Mar 20, 2019 | By Michael Beliz | Read Time: 2minutes
SAN LUIS OBISPO (March 20, 2019) – Two people were seriously injured Monday evening in a single vehicle crash along Highway 101, south of San Luis Obispo. The driver of the vehicle lost control and hit a tree. At around 6:50 p.m. on Monday, 32-year-old Santa Maria resident, Enrique Santana was driving a 1997 Chevrolet pickup truck north on Highway 101. Near San Luis Bay Drive, Santana lost control of the vehicle. The pickup went off the side of the road and down an embankment where the driver’s side door slammed into a tree. Police are unsure of what caused Santana to lose control of the truck. Emergency services dispatched several rescue crews to the scene, including San Louis Obispo City Fire and Cal Fire. The passenger, 24-year-old Barbara Trigueros of San Louis Obispo was able to exit the car on her own following the crash. First responders had to remove Santana from the vehicle. Both were critically injured in the crash and transported to an area hospital. Cleanup and investigation closed one northbound lane of Highway 101 for a time after the crash. The cause of the accident remains under investigation, but, driving under the influence is not a suspected cause. Source: The Tribune If you’ve been injured in an accident, our car accident attorney can help you with any questions you may have. If you prefer to speak with Michael on the phone, please call us at (562) 452-3772. Contact us today to receive your free consultation. If a family member would like the name of a person removed for any reason, please click the “Remove Post” link. Remove Post Disclaimer: The information here is general information that should not be taken as legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is established between you and our attorneys by reading this article. This article is attorney advertising and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a qualified lawyer.
Mar 19, 2019 | By Michael Beliz | Read Time: 2minutes
SANTA CRUZ (March 19, 2019) – California Highway Patrol has one man in custody after he struck 3 pedestrians and a parked car on East Cliff Drive near Assembly way in Santa Cruz on March 16. Around 6:30 Saturday evening, a silver sedan struck the pedestrians, a family of three. They were sitting on a wall facing the ocean when the vehicle hit them. All three were treated at an area hospital. The extent of their injuries is not known but did not appear to be life-threatening. Police closed East Cliff Drive for a short time following the accident. The names of the suspect or the family were not yet released. CHP officers said it is possible the driver was also involved in a previous hit and run earlier that day on First and Atlantic Ave. He was arrested at the scene and charged with DUI. Source: KSBW8 If you’ve been injured in an accident, our car accident attorney can help you with any questions you may have. If you prefer to speak with Michael on the phone, please call us at (562) 452-3772. Contact us today to receive your free consultation. If a family member would like the name of a person removed for any reason, please click the “Remove Post” link. Remove Post Disclaimer: The information here is general information that should not be taken as legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is established between you and our attorneys by reading this article. This article is attorney advertising and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a qualified lawyer.
Mar 14, 2019 | By Michael Beliz | Read Time: < 1minute
LONG BEACH (March 11, 2019) – An early morning accident closed eastbound 91 Freeway in Long Beach for several hours during the Monday morning commute. One person sustained minor injuries in the multi-car crash which left fuel and debris littered across the highway. CHP responded to the accident around 7:30 am, near Cherry Ave. It appears a white box truck lost control while driving in the carpool lane. It hit three vehicles, including a big-rig tractor and a Kia Sorrento. A third vehicle was involved, but not identified. When the Kia came to a stop following the crash, it was facing in the wrong direction, blocking all lanes for a short period of time. Medical personnel at Long Beach Memorial hospital treated the driver of the Kia for minor injuries. There were no other injuries to report. Source: Long Beach Post, LA Times If a family member would like the name of a person removed for any reason, please click the “Remove Post” link. Remove Post Disclaimer: The information here is general information that should not be taken as legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is established between you and our attorneys by reading this article. This article is attorney advertising and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a qualified lawyer.
Mar 12, 2019 | By Michael Beliz | Read Time: 2minutes
HUNTINGTON BEACH (March 12, 2019) – Over the weekend, two pedestrians died in separate and unrelated accidents in Huntington Beach. Both pedestrians were attempting to cross Beach Boulevard outside of a crosswalk. And both died as a result of the severe trauma they suffered when hit by vehicles proceeding on green lights. Just before 10:50 pm on Saturday a silver Nissan Versa struck a woman while she attempted crossing Beach Boulevard, just south of the intersection at Slater Avenue. The woman, believed to be between 50 and 60 years old, was not in the crosswalk when she was struck. Police pronounced her dead at the scene as a result of significant head and body trauma. The Nissan was going northbound through a green light at the intersection. The driver was not injured and remained on the scene. The vehicle sustained major front end, hood and windshield damage. The second incident happened early Sunday morning, around 3:15 am. A 19-year-old man from Greeley, Colorado was hit and killed just north of the intersection of Beach Boulevard and Warner Ave. He was also outside the crosswalk when the accident happened. A silver Kia Optima was proceeding through the intersection on a green light when it struck the man. The pedestrian also suffered severe trauma to his head and body and died at the scene. The second driver, a 26-year old Riverside man, stayed on the scene. If you’ve been injured in an accident, our car accident attorney can help you with any questions you may have. If you prefer to speak with Michael on the phone, please call us at (562) 452-3772. Contact us today to receive your free consultation. If a family member would like the name of a person removed for any reason, please click the “Remove Post” link. Remove Post Source: NBC Los Angeles Disclaimer: The information here is general information that should not be taken as legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is established between you and our attorneys by reading this article. This article is attorney advertising and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a qualified lawyer.
