Friday, July 20, 2012

Cupertino Boy Killed After Being Struck by Car

A heart-wrenching accident occurred on July 17, 2012, in Cupertino, California.  The scene of the accident was the Vista Creek neighborhood which is located near the intersection of Stevens Creek and De Anza Boulevards.  The victim has been identified by the Santa Clara County Coroner’s Office as 5-year-old Amartya Chinya. 

According to published reports, Amartya was riding a scooter in a cul-de-sac near his home when he was struckby a Ford Focus that was backing out of a driveway.   The victim was transported to a local hospital where he eventually succumbed to his injuries.  Preliminary reports indicate that he was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision.  At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our thoughts and prayers remain with the victim’s family.

Investigators are still trying to determine why the driver did not see the child.  The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office does not suspect that drugs or alcohol contributed to this horrific accident.  One possible factor in this tragic accident is driver inattention.    A driver cannot operate his or her vehicle safely if they are distracted.  Common examples of activities that distract drivers include: texting, eating, talking on a cell phone, changing the radio station or applying makeup.  The driver can be held liable for causing this accident if driver inattention was a contributing factor.     

The compassionate trial lawyers of Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP specialize in helping families who have experienced the wrongful death of a loved one rebuild their lives following traumatic accidents.  We are committed to making the responsible party pay whether they are a negligent driver, government entity, or vehicle manufacturer. 

Our experienced bicycle and pedestrian accident lawyers have a deep understanding of the manner in which insurance companies operate and we utilize this understanding to obtain results for our clients.  We pride ourselves on fighting on behalf of victims and their families to get them the compensation they deserve.     

Monday, July 16, 2012

A fatal bicycle accident occurred in Berkeley, California on July 13, 2012. The victim was 65-year-old Shlomo Bentin. Mr. Bentin was a distinguished Israeli psychologist from Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Last year Mr. Bentin was awarded the prestigious Israel Prize in recognition of his contributions in the field of psychology and neuropsychology. Mr. Bentin was residing in Berkeley with his wife for the past year while working as a visiting professor at U.C. Berkeley.  

According to published reports, Mr. Bentin was riding his bicycle on Bancroft Way near the intersection of Fulton Street at approximately 3:30 pm when he was struck by a passing dump truck. The driver of the truck reportedly did not notice striking Mr. Bentin. A motorcyclist who was at the scene chased down the dump truck and notified the driver that he had struck Mr. Bentin. The dump truck driver returned the scene and cooperated with investigators.

A Berkeley Police Department spokesman recounted that Mr. Bentin had suffered significant head trauma. His bicycle helmet had reportedly been shattered into several pieces. Mr. Bentin was transported to Highland Hospital where he was pronounced dead. At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our sincerest condolences go to Mr. Bentin’s family in their time of immense grief.

In California an increasing number of cyclists share the road with other vehicles. An instant of driver negligence can cause a lifetime of pain for California cyclists and their families. Driver inattention is one of the leading causes of bicycle accidents. If driver inattention or recklessness caused this accident, the driver and his employer can be held liable.

The wrongful death of a loved one in a bicycle accident is a terrible tragedy for any family to endure. The compassionate bicycle accident lawyers of Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP are committed to helping families of victims put their lives back together following a traumatic accident. Our experienced trial lawyers fight on behalf of victims and their families and make the responsible parties pay for their negligence.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Professional Cyclist Injured after Hit-and-Run Collision in Alexander Valley

A professional cyclist from New Zealand is in critical condition after being struck by a car in northern Sonoma County. On June 29, 2012, twenty-six-year-old Michael Torckler was on a training ride on Pine Flat Road in Alexander Valley. Pine Flat Road is dead-end road in the vicinity of Highway 128. It is popular among cyclists because it lightly travelled, picturesque, and steep. 
According to published reports, Torckler was riding downhill when he was struck by a car that was travelling uphill. The driver fled the scene following the accident. California Highway Patrol investigators put a bulletin out for a black Honda Accord. The next day, thirty-six-year-old suspect Arthur Ben Yu was arrested at his home in Rohnert Park. Preliminary reports suggest that Yu was intoxicated at the time of the accident. 
Following the collision, Torckler was airlifted to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. Torckler was reportedly in critical condition after suffering major facial fractures. Fortunately, it is reported that Torckler's injuries are no longer considered to be life threatening and he did not sustain any major brain trauma. At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP we wish the victim a speedy and complete recovery.
Cyclists do not have the same physical protection as drivers, and therefore often suffer fatal or severe injuries when drivers are negligent. A moment of driver inattention or recklessness can lead to life altering injuries and tremendous pain and suffering.

The bicycle accident lawyers at Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP have extensive experience advocating on behalf of cyclists who have been injured as a result of driver negligence. Our compassionate trial lawyers are committed to making negligent drivers pay for the harm they cause. If you or a loved one have been injured in a bicycle accident contact our team of bicycle accident lawyers for a free consultation.