Serious Injuries

Big Rig crash shuts down Sonoma highway

A high-speed crash involving a big rig and two other vehicles shut down traffic in both directions  on State Highway 121 in Sonoma County early Tuesday, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The collision was first reported at about 5:30 a.m. on section of the highway just east of Eighth Street in unincorporated Sonoma County south of the city of Sonoma, CHP officials said.

A big rig, pickup truck and car were involved in the accident that left all three heavily damaged. Several people suffered moderate injuries in the crash, authorities said.

Cause of the Sonoma Accident

The cause of the April 24th crash remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.  While it is uncertain whether driver negligence, distracted and unsafe driving caused or contributed to this tragic accident, the victim’s family would be well-advised to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer.  An experienced and knowledgeable lawyer can advise the victim’s  family of their legal rights and best course of action to recover the compensation he is entitled to for medical care expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, or other related damages in this terrible  accident.

Liability for  Serious Injuries in Car Accidents

Seeking immediate counsel from an experienced  automobile accident attorney is well-advised following a car crash. In severe accidents such as this one the victims would benefit from speaking to an experienced personal injury lawyer regarding the protection of their legal rights and the compensation they are entitled to. And while it is uncertain who is liable for this incident, an attorney can also hire a highly skilled independent investigator to reconstruct the scene of the accident and determine who is responsible.

Attorney Gary A Kessler and the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler are compassionate and fully understand that you are attempting to cope with extreme serious injuries associated with a catastrophic injury.  The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler carefully selects its catastrophic injury cases so that we may give you (the client) the substantial personal attention necessary to obtain a successful result for your catastrophic injury case.

Fiery Crash Snarls Traffic on PCH

Two people were hurt in a fiery head-on crash that prompted the closure of Pacific Coast Highway on Tuesday.

The crash was reported at 5:09 p.m. Tuesday on Pacific Coast Highway at Tuna Canyon Road, and at least one vehicle caught fire, according to Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Tony Imbrenda.

One person was critically injured and another suffered moderate injuries, Imbrenda said. Both were taken to a hospital for treatment.

A Los Angeles County helicopter was sent to the scene, but was tied up briefly at another crash in the 29000 block of Cuthbert Road in Malibu, he said.

Major traffic delays were expected in the area, Brad Davis of Malibu’s City Manager Office.

Liability for  Serious Injuries in Car Accidents

Seeking immediate counsel from an experienced Los Angeles automobile accident attorney is well-advised following a car crash. In severe accidents such as this one the victims would benefit from speaking to an experienced personal injury lawyer regarding the protection of their legal rights and the compensation they are entitled to. And while it is uncertain who is liable for this incident, an attorney can also hire a highly skilled independent investigator to reconstruct the scene of the accident and determine who is responsible.

Attorney Gary A Kessler and the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler are compassionate and fully understand that you are attempting to cope with extreme serious injuries associated with a catastrophic injury.  The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler carefully selects its catastrophic injury cases so that we may give you (the client) the substantial personal attention neccessary to obtain a successful result for your catastrophic injury case.

The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler is prepared to front all costs required for a thorough investigation and top expert witnesses to prepare for trial of your case.  As in all catastrophic injury and serious personal injury cases, we advance all legal costs to prepare and present our client’s claim, and receive for our services only a percentage of what we recover for our attorney fees on their behalf.  Upon settlement our costs shall be reimbursed to us from the gross recovery.  If there is no recovery, no attorneys fees or costs are owed to our firm.  Contact the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler today so that we can preserve the evidence and demand compensation and accountability from the responsible parties who caused you or your family member catastrophic injuries!

If you or a family member sustained catastrophic injuries you need to contact the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler, an experienced law firm, immediately to protect your legal rights and preserve the evidence.  The laws and time limitations can be complex so protect your legal rights by contacting the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler today.

Coroner identifies two killed in collision

The coroner’s office on Saturday identified the two people who died in a Friday night collision in the 5800 block of Fairfax Road.

Aubrey La Jonte Crofton, 19, died at 9:21 p.m. in Kern Medical Center’s emergency room, and Angelo Reyes, 14, died at the scene of the 8:29 p.m. crash, according to coroner’s office news releases.

The people who died were in a 1990s Honda Accord along with two other men, one of whom suffered minor injuries and the other who was in critical condition, according to a Bakersfield Police Department news release. Their names were pending confirmation.

