Category Archives: Car Accidents

Highway 101 reopened after Big Rig Truck Crash in Redwood City, California

Written on June 11, 2008 by in Car Accidents, Damages, News, Personal Injury, Truck Accidents

Law Office of Norman Gregory Fernandez Personal Injury NewsFour people were injured in a crash that closed all but one lane of northbound Highway 101 in Redwood City for about two hours this morning, causing traffic to back up for miles.

The accident involved a big-rig and six cars, according to CHP Officer Grace Castillo. She said those hurt were taken to Stanford Hospital with minor injuries.

The CHP said the crash occurred when the truck, traveling in the far right lane, cut across all five lanes of traffic and crashed at 9:54 a.m. between Marsh Road and Woodside Road.

As it sped across the lanes, the truck hit a gray van traveling in the far left lane. The van was then rear-ended by a Nissan Sentra, Castillo said.

At the same time, a brown Audi A4 in the next lane over rear-ended a gray pick-up truck that had slowed down to avoid the truck, Castillo said. A red Honda sedan that was also in the far left lane was rear-ended by a gold Mazda as the cars tried to avoid the wreck ahead, she said.

The collision left the cab of the truck facing northbound traffic; its two empty trailers sprawled across all but one lane of traffic and the other smashed cars littering the roadway.

About 30 gallons of diesel fuel spilled out of the truck but was cleaned up by Caltrans, Castillo said. The truck was towed away at about 11:45 p.m.

Traffic inched by in one northbound lane until about noon, when all lanes were re-opened. Northbound traffic was backed up as far as Mountain View and southbound rubber-neckers kept traffic slow through San Carlos.

Redwood City Car Accident Lawyer

Share
0 Comments - Leave a comment!
Tags: , , , , , ,

2 Are Killed In A Multi-Car Crash Near Campbell California

Written on June 10, 2008 by in Car Accidents, Damages, Editorial, News, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death

Law Office of Norman Gregory Fernandez Personal Injury NewsCAMPBELL, California ― A motorist crashed into several other vehicles in unincorporated Santa Clara County near Campbell on Monday, killing himself and his passenger and seriously injuring a third person, the California Highway Patrol reported.

The accident happened shortly after 1 p.m. Monday when a 51-year-old San Jose man driving a Kia Amanti north on Camden Avenue failed to stop for a red light at Curtner Avenue and sideswiped a northbound 2000 BMW that was stopped at the intersection, CHP Officer Todd Thibodeau said.

The same driver then continued north and ran a red light at the Highway 17 off-ramp, striking the rear of a 1998 Mazda and broadsiding a silver Audi station wagon, both of which had just exited the highway, Thibodeau said.

The driver of the Kia was taken to Valley Medical Center, where he later died. His passenger, an 81-year-old San Jose woman, was pronounced dead at the scene, Thibodeau said.

The county medical examiner’s office has not yet released their names.
The driver of the Audi, a 50-year-old San Jose woman, was taken to Valley Medical Center with major injuries. She was listed in critical condition.

The occupants of the two other cars were not injured, nor was the driver of a fifth vehicle who claimed his car had been hit by flying debris, Thibodeau said.

There was no immediate evidence that alcohol played a role in the crash and a coroner’s report may help determine whether the driver of the Kia suffered from a medical condition, Thibodeau said.

If your family has suffered through the wrongful death of a loved one in California, or you have been the victim of car crash in California you may call us now for a free consultation at 800-816-1529.

Campbell California Car Accident Lawyer

Share
0 Comments - Leave a comment!
Tags: , , , , , ,

1 KILLED, 3 INJURED IN SANTEE CALIFORNIA CAR ACCIDENT

Written on June 8, 2008 by in Car Accidents, Editorial, News, Personal Injury, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death

Law Office of Norman Gregory Fernandez Personal Injury NewsSANTEE, CALIFORNIA – One person is dead and three others are injured after a crash that, witnesses say, may have been the result of street racing.

The crash happened Saturday morning in Santee at the intersection of Mast Boulevard and Halberns Boulevard. As a result, Mast Boulevard was closed in both directions for about two hours Saturday afternoon, while emergency crews cleaned up the site. The road has since opened, but investigators are still looking into how this tragic accident happened.

“I’m still trying to pull myself together, I do not wish that on anybody,” said Santee Resident Danielle Stratten.

Nineteen-year-old Danielle Stratten is still shaken over the accident that happened just feet from her Santee home Saturday morning.

Around 11 a.m., witnesses say two cars appeared to be racing on Westbound Mast Boulevard, when the red Dodge lost control, jumped over the median and crashed into a pick-up truck going the other direction.

Carla Stratten was one of the first people to call 911.

“The driver, I was looking at him trying to figure out if he was ok, but he was knocked out. And then I noticed in his lap that evidently another person was in the front and there was somebody in the back,” said Carla Stratten.

