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On May 23, 2013, at about 6:45 a.m.,
a bicyclist was struck by a Recology garbage truck in the Mission neighborhood
of San Francisco. The accident occurred as the bicyclist was heading
eastbound on 16th Street, while trying to make a right hand turn
onto southbound Van Ness. The collision left the 21-year-old bicyclist dead at the scene. The bicyclist, Dylan Mitchell, had just moved to San
Francisco two weeks ago and was working with an electrician as an apprentice. He was previously a resident of Clayton and had attended Clayton
Valley High School.
The driver of the garbage truck was
unaware he had hit the bicyclist until he was waved down by pedestrians on the
street who had witnessed the collision. The bike was found crushed on the
corner of 17th Street and South Van Ness after being dragged one
block down the street.
Bicycles and vehicles must share the
road making it essential that drivers obey all traffic laws. Bicyclists do not
have the same physical protections as other vehicles which makes them
more vulnerable to serious injuries. Drivers have a duty to pay attention
while driving and refrain from any negligent behavior that puts the safety of
cyclists at risk. Bicycle accidents frequently happen when a cyclist is
cut off in an intersection or when someone opens their car door into a bike
lane. When drivers fail to take the proper safety precautions, severe or fatal injuries can occur.
A woman suffered life threatening injuries on Wednesday, April 24, 2013, after a
car lost control and came crashing through her kitchen wall. Several reports
state the silver BMW that caused the injury was participating in a “drag-race”,
and lost control when it collided with the car it was racing against. Both cars
participating in the illegal street race crashed.
The incident occurred near Leigh High School, on Leigh Avenue and Anne Way
around 4:00 p.m. The vehicles involved were operated by minors, both of whom are
17-years-old. The boys driving are reportedly cousins, who attend local high
schools.
A total of five people were injured in relation to the devastating crash. A
40-year-old mother was rushed to the hospital after safety personnel freed her
from under the vehicle that entered her home. The woman remains in critical
condition. A 9-year-old girl who also lives in the home was pulled from the
wreckage by neighbors. The young girl amazingly escaped the crash with only
minor scratches. Both drivers of the vehicles involved went to the hospital for
injuries, as well as three passengers.
Following their release from the hospital, both drivers were arrested, and are
now being held on felony charges for reckless driving. Fire Fighters that
reported to the scene said that they had never seen a car go that far into a
house before, and they were unable to enter the home upon first arrival because
it was not structurally safe. Safety beams had to be put in place before
investigators could enter the devastatingly damaged home.
Several neighbors and community members are outraged by the reckless act.
Unfortunately, illegal street racing is very common in the Leigh High School
Neighborhood, and families in the area constantly fear for their safety. Crashes
caused by reckless drivers have serious consequences. If a driver is found to
be at fault for a crash resulting in injury, the injured party may be entitled
to reimbursement of medical costs, income lost as a result of the injuries, and
even future medical expenses or future loss of income. Similarly, if other
property is damaged in the accident, such as the home in this situation, the
victim may be entitled to monetary compensation to repair the damaged property.

If you have suffered at the hands of a reckless or inattentive driver, let the
dedicated and experienced pedestrian accident lawyers at Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP evaluate your claim, and fight for your right to fair compensation.
If a reckless driver has injured you or a loved one, call Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP for a free case evaluation and consultation.
Family
and friends of Union City local Joseph Napoleone are mourning his loss after he
succumbed to injuries sustained in a pedestrian accident that took place on
April 4, 2013. Mr. Napoleone remained in critical condition at a local hospital
for over a week following the collision. Unfortunately, due to the severity of his
injuries Mr. Napoleone passed away on April 12, 2013, at Eden Medical Center.
Several details of the accident are
unclear, as there currently are no witnesses other than the driver. The
accident took place in the late evening, limiting the amount of other
pedestrians and drivers on the roadway. At approximately 10:20 p.m. on April 4,
2013, Mr. Napoleone was struck by a vehicle while walking at the intersection of Union City Boulevard
and Horner Street near his home.
Union City Police are continuing to
investigate the details of the accident, in hopes of piecing together what
actually took place and identifying the driver that caused the accident.
Several published reports suggest that the intersection where the accident took
place is unsafe for pedestrians, as it is common for cars to run red lights. Mr.