Mar 11, 2019 | By Michael Beliz | Read Time: 2minutes
LONG BEACH (March 11, 2019) – Early Sunday morning, Long Beach Police responded to an accident that caused the death of an adult male. Police suspect the man was responsible for a hit-and-run minutes earlier. When they arrived on the scene, Police found a red 2004 Toyota Camry had crashed into a traffic control pole at the southeast corner of 2nd St. and Marina Drive. The vehicle was completely consumed in flames. Witnesses pulled the driver clear of the vehicle. The male driver was lying unconscious near the center median of Marina Drive. Officers began CPR and Long Beach Fire personnel continued life-saving measures when they arrived. The man was then transported to an area hospital but died a short time later as a result of the critical nature of his injuries. Police believe the Toyota was involved in a hit and run just minutes before. The initial investigation shows the driver was fleeing the scene of that accident at a high rate of speed when he lost control and collided with the traffic pole. The driver did not have identification on him at the time of the crash. If you’ve been injured in an accident, our car accident attorney can help you with any questions you may have. If you prefer to speak with Michael on the phone, please call us at (562) 452-3772. Contact us today to receive your free consultation. If a family member would like the name of a person removed for any reason, please click the “Remove Post” link. Remove Post Source: Orange County Breeze Disclaimer: The information here is general information that should not be taken as legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is established between you and our attorneys by reading this article. This article is attorney advertising and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a qualified lawyer.
Feb 22, 2019 | By Michael Beliz | Read Time: 2minutes
Long Beach (February 22, 2019) – Around 8:45 p.m. on Monday, February 18th officers responded to an accident on Pacific Avenue and West Burnett Street. When police responded they located an unconscious 63-year-old man lying in the road with a bystander performing CPR on him. When the fire department arrived at the scene, they continued life-saving measures but, the pedestrian later past away from his injuries at a local hospital. The investigation revealed the pedestrian was going eastbound in a marked crosswalk on Pacific Avenue and was struck by a 2003 Mercedes Benz E320 going southbound on Pacific Avenue. The driver of the Mercedes is a 41-year-old male of Long Beach. He got out of the car to help after the crash and called 9-1-1. The pedestrian’s identity has not yet been revealed. Officials do not believe the driver was under the influence and he had a valid driver’s license with insurance. If you have any further information about this accident, please contact Long Beach police. If you’ve been injured in an accident, our car accident attorney can help you with any questions you may have. If you prefer to speak with Michael on the phone, please call us at (562) 452-3772. Contact us today to receive your free consultation. If a family member would like the name of a person removed for any reason, please click the “Remove Post” link. Remove Post Source: Orange County Breeze Disclaimer: This article contains opinions and NOT statements of fact in any way whatsoever. The information here is general information that should not be taken as legal advice. NO attorney-client relationship is established between you and our attorneys by reading this article. This article is attorney advertising and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a qualified lawyer.
Feb 22, 2019 | By Michael Beliz | Read Time: < 1minute
Santa Ana (February 22, 2019) – A driver crashed into the back of a semi-truck and was killed after being trapped underneath it Tuesday on the 5 Freeway in Santa Ana. The crash happened around 12:300 p.m. on a transition roadway on the northbound 5 and northbound 14 Freeway. The car trapped beneath the big rig was a Mercedes-Benz and the driver was pronounced dead at the scene. No information has been released about the driver’s identity. The road was closed during the investigation, creating a lot of traffic in the area. Officials still aren’t sure what may have caused this crash. If you’ve been injured in an accident, our car accident attorney can help you with any questions you may have. If you prefer to speak with Michael on the phone, please call us at (562) 452-3772. Contact us today to receive your free consultation. If a family member would like the name of a person removed for any reason, please click the “Remove Post” link. Remove Post Source: LA Times Disclaimer: This article contains opinions and NOT statements of fact in any way whatsoever. The information here is general information that should not be taken as legal advice. NO attorney-client relationship is established between you and our attorneys by reading this article. This article is attorney advertising and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a qualified lawyer.
