Arrest made in Oceanside Hit-and-Run that Injured a Young Boy

/ / Blog

Breaking News – February 27, 2020 – Arrest made in Hit-and-Run Incident that Injured a 12 year-old boy in Vista

An Oceanside man was arrested on suspicion of a hit-and-run that injured a 12 year-old boy in Vista on February 25, 2020.  Officers were responding to a tip provided through the San Diego County Crime Stoppers hotline.  The suspect was driving a 2016 white Toyota sedan and sustained front-end damage in the incident according to descriptions provided by witnesses. The suspect was booked into the Vista Detention Facility on suspicion of felony hit-and-run according to officers involved.

The young boy was struck in the 1000 block of Mar Vista Drive on the border of Vista and an unincorporated area of San Diego County about 4:45 p.m. Tuesday February 26, 2020.  The young victim was air-lifted to Rady Children’s Hospital for treatment of injuries to his right leg and abrasions to his face.

Sadly, tragedies like these occur due to the negligence of inattentive and distracted drivers frequently in San Diego County.  For over 20 years Skolnick Law Group has represented injured victims in car accident cases and hit-and-run incidents throughout San Diego County to recover substantial compensation for the wrongs that negligent drivers have inflicted on their victims.

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3 dead, 18 injured in Bus Rollover Accident I-15 on Saturday February 22, 2020

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BREAKING NEWS: 3 FATALITIES AND 18 INJURED VICTIMS IN BUS CRASH ON I-15 IN NORTH SAN DIEGO COUNTY 

A tragic bus rollover incident occurred on Interstate 15 on Saturday February 22, 2020 resulting in 3 fatalities and 18 others injured when a bus rolled over several times on southbound Interstate 15, south of state Route 76 in Pala Mesa, according to North County Fire reports. The incident occurred at approximately 10:30 a.m.. Emergency response crews consisting of the CHP, Camp Pendleton, CalFire, Pala Mesa, Vista and Oceanside arrived on the scene to assist injured victims and those ejected from the bus during the crash. The bus was found on its roof and in danger of sliding further down an embankment. The injured victims have been transported to local hospitals while crash investigators begin gathering forensic evidence on how the crash occurred.

At the Skolnick Law Group, we are Oceanside attorneys ready to obtain substantial compensation for injured victims and grieving families of those who have lost their loved ones due to the negligence of others in tragedies like the I-15 bus rollover accident on February 22, 2020.

$300,000 – Oceanside Car Crash with 4 Injured Victims

/ / Blog, Results

$300,000 recovered for 4 women injured in a collision

Suzanne Skolnick in association with Russell Kohn of the Kohn Law Office recovered the full $300,000 policy limit for 4 injured victims in an Oceanside car crash.  Several of the injured victims had Medi-Cal coverage that significantly reduced the medical expenses that could be claimed, however, Suzanne Skolnick was able to successfully argue the severity of each woman’s pain and suffering damages in order to force the insurance company to pay its full policy limit.

 

$250,000 Uninsured Motorist Settlement (Policy Limit)

/ / Blog, Results

$250,000 recovered for victim with pre-existing back injury

$250,000 was recovered on behalf of a 45 year old woman for a severe rear-end collision caused by an uninsured motorist.  Although the injured victim had a pre-existing back injury, Suzanne Skolnick of the Skolnick Law Group was able to persuasively argue that the victim’s pre-existing symptoms were exacerbated by the collision and would require a future back surgery.  The uninsured motorist insurance carrier agreed to pay their full policy limit.  In an interesting twist, Skolnick Law Group was only hired after the statute of limitations had already run on the claim, which would ordinarily mean that the injured victim would not be able to obtain any recovery.  However, after Skolnick Law Group investigated the facts, it was determined that the insurance company had failed to ever inform their insured about the statute of limitations, which they are required to do by law.  The insurance company’s attempt to trick their insured out of her uninsured motorist coverage backfired though and Skolnick Law Group was able to get the insurance company to pay the full $250,000 policy limit.