Argast said it’s too soon to say who was driving and who was a passenger.

Terri Papadakis, 47, who was driving the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero involved in the collision, was taken to a hospital with minor injuries, the BPD news release said.

Cause of the Bakersfield Crash

The cause of the crash is under investigation, and it’s not known if alcohol or drugs were involved, according to the BPD news release .Bakersfield Police Department Sgt. Graydon Argast said collisions like this can take several weeks to investigate and contact all witnesses.

 

Liability for  Serious Injuries and Wrongful Death in Car Accidents

Seeking immediate counsel from an experienced Bakersfield automobile accident attorney is well-advised following a car crash. In severe accidents such as this one the victims would benefit from speaking to an experienced personal injury lawyer regarding the protection of their legal rights and the compensation they are entitled to. And while it is uncertain who is liable for this incident, an attorney can also hire a highly skilled independent investigator to reconstruct the scene of the accident and determine who is responsible.

Attorney Gary A Kessler and the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler are compassionate and fully understand that you are attempting to cope with extreme serious injuries associated with a catastrophic injury.  The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler carefully selects its catastrophic injury cases so that we may give you (the client) the substantial personal attention neccessary to obtain a successful result for your catastrophic injury case.

The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler is prepared to front all costs required for a thorough investigation and top expert witnesses to prepare for trial of your case.  As in all catastrophic injury and serious personal injury cases, we advance all legal costs to prepare and present our client’s claim, and receive for our services only a percentage of what we recover for our attorney fees on their behalf.  Upon settlement our costs shall be reimbursed to us from the gross recovery.  If there is no recovery, no attorneys fees or costs are owed to our firm.  Contact the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler today so that we can preserve the evidence and demand compensation and accountability from the responsible parties who caused you or your family member catastrophic injuries!

If you or a family member sustained catastrophic injuries you need to contact the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler, an experienced law firm, immediately to protect your legal rights and preserve the evidence.  The laws and time limitations can be complex so protect your legal rights by contacting the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler today.

 


 

Woman killed, 4 injured in South Gate 710 Freeway crash

 

SOUTH GATE – A woman was killed and four people were hurt Monday morning when her Honda Accord collided with an SUV on the northbound Long Beach (710) Freeway in South Gate, authorities said.

The accident occurred on the northbound Long Beach Freeway where it crosses over the Los Angeles River, between Imperial Highway and Firestone Boulevard, and was reported at 1:17 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.

The woman died at the scene. She was Vanessa Segarra, 28, of Van Nuys, said coroner’s Assistant Chief Ed Winter.

The CHP shut down the northbound Long Beach Freeway to allow an investigation to take place and reopened it at around 4:45 a.m., said CHP Officer Anthony Martin.

Vanessa Segarra’s Accord collided with was a Dodge Nitro, a news photographer reported from the scene.
Three of the injured were transported to hospitals, said Los Angeles County Fire Department supervising dispatcher Rey Dong. One patient was treated and released at the scene.

Cause of the South Gate Crash

Based on the limited information released by news sources it is unclear exactly what happened. The accident is still under investigation by the California Highway Patrol and an official determination of the cause of the Los Angeles  County  crash has not been made.

Automobile Collisions and Wrongful Death Liability

While the accident on April 16th remains under investigation, the   family members of the victim would be well-advised to seek immediate consultation from an experienced wrongful death lawyer. An experienced attorney can advise the victims of their legal rights and decide the best course of action in recovering the maximum compensation for their injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Also, in unique and complex situations such as this one, an attorney can hire a highly skilled independent investigator to reconstruct the scene of the accident to determine who is at fault.

The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler is a prominent and highly respected law firm in California and the United States.  Gary A Kessler has been serving the people as an experienced wrongful death attorney for over twenty years dedicated and committed to obtaining the best results for his clients in each and every case.  Through experience and education, our firm is able to expertly evaluate complex medical injuries and pursue wrongful death claims.

The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler has a sustaining record of outstanding results for their client’s wrongful death cases throughout California.  Our firm specializes in difficult automobile vs. tractor-trailer rig(s), collision cases, uninsured motorists cases, rollover accident cases, bus and train collision litigation, defective product liabilty litigation, boating collision death cases, boating capsizing and drowning cases, backyard pool drownings, jacuzzi spa drownings, association and community pool drownings, accidental shootings, tractor-trailer and commercial vehicle fatality, fuel tank fire cases and wrongful death cases.

