, Motorcycle Accidents, News, Other Motor Vehicle Accidents, Personal Injury, Safety Tips, Truck Accidents, Van Accidents

California Highway Patrol: Is Your Car Ready For Severe Weather?Winterhaven – California

Experts say it’s very important to make sure that your car is ready for severe weather.

Experts say now is the time to make sure that your car is properly maintained and equipped for inclement weather. According to the Winterhaven California Highway Patrol, accidents in the Desert Southwest increase during rain and other bad weather. That’s why officers encourage you to leave yourself extra time when driving in bad conditions, and don’t follow too closely.

It’s important to make sure you have plenty of tread on your tires, and that they’re properly inflated. Officers say it’s also important to make sure that you have adequate windshield wipers and an appropriate emergency kit if your car breaks down.

Following an accident, officers ask that you pull to the side of the road, make sure that those involved in the accident are ok, and call the proper authorities.

Officer Steven Gronbach with the Winterhaven CHP Office says there are several reasons why people get in accidents during bad weather.

“Excessive speed, things of that nature, following too closely, sometimes the water will build up on the roads, and if it hasn’t rained, especially here in the desert for quite some time, oil will build up and cause a slick environment,” said Gronbach.

Officials say the most important thing you can do to keep yourself safe is wear your seatbelt.

Take it easy out there folks. If you or your family have been the victim of a truck crash, car crash, or other motor vehicle accident anywhere in California call us for a free consultation at 800-816-1529 x. 1, or go to http://www.thepersonalinjury.com

California Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney Website

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Beware of Accident Scammers and Con Artist; Don’t get Screwed out of a Recovery.

Written on December 31, 2009 by in Bicycle Accidents, Bus Accidents, Car Accidents, Hit and Run Accident, Insurance, Motorcycle Accidents, Other Motor Vehicle Accidents, Personal Injury, Truck Accidents, Van Accidents

Watch out for accident scammers and con artist.You are driving alone in your car, you are thinking about the holiday season or some other event, you come to a stop, and then wham – some idiot has just rear ended you.

You neck jerks back, and then forward, your body hits the seatbelt going across your body. You are shocked. You did not imagine that a mild rear end car accident would sound so loud, or violently jerk your body like it did.

You heart starts racing as you realized what happened. You may not feel pain yet because your body is producing chemicals which mask pain, or your may feel mild pain or stiffness at this point.

You head feels light as you unbuckle your seat belt and get out of the car. The person who hit you is a nice clean cut guy or gal. They run over to you apologizing greatly about how sorry they are, and that they did not mean to hit you.

They offer to pay for the damage to your car, sometimes on the spot. They usually have the same story; they do not want to get their insurance involved because their rates will go up, or their spouse will get upset, etc.

You empathize with the person who hit you; you know that they are required to exchange insurance information with you, but they are so nice, and they are offering to pay, you actually feel bad for the person who hit you. They are talking a good game. They give you a $100 or $200. You go on your way; later that night you realize that you cannot turn your neck and you have the worst headache in history. It turns out that you are going to miss work for a couple of weeks recovering.

You find out later that you have $3,000 damage to the back of your car.

What have you done; you screwed yourself out of thousands of dollars in just compensation that you were entitled to because you let an accident scammer and con artist talk you out of doing what was right.

Make no mistake about it; there is no way to know right after a vehicle accident what your damages are. I have seen people who thought they were not injured after an accident, turn up with shooting pains a numbness hours later, they had nerve damage.

The California vehicle code requires all persons involved in a vehicle accident to stop after an accident, and to exchange identifying information and insurance information. You can be nice after an accident, but firm at the same time.

The first thing you should do is to call the police if you can, and then ask the other party to produce their driver’s license and insurance information. Ask them if the address on the license is current, and request their phone number.

If they try to play the same old con I discussed above simply tell them, look the law requires that we exchange information and I cannot take a chance on getting in trouble, can you please give me your drivers license and insurance information? If they refuse, tell them that you have already called the police.

Make sure that you note the model and make of their car along with the license plate information.

The vast majority of persons out there will comply with the law. However, there as those few asocial assholes that will try to scam and con their way out of not being responsible when they cause harm. Don’t let yourself be a double victim by being injured by them, and then turning around and letting them get off for a few hundred dollars.