$175,000 Recovered for 82 Year Old Woman

/ / Blog, Results

$175,000 settlement after dog knocks down an elderly woman

Skolnick Law Group in association with Kohn Law Office obtained a $175,000 settlement with a homeowner’s insurance company after the homeowner’s dog escaped in the front yard and knocked an 82 year old woman to the ground injuring her hip.  The victim required a hip surgery.  The insurance company attempted to dispute causation by arguing that the victim’s hip was likely degenerating even before the incident occurred.  Ultimately, Suzanne Skolnick convinced the insurance company to settle for $175,000.

 

$100,000 Policy Limit Settlement for Motorcyclist

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$100,000 recovered for a motorcyclist who the police officer stated was at fault for the collision

Suzanne Skolnick of the Skolnick Law Group recovered the full $100,000 policy limit for an injured motorcycle rider who the investigating officer at the scene of the collision placed at fault for the collision.  This case is an example of how Skolnick Law Group fights hard for clients, even in those cases that appear hopeless because a police officer pins fault on the injured victim.  Suzanne Skolnick also fought hard to reduce the health insurance company’s claim for reimbursement by negotiating a reduction in the reimbursement amount of over $110,000.

Establishing Liability in California Trucking Accidents Caused by Roadway Hazards in Southern California

/ / Blog, Trucking Accident Articles

Roadway hazards are responsible for a significant number of trucking accidents; when you consider that a truck traveling at 60 mph requires a full football field length to come to a complete stop, you can see how an unexpected roadway hazard could be responsible for a serious or fatal trucking accident. Many commercial vehicles also drive too fast for current roadway conditions. Even a few miles of excess speed above the posted speed limit can result in a serious truck accident since most trucks (due to their size and weight) cannot stop in time to avoid certain roadway hazards. The most common roadway hazards include the following:

  • Inclement weather conditions such as wet or icy roads can cause a truck to be involved in a serious accident, particularly when the driver does not take the weather and road conditions into account, decreasing the speed accordingly.
  • Debris on the road, including the sand used on snowy and icy roads or road litter can threaten the truck driver’s ability to safely navigate the large truck.
  • Uneven roadways or potholes in the road can trigger a truck accident, particularly in an overloaded truck or one being driven by an inexperienced truck driver.
  • Pedestrians who cross the street unexpectedly in front of a large truck can cause the trucker to hit the brakes hard, resulting in a potential jackknife or rollover. Children are also extremely unpredictable, and in city conditions can dart across the road, leaving the truck driver few good options.
  • On more rural roads animals on the roadways are a distinct hazard. Should the truck driver swerve to avoid hitting the animal, a severe collision can occur.

Determining Liability in Trucking Accidents

California trucking accident cases are often complex since they may involve a number of responsible parties, including:

  • The Truck Driver – The determination of liability following a trucking collision whether caused by roadway hazards or other issues can be difficult because of the number of potential defendants. Perhaps the truck driver was the liable party. The driver could have been distracted, fatigued from driving too many hours, inexperienced, or could be driving under the influence. Since the trucker’s livelihood is totally dependent upon the speed with which he or she delivers the loads, many truck drivers continue to drive long after federal regulations mandate they stop and rest. Truck drivers who routinely keep two sets of logbooks are fairly common; the trucking companies are aware of this practice, but have little interest in stopping it as the quicker loads are delivered, the more money they make.
  • The Trucking Company – The vast majority of truck drivers work for large trucking companies who have a responsibility to the other drivers on the road to only hire experienced drivers with a clean driving record. Background checks should be mandatory, and a trucking company should never allow an inexperienced truck driver to get behind the wheel of a large commercial truck. The truck driver must be thoroughly trained in regular truck maintenance and must have the mental and physical strength to be a safe driver.
  • A Third Party – Depending on the circumstances, it could be that an outside company is liable for a trucking accident. Most trucking companies employ third-parties to load trucks, secure cargo and perform routine maintenance. If an accident is the result of poorly secured cargo, then the company who was responsible for loading the truck may be liable for the accident. If the accident is the result of faulty brakes or tires, then the company responsible for truck maintenance could be held liable. Even the manufacturer of the truck could be held responsible for a trucking accident if it is found that a part on the truck was defective and caused the accident.

