Santa Rosa Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident Claims the Life of Pacifica Man

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.   

This tragic accident exemplifies the dangers facing pedestrians throughout California.  Sonoma County especially has seen far too many preventable, heart breaking pedestrian and bicycle accidents in recent years.  If you or a loved one have experienced a pedestrian accident call Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP for a free consultation with one of our dedicated attorneys.      

San Francisco Cyclist Suffers Fatal Injuries after Being Struck by Truck

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.

 

San Francisco Pedestrian Accident Claims One Life

A tragic pedestrian accident occurred in San Francisco’s SOMA neighborhood on January 18, 2013.  According to published reports, the scene of the accident was the intersection of Seventh and Howard Streets.  The pedestrian was reportedly struck by two different vehicles before being pronounced dead at the scene. 

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.

If you or a loved one have experienced a pedestrian accident call Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP today for a free consultation.     

Two Boys Struck by Car in Sonoma Crosswalk

Two boys were injured in a Sonoma crosswalk after being struck by a car.  The frightening accident occurred while the boys were in a marked crosswalk at the intersection Fifth Street West and Curtin Lane near Sassarini Elementary School. 

According to published reports, the boys were struck by aToyota Corolla which was being operated by 92-year-old Sonoma resident Levon Arkelian.  Mr. Arkelian told Sonoma County Sheriff‘s Department investigators that he did not see the boys when he passed through the crosswalk.  Mr. Arkelian received a traffic citation for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.

The crosswalk is reportedly marked with a flashing sign and flashing lights embedded in the roadway.  Witnesses have indicated that the flashing lights were activated when the boys were crossing the street. Had the crosswalk not been adequately marked a government entity could have been held accountable.

It appears that driver inattention or driver confusion contributed to this terrible accident.  The safety of pedestrians is put at risk whenever a driver is not paying full attention to the roadway.   An inattentive driver can be held liable for any injuries and damages caused by his negligence.

One of the boys was immediately taken to Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa.  He was treated for a skull fracture and eventually released from the hospital.  The other victim was transported to Sonoma Valley Hospital and treated for various abrasions.  At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP we wish both the young victims a speedy and complete recovery.

Our law firm is committed to fighting on behalf of pedestrian accident victims and their families.  Our experienced trial lawyers do not hesitate to take a case to court when insurance companies fail to offer a reasonable settlement.  We fight zealously for our clients to get them the compensation they deserve.  This can include damages for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, loss of consortium and other damages. 

If you or a loved one have experienced a traumatic pedestrian accident call Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP for a free consultation.   

Santa Rosa Pedestrian Suffers Severe Injuries After Being Struck By Car

A tragic pedestrian accident occurred in Santa Rosa on October 20, 2012.  According to published reports, the scene of the accident was the east side of Mission Boulevard near Randall Lane.  This stretch of Mission Boulevard is heavily traveled by motorists as a thoroughfare between Montecito Boulevard and Highway 12. 

Early reports indicate that that the victim, who appeared to be a man in his twenties, was in the crosswalk when he was struck by the car.  Fortunately, a Kaiser Permanente emergency room nurse was nearby when the accident occurred.  He was able to provide some emergency care until paramedics arrived on the scene. The victim sustained critical injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment.  At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and his family. 

Following this shocking accident, concerned local residents expressed their frustrations regarding the dangerous intersection and crosswalk.  An intersection can be unsafe for a variety of reasons including: improper phasing of traffic signals; poor design; lack of visual controls; or inadequate signage.  A crosswalk is unsafe if it is not sufficiently marked to provide a safe crossing for pedestrians. 

A state or city that is aware that an intersection or crosswalk is dangerous and fails to remedy the unsafe situation can be held liable for any accidents and injuries.  If you or a loved one have experienced a pedestrian accident it is imperative to contact an experienced pedestrian accident attorney immediately to preserve your rights.  Time is of the essence as certain claims against public entities for a dangerous condition of public property must be filed within six months of the accident.  Call our office today for a free consultation with one of our experienced pedestrian accident attorneys.     
The experienced legal team at Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP is committed to standing up for the rights of pedestrians. We fight on behalf of our clients to hold public entities and reckless drivers accountable for their negligence.         

Girl Killed in Novato Bicycle Accident

The close-knit community of Novato, California is reeling following a tragic bicycle accident.  The accident occurred on Novato Boulevard on September 28, 2012, when an SUV inexplicably struck a twelve-year-old girl. 

Immediately following the accident, the victim was rushed by paramedics to Novato Community Hospital and later airlifted to Children’s Hospital in Oakland.  Tragically, the injuries were too severe and the young victim was pronounced dead.  At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our thoughts and prayers are with the victim, her family, and the entire Novato community. 

The Marin County Coroner’s Office has since identified the victim as Sinaloa Middle School student Hailey Ratliff.  A vigil was held in Hailey’s honor at her school where her classmates, teachers, and her pastor remembered her beautiful spirit.    

Investigators have not yet determined the cause of this fatal accident.  At this point it is unknown whether driver inattention, aggressiveness, or recklessness played any role in this accident.  Traffic investigators are in the process of reconstructing the accident to determine the cause and hopefully prevent this type of unimaginable tragedy from happening again.

According to published reports, the stretch of Novato Boulevard where this accident occurred is known to be dangerous.  A public entity may be liable for an accident if they have knowledge of a dangerous condition of public property and fail to remedy it.  

Losing a family member in a fatal bicycle accident is something that no person should be forced to endure.  The heartache and pain is beyond words.  The compassionate bicycle accident lawyers of Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP understand that no amount of financial compensation can bring back a lost loved one.  Neverthless, we are comitted to fighting on behalf of our clients to help them rebuild their lives following fatal and severe bicycle accidents.

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.

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.