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

San Francisco Municipal Recreation and Parks Truck Kills Daly City Resident Christine Svanemyr

On Thursday, September 5^th at around 2:30 p.m., Daly City resident Christine Svanemyr was run over at Holly Park in San Francisco’s Bernal Heights Neighborhood.   This tragic pedestrian accident occurred while Mrs. Svanemyr was sunbathing on the grass with her 11-month-old daughter and dog.  A San Francisco Recreation and Parks maintenance vehicle struck her before fleeing the scene. 

 

The driver of the truck has been identified as 57-year-old Thomas Burnoski.  Mr. Burnoski was eventually found by authorities in his truck a few blocks away from the scene of the incident.  He was detained by San Francisco Police Officers, transported to the Ingleside Station and arrested for causing Mrs. Svanemyr’s death and fleeing the scene.  

According to published reports, Mrs. Svanemyr suffered severe head and chest trauma and was rushed to San Francisco General Hospital for emergency treatment.  Shortly after arriving to the hospital, she was pronounced dead.  Her daughter, Isa Amalie, was reportedly unharmed from the accident. 

Mrs. Svanemyr was 35-year-old life coach, Zen monk, and accomplished professional dancer.  She worked as the director of development for New Ventures West.  She is survived by her husband, Vegar Svanemyr, who also works for New Ventures West.  At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our thoughts and prayers are with the Svanemyr family in their time of unimaginable grief.  No family should be forced to endure this type of avoidable and senseless tragedy.   

At the time of the accident, Burnoski was violating city policy by driving though the grass of the park in a City owned pick-up truck.   San Francisco Recreation and Parks spokeswoman Sarah Ballard commented on maintenance vehicle policy and indicated that workers were not allowed to drive on park pathways, sidewalks, closed roads, or the actual park for mere convenience purposes.  She also assured the outraged public that San Francisco Recreation and Parks policy requires for there to always be an extra spotter for a vehicle if it was driving on park grounds.  Sadly, it appeared as though no spotter was on site, and that the collision occurred in a grassy area that was well removed from the roadway.  It has been reported that the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department had previously received several complaints that City maintenance vehicles were repeatedly driving too fast and driving on pedestrian paths in Holly Park and other City parks.   

 
Mrs. Svanemyr’s family is entitled to compensation for her wrongful death.  Compensation of damages can include past medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, emotional distress, loss of consortium, pain and suffering.  Victims of pedestrian accidents need an experienced pedestrian accident attorney who will aggressively pursue compensation for the full extent of damages.   

At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP, we urge that a comprehensive pedestrian accident investigation is conducted in order to find all sources of liability for this devastating accident and prevent future accidents.  In pedestrian-truck accidents, there may be multiple sources of liability.  In addition to the driver, the City of San Francisco may also be liable for being reckless, and not verifying that its drivers had the required skills and experience to safely operate maintenance trucks.  Furthermore, the City of San Francisco is responsible for ensuring that its employees are compliant with all vehicle safety rules and regulations. 

Claims against municipal entities are controlled by the California Government Tort Claims Act which requires that a claim is filed within six months.  Accordingly, it is imperative that victims immediately contact an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in order to protect their rights.  The dedicated pedestrian accident lawyers of Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP specialize in fighting for victims of pedestrian accidents.  Call our office today for a free consultation and case evaluation.

Santa Rosa Pedestrian Victor Buxbaum Killed by Drunk Driver

A tragic and unnecessary pedestrian death took place on the evening of Wednesday July 10^th, when a driver who was under the influence veered off the road and hit a pedestrian and his dog.  The 33-year-old driver should not have been on the road that evening, as his license was suspended because of a previous DUI.  Andrew Tungseth, a Santa Rosa native, was driving northbound on Stony Point Road when he drifted his 2004 Toyota Tacoma into the right hand shoulder and struck 52-year-old Victor Buxbaum and his dog, then crashed into two parked vehicles.  Both Buxbaum and his pit bull reportedly died at the scene at approximately 7:27 p.m.

Following an investigation, police found prescription drugs, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia in Tungseth’s vehicle.   Tungseth was arrested at the scene for suspicion of felony DUI with drugs, DUI with alcohol, driving with a suspended license, driving drunk with a suspended license, and manslaughter.  After his arrest, the Santa Rosa District Attorney released a statement regarding his extensive criminal history, and their intent to pursue charges, possibly even for second degree murder.  Tungseth is currently being held on $100,000 bail in the Sonoma County Jail.

At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our thoughts and prayers are with the Buxbaum family in their time of immeasurable grief.  Losing a family member at the hands of a drunk driver is a burden no family should have to endure.  Mr. Buxbaum is remembered fondly in several published reports, which stated that he was a well-liked yoga teacher in the Santa Rosa community.

While the state pursues criminal charges, Mr. Buxbaum’s family will be simultaneously entitled to file a lawsuit for monetary compensation for his wrongful death.  Since Mr. Tungseth was under the influence of drugs and alcohol, it is clear that he is liable for Mr. Buxbaum’s tragic death.  At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP we believe that drivers who choose to participate in reckless behavior should be held responsible for their actions.  If you have lost a loved one because of a negligent, inattentive, or intoxicated driver, call Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP today for your free consultation and case evaluation.

21-year-old Cyclist Killed by Recology Garbage Truck in San Francisco's Mission District

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 16^th 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 17^th 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.

