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

Fatal Pedestrian Accident at San Jose City College Claims Life of 49-Year-Old Magda Gonzalez

On August 19^th at approximately 11:15 am, a woman was struck when a front loader tractor backed up onto a pedestrian walkway on the San Jose City College Campus.  Emergency personnel attempted to resuscitate the victim at the scene, before transporting her to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center.  The victim, who was later identified as 49-year-old Magda Gonzalez, passed away before reaching the hospital.  

The exact location of the accident was reported to have been between the Fine Arts and Vocational Training building on Moorepark Avenue.  A construction crew was digging in the area to gain access to an underground water valve for a campus construction project.  According to witness testimony, the area was previously surrounded by a chain link fence which not only enclosed the entire work site, but also blocked the pedestrian walkway from access.  The fence was reportedly not present on the date of the accident.  The construction companies involved in the project, the driver of the tractor, San Jose City College and possibly other persons or entities may all potentially share some of the liability for this terrible and avoidable accident. 

Based on preliminary reports, the main contractor for the construction project has been identified as Gilbane Construction.  Additionally, the subcontractor that was involved in the project has been identified as Milpitas based Preston Pipelines.  Six crew members who work for Preston Pipelines were reportedly on the job site at the time of the accident.  Preston Pipelines has a history of safety violations including past violations for improperly secured cargo.  The San Jose Police Department, San Jose Community College District Police Department, and Cal-OSHA are simultaneously conducting separate investigations to determine the exact cause of this devastating accident. 

At Matiasic Roth and Johnson LLP, we would like to express our deepest condolences to the family of Magda Gonzalez.  The loss of a loved one in a pedestrian accident is a tragedy that no family should be forced to endure.  Families who have experienced the wrongful death of a loved one are entitled to compensation for their loss.  The dedicated pedestrian accident attorneys of Matiasic Roth and Johnson LLP have over thirty years of experience advocating on behalf of pedestrian accident victims and their families.  If you or a loved one have been involved in a pedestrian accident call our office today for a free consultation.  

Tragic San Jose Pedestrian Accident Claims The Life of One Child and Leaves Two Others with Serious Injuries

The San Jose community is outraged following the death a young girl who was killed while crossing the street with her younger sister and aunt on Tuesday April 15, 2013.  Although it is too early to determine if the 20-year-old male driver was speeding, neighbors and community members have reported that the location of the accident is known for drivers exceeding the 25 MPH speed limit. Following the devastating accident, concerned community members are demanding that further safety precautions and preventative measures be taken to reduce speeding in the area.

The preschooler was struck by a Lexus SUV near Parkview Elementary School on Bluefield Drive in South San Jose, California.  The SUV was traveling west on Bluefield drive when it struck Maria Quiroz, Arlet Quiroz, and killed 5-year-old Aileen Quiroz.  According to police, Aileen died at the scene after sustaining fatal injuries at 3:24 p.m.

Several reports state that 30-year-old Maria Quiroz sustained serious injuries and remains in the ICU at Valley Medical Center. She reportedly suffered from several broken ribs and a punctured lung.  Two-year-old Arlet Quiroz was treated for contusions to her head.  At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our thoughts and prayers are with the Quiroz family, and we are hoping for a fast recovery for both Maria and Arlet.

Police are continuing to investigate exactly what happened across from Parkview Elementary School, and are working to interview all witnesses.  As of Wednesday, Maria Quiroz had not been interviewed regarding the incident because of the severity of her injuries. Her interview and account of events may be the key to piecing together exactly what happened on Tuesday afternoon.

If speed was a factor in causing the accident, criminal charges may be filed against the driver.  Similarly, if the driver was distracted by talking or texting on his cell phone, he could face serious criminal consequences.  If the driver is found to have been reckless or careless in his actions, the family will be entitled to compensation for the wrongful death of their daughter, as well as for the injuries sustained by Maria and Arlet.

The San Jose pedestrian accident attorneys of Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP have 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 has suffered because of a reckless driver, call the experienced accident attorneys of Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP today for your free consultation and case evaluation.

Campbell Teen Cyclist in Critical Condition After Being Hit by Car

Tragedy struck Friday night as a local teenager was hit by a 45-year-old San Jose resident while riding his bike in Campbell, California.  The accident took place at 8:55 p.m., at the intersection of Campbell Avenue and Milton Avenue.  The young victim sustained a serious head injury, and remains in critical condition at Valley Medical Center.

The victim has been identified as Campbell Middle School student Juan Avila. Although the accident took place in the evening, the cyclist reportedly had reflectors on his white bike, making him visible to drivers despite dark evening conditions. The cause of the accident is not known at this time, and investigators are continuing to piece together exactly what happened.

Several reports state that emergency personnel arrived on the scene to find the 14-year-old boy lying in the road, restrained by witnesses.  Avila is reported to have been placed in an induced coma due to his serious head injury. At this time the extent of his head injury and the trauma to his brain are unknown. At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our prayers are with Juan Avila and his family.

Although Avila took proper safety precautions by having reflectors on his bike, this situation is an example of how a moment of driver inattentiveness or distracted driving can result in a tragic accident.  If you or a loved one has been the victim of a distracted driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.  The bicycle accident attorneys of Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP have the experience and tools necessary to investigate your claim, and fight for your right to fair compensation. Call Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP today for your free consultation and case evaluation.