The term “wrongful death” is defined as the death of an individual as a result of the negligence, carelessness, intentional act of another individual, corporation, company or entity.  Filing a proper wrongful death claim is extremely difficult and complex for families because they are not only dealing with their grief over the death of a beloved family member, but also complex issues of compensation as well.  Wrongful death claims are usually sought after by relatives, siblings, or members of the decedent’s estate who have lost a considerable amount of money as well as loss of support and grief due to the wrongful death of the decedent.

In most states, if the death of a relative or spouse was caused by the wrongful act of another, surviving family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent party or parties.  In order to file a wrongful death claim, you must be able to prove that you will experience severe future emotional and financial hardship because of the loss of the death of a relative, family member or spouse.


 

Freeway wreck in Castro Valley injures two

Two women were injured, one critically, when the vehicles they were driving eastbound on Interstate 580 collided Saturday, the California Highway Patrol said.

Mira Hernandez, 27, of Oakland, suffered a fractured pelvis and facial fractures and was taken to Eden Hospital in Castro Valley after the Chrysler Sebring she was driving appeared to cut off a Jeep Cherokee driven by Patricia Brohard, 55, of Pleasanton, CHP officer Brian Adams said.

Brohard was driving about 65 mph in the far left lane, Adams said, when Hernandez appeared to steer the Chrysler Sebring to its left, crossing through one lane and then entering the No. 1 lane and colliding with the front of Brohard’s Jeep.

Both vehicles hit the concrete divider wall. Hernandez was unconscious when rescuers arrived, and Brohard was complaining of pain to her face, chest and ribs, and she had cuts to her face, Adams said. She was taken to Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Hayward.

The collision remains under investigation.

Liability for  Serious Injuries in Car Accidents

Seeking immediate counsel from an experienced Bay Area automobile accident attorney is well-advised following a car crash. In severe accidents such as this one the victims would benefit from speaking to an experienced personal injury lawyer regarding the protection of their legal rights and the compensation they are entitled to. And while it is uncertain who is liable for this incident, an attorney can also hire a highly skilled independent investigator to reconstruct the scene of the accident and determine who is responsible.

Attorney Gary A Kessler and the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler are compassionate and fully understand that you are attempting to cope with extreme serious injuries associated with a catastrophic injury.  The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler carefully selects its catastrophic injury cases so that we may give you (the client) the substantial personal attention neccessary to obtain a successful result for your catastrophic injury case.

The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler is prepared to front all costs required for a thorough investigation and top expert witnesses to prepare for trial of your case.  As in all catastrophic injury and serious personal injury cases, we advance all legal costs to prepare and present our client’s claim, and receive for our services only a percentage of what we recover for our attorney fees on their behalf.  Upon settlement our costs shall be reimbursed to us from the gross recovery.  If there is no recovery, no attorneys fees or costs are owed to our firm.  Contact the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler today so that we can preserve the evidence and demand compensation and accountability from the responsible parties who caused you or your family member catastrophic injuries!

If you or a family member sustained catastrophic injuries you need to contact the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler, an experienced law firm, immediately to protect your legal rights and preserve the evidence.  The laws and time limitations can be complex so protect your legal rights by contacting the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler today.

 

3-year-old Girl Mauled by Pit Bull Mastiff in Victorville

VICTORVILLE, Calif. (KTLA) — A 3-year-old girl is recovering after being mauled by a pit bull mastiff in Victorville on Sunday.

Hayleh Harger was transported by air to Loma Linda University Medical Center after the attack on Easter.

Doctors treated her with 100 stitches and staples in her head.

The dog was brought over to Harger’s house by a neighbor, who was watching the dog for someone else.

“When I turned around the dog was on top of her and he was growling,” Harger’s mother Debra told KTLA.

“I could barely see her underneath him,” Debra said. “Almost her whole head was in his mouth.”

“I just remember running toward her and cussing, and I just remember punching to dog in the face.”

The dog is currently being held at the Devore Animal Shelter.

Officials don’t know who owns the dog, and may euthanize the dog if the owner isn’t found.

