Twin Six-Year-Old Boys Injured When BMW Leaves Menlo Park Roadway

Two unidentified six-year-old victims suffered severe injuries after being struck by a SUV that veered off Santa Cruz Avenue in Menlo Park.  The shocking accident occurred at approximately 2:15 p.m. on October 17, 2013. 

The boys were walking with their nanny on the sidewalk adjacent to a Walgreens store when a BMW SUV left the roadway and slammed into them.  The BMW pinned the boys against a wall.  A group of people that were at a nearby restaurant witnessed the accident and rushed to the aid of the victims.  The BMW was still in drive when the people were able to dislodge the boys from against the wall. 

According to published reports, the driver of the BMW was a 90-year-old man.  Menlo Park Police officers have indicated that the driver pressed his accelerator instead of his brake as he was attempting to back out from a parking space.  Statistics show that elderly drivers are more likely to be involved in fatal and severe pedestrian accidents.  Drivers who are unfit to safely operate their vehicles put the safety of pedestrians and cyclists at risk. 

The young victims are reportedly twin brothers.  Both victims were immediately transported to Stanford Hospital Medical Center.  The boys’ nanny also suffered undisclosed injuries.  The injuries of one of the boys have been described as life threatening.  At Matiasic Roth &Johnson LLP our thoughts and prayers are with the victims in hopes that they are able to recover from this tragic pedestrian accident.

The dedicated legal team at Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP specialize in assisting victims of pedestrian accidents and their families.  We understand that victims of pedestrian accidents need a dedicated pedestrian accident lawyer in their corner to fight for their rights.  We are committed to holding negligent drivers accountable and getting families the compensation they deserve to help rebuild their lives.

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

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.    

12-Year-Old Burgess Hu Suffers Fatal Injuries After Tragic Bicycle Accident Near Excelsior Middle School in Byron, California

A bicycle accident claimed the life of 12-year-old Burgess Hu of Discovery Bay.  The tragic accident occurred in front of Excelsior Middle School on Byron Highway in Byron, California on Monday September 23, 2013, at approximately 7:45 a.m. 

According to published reports, a GMC Yukon SUV that was being driven by an unidentified female was turning from the school onto Byron Highway when it struck Burgess Hu.  California Highway Patrol Officials have indicated that Burgess was pronounced dead at the scene.  At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our thoughts and prayers are with Burgess Hu’s family in their time of grief and sadness.

California Highway Patrol Officials are still investigating the cause of this terrible bicycle accident.  It has been reported that the driver of the SUV did not initially realize that she had struck the boy.  A comprehensive bicycle accident investigation is needed to determine if the driver failed to see the boy because of inattentive driving, texting or talking on a cellphone.

Concerned members of the Byron and Excelsior Middle School communities have expressed outrage over this tragic bicycle accident.  Community members have indicated that vehicles that are dropping off and picking up students in front of Excelsior Middle School frequently ignore traffic safety rules causing a dangerous condition of public property.  According to anonymous sources, cutting in line, illegal U-turns and turning into exit streets are dangerous driver behaviors that are commonplace in front of Excelsior Middle School.  These and other negligent driver behaviors put the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians at risk and must be stopped.  A public entity may share some liability if they had notice of the dangerous condition at the school and failed to take appropriate measures to remedy it.

When cyclists are struck by cars or trucks the resulting injuries can be fatal or severe regardless of any safety precautions taken by the cyclist.  Sadly, Burgess Hu was unable to survive this terrible accident despite the fact that he was wearing a bicycle helmet at the time of the collision.  As this terrible accident demonstrates, a moment of driver negligence or inattention can cut short a young life and destroy a family in an instant.  

At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP, our dedicated legal team is committed to helping victims of bicycle accidents and their families.  We believe that negligent drivers should be held responsible for the heartache and pain they cause.  If you or a loved one have been involved in a bicycle accident call Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP today.  One of our compassionate bicycle accident attorneys will provide you with a free consultation 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

16-Year-Old Nathaniel Mota Killed By Hit-and-Run Driver While Walking in South Los Angeles Crosswalk

On Friday September 13, 2013, 16-year-old Nathaniel Mota was walking across the street from church to meet up with his family when an unidentified driver struck him.  The driver of a white Nissan Maxima immediately fled the scene after striking Mr. Mota.  The incident occurred at the intersection of Normandy Avenue and 42nd Street in South Los Angeles.  

According to Los Angeles Police Department Officials, Nathaniel Mota was lawfully within a marked crosswalk at the time of the collision. The at-fault driver sped off north towards 42nd street after the collision.  Witnesses with any information are urged to contact the Los Angeles Police Department immediately.

Nathaniel Mota was an avid churchgoer who worked as an usher at St. Cecelia Catholic Church (Iglesia Catolica Santa Cecilia).  Friends and family remember him as a caring and loving young man who had a bright future ahead of him.  At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our thoughts and prayers are with the Mota family in their time of grief.  The wrongful death of a loved one is a terribly tragedy that no family should be forced to endure. 

The specific crosswalk where this tragic accident occurred has been a concern for the St. Cecelia Church community for years.  Many churchgoers and community members have repeatedly expressed concerns that the crosswalk lacked proper markers, lighting and signage.  Saint Cecelia Pastor Jorge Ochoa has indicated that he had previously urged authorities to install signs and lights to make the crosswalk safer. 

Tragically, unsafe intersections frequently lead to fatal and severe pedestrian accidents.  Many factors can contribute to make an intersection unsafe.  For example, an unsafe intersection may lack adequate signage, be designed improperly or have improper phasing of traffic signals. 

Accidents that result from unsafe intersections usually require the filing of a claim against the state or municipal entity that is responsible for designing and/or maintaining the intersection.  There are strict deadlines and procedural requirements that must be followed when pursuing a claim against a public entity.  Accordingly, it is imperative that pedestrian accident victims and their families immediately contact an experienced pedestrian accident attorney to help protect their rights.   

If you or a loved one have experienced a pedestrian accident contact the dedicated legal team at Matiaisc Roth & Johnson LLP today.  We specialize in fighting for the rights of pedestrian accident victims in Southern California and throughout the State.  Call our office today for a free consultation and case evaluation.