She also says the three people in the car appeared to be teenagers. One person was dead by the time emergency crews arrived and another was flown to Sharp Memorial Hospital. A third victim, as well as the driver of the truck, was taken by ambulance.

Neighbors say unfortunately this situation happens too often since Mast Boulevard, a major thoroughfare on the northern edge of town, is a magnet for speeders.

“There’s accidents…cars going into people’s homes, jumping curbs and sidewalks, today unfortunately, fatality,” said Santee Resident Kimberly Verdzco. “It’s troubling because that indicates there is nothing being done.”

Danielle just hopes that action is taken sooner than later.

“People need to keep in consideration this is a neighborhood, there’s kids here. You can’t do that. I’m 19-years-old and people think oh she’s young and dumb too. No I follow the rules because of this,” said Danielle Stratten.

Witnesses say the other vehicle that was allegedly racing with the Dodge Neon could have been a silver Mitsubishi Eclipse.

If you have any information, you’re asked to call the Santee Police Department.

Meanwhile, News 8 spoke with the brother of the driver in the pick-up truck.

The man says his brother was treated at a local hospital and is said to be in good condition.
If you have been injured in a car accident or truck accident in Santee, California call us now for a free consultation at 800-816-1529.

Santee Car Accident Lawyer

Share
0 Comments - Leave a comment!
Tags: , , , , , ,

7-vehicle crash stalls I-680 traffic for hours in Fremont, California

Written on June 6, 2008 by in Car Accidents, Editorial, News, Other Motor Vehicle Accidents, Personal Injury, Truck Accidents

Law Office of Norman Gregory Fernandez Personal Injury NewsFREMONT, California —

Four people were hurt in a seven-vehicle crash on Interstate 680 early Thursday that involved three big rigs, one of which overturned and forced the closure of multiple lanes for several hours.

No one was seriously hurt in the pileup, which authorities say is still under investigation.

Neither drugs nor alcohol appear to be factors in the crash, which happened near Durham Road, said Officer Steve Creel of the California Highway Patrol.

Three lanes of the freeway were blocked for more than two hours after the crash. Traffic on southbound I-680 was backed up clear into Dublin.

All lanes reopened by 10:30 a.m. after emergency crews shoved the overturned rig into the center divide. It remained there for much of the day until another truck sent by the operator arrived to pick up 50,000 pounds of nonperishable food that was still in the trailer.

Crews were unloading the food by hand about 8:30 a.m. in an effort to turn the rig upright, but they stopped shortly thereafter when they realized there was nowhere to put all of the merchandise, Creel said.

The crash happened about 5 a.m. when a passenger car rear-ended a slow-moving big rig, the officer said.
A second rig swerved to avoid a collision but jackknifed. A third rig overturned as it tried to avoid hitting the passenger car involved in the initial collision, Creel said.

In all, seven vehicles were involved in three separate crashes.

“If this had been a seven-car pileup, we would have been able to clear it off the road sooner,” Creel said, noting that the overturned rig presented a bigger problem.

Four motorists were taken by ambulance to local hospitals, but their injuries were considered minor, the officer said.

Fremont Califonrnia Car and Truck Accident Lawyer

Share
0 Comments - Leave a comment!
Tags: , , , , ,

California Ban on Use of Cell Phone Without Hand Free Begins July 1, 2008! What You Need to Know about the New Law.

Written on June 2, 2008 by in Bus Accidents, Car Accidents, Editorial, Insurance, Motorcycle Accidents, News, Off Topic Articles, Other Motor Vehicle Accidents, Personal Injury, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death

california car accident lawyer discusses the new ban on driving while holding cell phonesOn July 1, after a nearly two-year grace period, a new era begins in California: holding a cell phone to your ear and talking while driving will be illegal unless it is an emergency.

In most cases, you will still be able to talk-and-drive, but you will need a hands-free device to do so such as a blue tooth headset, speakerphone set up, or a wired headset.

What Exactly is the New Law?

(1) If you are 18 or older, you are prohibited from holding a phone and talking while driving.

(2) If you are 16 or 17, the only time you can use a cell phone while driving is in an emergency only.

(3) The first offense of the cell phone law will result in a $20 ticket. Subsequent citations will result in $50 tickets. However, with court costs and penalties, the true costs of these tickets will be approximately $76 and $190, respectively.

Here is something else to think about: The new laws go into effect just days before the California Highway Patrol goes on “maximum patrol” throughout the Fourth of July weekend. This means that 80% of CHP officers will have their eyes on the road, and on you and your cell phone.

If it is illegal to hold a phone while talking, how is it possible to dial it or press a button to answer the phone or take a call, even if you talk hands-free?

This is where things may get a bit dicey because the laws are silent on these issues.

The Law basically only bans talking on the cell phone without a hands free device for non emergency calls, therefore, you are allowed to touch the phone to make a call or take one, said Mike Marando, a spokesman for the state Department of Motor Vehicles. “As long as you don’t hold the phone to carry the conversation,” he added.