Dog Attacks and personal injury liability

CALIFORNIA DOG BITE STATUTE SECTION 3342

Under California Law, it is no longer necessary for the Plaintiff to prove that the dog was known to be vicious or had a propensity to bite.  One bite alone is sufficient for liability.  Dog owners do not get a second chance in California.  They are liable for any injury their animals cause regardless of whether the animal had bitten anyone previously.  Under California Dog Bite Statute Section 3342 the Plaintiff must prove in a dog bite case the following:

  • Defendant owned the dog;
  • The dog bit the Plaintiff;
  • The Plaintiff was lawfully on the premises (express or implied consent to be on the premises) where the bite occured; and
  • Plaintiff sustained injuries from the dog bite.

What You Should Do If You Or A Loved One Has Been Bitten By A Dog:

  • Take pictures of your injuries immediately;
  • Consult law enforcement and request that a police report be made;
  • Keep copies of all medical bills and records;
  • Continue to take pictures of the bite(s) as the wounds heal;
  • Be sure that your doctor is qualified and determine if you are a candidate for plastic surgery to get rid of the scarring;
  • If an adult who is employed sustained injuries and lost wages, keep a record of economic loss.

WE WILL FIGHT FOR YOU!

Demand accountability from dog owners.  Settling dog bite claims can be difficult and complex.  Many times the insurance companies will play “hardball” if you try to settle the case yourself or you have employed a lawyer who does not have the litigation experience to handle such a case.  We at the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler have 20 years of litigation experience and we know how to handle the insurance companies.  We are prepared to front all of the costs required for the necessary investigations and expert witnesses needed to prepare your case for trial.  Are the other law firms you are considering willing to front all costs?

In a dog bite case, we advance all legal costs to prepare and present our client’s claim, and receive a percentage of the settlement or verdict  of what we recover for our attorney’s fees on their behalf.  Upon settlement our costs shall be reimbursed to us from the gross recovery.  If there is no recovery, no attorney’s fees or costs are owed to our firm.  Thus, in all personal injury cases, our fees are recovered as a percentage of any settlement or verdict awarded to our clients.

Contact the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler today so that we can preserve the evidence and demand compensation and accountability from the responsible parties who caused you or your family member catastrophic injuries!

If you or a family member sustained serious dog bite injuries contact the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler, an experienced law firm, immediately to protect your legal rights and preserve the evidence.

California Dog Bite Injury Liability Under  California Civil Code 3342: “The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten  by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owners knowledge of such viciousness.”
After a dog attack such as this, the injured party (or his representatives) would be well advised to speak with an experienced California dog bite lawyer about the incident and their legal rights to hold the owner of the dog accountable for all expenses as well as pain and suffering as a result of the dog attack.

 

2011 statistics

  • 31 U.S. fatal dog attacks occurred in 2011. Despite being regulated in Military Housing Areas and over 650 U.S. cities, pit bulls led these attacks accounting for 71% (22). Pit bulls make up less than 5% of the total U.S. dog population.2
  • Notably in 2011, adult victims of fatal pit bull attacks more than doubled the number of child victims. Of the 22 total pit bull victims, 68% (15) fell between the ages of 32 to 76, and 32% (7) were ages 5 years and younger.
  • The year 2011 also marks an increase in pet pit bulls killing their owners. Of the 8 total instances this year in which a family dog inflicted fatal injury to its primary caretaker, the dog’s owner, 88% (7) involved pet pit bulls.
  • Together, pit bulls (22) and rottweilers (4), the number two lethal dog breed, accounted for 84% of all fatal attacks in 2011. In the 7-year period from 2005 to 2011, this same combination accounted for 73% (156) of the total recorded deaths (213).
  • The breakdown between pit bulls and rottweilers is substantial over this 7-year period. From 2005 to 2011, pit bulls killed 127 Americans,3 about one citizen every 20 days, versus rottweilers, which killed 29; about one citizen every 88 days.
  • Annual data from 2011 shows that 58% (18) of the attacks occurred to adults (21 years and older) and 42% (13) occurred to children (11 years and younger). Of the children, 62% (8) occurred to ages 1 and younger.
  • 2011 data also shows that 39% (12) of the fatal incidents involved more than one dog; 26% (8) involved breeding on the dog owner’s property either actively or in the recent past, and 6% (2) involved tethered dogs, down from 9% in 2010 and 19% in 2009.
  • Dog ownership information for 2011 shows that family dogs comprised 65% (20) of the attacks that resulted in death; 74% (23) of all incidents occurred on the dog owner’s property and 29% (9) resulted in criminal charges, up from 15% in 2010.
  • The states of California and Texas led fatalities in 2011, each with 4 deaths; pit bulls and their mixes contributed to 88% (7) of the 8 deaths. North Carolina, New Mexico, South Carolina and Virginia each incurred 2 deaths.
  • 2011 Fatal Dog attacks by breed

.

