Tag Archive: catastrophic crash

What To Do After A California Motor Vehicle Accident.

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

Share

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

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

Share

Three killed in another accident on Highway 46 North of Bakersfield, California.

Highway 46 North of Bakersfield fatal car accident.Three people were killed in a head-on crash Wednesday afternoon on Highway 46 north of Bakersfield. Friday, four people were killed in an accident on the same highway.

The accident happened at about 2:53 p.m. on Highway 46 just east of Wildwood Road. That’s between Wasco and Interstate 5, not far from Wasco State Prison and the Wasco Valley Rose golf course.

California Highway Patrol officer Robert Rodriguez said a small Toyota was attempting to pass another car on the two-lane road. When the driver of the passing car realized he didn’t have enough room, he tried to get back into his lane, but lost control.

The Toyota slammed head-on into a Dodge Ram pickup, Rodriguez said.

All three people in the Toyota were killed instantly, he said. The driver of the pickup was taken to Kern Medical Center with moderate injuries.

On Friday, one car passing two trucks slammed head-on into another car, killing two people in each.

Highway 46 is sometimes known as “Blood Alley” because there have been so many accidents. It is two-lanes in most places between Highway 99 and Paso Robles.

California Wrongful Death Lawyer and Bakersfield Car Accident Attorney Website

Share

Los Osos California couple dies in car accident in Kern County California

Kern County Couple dies in Deadly Los Osos Accident A deadly accident in Kern County claims the lives of two Los Osos, California residents.

The California Highway Patrol said 62-year-old Shirlene Soto and her husband, 84-year-old Walter Elliott, were among the four people who died in a car crash on Highway 46 east of Highway 33 Friday morning.

The CHP said a man driving a Chevy on the eastbound lane tried to pass a tractor trailer, when he collided head-on with the vehicle Soto and Elliott were riding in.

They say Soto and Elliott died on impact. The 25-year-old man driving the Chevy, and his one-year-old passenger were also killed on impact. Another passenger in the Chevy suffered major injuries.

Family members said Soto and Elliott were both former Cal Poly professors. Soto later worked for California State University Northridge, and Elliott worked for Rocketdyne.

A family member released a statement: “They were both extremely cheerful, energetic people who loved life, friends, and family.”

Kern County Wrongful Death Attorney and Car Accident Attorney

Share

Santa Maria Woman Dies in Motorcycle Accident

Santa Maria woman dies in motorcycle accidentThe California Highway Patrol says 51-year-old Nancy Simmons, of Santa Maria, has died in a motorcycle accident.

The CHP says she was a health technician at Santa Maria High School.

The accident happened on Northbound Highway 101, near the Santa Maria River Bridge, just after 11:30 a.m. Saturday.

The CHP said four motorcycles were traveling Northbound, when a pickup truck pulling a trailer, began to merge onto the highway.

Simmons was a passenger, and was riding with her husband, 52-year-old Ben Simmons.

The CHP said he tried to pass the pickup truck, but lost control as traffic began to also slow down.

Simmons was taken to the hospital where she died from her injuries. Ben was also taken to the hospital, and was treated for minor injuries.

Investigators say it was just an unfortunate accident. They were going the speed limit, and both were wearing their helmets.

“I went to run out to see if I could help and I saw her lying there,” said J.P Weddle, who witnessed the accident. “And I realized there’s nothing I could do other than just to try to get an ambulance out here,” said Weddle.

Ben Ruth, with the California Highway Patrol, said “Everyone needs to be reminded that they need to give themselves a safe space cushion in between vehicles, so that if another vehicle reacts to something, that person is able to come to a stop.”

The CHP closed down the highway for about half an hour.

Santa Maria Motorcycle Accident Attorney and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Share

Bus Driver is convicted in Colusa gambler bus crash; Charter Bus Safety Act, AB636

Quintin Joey WattsDriver Quintin Joey Watts faces a maximum of 76 years in prison for his role in the gambler’s special bus crash that killed 11 passengers on their way to Colusa Casino Resort last year.

A jury of six men and six women deliberated for three hours Thursday before convicting Watts of 11 counts of gross vehicular manslaughter and 21 counts of causing great bodily injury, stated the Colusa County District Attorney today.