Contact the Skolnick Law Group Now for Superior Personal Injury Representation!

At the Skolnick Law Group, Attorney Skolnick will fight tirelessly for the compensation you deserve. She will also take the time necessary to answer all of your questions, guide you through the legal process, and assist you in making informed decisions about your case. Attorney Skolnick serves clients in Carlsbad, Encinitas, Vista, Oceanside, San Marcos and throughout North County San Diego. To learn more about the firm’s comprehensive legal services, contact Skolnick Law Group at (760) 585-7092, or, feel free to visit us online to schedule your free and completely confidential initial consultation. Suzanne Skolnick also offers evening and weekend appointments available, and will also visit you at home in the event you can’t come to her office. For the personal attention and aggressive representation you need, contact Attorney Skolnick today.

The 411 on Rear End Accidents & Whiplash Injuries in California

/ / Blog, Car Accident Articles

Many people today associate the word “whiplash” with a fraudulent injury dreamed up by an individual attempting to seek financial gain at another’s expense.  This is largely due to the fact that whiplash injuries can be extremely difficult to diagnose and, has often been overdramatized in the media.  The term whiplash is generally associated with any injury to the soft tissue of the cervical spine including muscles, nerves, ligaments and discs.  In truth, whiplash is a very real, very painful and potentially debilitating injury. In fact, research suggests that as many as 10% of all whiplash injuries can lead to permanent disability with chronic pain and other serious conditions.  With this in mind, it is important to understand how most whiplash injuries are caused, the symptoms associated therewith, the ways of diagnosing and treating whiplash, and its potential long terms effects.  Considering the following:

What Happens During a Rear End Accident that Causes Whiplash?

During a relatively low-speed rear-impact collision, the front vehicle is pushed very rapidly forward from the initial impact. The automobile seat pushes the passenger’s body forward at the same rate of speed, but because the head lacks the same support as the body, the neck is compressed and there is a rapid forward bending (much like the snap of a whip) of the neck followed by an equally rapid backward bend. This “snapping” motion occurs before the head actually makes contact with the seat’s head restraint.

This violent snapping motion can not only force the vertebrae from normal positions, it can lead to serious levels of pain which radiate through the entire upper body and can greatly reduce range of motion. The level of injury will depend on the size of both vehicles, the speed of the collision, the type of headrests installed in the vehicle and whether they were properly adjusted for the driver or passengers, awareness of the impending collision and the prior medical condition of those involved.

What are the Symptoms of Whiplash?

The most common symptoms of whiplash include the following:

  • stiffness or tenderness in the neck area
  • chronic headaches
  • vertigo or dizziness
  • nausea, jaw pain
  • shoulder or arm pain
  • vision blurriness or numbness
  • tingling in the back, shoulders or arms.

Particularly severe cases of whiplash can lead to memory loss, irritability, depression, insomnia, extreme fatigue, difficulty swallowing and other negative cognitive symptoms.

How are Whiplash Injuries in California Diagnosed and Treated?

While the injuries may not show up on x-rays, MRI’s or CT scans, a thorough patient history combined with a comprehensive physical exam can diagnose whiplash injuries. Pain medication, anti-inflammatory drugs, and muscle relaxants may be the only treatment available to those with whiplash injuries, although chiropractic care can offer positive results for many.

What are the Potential Long Term Effects of Whiplash?

In some cases, once the soft tissue of the neck is injured, the patient’s health may never be restored to anything resembling “normal” again.  Severely injured soft tissue can generate pain for the rest of the patient’s life and damage done to the ligaments could cause arthritis conditions to develop even years later.

Contact the Skolnick Law Group Now for Superior Personal Injury Representation!

Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with whiplash as a result of a car accident?  At the Skolnick Law Group, Suzanne Skolnick will fight tirelessly for the compensation you deserve.  She will also take the time necessary to answer all of your questions, guide you through the legal process, and assist you in making informed decisions about your case.  Our law firm serves clients in Carlsbad, Encinitas, Vista, Oceanside, San Marcos and throughout North County San Diego. To learn more about the firm’s comprehensive legal services, contact us at (760) 405-4397, or, feel free to visit us online to schedule your free and completely confidential initial consultation. Attorney Skolnick also offers evening and weekend appointments available, and will also visit you at home in the event you can’t come to us.  For the personal attention and aggressive representation you need, contact Skolnick Law Group today.

California Motorcycle Accident FAQs

/ / Blog, Motorcycle Accident Articles

Motorcyclists, more than any other on the road, are especially vulnerable to injury in California. Unfortunately, the safety of motorcyclists is often compromised by a number factors, including lack of protection from the elements and other vehicles/objects, and the inability for drivers to readily see them.  With this in mind, we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions by our clients in the hopes that it will help you determine whether filing a motorcycle accident claim is right for you.  Consider the following:

1.     I wasn’t wearing a motorcycle helmet.  Does that mean I cannot file a lawsuit against the person who hit me?

No.  Not wearing a helmet does not bear any weight on whether you can file a suit against a negligent party.  Meaning, if another person is at fault for your accident, not wearing a helmet will not bar your ability to recover.  Keep in mind however, that it may reduce the total amount of damages you can receive if not wearing a helmet caused your injuries.  While the State of California has a mandatory helmet law for all motorcyclists, it does not prevent people from bringing forth successful lawsuits against others who caused or contributed to their accident.

2.     What is the filing deadline for personal injury cases?

In California, victims of motorcycle accidents typically have two years from the date of their accident to file their lawsuit against responsible parties.  Also known as the statute of limitations, if you miss the applicable deadline, you may be unable to seek legal redress for your injuries.  Should you be involved in an accident with a government entity, the time period is 180 days from the date of the accident. Speaking to an experienced personal injury attorney can help you understand the scope of your rights and ensure your compliance with all applicable time frames and filing deadlines.

 3.     What documents do I need to give my attorney when we meet?

No matter what, you should provide your lawyer any and all information that pertains to your case.   These include police reports, which often contain key eye witness statements regarding the cause of your accident.  Additional documentation such as medical reports, medical bills, the opposing party’s insurance information, and any photographs or video footage of your accident and/or injuries may be extremely helpful in proving your case.

4.     What damages can I seek against the person who caused my injuries?

Intended to restore you to your pre-injury condition, motorcycle accident victims in California may generally seek three types of damages: pain and suffering, medical expenses, and loss wages.  If a motorcyclist is hit by an impaired or reckless driver, he or she may pursue punitive damages against the wrongdoer.  These are rare however, in certain limited circumstances such as the aforementioned, they can be recoverable.

  • 5.     Can I still collect damages for my motorcycle accident if my medical insurance paid for them?

Generally, yes. Under the Collateral Source Rule in California, you can still collect money for your medical expenses, even if they were covered by your health insurance or MEDPAY.  The same goes for loss time at work.  You can be compensated for this time even if your work despite being paid for it.

6.     Do I need an attorney to represent me, even if the at-fault driver’s insurance company wants to settle?

While there is no law requiring you to hire a lawyer, it is highly recommended that you do.  Not only are motorcycle accident attorneys especially qualified to handle motorcycle accident cases (which are often very complex), they also know how much you should be entitled to receive.  Specifically, insurance companies are well equipped with lawyers and accident investigators who will do everything and anything to reduce, if not deny, the amount of money you deserve for your damages.  As such, we recommend that you wait to accept a settlement offer until you speak with an attorney first.

Contact the Skolnick Law Group Now for Superior Personal Injury Representation!

If you or someone you know has been injured in a motorcycle accident in California, it is crucial that you hire an accident attorney experienced in handling these types of cases.  At the Skolnick Law Group we will fight tirelessly for the compensation you deserve.  We will also take the time necessary to answer all of your questions, guide you through the legal process, and assist you in making informed decisions about your case.  We serve clients in Carlsbad, Encinitas, Vista, Oceanside, San Marcos and throughout North County San Diego. To learn more about the firm’s comprehensive legal services, contact us at (760) 405-4397, or, feel free to visit us online to schedule your free and completely confidential initial consultation. We have evening and weekend appointments available, and will also visit you at home in the event you can’t come to us.  For the personal attention and aggressive representation you need, contact us today.