Feb 22, 2019 | By Michael Beliz | Read Time: 2minutes
Santa Ana (February 18, 2019) – A two-car collision in Santa Ana this Sunday took the lives of four Orange County residents. The victims were in their 20s and 30s and were killed by an impaired driver. The impaired driver was arrested on four counts of murder and a felony DUI. The victims of the crash were identified as: 23-year-old Antonio Alonso Santibanez of Orange; 31-year-old Jose Alberto Avila-Rosas of Santa Ana, who was the driver of the vehicle struck by the impaired driver; 34-year-old Prisma Yuliana Montoya of Santa Ana; and 23-year-old Ziomara Zaragoza of Garden Grove. The collision occurred around 2:30 a.m. at Tustin Avenue and 4th Street when a black jeep, traveling west on 4th Street, ran a red light and crashed with a Chevrolet Silverado truck going south on Tustin. The crash caused both vehicles to flip multiple times and one vehicle burst into flames. An off-duty firefighter was in the area at the time and was able to put out the flames with his wife. His wife, who is a nurse, was able to give aid at the scene while waiting for officials. The driver of the truck and the three passengers were killed upon arrival and officials transported the driver of the black Jeep to a nearby hospital in critical condition. The 28-year-old driver who survived has been identified as Vincent Michael Calvo from Buena Park. He appeared to be very impaired when officials arrived at the scene and once released from the hospital, he was arrested with a bail set to $4 million. Surveillance videos in the area clearly show the Jeep running a red light and crashing into the truck. If you’ve been injured in an accident, our car accident attorney can help you with any questions you may have. If you prefer to speak with Michael on the phone, please call us at (562) 452-3772. Contact us today to receive your free consultation. If a family member would like the name of a person removed for any reason, please click the “Remove Post” link. Remove Post Source: ABC7 Disclaimer: This article contains opinions and NOT statements of fact in any way whatsoever. The information here is general information that should not be taken as legal advice. NO attorney-client relationship is established between you and our attorneys by reading this article. This article is attorney advertising and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a qualified lawyer.
Feb 20, 2019 | By Michael Beliz | Read Time: 5minutes
Crashes related to the consumption of alcohol have long plagued the United States. Even in the modern age of Uber, Lyft, and other low-cost ridesharing options, some still make the decision to consume, perhaps even over-consume, alcohol, and get behind the wheel. Every year during the holidays The Beliz Law Firm has offered free cab rides to get home safe. Find out more information here. The recent trend of DUI injury accidents in Long Beach, California, shows that such horrific and entirely preventable incidents are on the rise. In 2016, the last year for which the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) has data available, 304 collisions in the city of Long Beach were ‘alcohol involved.’ That means that more than 10% of collisions in the LBC involved alcohol and those who had consumed it shortly prior to the wreck. Obviously, collisions related to drinking and driving remain a very serious problem in the city, in Los Angeles County, and in California as a whole, especially as crashes related to driving under the influence continue to trend upwards. In 2015, Long Beach had 278 such collisions. In 2014, OTS defined 230 collisions in city limits as related to alcohol. The number of DUI-related crashes in the city has been on the rise, steadily, since 2011. Interactive Chart Mapping Long Beach Driving Under Influence Injuries For those hoping to avoid a similar collision, mapping the collisions in 2016 shows a handful of interesting patterns, and provides information about areas that appear to be ‘hotspots’ for wrecks involving those who consumed alcohol before driving. When viewing the data on a map, a number of problem stretches of road and intersections appear. Alcohol Related Collisions 01/01/2016 – 12/31/2016 Source: TIMS.com Dangerous Stretches Of Road When the data is properly mapped out, some portions of the street seem to be a bit more dangerous than others. The major highways and freeways which run through the Long Beach corporate limits all have a large number of DUI incidents recorded on them in the 2016’s statistics. There is a correlation with more drivers that use a certain roadway; the more likely any type of collision will happen. Therefore since the San Diego (Interstate 405) and the Long Beach (Interstate 710) freeways have the most traffic, both have the highest numbers of DUI crashes. In 2016, the Long Beach Freeway saw 24 collisions that the OTS said were ‘alcohol involved’ in nature, which produced one death and 29 injuries. That same year, the San Diego Freeway was home to 20 collisions involving alcohol, which caused one death and 23 injuries. However, some short stretches of road were home to a surprising number of collisions as well. One block of West Anaheim Street was home to three alcohol-related collisions, which caused three injuries. The entirety of Anaheim Street saw 17 collisions in 2016, including one death and 16 injuries. Long Beach Boulevard was also home to a large number of such collisions, with nine crashes that produced 15 injuries, but no deaths. One particular crash shortly before Thanksgiving 2016 involved five injuries alone! Redondo Avenue was also home to a large number of collisions, specifically between Anaheim Street and 7th Street. In less than a mile, there were six collisions involving alcohol. Luckily, these incidents caused only six injuries and no deaths. A stretch of Carson Street just over half a mile in length was home to two severe collisions involving alcohol, each of which took one