“I believe this is the first case in California of gross vehicular manslaughter based strictly on sleep deprivation,” said the DA. “There was no alcohol, no drugs, no medication in his system, it was simply exhaustion.”

Watts, 53, had slept no more than three or four hours in the 27 hours prior to the Oct. 5, 2008 Sunday night crash on a rural road, the DA said.

Watts repeatedly told investigators, “I was hecka tired,” the DA stated.

“On the day before the accident, he got up at 4:40 a.m. and didn’t go back to bed until 4 a.m. and got up an hour or two later,” stated the DA.

Watts was on his third casino run in a day-and-a-half when he fell asleep at the wheel, three witnesses said.

One was Chouangseng Saechao, 48, “who was very badly hurt and had almost every bone broken in her body,” stated a case worker at Lao Family Community Development who is helping some of the 23 passengers who were injured in the crash.

“I’m happy he’s been convicted and will be in jail forever, but I feel very sad I have to carry this injury forever,” Saechao said through her case worker. “Any bus driver has to be checked and has to be a good driver.”

The California Legislature has passed The Charter Bus Safety Act, AB636 — sponsored by Assemblyman Dave Jones (D-Sacramento) — which will revoke operating permits of bus companies operating without proper permits or qualified drivers. The bill will suspend unlicensed bus drivers for five years.

Watts had a commercial driver’s license but did not have the proper DMV certificate to allow him to drive a bus with 10 or more passengers, said a spokeswoman for Jones. “And the bus company was registered as non-operational, even though the bus in the crash was still being used,” she said.

“The tragic loss of 11 of my constituents to a rogue bus operator demonstrates the need for the ‘one strike and you are out’ approach,” Jones said. “I have no patience for those who undercut the process, thumbing their nose at regulations, and making California roads unsafe for us all.”

Gov. Schwarzenegger has until Oct. 11 to sign or veto the bill.

California Bus Accident Attorney

Share

CHP Cruiser hits Pickup Truck in Santa Rosa, California; Driver Critically Injured.

Santa Rosa California Crash Involving CHP, Pickup Truck, and MotorcycleSanta Rosa – California

A California Highway Patrol cruiser spun out of control and struck a pickup truck, critically injuring the driver, on Highway 12 just east of the Highway 101 interchange in Santa Rosa Saturday night, the CHP said.

Officer Blair Hardcastle took evasive action when a motorcycle merged onto the highway from the Maple Street onramp about 6:30 p.m., driving partly onto the dirt center strip, Sgt. Kevin Mensior said.

The motorcycle crossed over to the fast lane in front of Hardcastle, who was responding to a call with lights and siren activated, Mensior said.

The cruiser spun across both lanes, struck the guardrail and hit the pickup, a 1991 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Cynthia Mae Dempsey, 44, of Santa Rosa. The pickup rolled over onto its roof, the CHP said.

Dempsey, who sustained a forehead cut and an injury to the right side of her head, was transported to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, the CHP said.

Dempsey was in surgery late Saturday and was listed in critical condition, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Officers said they had not determined if Dempsey was wearing a seatbelt.

The motorcyclist, Justin Lee Oliver, 36, of Santa Rosa was not injured and his bike, a 2000 Kawasaki ZR-Z, was not struck.

Mensior said no citations or arrests had been made, and that the accident was still under investigation. A special accident investigation team was en route to the scene at 9 p.m.

Alcohol was not involved, Mensior said.

Westbound traffic on Highway 12 was detoured off the highway onto side streets from Farmers Lane to Santa Rosa Avenue. Officials said the detour might last until midnight.

Hardcastle sustained scrapes to the forearm, likely from his airbag deploying, the CHP said. His cruiser was totaled.

Santa Rosa Truck Accident, Car Accident, Motorcycle Accident Attorney Website

Share

Man killed, Six Injured in Truck Accident outside Salinas, California.

Salinas California Car and Truck Accident AttorneyA Salinas Valley farmworker was killed and six other people were sent to hospitals Wednesday when a truck smashed head-on into a car on Alisal Road outside Salinas, California.

The California Highway Patrol said the crash happened shortly before 7a.m. about a mile north of Hartnell Road.

Juan DeLeon Alcantar, 43, was pronounced dead at the scene after a Chevrolet Silverado stuck his Toyota Camry, the CHP said.