California Personal Injury FAQs

/ / Blog, Personal Injury Articles

When dealing with personal injuries, most people have a significant amount of questions and concerns regarding their legal rights.  At the Skolnick Law Group we have prevailed in countless accident cases in California, and believe that educating clients about their legal rights and options is key to our success. From day one, we take the time necessary to answer all of your questions, and also, guide you throughout the legal process.  With this in mind, we felt that it would be helpful to provide you with a list of the most frequently asked questions by our clients, which can assist you in deciding whether a personal injury case is right for you.  While the following does not constitute legal advice, it does serve as a primer on California personal injury law.  Consider the following:

1.     Do I have a viable personal injury claim? 

To file a viable personal injury claim, there are a number of requirements.  First, you must demonstrate that either you were injured or, you sustained damage to your property.  Second, you must further establish that said injuries or damage was caused by someone else’s intentional or negligent actions.  If successful, you may be able to obtain compensation for your injuries.

2.     What is the filing deadline for personal injury cases?

In California, victims of personal injuries typically have two years from the date of their accident to file their lawsuit against responsible parties.  Known as the statute of limitations, if you miss this deadline, you may forever be barred from recovering from your injuries.  Should you be involved in an accident with a government entity, the time period is 180 days from the date of the accident. Speaking to an experienced personal injury attorney can help you understand the scope of your rights and ensure your compliance with all applicable time frames and filing deadlines.

 3.     What documents do I need to give my attorney when we meet?

No matter what, you should provide your lawyer any and all information that pertains to your case.   These include police reports, which often contain key eye witness statements regarding the cause of your accident.  Additional documentation such as medical reports, medical bills, the opposing party’s insurance information, and any photographs or video footage of your accident and/or injuries may be extremely helpful in proving your case.

 4.     What is negligence?

Negligence is one of the main theories of liability that you can pursue against a person that caused your injuries.  Specifically, negligence pertains to when a person fails to act in a reasonably prudent manner to avoid causing harm to others.  The determination of whether a person’s actions were negligent is typically considered by a jury after the close of all evidence presented at trial.

5.     What damages can I seek against the person who caused my injuries?

Intended to restore you to your pre-injury condition, injury victims in California may seek three types of damages: pain and suffering, medical expenses, and loss wages.  If a person is hit by a drunk driver, or was injured due to assault and battery, he or she may pursue punitive damages against the wrongdoer.  These are rare however, in certain limited circumstances such as the aforementioned, they can be recoverable.

6.     Can I still collect damages if my medical insurance paid for them?

Generally, yes. Under the Collateral Source Rule in California, you can still collect money for your medical expenses, even if they were covered by your health insurance or MEDPAY.  The same goes for loss time at work.  You can be compensated for this time even if your work despite being paid for it.

7.     Do I need a personal injury attorney?

While California law does not require someone to seek legal representation, it is nonetheless recommended that they do so.  Only a seasoned personal injury attorney can assist you in determining the scope of your legal options, and help guide you throughout the pendency of your case. Also, insurance companies are crafty and well equipped at doing anything and everything to reduce the monetary value of your claim.  Do not accept a settlement offer of any kind without speaking with an attorney as to whether the proposed amount is fair and just in light of the facts of your case.

Contact the Skolnick Law Group Now for Superior Personal Injury Representation!

If you or someone you know has been injured in any type of accident in California, it is crucial that you hire an attorney experienced in handling these types of cases.  At the Skolnick Law Group, we will fight tirelessly for the compensation you deserve.  We will also take the time necessary to answer all of your questions, guide you through the legal process, and assist you in making informed decisions about your case.  We serve clients in Carlsbad, Encinitas, Vista, Oceanside, San Marcos and throughout North County San Diego. To learn more about the firm’s comprehensive legal services, contact us at (760) 405-4397, or, feel free to visit us online to schedule your free and completely confidential initial consultation. We have evening and weekend appointments available, and will also visit you at home in the event you can’t come to us.  For the personal attention and aggressive representation you need, contact us today.