One dead, two injured in crash on Highway 119

 

One man was killed when a pickup crashed into a big rig on Highway 119 at Tupman Road  near Taft, Ca.  just after midnight Saturday, the California Highway Patrol reported.
The  man who died in the midnight crash was a passenger in the pickup.
The Kern County Coroner has identified the man killed in a crash on Highway 119 at Tupman Road early Saturday as Rudy Pineda, 33, of Rialto.
The pickup driver and driver of the truck were both hospitalized.
The CHP said in a news release that  Jason S. Porschakin, 34, of Bude, Miss., was  northbound on Highway 119 approaching Tupman Road when his Dodge pickup drifted into the southbound lanes, then onto the shoulder and slammed into the passenger side of a  Kenworth tractor pulling a tanker that was stopped on Tupman Road at Highway 119 facing south.
The passenger was pronounced dead at the scene.
Porschakin suffered major injuries.
The tanker driver, Williams D. Galvan, 29, of Bakersfield, suffered minor injuries.
Porschakin and Galvan were taken to Kern Medical Center for treatment.

Cause of the Kern County Crash

As a passenger, the deceased likely could have done nothing to prevent this fatal  collision that ultimately took his life. The California Highway Patrol  will surely look at the speed of the vehicle, witness reports, and other factors to determine what occurred and who was responsible. Collisions such as this one can have countless causes, including unsafe passing maneuvers, swerving to avoid an object in the road, falling asleep at the wheel, driving under the influence, or driver distraction.CHP officials have released no information about the circumstances of the crash.

Automobile Collisions and Wrongful Death Liability

While the accident on April 7th remains under investigation, the   family members of the victim would be well-advised to seek immediate consultation from an experienced wrongful death lawyer. An experienced attorney can advise the victims of their legal rights and decide the best course of action in recovering the maximum compensation for their injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Also, in unique and complex situations such as this one, an attorney can hire a highly skilled independent investigator to reconstruct the scene of the accident to determine who is at fault.

The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler is a prominent and highly respected law firm in California and the United States.  Gary A Kessler has been serving the people as an experienced wrongful death attorney for over twenty years dedicated and committed to obtaining the best results for his clients in each and every case.  Through experience and education, our firm is able to expertly evaluate complex medical injuries and pursue wrongful death claims.

The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler has a sustaining record of outstanding results for their client’s wrongful death cases throughout California.  Our firm specializes in difficult automobile vs. tractor-trailer rig(s), collision cases, uninsured motorists cases, rollover accident cases, bus and train collision litigation, defective product liabilty litigation, boating collision death cases, boating capsizing and drowning cases, backyard pool drownings, jacuzzi spa drownings, association and community pool drownings, accidental shootings, tractor-trailer and commercial vehicle fatality, fuel tank fire cases and wrongful death cases.

The term “wrongful death” is defined as the death of an individual as a result of the negligence, carelessness, intentional act of another individual, corporation, company or entity.  Filing a proper wrongful death claim is extremely difficult and complex for families because they are not only dealing with their grief over the death of a beloved family member, but also complex issues of compensation as well.  Wrongful death claims are usually sought after by relatives, siblings, or members of the decedent’s estate who have lost a considerable amount of money as well as loss of support and grief due to the wrongful death of the decedent.

In most states, if the death of a relative or spouse was caused by the wrongful act of another, surviving family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent party or parties.  In order to file a wrongful death claim, you must be able to prove that you will experience severe future emotional and financial hardship because of the loss of the death of a relative, family member or spouse.

Porterville woman suffers major injuries in 3-car crash

A Porterville woman sustained major injuries in a three-car collision near Poplar, the California Highway Patrol reported.

The crash happened Tuesday afternoon. Martin Salazar, 46, of Porterville was driving east on Avenue 152 approaching Road 208 in a Ford. David Myer, 51 of Porterville was westbound on the avenue in a Dodge. A Toyota driven by Randal Gibson, 52, of Porterville was stopped southbound on Road 208.

The CHP said Salazar turned left toward Road 208 in front of Myer and Myer collided with the side of the Ford, which then collided with the Toyota.