If you have been the victim in a motor vehicle accident anywhere in California, call my firm ASAP for a free consultation at 800-816-1529 x.1, or go to http://www.thepersonalinjury.com .

By California Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney and Lawyer Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., © 2009

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California Highway patrol says 12 dead in California traffic accidents

Written on December 27, 2009 by in Bus Accidents, Car Accidents, Hit and Run Accident, Motorcycle Accidents, News, Pedestrian Accidents, Personal Injury, Truck Accidents, Van Accidents, Vehicle Passenger Accidents, Wrongful Death

SACRAMENTO, California

The California Highway Patrol says 12 people have died in accidents statewide over the Christmas holiday weekend, one more than in 2008.

Of the 10 vehicle occupants who died in the CHP’s jurisdiction between Christmas Eve and noon Saturday, half weren’t wearing seat belts. A motorcycle rider also died, the CHP says. The twelfth victim was handled by local law enforcement officials.

Last year, 11 people died statewide in Christmas holiday accidents.

The highway patrol says drunken driving arrests are up, from 409 in 2008 to 549 this year.

The holiday weekend continues through Sunday night.

California Traffic Accident Attorney Website

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Tort Reform is a big Scam; Why Tort Reform will Hurt You and take away more of Your Freedom!

Written on December 20, 2009 by in Bicycle Accidents, Bus Accidents, Car Accidents, Courts, Damages, Dangerous Conditions, Dog Bite, Editorial, Hit and Run Accident, Insurance, Intentional Torts, Medical Malpractice, medical treatment, Motorcycle Accidents, News, Off Road Vehicle Accidents, Off Topic Articles, Other Motor Vehicle Accidents, Pedestrian Accidents, Personal Injury, Premises Liability, Product Recall, Products Liability, Slip and Fall, Train Accidents, Trip and Fall, Truck Accidents, Van Accidents, Vehicle Passenger Accidents, Workers Compensation, Wrongful Death

Tort Reform is a ScamWhen you hear the term “Tort Reform” realize they what you are really hearing is a call to take away your legal right to get compensation when you are injured due to the negligence of another, to protect big business, the insurance companies, the big pharmaceutical companies, and big medicine; as though they are not rich enough.

You will be the only one getting screwed with tort reform; mark my words.

 I hear a certain political party constantly preaching about tort reform this and tort reform that in a way to demonize personal injury attorneys as the fall guys for excessive costs of medical care, insurance, and everything else you can imagine.

You see they like to blame attorneys for taking on big business, the insurance companies, the big pharmaceutical companies, and big medicine, when they screw up and harm you.

Hell, 99.9% of the time, we are the only way you are going to be compensated when you are harmed due to the negligence of big business, doctors, pharmaceutical companies, or big insurance companies.

You don’t hear members of this political party telling you this do you?

One thing they don’t tell you is that since the 1970’s, there has already been a cap on general damages in medical malpractice cases of $250.000 in the State of California.

This means that if a doctor screws up and let’s say cuts out your only good kidney, or let’s say misdiagnosis an illness like cancer, you only get $250,000 for general damages in the State of California. Does this seem right to you? Hell no!

The laws of the State of California basically protect doctors from their negligence and the laws have done so since the 1970’s. States such as Texas have in the past couple of years, recently enacted their own tort reform laws. My understanding is that in Texas there is a $750.000 cap on general damages.

California is way behind the eight ball in this regard; we can only get $250,000 for general damages. It is time to either remove the cap in California or to increase it to reflect the inflation that has occurred since the 1970’s.

Look if you are the victim of medical malpractice, how much would the pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress be worth to you if let’s say a doctor screws up and cuts off the wrong leg, or even caused the death of a loved one?

Do you want some law to prevent you from recovering from your loss? This is tort reform. It is time to get educated folks and stop believing those talking heads who pocket big bucks from those who would save money with tort reform.

This is the essence of tort reform; it is taking away your legal rights, to protect a class of persons or corporations from the harm that they cause by limiting what you can get from them if they screw up your life.

You will see that one political party preaches about less government, and less regulation and intrusion, and they in the same breath will argue to regulate your legal right to obtain compensation as an individual when you are harmed. Who are they protecting? Big business, big medicine, insurance companies, everyone but you. These people are full of shit.

