Recent Blog Posts in April 2011

As an elderly couple took their usual stroll in northeast Bakersfield, a truck veered off the road and hit them both, killing one while seriously injuring the other.

According to Bakersfield police, a truck driven by Oscar Jiminez, 45, was heading east on Auburn in his Ford F150 when he travelled over the center divider and onto the sidewalk. It was there that he struck the 70-year-old man and the 80-year-old woman walking along.

The truck came to a stop in a residential yard on Auburn Street, but not before it had dislodged the male pedestrian. His body had been dragged for at least 100 feet, contributing to his death. While both victims were taken to Kern Medical Center, only the woman was able to leave later this week.

Jiminez now faces a charge of driving on a suspended license; it is unclear as to whether he was also impaired at the time of the pedestrian accident. Police are still conducting an investigation into the crash.

If you have recently become injured in a pedestrian accident, now is the time to speak with a personal injury lawyer.

Police have released the identity of the truck driver killed in an accident in Saline County, IL last week: Bradley L. Conkle, 49, of Rosaclaire, IL.

The truck accident happened early Monday morning on Route 34, just north of Raleigh Road. Conkle was driving a dump truck filled with coal when he lost control of the vehicle on a curve, causing the truck to overturn. To make matters worse, the overturned vehicle was then struck by another dump truck going north.

That truck drove off the road and rolled onto its side, causing minor injuries to driver Danny Brown. Yet another truck heading south hit the first overturned truck, driven by James Farmer. Both Brown and Farmer were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Officers with the Illinois State Police Accident Reconstructionist Commercial Vehicle department are still investigating the early morning truck accident.

If you have been recently injured in a truck accident, call a personal injury lawyer today to get the legal help you need and deserve.

A drunk driving accident shook the small community of Gulfport last week when it took the life of the police chief's daughter.

The suspect, Darrell Blappert Jr., is being held on $1 million bond. According to witness testimony told to Justice Court Judge Bruce Strong, Blappert was exceeding the speed limit, traveling nearly 80 mph, and doing so while drinking.

He has since been charged with felony DUI causing death for taking the life of De Anna Tucker, 29, who was pinned between a parked vehicle and her own as a result. She had just finished buckling her 5-year-old son into the car after exiting the bridal shop. Later reports show that Blappert's blood-alcohol level was 0.14, almost double the state limit. De Anna, the police chief's daughter, was supposed to be wed that following weekend. Chief Alan Weatherford added that, "It's tough. As any family who has been through this would know, it's hard to comprehend if you have not lost a child."

If you were hurt during a drunk driving accident, don't wait to enlist the services of a personal injury attorney.

Allegations of sexual abuse are now being investigated at a Norfolk-based treatment center for troubled youth.

The Pines Residential Treatment Center is now under scrutiny by Virginia licensing investigators who received a complaint from a young boy from North Carolina. The Pines actually has several treatment centers, but the Norfolk center has started withdrawing the 113 residents until the investigation has come to a close.

A spokeswoman for the facility has responded to the alleged abuse, saying that it was a "peer-to-peer" incident. A call last week to the North Carolina Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services began the investigation, right after the alleged victim was released. However, preliminary reports are not showing any evidence-based proof of the abuse to provide credibility to the charges.

Has someone you love been harmed by sexual abuse? If so, call a personal injury lawyer today start discussing your loved one's legal rights.

After accidentally taking the life of a nine-year-old girl, Damien Ellis will spend two-and-a-half years in jail.

The 35-year-old was operating a jetski in a dangerous and reckless manner off of Bribie Island in 2007, causing both the young girl and a ten-year-old boy to be thrown off of the back. While the boy was seriously injured, the young girl did lose her life.  

Ellis went before the Brisbane District Court and entered a plea of guilty to dangerous operation of a watercraft causing death and grievous bodily harm, as well as unlicensed operation of a jetski. 

The judge informed Ellis that his sentence will be suspended after six months.

If you or someone you love was injured during a jetski accident, it is advised that you consult with a personal injury attorney so you have a better understanding of your legal options.  By working with a lawyer, you will also learn whether or not you can seek compensation for accident.

Police have finally charged a man for the drunk driving accident that occurred in China Spring last month.

Teddy Jay Williams has been formally charged with intoxication assault for the accident that occurred on March 23rd. On that day Williams was driving on China Spring Highway when he hit a Saturn driven by Tiffany Jane Colson. While Williams was thrown out of his own truck, and later taken to Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center for head injuries, Colson was treated for a broken ankle. 

Once Williams was released from the hospital, he was taken into custody by local officers. His bond has been set at $10,000 for the charge of intoxication assault. 