Will text messaging while driving in California be illegal?

Text messaging will be illegal only for 16 and 17 year-old drivers. The law silent as to adults. I strongly recommend that no one text message while driving!

Tom Marshall, a CHP spokesman, has stated that “If you are text messaging and we see it’s affecting your driving, we can still pull you over” for distracted driving.

The offense is not distracted driving or, for example, driving with a bag of French fries in your lap. What Police actually cite you for what happens as a result of being inattentive, such as impeding traffic or an improper lane change.

Will getting a ticket for talking on a cell phone result in a higher insurance rate for motorists?

No. But there is a chance that it could eventually.

Cell phone violations will not result in any points being tacked onto your driving record — insurance carriers use those points to determine if you’re a good or bad driver. But the tickets are still on your driving record.

Darrel Ng, a spokesman for the California Department of Insurance, said that in the future, carriers might apply to the state to use tickets when setting rates, although they’d likely have to prove a correlation between getting those tickets and accident rates.

What other states have similar laws, and how are those working out?

New York was the first state to institute a hand-held ban, beginning in 2001, and Connecticut and New Jersey have followed suit.

From 2001 through 2006, police in New York issued 976,725 citations to motorists for holding their phones while driving.

Even more interesting, the number of citations has increased each year, with 285,684 tickets being given in 2006, the latest year for which numbers are available.

With more than 11.3 million licensed drivers in New York, it’s probably safe to assume that an awful lot of people are not getting caught.

What are some ways to comply with the laws without spending a lot of money?

First and foremost, learn how to use the voice recognition system that comes with most cell phones. Voice recognition usually requires users to touch only one button and then say a person’s name to make a call.

Surely the much talked-about Apple iPhone, which starts at $399, comes with voice recognition?

No, it doesn’t. It is a feature you can get with a BlackBerry phone or many standard phones.

What are some other ways to go hands-free?

There is no shortage of devices out there. Here are three easy ways to be a go hands free:

(1) Buy a cheap cell phone cradle that mounts to a vehicle’s dashboard. A conversation can then be carried on using the phone’s speakerphone function. Cost: $15 and under at automotive stores.

Tip: If your vehicle’s stereo system has an auxiliary jack, you can play your phone through the vehicle’s speakers, which makes it easier to hear.

(2) Use a headset. Most phones come with an earpiece or you can easily upgrade to a wireless bluetooth headset that syncs to your phone.

Wireless bluetooth headsets typically cost between $30 and $120, and many are available.

(3) Use a wireless speaker. These mouse-sized devices can be clipped to a sun visor and are a lesser-known alternative to the wireless earpiece. Motorola and Parrot are two prominent manufacturers.

Will the new laws prevent car or other motor vehicle accidents and/or make drivers safer?

Based upon research that I have done, the experts seem to agree that most of the problem is not the act of holding the cell phone while driving, but the distraction of talking while driving. If they are right simply holding a conversation with someone in your car is as dangerous as talking on a cell phone.

As a driver who also happens to be a car accident lawyer, I beg to differ. While driving I see many people holding their phones to their heads which hinders their ability to turn their head while driving. When I am driving my car, I dread seeing other drivers talking on cell phones because I know they are not paying attention.

I am hoping the new law will prevent car accidents but only time will tell.

California Car Accident Lawyer

Share
0 Comments - Leave a comment!
Tags: , , , ,

5 people killed in chain-reaction South Los Angeles, California crash

Written on May 27, 2008 by in Car Accidents, News, Personal Injury

California Car Crash Lawyer Norman Gregory Fernandez discusses a South Los Angeles Car Accident.South Los Angeles, California –

A van going through an intersection barreled into a second van that had sped a red light Monday, causing a fiery six-vehicle collision that killed five people and sent several others to the hospital in critical condition.

The first vehicle hit the speeding van on one side just before 6 p.m. and “made it go airborne,” setting off a chain reaction that left three vehicles ablaze, melted a traffic signal and scattered debris across the intersection, said Karen Smith, a police spokeswoman.

“By the time the van landed,” Smith said, “it was fully engulfed in flames.”

A 12-year-old boy was ejected from a vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene, Smith said. Two other victims of the accident, in the Hyde Park neighborhood of South Los Angeles, were found burned beyond recognition inside a vehicle.

The scene was “hellacious,” said Smith.

Paramedics took 14 people to the hospital, where a 7-year-old and an adult later died of injuries and six were in critical condition, Smith said.

More than 100 firefighters responded to the scene and emergency workers set up a triage area. The identities of the passengers were not immediately released.

Earlier Monday, an SUV tumbled down a steep slope in the Hollywood Hills, killing two people and injuring three others, authorities said.

