12-Year-Old Burgess Hu Suffers Fatal Injuries After Tragic Bicycle Accident Near Excelsior Middle School in Byron, California

A bicycle accident claimed the life of 12-year-old Burgess Hu of Discovery Bay.  The tragic accident occurred in front of Excelsior Middle School on Byron Highway in Byron, California on Monday September 23, 2013, at approximately 7:45 a.m. 

According to published reports, a GMC Yukon SUV that was being driven by an unidentified female was turning from the school onto Byron Highway when it struck Burgess Hu.  California Highway Patrol Officials have indicated that Burgess was pronounced dead at the scene.  At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our thoughts and prayers are with Burgess Hu’s family in their time of grief and sadness.

California Highway Patrol Officials are still investigating the cause of this terrible bicycle accident.  It has been reported that the driver of the SUV did not initially realize that she had struck the boy.  A comprehensive bicycle accident investigation is needed to determine if the driver failed to see the boy because of inattentive driving, texting or talking on a cellphone.

Concerned members of the Byron and Excelsior Middle School communities have expressed outrage over this tragic bicycle accident.  Community members have indicated that vehicles that are dropping off and picking up students in front of Excelsior Middle School frequently ignore traffic safety rules causing a dangerous condition of public property.  According to anonymous sources, cutting in line, illegal U-turns and turning into exit streets are dangerous driver behaviors that are commonplace in front of Excelsior Middle School.  These and other negligent driver behaviors put the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians at risk and must be stopped.  A public entity may share some liability if they had notice of the dangerous condition at the school and failed to take appropriate measures to remedy it.

When cyclists are struck by cars or trucks the resulting injuries can be fatal or severe regardless of any safety precautions taken by the cyclist.  Sadly, Burgess Hu was unable to survive this terrible accident despite the fact that he was wearing a bicycle helmet at the time of the collision.  As this terrible accident demonstrates, a moment of driver negligence or inattention can cut short a young life and destroy a family in an instant.  

At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP, our dedicated legal team is committed to helping victims of bicycle accidents and their families.  We believe that negligent drivers should be held responsible for the heartache and pain they cause.  If you or a loved one have been involved in a bicycle accident call Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP today.  One of our compassionate bicycle accident attorneys will provide you with a free consultation and help explain your rights.   

Tragic Bicycle Accident Claims the Life of Former Amazon Executive Joy Covey

On Wednesday September 18, 2013 at around 1:30 P.M., Woodside resident Joy Covey was riding her bike downhill on Elk Street when she was struck by a minivan making an unsafe left turn.  According to California Highway Patrol Officials, a 22-year-old Fresno man in a Mazda minivan turned left directly in front of Ms. Covey near the intersection of Skyline Boulevard and Elk Tree Road in Woodside, California.

Despite the fact that Ms. Covey was wearing a helmet, she was unable to survive the fatal injuries she sustained as a result of the accident.  Emergency responders pronounced Ms. Covey dead at the scene.  At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our thoughts and prayers are with Ms. Covey’s family in their time of grief. 

Ms. Covey is known for her impressive accomplishments and warm spirit.  Ms. Covey dropped out of high school at the age of 15 before graduating with a degree from Cal State Fresno in 2.5 years.  She later scored the second highest in the country on the certified public accountant exam. Ms. Covey eventually obtained an MBA and a law degree from Harvard.

Ms. Covey would become a well-known and influential executive in Silicon Valley. Ms. Covey was instrumental in the founding of Amazon and served as its Chief Financial Officer during a period of unprecedented growth.  She was widely recognized for her business acumen and was named the most powerful woman in business in 1999 by Fortune Magazine.  Ms. Covey most recently worked as a Director for the Natural Resource Defense Council and was also involved with nonprofit groups.

Subsequent reports indicate that the driver of the minivan may have been making deliveries for the shipping service OnTrac at the time of the accident.  If the driver was in the course of scope of employment at the time of the accident his employer may also share some of the liability for this devastating accident.  

