Photo Credit: The San Diego Union Tribune

Last week, we reported on a car accident in San Diego that resulted out of alleged teen street racing. In new developments, the 18-year-old driver charged with the death of the two teenagers involved in the street racing has pleaded not guilty to vehicular manslaughter among four other charges according to reports at the San Diego Union Tribune. The news follows the earlier arrest of another 16-year-old driver that was taken into custody on similar charges.

Just shortly after his arraignment, Michael Johnson, the 18-year-old driver of a Volvo S40, said, according to his attorney, that he is not the responsible party in the tragic San Diego accident fatalities that occurred April 4.

Accident reports indicate that Johnson was returning from a spring break beach party in La Jolla when he was allegedly involved in a street racing contest with another teen driver – the unidentified 16-year-old driver of a Volkswagen Passat whose name has not been released since he is a minor. According to Deputy District Attorney Kristen Spieler, the two vehicles were zigzagging across lanes at speeds reaching up to a staggering 100 m.p.h. The 16-year-old driver in the Passat lost control over the vehicle, causing the car to flip over several times across multiple lanes of the road.

Two passengers, Anthony Foreman, 18, and Jayli Campbell, 16, were thrown from the Passat and died at the scene of the accident. Two passengers survived the crash. Charlotte McQuillen, survived the accident although she suffered serious injury as a result of the collision including reports that say the teen will have to recover from traumatic brain injury. Anthoney Taylor, 16, also survived the crash although his injuries are unclear at this time.

Johnson did not flee the scene of the accident according to police reports and cooperated with authorities once officers assessed the scene of the collision. The teen has no prior criminal record, although authorities say his vehicle was found containing a small amount of marijuana. Johnson is being charged with intoxicated driving, although his lawyer says there were no field sobriety tests to confirm the teen’s alleged intoxication.

Teen driving: reminders for concerned parents

Last week, we blogged on actions parents can take to prevent teen car accidents. Tips include:

• Sign a parent-teen contract. Download your free contract now.
• Enforcing the rules. Every teen driver needs to know that rules are there for a purpose, and when they are broken, consequences will follow.
• Have a DUI backup plan. As most parents can attest, there are many instances when teen drivers run into problems that supersede their know-how and maturity. Drinking is one of those problems. In cases of emergency, your teen should have an open-door policy where they feel safe to call you when they need help – such in the case of drunk driving or driving while intoxicated.

About the Law Offices of Michael Pines, APC

The Law Offices of Michael Pines, APC are specialists in car accident injury. Every personal injury attorney in our San Diego office works hard to seek maximum recovery for every injured client. Your case is handled without any out-of-pocket costs, so do not hesitate to speak to a San Diego personal injury lawyer today for a free legal evaluation. Call us at 1-800-655-6585.

About Michael Pines

Michael Pines is a former insurance company attorney who specializes in car accident injury. While he was an insurance attorney, he learned from behind the scenes on how insurance companies work and how they decided to pay injured people. Now that he works against insurance companies, Michael's inside knowledge has resulted in significant benefits to his clients injured in car accidents.

A group of young drivers were involved in a street racing car accident in Kearny Mesa last week resulting in the tragic death of two teenagers and critically injuring another in what’s said to be one of the worst teen auto accidents in the area.

The accident occurred Wednesday, April 4 at around 11:45 p.m. on State Route 52 in Kearny Mesa, according to San Diego 6, when a group of three teens in a Volkswagen Passat raced another group of three teens in a Volvo S40. Both drivers lost control over their vehicles as they skidded off the road at nearly 100 to 110 m.p.h.

The three passengers in the Volvo all fortunately survived the crash. The driver of the vehicle, Michael S. Johnson, 18, of Lakeside, was booked on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence of marijuana, and taking part in a speed contest resulting in injuries, according to San Diego 6.

The two passengers in the Volkswagen, 16-year-old Jayli Campbell and 18-year-old Anthony Foreman, were ejected from the rear seat and were killed at the scene of the accident. They were not equipped with seat belts according to reports. Front-seat passenger, Charlotte McQuillen, 16, survived the car accident although she was critically injured and in a coma until Monday. Her family is grateful for her survival.

“Her father said it was like having her born all over again,” said her family representative. “We are beside ourselves, of course. However, we are cautiously optimistic at this point. … She still has a very long road ahead.”

Teen car accidents in San Diego illuminate our community’s need to further educate young drivers on the dangers of speeding and reckless driving.  When a car accident occurs that could have been 100 percent preventable, the stakes and the devastation can often be at an all time high for the families of the injured and killed victims.

San Diego teen car accidents: prevention

As responsible parents, guardians, and community members, it’s our duty to help educate our young drivers on the dangers that come with the responsibility of driving. Driving is not a right, it’s a privilege.  Share these tips with your young drivers and do your part to prevent San Diego’s next teen car accident.

Sign a parent-teen contract

When teens are aware of the rules, they tend to be less likely to break them – especially if consequences are instated. Download our free parent-teen contract now and set the parameters for safe driving with your teen. It’s never too late to get started, even if your teen has already earned his or her driver’s license.

Enforce the rules

Every household must have set rules in place. Consistency and enforcement can make all the difference between a safe teen driver and a teen driver that poses danger to our roadways. On your parent-teen driving contract, be sure to list 5 to 10 zero-tolerance rules that would result in the removal of your teen’s driver’s license.

Have a DUI backup plan

Needless to say, most every teenager has engaged in some kind of unsafe activity at one point or another. While it’s important to create rules and enforce them, it’s a good idea to allow your teen to get free rides when their safety is compromised in the event of an emergency – even if it involves teen drinking. It’s never okay to let your teen drink, and consequences should still be enforced, but your teen should always be able to call you in an emergency.

About Michael Pines

Michael Pines is San Diego’s Accident & Injury Prevention Expert with a running column at La Jolla Light and founder of the Law Offices of Michael Pines, APC. Michael is an experienced attorney specializing in car accidents and injury in San Diego. If you have been injured in a car accident, call Michael now for a free legal consultation at 1-800-655-6585. There are no fees until we win.

About Michael Pines

Michael Pines is a former insurance company attorney who specializes in car accident injury. While he was an insurance attorney, he learned from behind the scenes on how insurance companies work and how they decided to pay injured people. Now that he works against insurance companies, Michael's inside knowledge has resulted in significant benefits to his clients injured in car accidents.

Luxury automaker BMW announced Monday that it will recall 1.3 million of its vehicles across the globe for potential problems with a battery-cable cover. San Diegans should take note of this recall immediately in order to prevent car accidents due to potentially faulty vehicle equipment.

BMW’s 5 and 6 series car models manufactured between 2003 and 2010 are affected by the recent recall. Although the company said it was not aware of any injury or car accidents related to the recall, they are nevertheless urging consumers who own such vehicles to take action immediately to avoid the potential risk for accidents.

The recall now stands as one of its largest recalls in its history.

“In some remote cases, the battery cable cover inside the boot [trunk] of these vehicles may be incorrectly mounted,” BMW said. “This can result in the electrical system malfunctioning, the vehicle failing to start and, in some cases, to charring or fire.”

If you own a BMW that falls within the recall notice, you should have already been notified in writing with instructions on how to repair the faulty battery cover. The repair, according to the car manufacturer, is free of charge and will take approximately 30 minutes to complete.

However,  vehicle owners who have purchased a used vehicle or who remain unregistered with BMW are urged to call the manufacturer direct at 1-800-563-4269, or email CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

The recall follows a $3 million dollar fine that BMW paid last month for failing to report safety defects and potential recalls within a reasonable amount of time. U.S. vehicle regulators require car manufacturers to report vehicle defects and potential hazards within five days of its finding, and to issue subsequent recalls thereafter.

While BMW did not acknowledge that they violated the federal regulation, Monday’s recall tags on the heels of its statement that the company will “ensure timely reporting to consumers and the federal government in the future.”

Recalls: stay ahead of the curve

In this day and age, with so many products available to consumers, recalls are a part of our everyday reality. And unfortunately, product recalls have the likelihood of causing serious harm and injury – the entire reason products are recalled in the first place. That’s why it’s never been more important to stay ahead of the curve and keep up to date with product recalls that matter to you.

With the thousands of products Americans use each year, the task may seem daunting, but it is surprisingly easy to stay on top of important product recalls. Consider the following tips:

• Always register purchased products by filling out the manufacturer’s registration cards and mailing them in. If there aren’t any registration cards enclosed, you can generally find them online at the manufacturer’s website. Products like cribs, strollers, car seats, furniture, blinds, outdoor gear, gas-powered products, and large equipment will generally be accompanied by a registration form.
• Go to recalls.gov and sign up for recall alerts for the products that matter to you including food and cosmetic recalls. You can filter out which recall notices you’d like to receive, which makes this task easy and frees up your email inbox.
• Report a faulty product. It often takes the consumer to alert the manufacturer in order to begin the process of a recall. In fact, this is the most common way a recall is initiated. If you’ve been injured by a product recall, or have had a “close call,” do not hesitate to contact the manufacturer or brand right away to report the occurrence.

If you have been injured by a faulty product or vehicle, you may be entitled to legal rights. Call 1-800-655-6585 for a free legal consultation of your individual case. Our law firm works hard to seek maximum financial recovery for people injured by poorly-made and dangerous products.

About Michael Pines

Michael Pines is a former insurance company attorney who specializes in car accident injury. While he was an insurance attorney, he learned from behind the scenes on how insurance companies work and how they decided to pay injured people. Now that he works against insurance companies, Michael's inside knowledge has resulted in significant benefits to his clients injured in car accidents.

Even though drunk driving is against the law, many drivers tragically succumb to the dangers of driving while intoxicated. When accidents happen, the consequences are serious. And there is no special treatment for celebrities, either – the dangers of drunk driving transcend social status, age, ethnicity, income level, and so much more. In other words, a drunken driving accident does not play favorites – anyone can be affected.  That’s why it comes as no surprise that Matt Bush, Tampa Bay Rays’ pitcher and former San Diego Padres top draft pick in 2004, is making unfavorable headlines this week for an alleged DUI car accident that injured a 72-year-old motorcyclist, reminding San Diego that drunk driving is serious no matter who you are – celebrity or not.

As USA Today reports, the motorcyclist, Anthony Tufano, was seriously injured as he got ran over by Bush’s SUV in a drunk driving accident. Tufano was immediately transported to a local hospital where he was treated for several major catastrophic injuries. While he was listed in critical condition, his family is optimistic about his recovery.

“They are just trying to keep him healing and resting,” Moore said. “We are optimistic. It’s going to be a long road.”

Following the injury accident, Bush was arrested last Thursday on seven serious charges including hit-and-run accident, property damage and a DUI – all while driving on a suspended license.

In accidents such as these, the stakes are tragically high – both emotionally and financially. There’s no doubt that Tufano will face months of recovery including physical therapy and dependence on pain medication. The monumental hospital bills will cost him “hundreds of thousands” according to the news source.

The family believes that Bush and his teammate passenger Brandon Guyer are responsible for the DUI car accident.

Above the limit: drunk driving in San Diego

Drunk driving is a serious offense with serious consequences. Don’t risk your life or the life of others by getting behind the wheel while intoxicated. Consider buying a prepaid taxi before drinking, designating a sober driver, or even being a responsible host and limiting alcohol an hour before the party ends.

Drunk driving is one of the top 25 causes of car accidents in San Diego. If you’ve been injured in a car accident and suspect the other driver was intoxicated, you have legal rights that you may be entitled to. Call the Law Offices of Michael Pines at 1-800-655-6585 for a no-cost legal consultation. We fight hard to get our clients the maximum financial recovery that they are entitled to. Don’t talk to the insurance company until you talk to us. As experienced personal injury lawyers in San Diego, we know that insurance agencies are not looking out for your best interest – but we are. Call us today or submit the details of your case online.

About Michael Pines

Michael Pines is a former insurance company attorney who specializes in car accident injury. While he was an insurance attorney, he learned from behind the scenes on how insurance companies work and how they decided to pay injured people. Now that he works against insurance companies, Michael's inside knowledge has resulted in significant benefits to his clients injured in car accidents.

There’s no denying that rainy weather in San Diego can be the culprit to many car accidents in the area. Just days ago, San Diego County experienced a bout of fresh rain – and even snow in some areas – as an early spring storm gained foothold throughout the region. As San Diego 10 reported, the Mar. 17th storm was so severe in some areas of the 805 freeway that it contributed to a seven car pile-up.

Fortunately, there were no serious injuries reported as a result of the massive accident although extensive car damage followed.

Earlier that same day, slick roads caused a big rig accident on Interstate 5 near Carlsbad, causing extensive damage as leaked fuel slicked the roadways. Three lanes were closed as a result.

As San Diego gears up for another rainy weekend, here’s what you need to know to stay safe and accident-free.

Understanding rain and roadways

When rain hits the surface of a dry road, a mixture of dirt, grime, grease, leaked oil, and fuel remnants  combine to create a slick substance that coats the road, often leading to car accidents in San Diego. As a proactive driver, there are several steps that can be taken to help minimize the risk of accident when rain hits our roadways.

Avoid fresh rain if possible

The worst time to drive is during new rain. As the droplets hit the surface of the road, the slippery mixture is created and can stick to your tires and cause unstable conditions. Consider leaving at an alternate time if at all possible. Once enough water hits the surface of the road, much of the slippery substance can rinse off the roads and into public drainage.

Slow down

No matter if it’s fresh rain, or rain that’s been falling for hours, do not speed. Slowing down is one of the most proactive ways to help reduce your risk of car accident in San Diego. By reducing your speed, you can safely react to stressful traffic situations including any possibility of slipping or hydroplaning.

Don’t use your brakes forcefully

The last thing you want to do is lock up your brake system and rear end the vehicle ahead – so take your time and try reducing your dependency on the brake. Simply take your foot off the accelerator –when logical and when possible – to help reduce your speed. Also, for harder braking, pump the brake as opposed to forcefully locking it into place.

Know your limits

When visibility is compromised, simply readjust your plans. Fortunately, here in San Diego, extreme weather is rare. But when the occasional rainstorm – or even snow storm – hits our county, be prepared and don’t risk it. Our good weather can often come with a price: less practice and knowledge of how to handle a vehicle in difficult weather. Know your limits and simply put off any drive when visibility, safety, and practicality are compromised.

About the Law Offices of Michael Pines, APC

Michael Pines, founder, is San Diego’s Accident and Injury Prevention Expert with a running column at La Jolla Light. The firm is dedicated to helping injured people seek maximum financial recovery following injury accidents in San Diego and the surrounding areas. Call 1-800-655-6585 for a free legal review of your car accident injury case.

About Michael Pines

Michael Pines is a former insurance company attorney who specializes in car accident injury. While he was an insurance attorney, he learned from behind the scenes on how insurance companies work and how they decided to pay injured people. Now that he works against insurance companies, Michael's inside knowledge has resulted in significant benefits to his clients injured in car accidents.