The vehicle went off the road just before 8 a.m. in Laurel Canyon, said Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey. The car plunged between 75 and 100 feet down a hillside and came to rest upside down against a carport.

Humphrey said a man in his 70s was trapped in the vehicle and died at the scene. A woman in her 20s died later after being rushed to a hospital, he said. Three others, including a 1-year-old boy, were taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center with various injuries.

Two people were thrown from the vehicle. It wasn’t immediately known who was driving or if the victims were related. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Los Angeles Car Crash Center

Share
0 Comments - Leave a comment!
Tags: , , , ,

A 21 Year Old East Bay man has been killed in three-car crash in Berkeley, California

Written on April 24, 2008 by in Car Accidents, Damages, Editorial, Off Topic Articles, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death

Law Office of Norman Gregory Fernandez Personal Injury NewsBerkley, California-

An Emeryville man died early this morning after he was in a three-car crash on Interstate 80 early, the Alameda County Coroner’s Office said.

Eric Fernandez, 21, was involved in a three-car collision on eastbound I-80 near Ashby Avenue around 12:05 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash involved a van, sedan and an undisclosed vehicle, the CHP said.

CHP reports say that Fernandez was initially trapped after the accident, and once he was freed by emergency personnel he was taken to a local hospital, where he died.

If you or a loved one has been in a car accident in the San Francisco Bay Area, including Berkeley and the East Bay, you will want to talk to an expert car accident lawyer about your car accident case. You may give us a call at 800-816-1529 7 days a week, 24 hours a day for a free legal consultation or check out the California Personal Injury Center by clicking here now.

Share
0 Comments - Leave a comment!
Tags: , , , , ,

A Carpinteria woman suffered major injuries when her car went down an embankment.

Written on April 9, 2008 by in Car Accidents, News, Personal Injury

Law Office of Norman Gregory Fernandez Personal Injury NewsCARPINTERIA, California

The CHP says a Volkswagen Jetta driven Penelope Ayala, by crashed on the off ramp to Sheffield Drive from the northbound Highway 101 in Summerland at about 1:45 p.m., April 7, 2008.

CHP Officers stated that the car swerved from side to side, ran off the roadway, and fell 30 feet, landing on its roof. It then slid until it hit a tree.

The driver had to be extricated from the vehicle. She was then taken to Cottage Hospital for her injuries.

California Personal Injury Center

Share
0 Comments - Leave a comment!
Tags: , , , , ,

Where My Law Firm Handles Personal Injury Cases In California.

Written on April 8, 2008 by in Assault and Battery, Bus Accidents, Car Accidents, Damages, Dangerous Conditions, Dog Bite, Editorial, Insurance, Intentional Torts, Motorcycle Accidents, News, Off Topic Articles, Other Motor Vehicle Accidents, Personal Injury, Premises Liability, Products Liability, Slip and Fall, Train Accidents, Trip and Fall, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death

California Personal Injury Lawyer, Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq.My firm handles personal injury cases in the following cities and counties thoughout California.