Ms. Covey is survived by her husband and 8-year-old son.  At Matiasic Roth and Johnson LLP, our thoughts and prayers remain with the family of Joy Covey.  The dedicated bicycle accident lawyers of Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP are committed to helping families who have experienced the wrongful death of a loved one.   Although no amount of money can bring back a lost loved one, we are committed to fighting for victims and their families to get them the compensation they deserve. 

If you or your loved one have been involved in a biking accident, please do not hesitate to call our office for a free consultation and explanation of your rights

Dublin Cyclist Couple Hit by Motorist in Pleasanton: Diana Hersevoort Pronounced Dead at the Scene

A Dublin couple was struck by a young motorist on Sunday afternoon while riding their bikes on Foothill Road in Pleasanton, California.  The accident took place on a two-lane road a quarter mile south of Golden Eagle Way, while the couple were riding south on Foothill Road.  Police and emergency personnel were called to the scene on June 9^th at 1:08 p.m.  Tragically, 58-year-old Diana Hersevoort was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Both bikers were hit by the 2004 Dodge Neon that was being operated by an unidentified 18-year-old man.  Johannes Hersevoort was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for undisclosed injuries.  Several reports state that Johannes was hit first, followed by his wife Diana who was riding ahead of him.  At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our thoughts and prayers are with the Hersevoort family in their time of grief.

This tragedy is a reminder to motorists that they need operate their vehicles responsibly to ensure the safety of cyclists.  The stretch of road where this accident occurred is a popular bicycle route but is very dangerous for cyclists because of reckless drivers.  Several comments by community members indicate that many drivers are frustrated by sharing the road with bicyclists, and often try to pass them at unsafe speeds.  This dangerous attitude toward cyclists is very common, and speeding and aggressive driving are frequent factors in causing accidents that leave bicyclists with fatal and severe injuries.

Sadly, cyclists being struck by automobiles on California roadways is an all too common occurrence. Losing a loved one in a bike accident is a tragedy that no family should be forced to endure or witness.  If a family member witnesses a loved one sustain fatal injuries, they may be entitled to compensation for negligent infliction of emotional distress, as well as compensation for the wrongful death of a loved one.

At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our bicycle accident attorneys understand the importance of an immediate and comprehensive investigation to identify all responsible parties, causes of action, and preserve critical evidence.  Families that have experienced the wrongful death of a loved one need a dedicated attorney to fight for them.  If you have lost a loved one in a bicycle accident, call Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP for a free consultation.

Tragic Bicycle Accident Claims the Life of Redwood City Teenager

Redwood City residents are mourning the loss of Woodside High School student Leyla Beban. Leyla was involved in a tragic bicycle accident while on her way to school at approximately 8:30 a.m. on November 26, 2012.

Redwood City Police Department officials have indicated that Leyla was struck by a pickup truck as she was turning onto southbound Alameda de las Pulgas from Jefferson Avenue. Immediately following the accident, Leyla was transported to Stanford Hospital where she was pronounced dead. At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our thoughts and prayers are with the Beban family in their time of immeasurable grief.

Teachers, classmates, and friends remembered 14-year-old Leyla as an ambitious, open-minded, kind person. A tree on the Woodside High School campus where Leyla and her friends would often meet was decorated with paper flowers and messages. Mourners also left flowers and stuffed animals at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Alameda de las Pulgas.

Redwood City Police Detectives are investigating the cause of this accident. Some common causes of bicycle accidents include: unsafe lane changes, motorists slamming on the brakes, left turns in front of an oncoming bicycle, inattentive motorists, and aggressive motorists who refuse to share the road with bicyclists. The driver of the pickup truck can be held liable for this terrible accident if driver negligence is found to have contributed to this bicycle accident.