Napoleone was known to always practice safe walking habits by never
jaywalking.
At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP
our thoughts and prayers are with the Napoleone family in their time of grief.
Our pedestrian accident attorneys understand the importance of an immediate and
comprehensive investigation to identify all responsible parties and preserve
critical evidence.
A tragic pedestrian accident claimed the life of 69-year-old
San Francisco resident Hector Arana. The
accident happened on Wednesday March 13, 2013 at approximately 6:30 a.m. According to published reports, the accident
occurred as Mr. Arana was crossing San Jose Avenue near the intersection of
Liebig Street. This location is in San
Francisco’s Outer Mission District near the border of Daly City.
San Francisco Police investigators have indicated that Mr.
Arana was struck by a Honda Civic that was traveling northbound on San Jose
Avenue. After the accident, Mr. Arana
was transported via ambulance to San Francisco General Hospital where he was
pronounced dead. At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Arana’s family in their time
of grief and sadness.
Police investigators have not yet released any information
regarding the cause of this tragic accident.
Some common causes of pedestrian accidents include: driver confusion, driver inattentiveness,
aggressive driving, and driver intoxication.
This devastating accident exemplifies the dangers facing
pedestrians throughout California. An
instant of driver inattention or recklessness can shatter lives and leave families
searching for answers. At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our dedicated pedestrian accident attorneys fight for
families who have experienced traumatic pedestrian accidents.
Our experienced legal team has a history of obtaining
significant verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients. We understand the tactics that insurance companies employ to minimize and delay payments to victims of pedestrian accident and their families. We utilize
our understanding of these tactics to get our clients the compensation they deserve. This can include damages for property damage,
past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, emotional
distress, loss of consortium, pain and suffering.
A shocking and
preventable pedestrian accident claimed the life of one victim on Wednesday
February 27, 2013. According to published
reports, a pedestrian was walking along the 4600 block of Montgomery Drive at
approximately 1:00 pm when he was struck by a sedan.
The victim has since
been identified by the Sonoma County Coroner’s Office as 64-year-old George
Michael Black of Pacifica. At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Black’s family in
their time of immeasurable grief.
Shockingly, the
driver fled the scene after causing this fatal accident. Three days later, a Santa Rosa law firm
contacted local police and indicated that the vehicle that was involved in the accident could be found at the Santa Rosa home of 60-year-old Steven Harry Heath. Mr. Heath is the owner and
operator of Steven Heath Reality, a prominent real estate agency in Sonoma
County. Police arrived at the home on
Pepperwood Road where they located and impounded a 2011 Mercedes Benz S550 that
was involved in the accident. Shortly
thereafter, police arrested Mr. Heath for suspicion of felony hit-and-run and
vehicular manslaughter.
The police
investigation of this devastating accident is still ongoing. Hit-and-run accidents often involve drivers
who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Some other common causes of pedestrian
accidents include: driver inattentiveness, driver confusion and aggressive driving. Drivers who endanger
pedestrians deserve to be punished and held accountable for their actions.
Losing a loved one
in a pedestrian accident is a tragedy that no family should be forced to
endure. Families that have experienced
the wrongful death of a loved one need a dedicated pedestrian accident attorney
to fight for them.
At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our experienced legal team is committed to getting pedestrian accident victims the compensation they deserve to help rebuild their
lives. We fight for our clients by
holding at-fault drivers and their insurance carriers accountable for the
irreparable harm caused by their disregard for the safety of pedestrians.
A tragic pedestrian accident
left the Antioch community in mourning.
The accident occurred on Thursday February 14, 2013, at approximately
6:40 p.m. According to published
reports, the accident occurred at the intersection of Hillcrest Avenue and
Hidden Glen Drive in Antioch, California.
The victim was struck by an unidentified vehicle as she was attempting to cross Hillcrest Avenue. She was airlifted to a local hospital where
she succumbed to her severe injuries. The
Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office has recently identified the victim as
14-year-old Hasanti White of Antioch. At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our
thoughts and prayers remain with Hasanti and her family.
