San Jose Personal Injury Lawyer - Car Accidents

Toddler Killed by Truck in San Jose

Shannon Weidemann — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 14:18:20 GMT

A 2-year-old boy was killed by a truck backing up in a parking lot last month. The car accident happened in San Jose. The boy's stepfather did not realize the child was behind his vehicle. It is believed the victim left his apartment through an open door.

Nationally, there were at least 101 "backover" children deaths in 2007, according to data Kids And Cars compiles from coroners, individuals and the media. But organization founder and president Janette Fennell said the real number is undoubtedly much larger than that. Each week, according to her organization, cars back up over 50 children in the United States, killing at least two.
"This absolutely fits the mold," Fennell said by phone from Kansas in reference to today's San Jose death. "The father thinks the child is inside, the little one doesn't want to be left behind. And pick-ups have some of the worst blind zones."

The little boy was killed instantly in the accident. On the same day President Bush signed into law a bill that mandates better visibility in vehicles to prevent this kind of accident.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

California Fires Wreak Havoc and Frustration

Courtney Mills — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 09:11:13 GMT

The raging wildfires across California look utterly terrifying, and thus far have destroyed over 1,500 homes and damaged hundreds more. It will take years for the families who are affected by the loss of homes to take stock and rebuild. Displacement of this magnitude is always accompanied by a great deal of stress and anxiety about the future.

The last great bout of wildfires in California was in the San Diego county area in 2003, when a small brush fire developed into a major conflagration that spread all over San Diego County. The wildfire destroyed over 3,500 homes and caused billions of dollars in damages. Furthermore, homeowners filed hundreds of lawsuits against insurance companies, alleging that insurance agents did not advise them properly to purchase enough fire insurance coverage to rebuild their homes. Insurers have generally prevailed in court on this matter.

According to accident analysts, the damages in California so far appear marginal - about 2.5% - compared to what was paid out by insurers in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Insurance companies spent over $40 billion dollars satisfying Katrina claims. Despite the inherent tragedy of the situation, California claims would still represent a very small fraction of these payouts.

California residents should look for the state's property insurance market, especially in high-risk areas, to become much tighter. Insurance analysts agree that certain policies in some high-risk markets may not be renewed at all.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Courtney Mills

Drunk Driver Injures CHP Officer in Car Accident

Chrissie Cole — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 15:04:28 GMT

A California Highway Patrol Officer was injured in a car accident while parked in the center divide of U.S. 101, when a suspected drunken driver struck his patrol car.

The man, 19, was arrested and transported to Santa Clara County Jail on suspicion of felony driving under the influence, causing injury to others and rear-ending the CHP officer's patrol car, on Monday evening. The driver also crashed into another vehicle. The CHP officer and citizen were helping a driver of another vehicle that had a flat tire.

The driver was treated at San Jose Regional Medical Center prior to being taken to jail.

The officer was treated at San Jose Regional Medical Center for a minor concussion and cuts and on his face. At this time his name is not being released and the crash is still under investigation.

For more information on this subject, please visit our section on Car & Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole