Bicycle Accident in South Sacramento County Claims the Life of Rachel Martinez

A tragic bicycle accident occurred on Monday October 7, 2013, in south Sacramento County at the intersection of Florin Road and East Parkway.  According to published reports, a female cyclist was struck by a Regional Transit bus at the southeast corner of East Parkway.  The bus made contact with the rear wheel of the bicycle, which threw the cyclist directly into the path of the bus tires.  Tragically, the victim was unable to survive the severe injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office has recently identified the victim as 51-year-old Rachel M. Martinez of Sacramento.  At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our thoughts are with the family of Ms. Martinez in their time of unimaginable grief.  The wrongful death of a love one in an avoidable bicycle accident is a terrible tragedy that no family should be forced to endure.    

This terrible accident demonstrates the vulnerability of bicyclists.  Given the dynamics between larger vehicles and bicycles, a brief moment of driver inattention or negligence can result in fatal and severe injuries. Drivers have a duty to comply with all traffic safety regulations and attentively operate their vehicles.  When this duty is breached, drivers can be held liable for the pain and heartache they cause.

When a cyclist is injured or killed in an accident involving public transportation there are a host of complicated legal issues and procedural pitfalls that must be navigated.  For example, claims involving public entities have an accelerated statute of limitations of six months.  Accordingly, it is important that bicycle accident victims and their families immediately contact an experienced bicycle accident lawyer to protect their rights. 

At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our compassionate legal team specializes in fighting for bicycle accident victims.  We have successfully represented clients involved in all types of public transportation including accidents caused by buses, railroads, taxis, cable cars, and trolleys.

If you or a loved one have been involved in a bicycle accident call Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP today for a free consultation.  One of our bicycle accident lawyers will provide you with a case evaluation 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

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.

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.

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 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. 

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.      

Antioch Teenager Dies after Being Struck by Vehicle

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. 

San Francisco Pedestrian Suffers Serious Injuries after Being Struck by MUNI Bus

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.