If you have recently been injured in a drunk driving accident, now is the right time to discuss your legal options with a personal injury lawyer in your state of residence.

A motorcycle accident took the life of one and injured another last weekend in California.

According to California Highway Patrol Officer Monica Posada, both the motorcyclist and the vehicle were traveling in the eastbound lanes of the 10 Freeway when they crashed just west of the 405 Freeway. All but one of the lanes of 405 were closed to allow officers to fully investigate the crash.

By Sunday night the identity of the motorcyclist had yet to be released, nor are police discussing the details of the crash. 

Have you recently been injured in a motorcycle accident? Do you have unpaid medical bills and time lost from work? If so, you need to call a personal injury lawyer today to start discussing your legal options. When someone causes you undue pain and suffering, it is your legal right to seek appropriate legal action.  Don't hesitate to get a lawyer involved in your case!

A Texas community is applauding the 75-year sentence that a sexual offender from Oklahoma. 

After being charged with aggravated sexual assault against a mentally disabled person, 32-year-old Steven Wayne Morgan was found guilty by a jury in New Boston this week. The victim, a 29-year-old male, told the court that Morgan contacted him several times before picking him up outside of a floral shop, about 150 miles east of Dallas. 

Morgan transported the victim to a mobile home and committed sexual abuse against him; he finished by threatening to shoot the victim if he told anybody. Luckily, DNA evidence was able to pin Morgan down as the perpetrator.

Just six years earlier Morgan received ten years of probation after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl from Oklahoma. 

If you have been the victim of sexual abuse and would like to take legal action, it is advised that you hire a personal injury attorney.

A wrongful death lawsuit was settled this week between the family of a teenager and the two people they hold responsible for her death.

Taylor Meyer had attended several parties back in October 2008, drinking alcohol even though she was underage. She was in the company of Paige and Brian Zuzick, who bought her rum and encouraged her drinking that night. 

Although the exact details of the wrongful death suit have not been disclosed to the public, an attorney for the Meyer family commented that since the Zuzicks showed extreme remorse for their actions, the settlement was finally agreed to.

When you lose someone you love, the pain can be terrible. However, if you believe that it was a wrongful death, you are likely to be filled with much stronger emotions. Take action by consulting with a personal injury lawyer now to learn more about your legal options.

A little girl was killed and ten more injured when a school bus collided with a tractor-trailer in rural Mississippi last week.

According to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, fog is most likely to blame for the bus accident that happened on Mississippi Highway 450. The truck driver apparently saw the school bus but was unable to stop in time to avoid the accident. This resulted in the death of Taliyah McRoy, a fifth-grade student at McEvans School. Superintendent Cedrick Ellis said that her death was a blow since "It is a very small community, a very tight community. When something happens, especially a tragedy like this, it really affects the entire community." 

Four more students were flown to local hospitals while four others were taken by ambulance to be treated. Although the condition of the students is still unknown, at least one is said to be in critical condition. The students on the bus at that time ranged in age from kindergarten all the way to high school.

If you have been injured in a bus accident then you need a personal injury lawyer working on your case.

When a pickup truck turned into the path of their motorcycle, James Hudson and wife Mary Hudson lost their lives. 

The two were traveling down U.S. 192 in Osceola County when 22-year-old Ashley Williams turned directly into their path. Although Williams was treated for her minor injuries at a local hospital, doctors were unable to held James, 55, and Mary, 56. 

At this time the Florida Highway Patrol investigative unit is still looking into the case. Charges are pending but are likely to be issued against Williams at a later date. 

Have you recently become injured in a motorcycle accident? If so, you do not need to worry any more about unpaid medical bills and time lost from work. Call a personal injury lawyer today to learn how you can not only take charge of your current situation and change your future. It is possible to sue for your motorcycle accident and win, but only with the help of an aggressive personal injury attorney.

An interesting case goes before the Indiana Supreme Court this week to decide the fate of a dog bite.

The case involves Misty Davis, a resident of the city of Evansville, on behalf of her 6-year-old son Shawn. She is suing the city, claiming that animal control officers knew that the Rottweiler that attacked her son was dangerous and failed to sanction its owners properly.  The city has a dangerous animal ordinance under which Davis believes the owners should have been warned.

While the trial judge agreed that the city was immune to Davis' lawsuit, an appeals court overturned this  decision back in August. It is now up to the Indiana Supreme Court to decide the fate of Davis versus the city of Evansville.

Are you the victim of a dog bite? If the canine is not your own then you could sue the owner under local and state ordinances. However, before you take any measures, it is important that you discuss your case with a personal injury lawyer.