Local officials have not yet released
any information regarding the cause of this fatal accident. Some common causes of pedestrian accidents
include: aggressive driving, unsafe intersections, driver intoxication, driver
inattention, and texting drivers. The
driver and his insurance carrier can be held liable for this tragic accident if
driver negligence is found to have caused this terrible accident.
The wrongful death of a loved
one in a pedestrian accident is a tragedy that no family should be forced to
endure. When devastating pedestrian accidents occur families are left searching
for answers. The compassionate legal team
at Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP is committed to helping families who have
lost a loved one in traumatic pedestrian accidents. We fight tirelessly for our clients to get them
the compensation they deserve. Call our office today for a free consultation with one of our experienced pedestrian accident attorneys.
A frightening pedestrian accident left a San Francisco woman with serious injuries. The pedestrian accident occurred on Saturday
February 16, 2013 at approximately 4:30 p.m.
According to published reports, an outbound No. 18 MUNI bus was
traveling on Lake Merced Boulevard near John Muir Drive when it struck thevictim.
The unidentified pedestrian was
transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our thoughts
and prayers remain with the victim. We hope
that she makes a full and complete recovery.
The dedicated pedestrian accident attorneys of Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP have experience fighting
on behalf of victims of all types of public transportation accidents. Various forms of public transportation
including: buses, trains, light rail cars, and trolleys are considered to be
common carriers. As such, they owe passengers
and pedestrians a heightened duty of care.
Serious and fatal injuries can result whenever there is a breach of thisstandard of care.
The experienced legal team at
Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP are committed to helping pedestrian accident
victims. We initiate a comprehensive
investigation on behalf of our clients to identify all potential sources of liability
and preserve essential evidence. This
investigation can include: examining the scene of the accident, interviewing
witnesses, obtaining police and incident reports and hiring experts.
Our pedestrian accident attorneys understand the dilatory tactics that insurance companies employ to
avoid paying victims the compensation they deserve. We utilize this understanding to get our
clients the financial compensation they deserve. When insurance carriers refuse to adequately
compensate pedestrian accident victims, we never hesitate to take the fight to
court where we have a proven track record of success obtaining large verdicts
for our clients. If you or a loved one
have experienced a pedestrian accident call Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP
today for a free consultation.
A shocking pedestrian accident left a Concord teenager hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.
The accident occurred on February 10, 2013, at approximately 1:30
pm. The scene of this pedestrian accident was Solano Way at the intersection of Grant Street in Concord,
California. According to published reports,
the pedestrian was crossing Solano Way in a marked crosswalk when he was struck by a 2004 Scion that was traveling westbound on Solano Way.
At this early stage in the investigation it is unclear if
the driver of the Scion was intoxicated, speeding or inattentive. The driver can be held liable for the damages
that resulted from this terrible accident if driver negligence is found to have
been a contributing factor.
The victim has since been identified as 14-year-old Joey
Hornsby. Hornsby is a freshman at Mount
Diablo High School and member of the school’s freshmen basketball team. Hornsby’s friends, classmates and teammates are
all praying that he makes a full recovery.
Immediately following the accident, Hornsby was transported
John Muir Medical Center. He was
subsequently transferred to Children’s Hospital in Oakland. His injuries have been described as
life-threatening. At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our thoughts
and prayers are with Joey Hornsby and his family during this difficult and
painful time.
Concerned members of the Concord community have indicated
that the intersection where the accident occurred is dangerous and has been the
scene of previous accidents involving both pedestrians and cyclists. There are many factors that can make an
intersection unsafe. For example, an
intersection may lack adequate signage, lack clearly designated turning lanes,
or have improper phasing of traffic lights.
The intersection of Solano Way and Grant Street has no stop
light or stop sign. The crosswalk is
only delineated by paint markings on the pavement and a small sign indicating the
existence of a pedestrian crossing. The
City of Concord may be liable for this accident if the intersection is
determined to have constituted a dangerous condition of public property and the
City had prior notice of its dangerous propensities.
If you or a loved one have experienced a pedestrian accident
call the legal team at Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP. Our experienced trial attorneys are committed
to fighting on behalf of pedestrian accident victims and their families. We have helped pedestrian accident victims
who have experienced all types of accidents including those caused by negligent drivers, public transportation, commercial trucks, dangerous premises and
unsafe intersections. Call our office
today for free consultation with one of our dedicated pedestrian accident lawyers.