It does not matter what political party you are from when your life gets turned upside down in a personal injury case does it. In the end we are all the same; when we are sitting on our couch injured and hurting due to the negligence of another, all we want is to get better, to get compensated, and to get our lives back. Tort reform prevents this. This is what pundits do not tell you.

These are the same guys that are saying that providing medical coverage to millions of Americans, and prohibiting insurance companies from denying you coverage for pre-existing coverage is a bad thing. These guys are despicable.

It is time to expose the lies America. Tort reform is against your interest and your freedom as Americans.

This is another way to screw the little guy and protect those who are already making a fortune at your expense!

It is time to become educated folks. I am on the front lines of this fight on a daily basis. Any one of you could be sitting in my office looking for help for your personal injury case; you never know. What you should know is tort reform is bad for you; it is bad for all of us.

By California Personal Injury Attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., © 2009

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What To Do After A California Motor Vehicle Accident.

Written on December 17, 2009 by in Bus Accidents, Car Accidents, Damages, Editorial, Insurance, medical treatment, Motorcycle Accidents, Personal Injury, Truck Accidents, Van Accidents, Vehicle Passenger Accidents

What to do after a California Motor Vehicle AccidentOver my years of practicing personal injury laws one of the most common questions I am asked is “What should I do after I am involved in a motor-vehicle accident?”

You feel the impact and hear the crunching of metal, then the accident is over. You lived through the few seconds which seemed like an eternity as you awaited your fate. You take a deep breath and check to see if you are still in one piece. Then comes the thought of “What do I do now?”

1. Call the police. The police should be called to the scene of any accident. They will need to collect the information from both drivers as to license, registration, and insurance. They will speak to each driver as to their account of how the accident occurred. They will complete an accident report detailing all the above information including the facts and potential causes of the accident. The report will be available at the precinct several days after the accident. You should obtain a copy of the police report as soon as possible. They will obtain the names, addresses, and statements of any witnesses to the accident. You should wait for the police to arrive and not discuss the accident with anyone until then. While waiting for the police to arrive, if you are able to do so, you should exchange information with the other driver. If anyone identifies themselves as a witness, try to get his or her name and phone number. If you have a camera or a cell phone with a camera feature and are able to do so, take pictures of the accident scene.

2. Seek medical attention if injured. Some injuries sustained in auto accidents are readily apparent while others may develop over the next few hours or days. If in doubt as to the seriousness of your injuries, it is wise to request an ambulance and to be taken to a hospital to allow a medical professional to evaluate your injuries. If your injuries do not seem that serious, then you can always call your own doctor and make an appointment to be examined. Quite often accident victims will feel just minor aches at the scene but will wake up the following morning with considerable pain. It is always advisable to see a physician to obtain a proper evaluation of your condition.

3. Receive ongoing medical care. Many times an injured accident victim will require ongoing medical care. This may require diagnostic tests such as MRI, EMG, and X-rays which will assist your physician is diagnosing your condition. Your physician will help you determine your medical needs.

4. Contact my personal injury attorney law firm. We can advise you as to your legal rights when you are involved in an accident. We can assist you in making sure that all your medical expenses are paid and in making a claim to compensate you for the pain and suffering you sustained in the accident. You should contact us as soon as practicable after the accident by calling 800-816-1529 x.1.

5. Report the accident to your insurance company. You are required to report the accident to your insurance company within a reasonable time following the accident. You should be wary of accepting any type of settlement offers from any insurance company before speaking with your attorney.

There is no question that being involved in an accident is an overwhelming experience. If you follow the steps that I have set forth it will assist in making sure that your health and your rights are protected.

 The Law Offices of Norman Gregory Fernandez & Associates and Norman Gregory Fernandez has been practicing personal injury law for many years. The firm handles car accident cases and other personal injury matters all over California. For a free consultation, please call 800-816-1529 or you may visit our main personal injury webpage at www.thepersonalinjury.com.

 California Car Accident Attorney Website

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Highway 126 collision sends 12 people to hospital in Ventura County

Written on December 15, 2009 by in Car Accidents, Damages, Editorial, News, Other Motor Vehicle Accidents, Personal Injury, Truck Accidents, Van Accidents, Vehicle Passenger Accidents

12 People injured in Ventura County Car AccidentTwelve people were transported to area hospitals, four of them with major injuries, after an accident Saturday night on Highway 126 near Santa Paula.