Southern California, Central California, Northern California, 29 Palms, Adelanto, Agoura Hills. Alameda, Albany, Alhambra, Aliso Viejo, Alturas, Amador City, American Canyon, Anaheim, Anderson, Angels Camp, Antioch, Apple Valley, Arcadia, Arcata, Arroyo Grande, Artesia, Arvin, Atascadero, Atherton, Atwater, Auburn, Avalon, Avenal, Azusa, Bakersfield, Baldwin Park, Banning, Barstow, Beaumont, Bell, Bell Gardens, Bellflower, Belmont, Belvedere, Benicia, Berkeley, Beverly Hills, Big Bear Lake, Biggs, Bishop, Blue Lake, Blythe, Bradbury, Brawley, Brea, Brentwood, Brisbane, Buellton, Buena Park, Burbank, Burlingame, Calabasas, Calexico, California City, Calimesa, Calipatria, Calistoga, Camarillo, Canoga Park, Canyon Lake, Capitola, Carlsbad, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carpinteria, Carson, Cathedral City, Century City, Ceres, Cerritos, Chatsworth, Chico, Chino, Chino Hills, Chowchilla, Chula Vista, Citrus Heights, Claremont, Clayton, Clearlake, Cloverdale, Clovis, Coachella, Coalinga, Colfax, Colma, Colton, Colusa, City of Commerce, Commerce, City of Industry, Compton, Concord, Corcoran, Corning, Corona, Corona Del Mar, Coronado, Corte Madera, Costa Mesa, Cotati, Covina, Crescent City, Cudahy, Culver City, Cupertino, Cypress, Daly City, Dana Point, Danville, Davis, Del Mar, Del Rey Oaks, Delano, Desert Hot Springs, Diamond Bar, Dinuba, Dixon, Dorris, Dos Palos, Downey, Duarte, Dublin, Dunsmuir, East Los Angeles, East Palo Alto, El Cajon, El Centro, El Cerrito, El Monte, El Segundo, Elk Grove, Emeryville, Encinitas, Escalon, Escondido, Etna, Eureka, Exeter, Fairfax, Fairfield, Farmersville, Ferndale, Fillmore, Firebaugh, Folsom, Fontana, Fort Bragg, Fort Jones, Fortuna, Foster City, Fountain Valley, Fowler, Fremont, Fresno, Fullerton, Galt, Garden Grove, Gardena, Gilroy, Glendale, Glendora, Goleta, Gonzales, Grand Terrace, Grass Valley, Greenfield, Gridley, Grover Beach, Guadalupe, Gustine, Half Moon Bay, Hanford, Hawaiian Gardens, Hawthorne, Hayward, Healdsburg, Hemet, Hercules, Hermosa Beach, Hesperia, Hidden Hills, Highland, Hillsborough, Hollister, Hollywood, Holtville, Hughson, Huntington Beach, Huntington Park, Huron, Imperial, Imperial Beach, Indian Wells, Indio, Industry, Inglewood, Ione, Irvine, Irwindale, Isleton, Jackson, Kerman, King City, Kingsburg, La Canada Flintridge, La Habra, La Habra Heights, La Mesa, La Mirada, La Palma, La Puente, La Quinta, La Verne, Lafayette, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Elsinore, Lake Forest, Lakeport, Lakewood, Lancaster, Larkspur, Lathrop, Lawndale, Lemon Grove, Lemoore, Lincoln, Lindsay, Live Oak, Livermore, Livingston, Lodi, Loma Linda, Lomita, Lompoc, Long Beach, Loomis, Los Alamitos, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Angeles, Los Banos, Los Gatos, Loyalton, Lynwood, Madera, Malibu, Mammoth Lakes, Manhattan Beach, Manteca, Maricopa, Marina, Martinez, Marysville, Maywood, McFarland, Mendota, Menlo Park, Menifee, Merced, Mill Valley, Millbrae, Milpitas, Mission Viejo, Modesto, Monrovia, Montague, Montclair, Monte Sereno, Montebello, Monterey, Monterey Park, Moorpark, Moraga, Moreno Valley, Morgan Hill, Morro Bay, Mount Shasta, Mountain View, Murrieta, Napa, National City, Needles, Nevada City, Newark, Newman, Newport Beach, North Hills, North Hollywood, Norco, Northridge, Norwalk, Novato, Oakdale, Oakland, Oakley, Oceanside, Ojai, Ontario, Orange, Orange Cove, Orinda, Orland, Oroville, Oxnard, Pacific Grove, Pacifica, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Palmdale, Palo Alto, Palos Verdes Estates, Paradise, Paramount, Parlier, Pasadena, Paso Robles, Patterson, Perris, Petaluma, Pico Rivera, Piedmont, Pinole, Pismo Beach, Pittsburg, Placentia, Placerville, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, Plymouth, Point Arena, Pomona, Port Hueneme, Porterville, Portola, Portola Valley, Poway, Rancho Cordova, Rancho Cucamonga, Rancho Mirage, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rancho Santa Margarita, Red Bluff, Redding, Redlands, Redondo Beach, Redwood City, Reedley, Reseda, Rialto, Richmond, Ridgecrest, Rio Dell, Rio Vista, Ripon, Riverbank, Riverside, Rocklin, Rohnert Park, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rosemead, Roseville, Ross, Sacramento, Salinas, San Anselmo, San Bernardino, San Bruno, San Buenaventura, San Carlos, San Clemente, San Diego, San Dimas, San Fernando, San Fernando Valley, San Francisco, San Gabriel, San Gabriel Valley, San Jacinto, San Joaquin, San Jose, San Juan Bautista, San Juan Capistrano, San Leandro, San Luis Obispo, San Marcos, San Marino, San Mateo, San Pablo, San Rafael, San Ramon, Sand City, Sanger, Santa Ana, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Clarita, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe Springs, Santa Maria, Santa Monica, Santa Paula, Santa Rosa, Santee, Saratoga, Sausalito, Scotts Valley, Seal Beach, Seaside, Sebastopol, Selma, Shafter, Shasta Lake, Sierra Madre, Signal Hill, Simi Valley, Solana Beach, Soledad, Solvang, Sonoma, Sonora, South El Monte, South Gate, South Lake Tahoe, South Los Angeles, South Pasadena, South San Francisco, St. Helena, Stanton, Stockton, Studio City, Suisun City, Sunnyvale, Susanville, Sutter Creek, Taft, Tarzana, Tehachapi, Tehama, Temecula, Temple City, Thousand Oaks, Tiburon, Torrance, Tracy, Trinidad, Truckee, Tulare, Tulelake, Toluca Lake, Turlock, Tustin, Twentynine Palms, Ukiah, Union City, Upland, Vallejo, Valley Village, Van Nuys, Ventura, Vernon, Victorville, Villa Park, Visalia, Vista, Walnut, Walnut Creek, Wasco, Waterford, Watsonville, Weed, West Covina, West Hills, West Hollywood, West Sacramento, West Carson, West Los Angeles, Westlake Village, Westminster, Westmorland, Wheatland, Whittier, Williams, Willits, Willows, Windsor, Winnetka, Winters, Woodlake, Woodland, Woodland Hills, Woodside, Yorba Linda, Yountville, Yreka, Yuba City, Yucaipa, Yucca Valley, Alameda County, Alpine County, Amador County, Butte County, Calaveras County, Colusa County, Contra Costa County, Del Norte County, El Dorado County, Fresno County, Glenn County, Humboldt County, Imperial County, Inyo County, Kern County, Kings County, Lake County, Lassen County, Los Angeles County, Madera County, Marin County, Mariposa County, Mendocino County, Merced County, Modoc County, Mono County, Monterey County, Napa County, Nevada County, Orange County, Placer County, Plumas County, Riverside County, Sacramento County, San Benito County, San Bernardino County, San Diego County, San Francisco County, San Joaquin County, San Luis Obispo County, San Mateo County, Santa Barbara County, Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County, Shasta County, and Sierra County.