A tragic bicycle accident claimed the life of a San Francisco woman on
February 9, 2013. The preventable
accident occurred near AT&T Park where thousands of baseball fans were waiting
in line to enter the stadium for the San Francisco Giants Fan Fest.
According to published reports, a cyclist was traveling westbound on King
Street when she was struck by a large cement truck that was also traveling
westbound on King Street. After the
accident, the cyclist was transported to a local hospital where she was unable
to recover from her severe injuries.
The victim has been identified by the San Francisco Medical Examiner’s
office as 48-year-old Diane Sullivan. At
Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our thoughts and prayers are with Ms. Sullivan
and her family. There are no words that
can offer solace to a family that has suffered this type of devastating loss.
Regrettably, San Francisco remains one of the most dangerous cities in
America for cyclists. Every day on the
streets of San Francisco the safety of cyclists is put at risk by negligent
motorists. Some common negligent driver
behaviors that contribute to fatal and severe bicycle accidents include: aggressive motorists, unsafe lane changes,
slamming on the brakes, failing to look while parallel parking and left turns
in front of an oncoming bicyclist.
The dedicated bicycle accident attorneys of Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP are all
too familiar with the dangers facing cyclists on roadways across California. We
are committed to helping victims of all types of bicycle accidents. Our legal team has assisted clients who have
experienced bicycle accidents that were caused by cars, trucks, buses, trolleys
and defective bike parts.
We fight for victims of bicycle accidents and their families by standing up
to negligent drivers and their insurance companies. We never hesitate to take the fight to court
when insurance companies refuse to provide adequate compensation. We believe that motorists who compromise the
health and safety of cyclists deserve to be punished for their negligence and
we pride ourselves in doing whatever is necessary to get our clients and their
families the compensation they deserve.
If you or a loved one have experienced a bicycle accident call the legal team of Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP today for a free consultation with one
of our compassionate bicycle accident attorneys. We can provide you with a free case evaluation
and help explain your rights.
Authorities have recently identified
the victim as 44-year-old Melissa Kitson of San Lorenzo, California. Ms. Kitson reportedly worked as an accountant
at Red Bricks Media, a San Francisco advertising agency. Her co-workers remember her beautiful spirit
and positive outlook on life. At
Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our thoughts and prayers are with Ms. Kitson
and her family.
Regrettably, this devastating accident
exemplifies the dangers facing San Francisco’s pedestrians. San Francisco is consistently ranked among
the most dangerous cities in America for pedestrians. Congested streets, dangerous intersections,
and negligent drivers all contribute to this dangerous environment.
Drivers have a responsibility to all
pedestrians to safely operate their vehicles. A driver who fails to safely
operate their vehicle can be held responsible for all the damages caused by
their negligence. This can include
damages for hospital bills, loss of consortium, lost wages, pain and
suffering.
The wrongful death of a loved one in
a pedestrian accident is a tragedy that no family should be forced to
endure. The legal team at Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP fight tirelessly to get families compensation for their loss. This money helps facilitate the painful
process of rebuilding shattered lives following a pedestrian accident.
Our pedestrian accident lawyers
understand the techniques that insurance companies employ to minimize the
payments to pedestrian accident victims and their families. We utilize this understanding to get our
clients the compensation they deserve.
When insurance companies unreasonably refuse to compensate victims and
their families, our experienced trial lawyers do not hesitate to take the fight
to court. We take pride in doing whatever is necessary to help our clients see
their case through to a positive conclusion.
A freighting
bicycle accident in East San Jose left two juveniles with serious
injuries. The accident occurred on
January 15, 2013, at approximately 5:35 p.m. on Alum Rock Avenue near the intersection
of Eastgate Avenue.
According to
published reports, the young cyclists were crossing Alum Rock Avenue when they
were struck by a truck that was traveling westbound on Alum Rock Avenue.
It is unclear
what caused this frightening accident.
Driver negligence is a common cause of bicycle accidents. There are many different forms of driver negligence
including: driver inattention, aggressive driving, driver confusion, and driver
intoxication. The driver of the truck
can be held liable for this accident if driver negligence is found to have been
a contributing factor.