The driver of the Silverado, Jose Tinoco, 68, of San Luis, Ariz., was driving north on Alisal Road when the truck crossed over the double yellow lines, officers said. The truck sideswiped a Honda Accord traveling south and continued, colliding head-on with the Toyota.

Two of Alcantar’s passengers, Jose Ricardo DeLeon, 33, and Guadalupe Montoya, 33, suffered major injuries and were taken to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, the CHP said. A third passenger, Javier Escobar, 38, suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Natividad Medical Center.

All of the men in the Toyota are from Salinas, and Monterey County coroner’s officials said the men were headed to Chualar to work in the lettuce fields.

Tinoco suffered minor injuries in the crash and was taken to Natividad Medical Center.

The driver of the Honda, Yesenia Flores, 21, of Salinas, suffered minor injuries when her car skidded out of control and went into a drainage ditch, the CHP said. She was also taken to Natividad.

A passenger in Flores’ car, Juana Robles, 20, of Salinas, was taken to

Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital, but CHP officers did not say if she was injured.
The CHP said there was fog at the time of the crash but the cause of the collision is under investigation.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call the CHP Salinas office at 796-2100.

Salinas California Truck Accident and Car Accident Attorney Website

Share

Motorcyclist suffers major injuries in Highway 1 crash in San Luis Obispo

Fatal Motorcycle Accident in San Luis Obispo, California

Fatal Motorcycle Accident in San Luis Obispo, California

San Luis Obispo – California

A 24-year-old San Luis Obispo man riding a motorcycle was taken to Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center this morning with major injuries after colliding with a stopped semi truck on Highway 1, the CHP said.

The man, whose name has not yet been released, was riding northbound in the highway’s fast lane when traffic stopped in front of him to allow a semi truck to make a right turn onto Stenner Creek Rd. around 9:05 a.m., according to CHP Officer Joe Vega.

The semi had to take up both lanes on the highway to safely make the turn, Vega said, and it appears the motorcyclist didn’t see the stopped cars behind it in time to slow.

“He swerved to the right,” Vega said, “squeezed between both lanes in attempt to avoid the stopped cars but then collides into the right rear corner of semi.” Drugs or alcohol don’t appear to be a factor in the accident, he added, and no other injuries were reported.

Investigators haven’t yet determined how fast the motorcyclist was going.

Most people would not realize it, but the motorcycle had the right of way in this instance and the truck driver will most likely be held to be at fault.

In California, a driver is not allowed to make a turn unless the coast is clear, notwithstanding the fact that drivers may have stopped for him. Secondly motorcyclist are allowed to lane split in the State of California, so long as they are not going more than 15-20 miles per hour faster than the flow of traffic.

This is an unfortunate accident.

If you or your family has been the victim of a wrongful death in the State of California, or you have had a motorcycle, car, truck, or other motor vehicle accident, feel free to call my firm for a free consultation at 800-816-1529 ext. 1.

California Wrongful Death Attorney, Car, Truck, Motorcycle Attorney Website

Share

Oxnard California Driver arrested in Bicyclist’s Death.

Oxnard California Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Attorney LawyerMALIBU – California

 An Oxnard man was arrested in a hit-and-run accident after his truck allegedly struck and killed a father and injured his son cycling along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.

The incident occurred about 1:30 a.m. Sunday. Cyclist Rodrigo “Rod” Armas, 45, of Kern County, died at the scene, while his 14-year-old son was taken to UCLA Medical Center and was in stable condition with numerous broken bones, Los Angeles County authorities reported.

The two were riding east on the shoulder of the 34000 block of Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.

Driver Robert Sam Sanchez, 30, drove about a mile south of the crash and ditched the truck, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported. He was found a short distance away and arrested, still displaying symptoms of alcohol intoxication, authorities said.

He was being held Sunday night on $100,000 bail.

Sanchez is a records clerk for the city of Malibu and lives in Oxnard, according to Lt. Scott Chew of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Lost Hills station.

Authorities said the cyclists were on their way back to Malibu during the annual 200-mile Los Angeles Wheelmen “Grand Tour” event.