The accident occurred about 6:30 p.m. east of Toland Road when Alex Rojas, 26, of Santa Clarita lost control of the sport utility vehicle he was driving while attempting to pass the vehicle in front of him by moving into another lane, the California Highway Patrol said.

Because of unsafe speed and the rain-slicked roadway, Rojas could not maintain control and drifted back into the other lane, striking the vehicle he had just passed, officers said. That sent his vehicle spinning across the center median and into the eastbound lane, where it was broadsided by a truck driven by Maria Troncoso, 29, of Oxnard as she attempted to brake to avoid the collision, authorities said.

Rojas’ passenger, Diana Gutierrez, 22, of Palmdale, was ejected from the vehicle, the CHP said. Gutierrez was not wearing a seat belt and suffered major injuries, including a collapsed lung and lacerated spleen.

Troncoso also suffered major injuries, as did a 9-year-old boy riding in her vehicle and a 2-year-old boy riding in Rojas’ vehicle. Troncoso’s injuries were described as a broken leg and chest pain, while the 9-year-old boy, Angel Troncoso, sustained internal injuries and a facial fracture.

The 2-year-old boy riding in Rojas’ vehicle, Jaden Rojas, sustained a broken right leg and a facial fracture.

Both of the seriously injured children were transferred from hospitals in Ventura to major medical centers in Los Angeles. Nursing supervisors said Angel was transferred from Community Memorial Hospital to UCLA and Jaden from Ventura County Medical Center to Childrens Hospital, but no information on their conditions could be obtained Sunday night.

Gutierrez was listed in stable condition at Ventura County Medical Center Sunday evening. Maria Troncoso was treated and released from Community Memorial, a nursing supervisor said.

Others sustained moderate or minor injuries and were treated at local hospitals. Four others were uninjured. The accident is under investigation.

If you were injured in this accident or know of a relative who was injured, you may call my law firm for a free consultation at 800-816-1529 x.1.

Ventura County Car Accident Attorney and Lawyer Website

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Bad weather in California causing hundreds of Car, Truck and Other Motor Vehicle Accidents; Be Careful.

Written on December 11, 2009 by in Bicycle Accidents, Bus Accidents, Car Accidents, Editorial, Hit and Run Accident, Insurance, Motorcycle Accidents, News, Other Motor Vehicle Accidents, Pedestrian Accidents, Safety Tips, Truck Accidents, Van Accidents, Vehicle Passenger Accidents

California Personal Injury Attorney and Lawyer Norman Gregory FernandezAs all you Californians know, we have had a series of bad storms over the past week. Now this is nothing new to Northern Californians, but Southern Californians are definitely not used to the rain and snow.

There have literally been hundreds of car, truck and other motor vehicle accidents over the past week all over the State of California. Everybody is blaming the bad weather, but in 99% of all cases, the fault is on drivers who were not being careful while driving in the bad weather.

Everyone needs to be careful out there on the roads. I flew in to Los Angeles International Airport last night from San Francisco. Although it was not raining in Los Angeles, the traffic was horrible because of the rain earlier in the day. There were still your ubiquitous assholes on the road, not letting people switch lanes, tailgating, driving recklessly, you name it.

To protect yourself against the bad drivers you need to make sure that you have uninsured motorist coverage and under insured motorist coverage in a decent amount to protect yourself against these bad drivers with bad insurance.

If you are hit, the first thing you need to do is make sure you get a police report, go to the emergency room if you need it, and call me for a free consultation on your car, truck, or any other motor vehicle accident, anywhere in California, at 800-816-1529 x. 1. As all of my clients all over the State of California know; I am an attorney that cares about my clients. I will do what I can to take care of you.

By California Accident Attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., © 2009

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What the Heck? San Francisco’s Sanctuary City Policy is an Accident waiting to Happen!

Written on October 30, 2009 by in Car Accidents, Crime, Editorial, Hit and Run Accident, Insurance, Motorcycle Accidents, News, Off Topic Articles, Other Motor Vehicle Accidents, Personal Injury, Truck Accidents, Van Accidents, Vehicle Passenger Accidents

San Francisco’s Sanctuary City Policy is an Accident waiting to Happen!On November 1, 2009, the city of San Francisco in California will implement a new policy that prevents city police officers from automatically impounding cars driven by unlicensed drivers. Unlicensed drivers will now be given 20 minutes to find someone with a valid license to drive their car. Only if an unlicensed driver is caught again within six months, is there an automatic 30-day impound, which can cost around $2,500.00.