Salazar and Myer suffered minor injuries, but Patricial Myer, 64 of Porterville, a passenger in the Dodge, was hospitalized with the major injuries. Gibson was not injured.

Liability for  Serious Injuries in Car Accidents

Seeking immediate counsel from an experienced Bakersfield automobile accident attorney is well-advised following a car crash. In severe accidents such as this one the victims would benefit from speaking to an experienced personal injury lawyer regarding the protection of their legal rights and the compensation they are entitled to. And while it is uncertain who is liable for this incident, an attorney can also hire a highly skilled independent investigator to reconstruct the scene of the accident and determine who is responsible.

Attorney Gary A Kessler and the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler are compassionate and fully understand that you are attempting to cope with extreme serious injuries associated with a catastrophic injury.  The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler carefully selects its catastrophic injury cases so that we may give you (the client) the substantial personal attention neccessary to obtain a successful result for your catastrophic injury case.

The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler is prepared to front all costs required for a thorough investigation and top expert witnesses to prepare for trial of your case.  As in all catastrophic injury and serious personal injury cases, we advance all legal costs to prepare and present our client’s claim, and receive for our services only a percentage of what we recover for our attorney fees on their behalf.  Upon settlement our costs shall be reimbursed to us from the gross recovery.  If there is no recovery, no attorneys fees or costs are owed to our firm.  Contact the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler today so that we can preserve the evidence and demand compensation and accountability from the responsible parties who caused you or your family member catastrophic injuries!

If you or a family member sustained catastrophic injuries you need to contact the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler, an experienced law firm, immediately to protect your legal rights and preserve the evidence.  The laws and time limitations can be complex so protect your legal rights by contacting the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler today.

 

 

Converted bus rolls over in I-5 crash, injuring 9

A truck driver reaching for beef jerky hit a converted school bus with 10 people inside, causing the bus to roll over Tuesday on Interstate 5.

Nine people in the 1987 International Blue Bird bus were hurt. Three with moderate injuries were taken by ambulance to Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield.

The 39-year-old driver of the 2008 Kenworth truck, a resident of Lakewood, Fla., was uninjured and not arrested.

The crash occurred about 6 a.m. in western Kern County on I-5 just south of the Kings County line.

According to the CHP, the driver of the northbound truck “was inattentive to his driving by reaching for a pack of beef jerky,” causing the truck to hit the rear of the bus, which slid into the dirt median and overturned, the CHP said.

 The bus driver, a 23-year-old man from Phoenix, sustained minor injuries. The passengers, ages 22 to 46, are from Arizona, Texas and California.

Cause of the Bakersfield Big-Rig Accident on I-5

The terrible accident on April 3rd remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. However, if the information provided by the Kero 23 News and the Fresno Bee is accurate, the driver of the big-rig appears to be at fault for speeding and distracted driving.

Big-Rig accidents and serious injury liability

The laws regarding wrongful death/”trucking accident” cases are complex and include many facets of the law.  It is vital to surviving family members to seek the advice of an experienced wrongful death/”trucking accident” lawyer such as Gary A Kessler at the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler to protect your legal rights and those of your loved ones.

If you have been seriously injured or a family member sustained fatal injuries involving a tractor-trailer rig you need to contact the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler or another experienced law firm immediately to protect your rights and preserve the evidence.  The laws and time limitations can be complex so protect your legal rights by contacting the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler today.

 

 

 

2-year-old hurt in Oxnard pit bull attack

OXNARD, Calif. — Authorities say a pit bull attack in Ventura County has left a 2-year-old boy with major facial injuries.

The Ventura Star  says the boy was at a friend’s house in Oxnard Sunday afternoon and had food in his hand when the dog attacked him.

Police Cmdr. Ron Whitney says the dog’s owner threw it out of the house. It ran away and hasn’t been found.

Authorities say the boy suffered facial injuries but they are not life-threatening.

The dog’s owner was cited for animal control violations.

Dog Attacks and personal injury liability

CALIFORNIA DOG BITE STATUTE SECTION 3342

Under California Law, it is no longer necessary for the Plaintiff to prove that the dog was known to be vicious or had a propensity to bite.  One bite alone is sufficient for liability.  Dog owners do not get a second chance in California.  They are liable for any injury their animals cause regardless of whether the animal had bitten anyone previously.  Under California Dog Bite Statute Section 3342 the Plaintiff must prove in a dog bite case the following:

  • Defendant owned the dog;
  • The dog bit the Plaintiff;
  • The Plaintiff was lawfully on the premises (express or implied consent to be on the premises) where the bite occured; and
  • Plaintiff sustained injuries from the dog bite.