life and injured one person. Dangerous Intersections As some stretches of the road appear more dangerous than others, some intersections and their immediate surroundings appear more prone to collisions related to alcohol. The intersections of Anaheim Street and Redondo Avenue and Anaheim Street and 11th Street were both the site for two collisions apiece, and two injuries each. The intersection of East Market Street and Lime Avenue saw the same number of collisions and the same number of injuries. Thankfully, it seems that most intersections are relatively free of collisions, or are only home to, at most, two. Severe Collisions For the purposes of record keeping, all reported collisions receive a severity rating between 1 and 4. Collisions rated 4 produced an injury, which consists of a complaint of pain (for example neck pain or back pain). Those given a rating of 3 produced some sort of ‘other visible’ injury. Collisions that earn a severity rating of 2 produced a severe injury like a fracture or broken bone. A wreck with a collision severity of 1 produced at least one fatality. Thankfully, there were only 12 such collisions related to alcohol in Long Beach, California, during 2016. These 12 automobile wrecks took 12 lives and injured four people as well. What the Numbers Say About Alcohol-Related Collisions Of these most severe collisions, ratings with a 1, four of them took place on major roads and freeways. This may be due to more traffic and higher speed limits. Strangely, two of these severe collisions which included fatalities occurred less than a mile apart, on East Carson Street, between Clark Avenue and San Anseline Avenue. For a city with so many accidents related to driving under the influence, this number is quite small, representing less than one out of every 20 alcohol-related collisions. However, that is likely no consolation to the families of the deceased. Moving Forward What can the city, the government, and the people do to reverse the disturbing trend of consistent increases in alcohol-related collisions in the area? Firstly, the education that drinking and driving should not be mixed together. That is a driver is to consume alcohol then that person should avoid driving a vehicle and hand his or her keys to a designated driver. Designated drivers can be a friend or relative. However, with technology designated drivers can be reached via a smartphone. The low cost of services like Uber and Lyft make it much cheaper to get home after a night out on the town. Additionally,...
Oct 23, 2018 | By Michael Beliz | Read Time: 3minutes
You’re walking along a quiet street in Southern California, enjoying the sunshine and breeze, when an SUV suddenly comes around the corner and strikes you. The accident’s aftermath is a blur with flashing lights, paramedics, and questions you’re unsure how to answer. Fear, confusion, and pain set in. What happens now? What are your rights? If this has happened to you or someone you love, The Beliz Law Firm team can explain what you need to know about California pedestrian accident laws and what steps to take on your journey toward recovery and justice. California’s Protections for Pedestrians As pedestrian fatalities have continued to rise since 2021, prioritizing pedestrian safety is a top goal in California. Pedestrians are among the most vulnerable road users, so the state has set clear rules for drivers and pedestrians to ensure their safety. Driver’s Duty of Care California drivers approaching a pedestrian in any marked or unmarked crosswalk must exercise due care, including: Failing to adhere to these rules constitutes negligence, making the driver legally responsible for any harm caused. Pedestrian’s Responsibilities California pedestrian accident laws prioritize pedestrian safety. However, pedestrians must also exercise a reasonable degree of caution. They may not: Both parties share a duty of care, and California law emphasizes mutual respect on the roads to prevent accidents. Pedestrian Rights: What Happens If a Pedestrian Gets Hit by a Car When a pedestrian is hit by a car, the law allows them to hold the negligent driver accountable. The consequences of being hit by a vehicle can be devastating. Medical bills and lost wages can quickly add up while you are recovering, leading to overwhelming physical, emotional, and financial stress. However, understanding your rights can help level the playing field. Proving Negligence To win a personal injury lawsuit, the injured pedestrian must establish negligence on the driver’s part. This typically involves showing that the driver: Negligent actions can include: An attorney can gather evidence such as traffic camera footage, witness testimony, and expert evaluations to support your claim. What Type of Compensation Is Available for Injured Pedestrians? Under California law, you may recover damages for: Act quickly. California’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the accident date. Delaying too long may put your chances of receiving compensation at risk. What to Do After a California Pedestrian Accident Taking the following steps can help protect your rights in a pedestrian accident: Taking these steps safeguards your rights and helps ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses. Find Your Footing Again with The Beliz Law Firm The path forward can feel uncertain when you’ve suffered an injury as a pedestrian. You may wonder how you’ll pay your medical bills, when you’ll recover, or whether the driver will face consequences. At The Beliz Law Firm, we stand ready to help you regain control. Our team brings years of experience handling pedestrian accident cases across Southern California. We understand the laws, the tactics insurance companies use to minimize claims, and the profound impact these accidents have on victims and their loved ones. Contact us online or call us today for a free consultation and take your first step toward justice. Resources:
Long Beach Accident News