This policy is aimed to protect so-called undocumented or I should say illegal aliens who are otherwise law abiding citizens, from having their vehicles impounded even though they are breaking State law by driving without a license and presumably also breaking State law by not having the required mandatory minimum liability insurance to protect others in case they hit them in their vehicles.

As a personal injury attorney and lawyer my only thought is what the heck? What about law abiding citizens and legal immigrants who follow State law and have a valid drivers license, and also carry mandatory insurance?

This new policy is absurd and an accident waiting to happen. As a matter of fact this new policy may violate State and Federal law to boot.

Look, I am all for protecting law abiding people, but by definition, those driving without a driver’s license are not law abiding are they? Hell, the protected class of citizens that Mayor Gavin Newsom is trying to protect are in fact breaking our laws by being here illegally in the first place.

I think that if someone is hit by an unlicensed and uninsured driver in San Francisco, the city of San Francisco should now be held liable for inviting this type of law breaker into their city by advertising the fact that they are not enforcing State law. It is reasonably foreseeable that law breakers will flock to San Francisco to take advantage.

What about the victims of this policy. Hell, I deal with personal injury victims on a daily basis, especially those that are hit by uninsured and illegal drivers. In the end we all pay for those that choose not to drive with insurance through increased insurance rates.

Furthermore, I do not think that it is wise to allow a major city like San Francisco to pick and choose which State laws it chooses to abide by or enforce.

This new policy is a disaster in the making. Mayor Gavin Newsom, you need to pull your head out of your ass and jump on the team here for the big win. You are endangering legal citizens and legal residents in order to protect those who are breaking the Law!

By California Personal Injury Attorney, Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., © 2009

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Van tried to evade head-on Collision east of Meridian, CA.

Written on July 7, 2009 by in Car Accidents, Damages, Editorial, Van Accidents, Vehicle Passenger Accidents, Wrongful Death

Meridian, Yuba City California Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Attorney LawyerThe driver of a van carrying 10 unbelted passengers swerved to try and avoid the head-on collision that killed a Yuba City woman, a California Highway Patrol official said Monday.

Lorretta Lynn Deniz, 22, of the 400 block of Emerson Avenue, was pronounced dead at the scene of the Saturday night accident on Highway 20 east of Meridian. Passengers in the van, all from Oakland, had injuries ranging from a broken leg to fractured spines and skulls, according to the CHP.

The collision occurred partly on the shoulder of westbound Highway 20, indicating the van driver, Adolfo Jiminez, 23, swerved to avoid Deniz’s eastbound 1998 Chevy Malibu, said Officer Jeff Larson.

A 7-month-old child in the van, Candy Carillo, suffered a fractured skull and was flown to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. All of the passengers were sitting on the floor of the 2002 Ford van, which had no rear seats, according to the CHP.

Investigators were trying to learn Monday what the van and its Oakland occupants were doing in the area, said Larson.

Also undetermined is why Deniz’s car was in the wrong lane. There was no immediate evidence that either driver had been drinking. Results of a tests on Deniz’s blood will not arrive for weeks, said Larson.

An autopsy Monday morning showed Deniz died from a blunt force injury to the head, said Sutter County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Brenda Baker.

Deniz graduated from Yuba City High School in 2004.

A passenger in the Malibu, Marcelino Garcia, 21, who lives on Lincoln Road in Yuba City, was treated for minor injuries at Rideout Memorial Hospital.

Jiminez had a broken leg and was also taken to Rideout.

None of the van occupants were believed to have life-threatening injuries. The other van passengers and their injuries were: Jose Perez, 20, fractured spine; Pedro Perez, 39, fractured pelvis; Efrain Godinez, 35, fractured spine; Maribel Godinez, 23, facial lacerations; Robert Perry, 20, fractured femur; Pedro Martin, 44, injuries not listed; and Jorge Aguilar, 21, cranial bleeding.

Two other passengers, Adolfo Godinez, 18, and Jose Felix, 24, were not injured.

California Car Accident Attorney Website

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