California is a very big State with many different cities and counties as you can see. If you have been the victim of a personal injury in any of the above cities or counties, give me a call at 800-816-1529 for a free consultation!

By Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., © 2008

Share
0 Comments - Leave a comment!
Tags: , , , , , , ,

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle In California.

Written on April 7, 2008 by in Assault and Battery, Bus Accidents, Car Accidents, Damages, Dangerous Conditions, Dog Bite, Editorial, Insurance, Intentional Torts, Motorcycle Accidents, News, Off Topic Articles, Other Motor Vehicle Accidents, Personal Injury, Premises Liability, Products Liability, Slip and Fall, Train Accidents, Trip and Fall, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death

The Law Offices of Norman Gregory Fernandez handles many types of personal injury cases throughout CaliforniaMy law firm handles most types of personal injury cases throughout the State of California.

We have offices in Southern California and Northern California, and can come to you to sign you up for most personal injury cases, so that you do not have to waste gas driving to our office.

We like to make things convenient for our clients.

If you have had a California Personal Injury including but not limited to: Car Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Dog Bites, Wrongful Death, Product Liability, Truck Accident, Brain Injury Lawyers in California, CA Motorcycle Accident Law Firm, California Seat Belt Injury Attorneys, California Food borne Illness Lawyers, Truck Accident in California, 15 Passenger Van Rollover in California, CA Auto Product Liability Law, Auto Accidents in California, California Bus Accidents, California Train Accidents, Pedestrian Accidents in California, Seatback Failure, Roof Crush, Dog Bites, Nursing Home Abuse, On-the-job Injuries in CA, California Swimming Pool Accidents, California Slip, Trip and Fall, Wrongful Death, CA Aviation Accidents, Watercraft Injury in California, Toxic Chemicals, Asbestos Poisoning, California Premises Liability, Products Liability in California, CA Failure to Warn of Dangers, California Amusement Park Accidents, California Medical Malpractice, Legal Malpractice in California, California Child Car Seat Injury, Construction Accidents, Catastrophic Injuries, Funeral Home Abuse, California Wrongful Death, give us a call now.

We are aggressive personal injury lawyers located in California. We will see to it that you get quality medical care, and work aggressively to get you the highest possible monetary compensation via settlement or by judgment at trial.
Call us 7 days per week, 24 hours per day at 800-816-1529 ext. 1.

By Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., © 2008

Share
0 Comments - Leave a comment!
Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Los Angeles Police Department Patrol Car Collides with Vehicle; 2 Injured

Written on April 7, 2008 by in Car Accidents, News, Personal Injury

Law Office of Norman Gregory Fernandez Personal Injury NewsGranada Hills, California
An Los Angeles Police Department Patrol patrol car collided with another vehicle on the 118 freeway in Granada Hills today and overturned, injuring two police officers, authorities said.

The crash, which left the patrol car on its roof, occurred on the Ronald Reagan (118) Freeway at Zelzah Avenue about 2:15 a.m., said Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Sean Hughes.

All westbound traffic was diverted off the freeway at Balboa Boulevard while the investigation was conducted.

About 6:30 a.m., the carpool lane and the No. 1 lane were reopened.

Two Police Officers were injured.

Share
0 Comments - Leave a comment!
Tags: , , ,

How Much Money is Your Personal Injury Case Worth?