A fatal or severe bicycle accident is a terrible tragedy that no family should be forced to endure. In an instant lives can be lost and families can be torn apart. At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP we understand the hardship associated with the loss of a loved one in a bicycle accident. Our dedicated legal team is committed to helping bicycle accident victims and their families move on with their lives. Although there is no amount of financial compensation that can replace a lost loved one, our experienced bicycle accident attorneys fight tirelessly to get bicycle accident victims and their families the compensation they deserve.

If you or a loved one have been involved in a bicycle accident call our office for a free consultation. Our experienced legal team will provide you with a free case evaluation and help explain your rights. All bicycle accident victims deserve an experienced bicycle accident attorney to fight for them.

Cyclist Dies After Being Struck by Big-Rig Truck in Stockton

A deadly bicycle accident occurred on October 9, 2012, in Stockton, California.  The scene of the deadly crash was the Fremont Street crossing over Highway 99.  According to a California Highway Patrol spokesperson, an unidentified cyclist was riding a silver mountain bike in the bike lane when he was struck by a big-rig truck.  The cyclist reportedly went under the big-rig truck after impact.  Sadly, the cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and his family.  

Cyclists are susceptible to fatal injuries whenever they are involved in a collision with any type of vehicle.  The loss of a loved one in a bicycle accident is a traumatic experience that no individual should be forced to endure.  Although no amount of money can bring back a lost loved one, our dedicated attorneys fight to get our clients the compensation they deserve.      

If a bicycle accident victim survives an accident they often suffer severe injuries that may last a lifetime.  The experienced trial attorneys of Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP have experience litigating on behalf of cyclists who have suffered a wide range of severe injuries including: traumatic brain injuries, fractured bones, concussions, and spinal cord injuries.  Regardless of the severity of the injury, our dedicated trial lawyers fight zealously to help our clients receive maximum compensation for their damages, pain, and suffering.   

Our legal team is passionate about defending the rights of cyclists. The dedicated attorneys of Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP can help regardless of whether the bicycle accident was caused by a negligent driver, an unsafe intersection, or a defective product.  If you or a loved one have been involved in a bicycle accident call our office for a free consultation. 

Tragic Santa Rosa Bicycle Accident Claims One Life

A tragic accident occurred in Santa Rosa on July 31, 2012, at approximately 7:00 a.m.  According to published reports, a cyclist was riding westbound down a steep hill near the intersection of Fountain Grove Parkway and Thomas Lake Harris Drive when he was struck by a Chevrolet pickup truck.  The cyclist has been identified as 37-year-old Ruben Hernandez from Modesto.  Tragically, Mr. Hernandez was pronounced dead at the scene.  At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and his family. 

The driver of the pickup truck has been identified as 22-year-old Adam Bigham of Sebastopol.   The Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office is investigating to determine if any criminal charges will be filed as a result of this accident.  A Sonoma Police Sergeant made a statement that indicated that Mr. Bigham made a left-hand turn directly into the path of the cyclist and other traffic.  Sadly, this avoidable accident appears to have been caused by driver inattention. 

Inattentive drivers are a danger to cyclists, pedestrians, and other motorists.  Some common bicycle accident scenarios involving inattentive drivers include:  “dooring” cyclists when failing to look before opening a car door, unsafe lane changes, failing to look when travelling through intersections and cellphone usage.  Fatal and severe accidents can occur whenever a driver’s attention is not completely focused on the roadway.

The compassionate bicycle accident attorneys of Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP understand the stress and emotion that families experience after losing a loved one in a fatal bicycle accident.  We are committed to helping victims and their families rebuild their lives following traumatic accidents. 

Our experienced trial lawyers never back down from a fight on behalf of our clients regardless of whether the responsible party is a negligent motorist, a vehicle or auto-part manufacturer, or a government entity.  We are committed to helping victims and their families while making responsible parties pay for their negligence.  If you or loved one have experienced a bicycle or pedestrian accident call Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP today for a free consultation.

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.

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.