The bicycling event starts and ends in Malibu and wends through Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

Armas was a Los Angeles County deputy probation officer. He is survived by his wife, Shelly, his 14-year-old son and two daughters, ages 9 and 12.

This accident is a horrible tragedy for the loved ones of the father who was killed, and his son who was terribly injured.

If your family has been the victim of a wrongful death, or personal injury, you may call our office 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800-816-1529 ext. 1.

Oxnard California Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Attorney Website.

Share

Illegal U Turn By Truck Causes a Fatal Car Accident.

fatal-car-accident-kills-18-year-oldCalifornia

The Santa Clara County Coroner’s Office has released the identity of the Turlock man killed in Thursday’s accident on Highway 152, while a California Highway Patrol spokeswoman noted how the involved big-rig driver had been making an illegal U-turn as the car with the victims approached at a high rate of speed.

The man killed was Simardeep Bhatia, 18, according to the coroner’s office. Earlier today, the CHP released identities of a man and woman who have survived the accident. The female driver of the 2006 Dodge Charger that slammed through a big-rig’s trailer was Gurvinder Chamal, 19, of Ceres, while the other passenger was Jasbir Singh, 18, of Hughson, said Matt Peters with the Hollister-Gilroy office of the CHP. Both remained in critical condition at Regional Medical Center of San Jose as of this morning, he said.

Bhatia’s sister spoke briefly today about the accident.

“I just really miss him,” Rinku Bhatia said. “I can’t believe that it happened. He was really a nice person. He was really friendly to everyone, and we love him a lot. And we just want everybody to pray for us.”

The truck driver, 57-year-old David Jones of Hayward, attempted an illegal U-turn, entered the dirt median with the vehicle’s front end and blocked the eastbound lanes with the trailer, CHP spokeswoman Erica Elias said. The driver of the Charger traveled at a “high rate of speed” and did not react quickly enough to avoid it and the car “collided into and drove underneath the semi-trailer,” Elias said.

The car’s roof “was completely sheared off,” Elias said. She said Calfire pronounced Bhatia dead upon arrival.

The truck driver was not immediately arrested or cited, Peters said at the accident scene.

This is a terrible accident that caused the wrongful death of an 18 year old passenger, and critical injuires to another passenger and driver.

If you or your family have been the victims of a wrongful death or car accident in California you may call our office for a free consultation 7 days a week, 24 hours per day at 800-816-1529 ext. 1.

California Car Accident and Wrongful Death Attorney.

Share

Inland Empire California Traffic mishaps have taken a deadly toll.

Inland Empire Wrongful Death Attorney, Inland Empire Personal Injury AttorneyInland Empire – California

At least six people have perished in a series of accidents in San Bernardino, Devore, Colton and near Hemet.

In the worst, a multi-car crash involving a hit-run driver killed three people on Highway 74 west of Hemet. The coroner identified the dead as 11-year-old Zaria Williams of San Jacinto, Cedric Page, 37 of Murrieta and Christine Giambra, 72, of Fountain Valley.

In San Bernardino, David Walters, 42, of Riverside was killed when a car made a left turn in front of his on Kendall Drive.

Near Devore, the California Highway Patrol says Victor Manuel Farias Jr., a 46 year-old resident of Apple Valley, was fatally hurt when ejected from a pickup truck that spun out on Interstate 15 early Wednesday.

In Colton, a motorcyclist was killed Wednesday when he skidded into the rear of another vehicle on Interstate 215 near the county line.

If you or your family have been the victims of  a personal injury or wrongful death you may call our office for a free consultation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800-816-1529 ext. 1.

Inland Empire Wrongful Death Attorney

Inland Empire Personal Injury Attorney

Share

Off Road Motorcycle, Dirt Bikes, Dune Buggies, Golf Cart, Snowmobiles, and ATV (standard, sport and utility) Insurance and Safety; Some Important Tips.

California Personal Injury Attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez discusses Off Road vehicle insurance and safetyI was reading a story whereby a 14-year-old girl from Woodacre, California was airlifted to an Oakland hospital Sunday afternoon after a collision between two off-road motorcycles in Novato.

The girl suffered head and internal injuries in an undeveloped lot near the junction of highways 101 and 37 and was flown to Oakland Children’s Hospital by helicopter, said Novato police Lt. Dave Jeffries. Her name has not been released because she is a minor.

The dirt bikes collided on a relatively flat trail at about 1 p.m., and Novato fire personnel arrived a few minutes later.

A 15-year-old male was on the other motorcycle and suffered a minor hand injury, He was not transported to a hospital, Jeffries said.

Fire Capt. Jeff Whittet said the girl was wearing a helmet but suffered moderate to severe injuries. She was conscious when rescuers treated her at the site.

“I would say they didn’t hit head-on but they crossed up their handlebars,” Whittet said.

The undeveloped Hanna Ranch site, about 4 1/2 acres just south of the Vintage Oaks shopping center, is popular with off-road motorcyclists. A 62,000-square-foot office complex has been approved there but construction has not begun.

The story got me thinking about some cases I have had involving off road motorcycles and other off road sports vehicles. It also got me thinking about a story my friend Scott told me about his son having multiple bad accidents on dirt bikes.

Most people do not realize that you can purchase insurance to protect yourself and your loved ones while they are riding off road vehicles such as dirt bikes, dune buggies, golf carts, snowmobiles, and all terrain vehicles. (ATV’s) as a matter of fact it would be dumb to engage in off road motor vehicle activities without insurance because to be frank, there are many off road motor vehicle accidents, but you never hear about them because they go unreported.

Most off road motor vehicle insurance policies cover: Collision, Liability, Medical, Safety Apparel Coverage for damage to any clothing designed to minimize damage from an accident, including helmets and goggles, Optional Equipment Coverage including towable trailers or sleds made for use with an ATV or snowmobile, and more. You pay to cover yourself in your street car, truck, or motorcycle; it only makes sense to protect yourself and your loved ones with off road vehicle insurance. You can find insurance companies providing this type of insurance all over the Internet. Do a search on Google, MSN Live, or Yahoo to find them.

Here are some basic off road safety tips. When You Ride the Trail, Put Safety First!

Think ahead. Ask your local dealer about the laws and regulations in your area. Do your best to preserve the areas where you ride, and be sure that you only ride where off-road vehicles are permitted. Read your owner’s manual. Then make sure you take your manual, a small tool kit and essential spare parts with you whenever you ride.

Gear up. For optimum protection in case of an accident, always wear a DOT-approved motorcycle helmet, eye protection, a sturdy jacket, long pants, over-the-ankle boots and gloves.

Practice. Find a safe place to practice braking, turning and improving your reaction time to help improve your skills and make you a better – and safer – rider.

Learn more. Improve your riding skills by taking a training course. Make sure your vehicle is properly licensed or registered. Choose a vehicle that is appropriate for your age and ability.

Stay off paved roads. Remember that off-road vehicles are meant for operation off pavement and public roads. These surfaces may not only be illegal, but dangerous. Your off-road vehicle may be difficult to control on pavement, which could result in an accident.

Maintain control and stay sharp. Keep your speed right for the conditions and your experience. Be aware of current terrain, visibility and weather conditions, potential hazards or obstacles. Ride only when your senses are sharp. Never do drugs or drink and then ride.

Check it out. Be sure to check that your off-road vehicle is running properly before hitting the trail. Always check controls, lights, fuel and oil levels, switches, chain, driveshaft, tires and chassis before you head out. Follow the recommended service schedule for your off-road vehicle and be sure an authorized service provider makes all repairs.

Go it alone. Never carry a passenger on your off-road vehicle unless the vehicle is designed with an appropriate passenger seat. Additional weight can greatly affect the handling of your off-road vehicle and potentially cause loss of control. It’s a good idea to take a buddy along, only on their own vehicle.

Know you’re protected.  Be sure you have proper insurance coverage to protect your vehicle and provide liability coverage in case someone gets injured or property is damaged during the use of your vehicle.

Off road motor sports can be very fun and exciting for the whole family. Exercising proper safety and insuring yourself against loss will make it that much better!

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

Share

Suzuki Issues Urgent Recall For GSX-R1000 Motorcycles

Product Liability Attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez discusses the urgent recall of Suzuki GSX-R1000 motorcycles.Chatsworth, California –

American Suzuki Motor Corporation announced that an extraordinary safety defect in 2005 and 2006 GSX-R1000 model sport bikes has been causing cracking and breakage in the front wheel/fork assembly and behind and below the steering neck of the motorcycle. Frame fractures are serious safety defects that destabilize and otherwise adversely affect the handling and maneuvering characteristics of motorcycles so as to make it nearly impossible for even the most experienced and talented riders to avoid a catastrophic crash.

This is a urgent safety problem. If you have one of these motorcycles DO NOT RIDE IT. CALL YOUR LOCAL SUZUKI DEALER NOW. IF YOU HAVE BEEN INJURED DUE TO THIS DEFECT CALL US NOW AT 800-816-1529 EXT. 1.

The defect in the frame of the Suzuki GSX-R1000 sport bikes is so significant that it has caused the entire front steering assembly to completely separate from the body of the motorcycle while unsuspecting drivers were in the act of operating this dangerous machine! If you or a family member has sustained injury while operating one of these Suzuki sport bikes, call the our law office at (800) 816-1529 ext. 1, so that our experienced team of trial lawyers can help you pursue compensation for your harm.

Suzuki, perhaps unsurprisingly, has refused to take responsibility for manufacturing and selling such an incredibly defective sport bike. Suzuki Motor Corporation has instead attempted to point the finger at the purchasers and drivers of their motorcycles, claiming that the cracking and breaking of these frames is attributed to reckless drivers who engage in dangerous stunts and illegal driving activities which places an unusually high amount of stress on the frame of the motorcycle.

However, Suzuki has initiated a recall campaign as of late January, 2009, in which the company will either replace broken and cracked frames or retrofit affected bikes with a brace to minimize the potential for frame cracking and breakage. This massive recall covers more than 26,000 model year 2005 and 2006 GSX-R1000 motorcycles!

If you own or ride one of these Suzuki sport bikes, you should have already received a notification letter from Suzuki explaining the possible safety defects in the frame and requesting you to return your motorcycle to a Suzuki dealership as soon as possible. Suzuki also asked its individual dealerships to attempt to personally contact customers and inform them of the recall initiative. It is of the utmost importance for all owners of a recalled sport bike to trailer the motorcycle to a Suzuki retailer before any future operation of the bike is undertaken.

A word to the wise: Do not be fooled! The frames of the recalled GSX-R1000’s may have cracks that are so faint they are not visible to the naked eye. Even the slightest of hairline cracks can lead to partial or total separation of the frame while driving. Furthermore, frames that are currently defect free may, at any moment, sustain a crack or break which can cause you and your bike to become painfully familiar with the asphalt.

Under the rules governing this recall, Suzuki must abide by guidelines approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for inspecting and remedying the dangerous sport bikes. Specifically, if Suzuki does detect any sort of crack or breakage anywhere in the frame, the company must replace the frame with a new frame that is equipped with a reinforcement brace. In the event that Suzuki does not detect any damage to the frame, a reinforcement brace must be attached to the current bike frame using bolts and epoxy adhesive. In order to provide for the safety of yourself and others, it is critical that owners of 2005 and 2006 model year GSX-R1000’s take immediate action in response to Suzuki’s recall campaign!

Suzuki claims that the reinforcement brace is made of lightweight, slender aluminum that will not affect the appearance, handling or performance of your motorcycle. Additionally, the company is providing a five-year warranty covering the frame and brace, effective as of the date of the brace installation.

If you own a motorcycle that is covered by this recall initiative, the inspection and appropriate repair or replacement will be done free of charge. However, Suzuki has noted some forms of service and repair that will not be covered under the recall. For example, customers will have to shoulder the cost of repairs attributable to crashes or other similar incidents caused by the safety defect.

If a family member has died or you or a family member has been njured while operating a Suzuki GSX-R1000 sport bike, my law firm, The Law Offices of Norman Gregory Fernandez can see to it that your legal needs are fully and carefully represented, so that you can get the compensation you are entitled to. You may call our hotline at 800-816-1529 ext. 1 for a free consultation now.
Visit the links listed below to view the Suzuki Customer Notice and Consumer Affairs Information regarding Suzuki’s recall campaign.

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Recalls/pdf/GS_GSX_GSXR_192_WebsiteLetter.pdf

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/recalls04/2009/suzuki_gsx.html

By Defective Motorcycle Personal Injury Attorney

Share