 

At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP we send our deepest condolences to Dylan Mitchell’s family.  The personal injury attorneys at Matiasic Roth and Johnson LLP are highly experienced with bicycle accident law and know the importance of pursuing our client’s legal rights with diligence.  Our lawyers have over thirty years of combined legal experience and have successfully handled many bicycle accident cases.

 

If you have been involved in a bicycle accident, your case will be personally handled by one of our skilled attorneys who are compassionate with their clients and aggressive in protecting their rights.  If you or a loved one have been injured in a bicycle accident you could be entitled to compensation.  Contact the attorneys at Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP for a free consultation and case evaluation.

Bakersfield Pedestrian Dies After Being Struck by Semi-Truck

Pedestrian accidents are a tragic form of traffic accidents, and have become frighteningly common. A pedestrian succumbed to fatal injuries on Friday, April 26, 2013, after being hit by a semi-truck while she was crossing the street in a crosswalk. To add to the tragedy, 60-year-old Neva Yribarren was a victim of one of three catastrophic pedestrian accidents that occurred in the Bakersfield area in the last three days.

 

Several reports state that the Tehachapi native was legally crossing the street, in the crosswalk at the intersection of Merle Haggard Drive and McCray Street in Oildale, California a little before 1:00 p.m. when she was struck by the truck.

Emergency crews arrived on the scene to find Ms. Yribarren in the street, and immediately began CPR and emergency medical treatment. She was transported to Kern Medical Center, where she later died as a result of the fatal injuries she sustained at 1:30 p.m.

At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Neva Yribarren and the Bakersfield community in their time of grief.

Determining who to hold liable for you or a loved one’s injuries resulting from an accident between a semi-truck and a pedestrian can require expert investigation and a thorough knowledge of California commercial trucking laws.  In pedestrian-truck accidents, there may be multiple potential sources of liability.  For example, the truck driver, the trucking company, the owner of the tractor, the owner of the trailer and the facility that maintained the truck may all bear some responsibility for the accident. Our proven and skilled attorneys have extensive experience in finding the cause and advocating for the compensation of innocent victims of pedestrian-trucking accidents.

 

If you or a loved one have been injured in a pedestrian or trucking accident, call Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP today for your free consultation and case evaluation.

San Francisco Pedestrian Accident Claims Life

On the evening of April 11^th, beloved Sunnyside Elementary School Custodian Becky Lee was pronounced dead at San Francisco General Hospital after being struck by a pickup truck on her evening walk. Several reports state that 60-year-old Ms. Lee was in the crosswalk at the intersection of Judson Avenue and Edna Street at 6:58 p.m., near the Balboa Park area in San Francisco, when she tragically became the victim of pedestrian accident.

A 42-year-old woman driving the pickup truck remained on the scene and was interviewed by police officers and investigators. 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. 

Becky Lee, a San Francisco resident, was popular and well-liked by the students and faculty of Sunnyside Elementary. She was known as Ms. Becky by the students. School officials are taking several measures to support Ms. Becky’s family in their time of grief by accepting donations that will be given to the Lee family to help with funeral expenses. Similarly, Sunnyside is providing grief counselors for any students who need help coping with this tragic loss.

At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our thoughts and prayers are with members of the Sunnyside Elementary community, and Ms. Lee’s family in their time of grief. This loss exemplifies how an instant of driver inattention or recklessness can leave a community devastated, and leave a family and community looking for answers. 

 

The dedicated pedestrian accident attorneys of Matiasiac Roth & Johnson LLP fight for families who have experienced a traumatic loss due to pedestrian accidents to help them obtain 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. 

 

If you or a loved one have experienced a pedestrian accident call the office of Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP today for a free consultation.  One of our dedicated pedestrian accident lawyers will help explain your rights and provide you with a free case evaluation.

 

San Francisco Couple Suffers Major Injuries After Being Struck by Car

A San Francisco Couple suffered severe injuries after being struck by a car on Wednesday March 20, 2013.  This frightening accident occurred as the couple were crossing the street in a marked crosswalk at the intersection of Vicente Street and West Portal Avenue in San Francisco’s West Portal neighborhood. 

San Francisco police officials have not released the names of the victims.  According to published reports, the woman suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported to San Francisco General Hospital.  Her husband was also transported to the hospital with serious injuries.  At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our thoughts and prayers are with the victims in hopes that they make a speedy and complete recovery. 

The intersection where the accident occurred is controlled by stoplights. Police are investigating whether improper phasing of traffic lights could have potentially contributed to this accident.  If so, the City and County of San Francisco may share liability for this terrible accident.  Claims against state or municipal entities for an unsafe intersection or a dangerous condition of public property are controlled by an accelerated statute of limitations.  Accordingly, it is imperative that accident victims call an experienced pedestrian accident attorney as soon a possible to preserve their rights. 

The dedicated pedestrian accident attorneys of Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP have extensive experience advocating on behalf of pedestrian accident victims.  Whether the accident was caused by a public entity or a negligent driver, our legal team can help.  We initiate a comprehensive investigation on behalf of our clients to identify all potential sources of liability. Once all sources of liability have been identified, we fight zealously to make the responsible parties pay. 

 If you or a loved one have experienced a pedestrian accident call the office of Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP today.  One of our compassionate pedestrian accident lawyers will provide you with a free consultation and help explain your rights.        

San Francisco Pedestrian Dies after Being Struck by Car

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. 

If you or a loved one have experienced a pedestrian accident call the office of Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP today for free consultation.  One of our dedicated pedestrian accident attorneys will help explain your rights and provide you with a free case evaluation.