Written on December 16, 2007 by in Assault and Battery, Bus Accidents, Car Accidents, Damages, Dangerous Conditions, Dog Bite, Editorial, Insurance, Intentional Torts, Motorcycle Accidents, Off Topic Articles, Other Motor Vehicle Accidents, Personal Injury, Premises Liability, Products Liability, Slip and Fall, Train Accidents, Trip and Fall, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death

California Personal Injury Lawyer Norman Gregory Fernandez discusses case valuations.As a personal Injury Lawyer the number one question I get from every prospective or existing client is; how much money will I get for my personal injury case?

The actual answer to the question is that no personal injury lawyer can honestly tell you the answer to the question unless they have E.S.P. or are clairvoyant.

Not only is each case is different, but an attorney would have to be a clairvoyant to be able to predict the outcome of your case. If you do find a personal injury lawyer who promises he will get you a million dollars in a rear ender soft tissue injury case, ask him to put it in writing and then sign up with him or her! They would be contractually obligated to get you what they promised if they put their promise in writing! I know of NO Reputable Personal Injury Lawyer who would make such promises, or put such promises in writing! All we as personal injury lawyers can promise to do is our best to get you what you are entitled to. Anyway…………..

I have heard stories of some shysters out there promising the world to potential new personal injury clients, just to get them to sign up with their office. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! A good and reputable personal injury lawyer cannot, and will not predict the outcome of a case during an initial consultation where the damages that have been incurred are not even known yet.

With that being said a good personal injury lawyer can look at the many factors that come into play in your particular personal injury case to determine what a case may be worth with regards to settlement value. There is a huge difference between a lawyer telling you what you case may be worth without knowing your damages, and a lawyer telling you what the settlement value of your case may be after a through examination of the facts and damages in your case once they are ascertained.

Did you pick up on how I talk about settlement value? You see there is a huge difference between the settlement value of a case, and a potential jury verdict! Once a case goes before a jury, all bets are off. The value of your case is what they jury decides it is worth no matter what is argued. They can decide to not give you anything at all. Jury awards in California depend on 9 out of 12 jurors reaching a consensus on your case. Some courthouses and counties are known to be more liberal or conservative than others which is also a factor in what a jury may do. It is therefore impossible for any personal injury lawyer to predict what a jury will do with a case once they get it.

Experienced personal injury lawyers such as myself, have formulas that we use to determine what a good settlement value of a case may be both before and/or during litigation. After doing so many cases for so many years, I have a very good idea of what the settlement value of a particular case may be.

Personal injury case valuations depend on many things such as; nature and extent of injuries; medical bills; future medical bills; permanent bodily damage; out of pocket expenses, etc. Obviously a person who tries to work their own personal injury case without a lawyer has no clue what they are entitled to, and will end up getting little or nothing if they go at it on their own.

So going back to the original question; what is your personal injury case worth? The answer is that it all depends! Your first step should be to retain a competent personal injury lawyer and then go from there.

If you, your family, or your friends have been injured anywhere in the State of California, you may call my office for a free consultation at 800-816-1529.

By Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., © 2007

Share
0 Comments - Leave a comment!
Tags: , , , , ,

California is Cracking Down on Uninsured Motorist! How Being Uninsured Hurts your Personal Injury Case.

Written on December 4, 2007 by in Car Accidents, Damages, Editorial, Insurance, Motorcycle Accidents, Other Motor Vehicle Accidents, Personal Injury, Truck Accidents

California Car Accident Lawyer Norman Gregory Fernandez discusses the harsh penalties in California for driving with no insuranceBig brother is not playing games anymore. The State of California has implemented a system whereby as of October 1, 2006, the DMV begin a systematic review of the 22.4 million private cars, light trucks and motorcycles registered in the state.

If your motorcycle, car, truck or other motor vehicle is found to be uninsured you will get a 30 day warning letter. If you fail to get insurance after that the State will suspend you registration. If you are found to be driving without a proper registration, your car can be seized by the State, and you can face fines of up to $1,000.00.

This is no joke folks. If you are driving around without insurance you will eventually be dinged.

Furthermore, insurance providers are now required by the State to notify the DMV if your insurance is cancelled or expired.

What does this mean to you? It means if you are driving around with no insurance you are screwed. The State will eventually catch up to you. The days of buying insurance to get your registration and plates, only to cancel one month later are over.

If you get into a motorcycle, car or other motor vehicle accident and have no insurance, you face losing your drivers license for up to a year, fines of up to $2,000.00, and the possibility of being hit with a civil judgment which requires you to pay for the damage you have caused.

The minimum liability insurance requirements in the State are presently $10,000.00 for property damage, $15,000.00 per person, and $30,000.00 per occurrence.

The purpose of the law is to supposedly make it fair to the people that do pay for insurance, and to drive down insurance rates. I agree that it is not fair that law abiding citizens pay for insurance while 15% of the people in the State do not, however, and as usual, the insurance companies will make out like bandits with this new law. I doubt seriously that insurance rates will go down.

As a personal injury lawyer I can tell you that it pains me to see someone get hit by an uninsured motorist so it is good that the State is cracking down on this issue. However to be really fair the State should force the insurance companies to lower their rates in return for this law.