Another
possibility is that a dangerous intersection contributed to this accident. There are various factors which can make an
intersection dangerous. For example, an
intersection could lack signs that are required for adequate safety. The experienced bicycle accident attorneys of
Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP understand the importance of initiating a
comprehensive investigation to determine if an accident was caused by an unsafe
intersection. Our legal team interviews
witnesses, reviews the traffic collision reports and analyzes the accident
history of an intersection to determine if an unsafe intersection contributed
to an accident.
Whether the
accident was caused by an unsafe intersection or a negligent driver, the
dedicated bicycle accident attorneys of Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP can
help. Our experienced legal team
specializes in standing up for bicyclists.
We understand the various ways in which inattentive drivers can cause
serious and fatal injuries to bicyclists. Some common negligent driver behaviors that put bicyclists at-risk include:
left turn in front of an oncoming bicycle, failing to look while
parallel parking, slamming on the brakes, unsafe lane changes and refusing to
share the road with bicyclists.
If you or a
loved one have experienced a bicycle accident call our office today for a free consultation.
A tragic pedestrian accident shocked
the Chico State University community on Saturday December 8, 2012. Chico Police
Department Officials have indicated that 21-year-old student Brandon Fisher was
struck by a Chevy pickup truck at the intersection of Walnut Street and West First
Street. The victim was transported to Enloe Medical Center where he is
reportedly fighting for his life. At
Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our thoughts and prayers are with Brandon in
hopes that he makes a complete recovery.
The driver of the pickup truck was arrested shortly following the accident.
According to unconfirmed reports, 20-year-old Butte College student Mathew
Lambert was arrested on suspicion of DUI.
Police are still investigating the exact cause of this tragic pedestrian accident.
Some common causes of pedestrian accidents include: aggressive driving, driver intoxication, driver inattentiveness and driver confusion.
The majority of pedestrian accidents occur at intersections. Sometimes dangerous intersections contribute
to an environment in which the safety of pedestrians is put at risk. An
intersection can be unsafe for a variety of reasons including: inadequate
lighting, poor design, improper fazing of traffic lights, and insufficient
signage. A government or public entity
may share some liability if an unsafe intersection contributes to a pedestrian accident.
The experienced attorneys at Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP are committed to
fighting on behalf of pedestrians and their families. A fatal or severe
pedestrian accident is a tragic experience that nobody should be forced to
endure. Victims of pedestrian accidents need financial compensation to help
rebuild their lives. Our dedicated trial lawyers fight tirelessly for our
clients to get them the compensation they deserve.
A tragic bicycle accident claimedthe life of a cyclist on December 9, 2012, in Fresno, California. California
Highway Patrol Officers are investigating the shocking accident which occurred
as the cyclist was traveling southbound on Golden State near Jefferson.
According to published reports, the cyclist was struck by a Freightliner truck
and thrown from his bicycle.
The driver of the Freightliner truck fled the scene and left the victim on the
shoulder of the road. The Fresno County Coroner’s Office has identified the
victim as 57-year-old Jesus Luera of Fresno.
At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our thoughts and prayers are with the
victim and his family in their time of grief.
Detectives eventually located the driver of the truck and arrested 36-year-old
Gurpeet Singh Bisla on suspicion of causing the accident and fleeing the scene.
Police are still investigation the exact cause of
this tragic bicycle accident. Some
common causes of bicycle accidents include: slamming on the brakes, inattentive
motorists, unsafe lane changes, failing to look when traveling through
intersections and aggressive motorists. The driver of the truck, his employer,
and their insurance company may all potentially share the liability for this tragic
bicycle accident.
The loss of a loved one in a fatal bicycle accident can never truly be compensated
financially. Nevertheless, victims of bicycle accidents and their families
deserve an experienced bicycle accident lawyer to fight on their behalf. The dedicated legal team of Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP is committed to making negligent drivers and their insurance
companies pay for the heartache and pain that follows a fatal or severe bicycle accident. This can include compensation for medical expenses, final expenses,
lost income, companionship, pain and suffering. We fight for bicycle accident
victims and their families to get them the financial security they deserve to
rebuild their lives.
If you or a loved one have experienced a fatal or severe bicycle accident call
Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP for a free consultation. One of our experienced bicycle accidentattorneys will help explain your rights and provide a free case evaluation.