What You Should Do If You Or A Loved One Has Been Bitten By A Dog:

  • Take pictures of your injuries immediately;
  • Consult law enforcement and request that a police report be made;
  • Keep copies of all medical bills and records;
  • Continue to take pictures of the bite(s) as the wounds heal;
  • Be sure that your doctor is qualified and determine if you are a candidate for plastic surgery to get rid of the scarring;
  • If an adult who is employed sustained injuries and lost wages, keep a record of economic loss.

WE WILL FIGHT FOR YOU!

Demand accountability from dog owners.  Settling dog bite claims can be difficult and complex.  Many times the insurance companies will play “hardball” if you try to settle the case yourself or you have employed a lawyer who does not have the litigation experience to handle such a case.  We at the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler have 20 years of litigation experience and we know how to handle the insurance companies.  We are prepared to front all of the costs required for the necessary investigations and expert witnesses needed to prepare your case for trial.  Are the other law firms you are considering willing to front all costs?

In a dog bite case, we advance all legal costs to prepare and present our client’s claim, and receive a percentage of the settlement or verdict  of what we recover for our attorney’s fees on their behalf.  Upon settlement our costs shall be reimbursed to us from the gross recovery.  If there is no recovery, no attorney’s fees or costs are owed to our firm.  Thus, in all personal injury cases, our fees are recovered as a percentage of any settlement or verdict awarded to our clients.

Contact the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler today so that we can preserve the evidence and demand compensation and accountability from the responsible parties who caused you or your family member catastrophic injuries!

If you or a family member sustained serious dog bite injuries contact the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler, an experienced law firm, immediately to protect your legal rights and preserve the evidence.

California Dog Bite Injury Liability Under  California Civil Code 3342: “The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten  by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owners knowledge of such viciousness.”
After a dog attack such as this, the injured party (or his representatives) would be well advised to speak with an experienced California dog bite lawyer about the incident and their legal rights to hold the owner of the dog accountable for all expenses as well as pain and suffering as a result of the dog attack.

 

2011 statistics

  • 31 U.S. fatal dog attacks occurred in 2011. Despite being regulated in Military Housing Areas and over 650 U.S. cities, pit bulls led these attacks accounting for 71% (22). Pit bulls make up less than 5% of the total U.S. dog population.2
  • Notably in 2011, adult victims of fatal pit bull attacks more than doubled the number of child victims. Of the 22 total pit bull victims, 68% (15) fell between the ages of 32 to 76, and 32% (7) were ages 5 years and younger.
  • The year 2011 also marks an increase in pet pit bulls killing their owners. Of the 8 total instances this year in which a family dog inflicted fatal injury to its primary caretaker, the dog’s owner, 88% (7) involved pet pit bulls.
  • Together, pit bulls (22) and rottweilers (4), the number two lethal dog breed, accounted for 84% of all fatal attacks in 2011. In the 7-year period from 2005 to 2011, this same combination accounted for 73% (156) of the total recorded deaths (213).
  • The breakdown between pit bulls and rottweilers is substantial over this 7-year period. From 2005 to 2011, pit bulls killed 127 Americans,3 about one citizen every 20 days, versus rottweilers, which killed 29; about one citizen every 88 days.
  • Annual data from 2011 shows that 58% (18) of the attacks occurred to adults (21 years and older) and 42% (13) occurred to children (11 years and younger). Of the children, 62% (8) occurred to ages 1 and younger.
  • 2011 data also shows that 39% (12) of the fatal incidents involved more than one dog; 26% (8) involved breeding on the dog owner’s property either actively or in the recent past, and 6% (2) involved tethered dogs, down from 9% in 2010 and 19% in 2009.
  • Dog ownership information for 2011 shows that family dogs comprised 65% (20) of the attacks that resulted in death; 74% (23) of all incidents occurred on the dog owner’s property and 29% (9) resulted in criminal charges, up from 15% in 2010.
  • The states of California and Texas led fatalities in 2011, each with 4 deaths; pit bulls and their mixes contributed to 88% (7) of the 8 deaths. North Carolina, New Mexico, South Carolina and Virginia each incurred 2 deaths.
  • 2011 Fatal Dog attacks by breed

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