There is one other thing to note; if you are uninsured and you get into an accident that is not your fault, no will only be able to recover out of pocket losses and that is it! You will legally not be able to get compensation for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress, otherwise known as General Damages!

To add insult to injury you could lose your drivers license for 1 year and have to pay up to $2,000.00 in fines for driving without insurance.

The bottom line; get liability insurance. The cost of not having insurance is much greater than the cost of getting insurance. If you cannot afford liability insurance; do not drive!

By Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq. © 2007

Share
1 Comment - Leave a comment!
Tags: , , , , ,

Car, Motorcycle, Truck, and other Motor Vehicle Cases in California; The Burden of Proof.

Written on December 3, 2007 by in Bus Accidents, Car Accidents, Damages, Editorial, Insurance, Motorcycle Accidents, Other Motor Vehicle Accidents, Personal Injury, Truck Accidents

California Car Accident Lawyer Norman Gregory Fernandez discusses car, motorycle, truck, and other motor vehicle accidentsI get many calls from many victims of Car, Motorcycle, Truck, and other Motor Vehicle accidents. The vast majority of drivers in California will eventually get into some kind of motor vehicle accident in their lifetime, whether it be a small fender bender or a major accident. What most non lawyers do not know is there is a vast and complicated process of obtaining maximum monetary compensation for your accident. I have written many articles on why it is so important for you to retain a lawyer just as soon as possible if you are in a car, motorcycle, truck, or other motor vehicle accident. You can read them on this blog and on my personal injury website by clicking here. The purpose of this article is to discuss the burden of proof in motor vehicle accidents. Most non lawyers think; “oh I was rear ended; I will automatically get money,” etc. This is not the case, and this is why it is so important for you to retain a lawyer for your case!

(1) Liability; who is at fault in your car, motorcycle, truck, or other motor vehicle accident in the State of California?

This is the first major issue that needs to be addressed to obtain compensation in a motor vehicle accident in California. It boils down to who is at fault in an accident. You need to be able to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant as at fault in your case. Just because you are not at fault in an accident does not mean you will collect money, or the just compensation that you are entitled to!

Furthermore, in the State of California, we have what is called comparative fault. What this means is that a jury can apportion a percentage of fault to each person in a case. As a plaintiff in a car, motorcycle, truck, or other motor vehicle accident you will need to show that a defendant is more than 50% at fault or liable.

(2) Damages; Special and general damages. Damages must be reasonable, reasonably ascertainable, and a plaintiff has a duty to mitigate damages. Damages must be proven by a preponderance of the evidence.

Although liability is the key to getting a settlement or judgment in a car, motorcycle, truck, or other motor vehicle accident in California, damages will determine how much compensation you will receive in a case.

Special damages are out of pocket losses and expenses that result from an accident. General damages are non out of pocket losses such as pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, etc.

In order to obtain a just settlement or judgment in a car, motorcycle, truck, or other motor vehicle accident, liability and damages must be proven by a preponderance of the evidence. There are other issues such as Proposition 213 in the State of California that restrict non insured motorist from obtaining general damages in a motor vehicle accident.

I have seen too many instances of victims of motor vehicle negligence call me up after they have damaged their case by trying to do it themselves. There is a saying, only a fool has himself for a client. The insurance adjusters know that if you are calling them on the phone without legal representation that they are dealing with someone who has no clue what they are entitled to or how to prove it.

Do yourself a favor; if you have had any type of motor vehicle accident anywhere in California, give us a call at 800-816-1529, we will give you a free consultation.

By Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., © 2007

Share
0 Comments - Leave a comment!
Tags: , , , , ,

California Minimum Insurance Requirements.

Written on August 14, 2007 by in Bus Accidents, Car Accidents, Damages, Editorial, Insurance, Motorcycle Accidents, Other Motor Vehicle Accidents, Personal Injury, Train Accidents, Truck Accidents

Pursuant to California State Law, (Proposition 213) you must have minimum liability insurance coverage of $10,000 Property Damage, $15,000 bodily injury per person, and $30,000 per incident while you are driving on California Roads.

If you do not have minimum liability insurance coverage, you will NOT BE ENTITLED TO GENERAL DAMAGES (pain & suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, etc.), and you may lose your drivers license, and a fine. Even if the accident was not your fault!

Most personal injury attorneys will not represent you on a contingency basis unless you had liability insurance at the time of accident, because the value of your case is limited to out of pocket losses only such as: Property Damage, Medical Expenses, Medication Expenses, Loss of Wages, etc.

Beware, recent changes in the law now require your insurance company to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles if your insurance is terminated. If your insurance is terminated your registration can be revoked, you can lose your drivers license, and face substantial fines.

By Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq. , Copyright 2006

Share
0 Comments - Leave a comment!
Tags: , , , ,
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »