Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

A 59-year-old man passed away at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center early Thursday morning, after he was struck by a Toyota Camry on Wednesday afternoon in Chino. The victim, Roy Carl Hall, of Ontario, was riding his bike on Kimball Avenue when he was hit in the 6100 block by a westbound Toyota Camry. The Chino bicycle accident occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m. Hall, who was wearing a helmet, was flown by helicopter to the hospital in Colton where he died early Thursday, the San Bernardino County Coroner's Office reported.

Please keep the family of Roy Hall in your prayers as they grieve their loss. The sudden and unexpected loss their loved one is surely shocking and heartbreaking.

Based upon the reports of this accident in the San Bernardino Sun and the Press-Enterprise, the cause of this accident is not clear. What happened to cause this collision? Hopefully the investigation conducted by the Chino Police Department will yield some answers to why this accident occurred. At this point the family of Roy Hall may benefit from speaking to a California bicycle accident attorney, who will review the facts of the accident and whether or not the family may have a claim for wrongful death. If negligence on the part of the driver, a defect in the road, or a mechanical failure of the bicycle caused or contributed to this accident, the family may be entitled to compensation for their loss.

Continue reading "Cyclist Dies of Injuries Day After Being Struck by Car in Chino " »

The mother of a 7-year-old girl who died on November 24, 2007 has filed a lawsuit against the Allergan Inc., the Irvine-based manufacturer of Botox. Kristen Spears, who was born with severe cerebral palsy, began getting Botox injections to calm muscle spasms associated with cerebral palsy in June 2006 when she was six years old. Her health deteriorated dramatically in the 15 months since she began Botox treatments in her legs, groin and chest, her mother says in a lawsuit filed against Allergan in Orange County. In the months since she began Botox treatments until she died, Kristen was hospitalized on 10 different occasions for breathing and swallowing difficulties.

Botox is approved by the FDA to treat frown lines and crossed eyes. However, doctors may prescribe the drug "off-label" for other purposes, including cerebral palsy. Health agencies in other countries have approved Botox specifically for treating cerebral palsy. Botox contains botulinum toxin, which relaxes muscles. Children being treating for symptoms of cerebral palsy receive a much higher dosage than adults given Botox for frown lines. If the toxin spreads, patients may have trouble swallowing and breathing.

Serious side effects of Botox are rarely reported. Allergan said in a confidential report to federal regulators that risk of death due to Botox in children with cerebral palsy was low. Fatalities were often the result of other underlying health conditions, Allergan said. However, in 2005, Allergan disclosed to the FDA that it had received reports of 20 children and 18 adults suffering seizures after being injected with Botox.

An article earlier this week in the LA Times said that Allergan has not commented on the trial. However, in a court document, Allergan said that Kristen passed away of an infection and that her mother, Dee Spears, cannot prove the allegations that Botox killed her.

Continue reading "Mother Sues Botox Manufacturer over Safety of Drug in Cerebral Palsy Treatments After Daughter's Death " »

Houston City Council voted this week to pay $225,000 to the parents of a 29-year-old woman killed last March when two firefighter trucks collided at the intersection of Dunlavy and Westheimer in Houston on March 30, 2009. Leigh Boone was riding her bike to work at the Houston Center for Photography when she was crushed by one of the two ambulances that collided at the intersection.

The accident occurred when two large fire trucks, an 80,000 pound ladder truck and a 40,000 pound pumper truck, both with lights flashing and sirens blaring, collided an intersection. Nine firefighters were injured in the crash. Leigh Boone was taken to a hospital with catastrophic injuries after the ladder truck landed on her bicycle. She died Sunday, April 11, nearly two weeks after the accident.

The $225,000 settlement was $25,000 less than the maximum allowed in Texas. The attorney for the family said the settlement was agreed upon "primarily to send a message to the Houston Fire Department to review its policies and practices responding to emergencies." One other lawsuit is still pending as a result of the accident.

A man in his 40s was hit by a car Monday afternoon in Arcadia, police reported.According to Arcadia police, the incident occurred shortly after 1 p.m., in the 100 block of East Huntington Drive. The pedestrian, who was not identified, suffered head trauma and a broken collarbone after he was struck by a car driven by a 21-year-old woman. The man was taken to Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena.

The cause of this pedestrian accident in Arcadia is still under investigation. Based on the facts of the incident reported in the Pasadena Star-News, it is not clear who was at fault. Even if the driver was not cited for the incident, she still may be at fault, and the pedestrian injured may be entitled to compensation for his injuries, including medical expenses, lost earnings related to the accident, and pain and suffering.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Struck by Car on E. Huntington Drive in Arcadia " »

A crash early Sunday morning in San Bernardino County killed two people and injured two others, authorities reported. The accident took place on I Avenue in Hesperia, near Alston Street, at around 2:23 a.m. According to the Victorville Daily Press, Amber Siegrest, 22, of Hesperia, was driving her 1991 Ford Bronco south on I Street when for unknown reasons, she drove onto the east shoulder. The Bronco overturned three to four times. One of the backseat passengers, a 22-year-old Victorville man, passed away at the scene of the crash. A second passenger, a 24-year-old Apple Valley man, was taken to Desert Valley Hospital shortly before 4 a.m., before he could be flown to a trauma center.

The San Bernardino County Coroner identified the victims Monday as Anthony Kaminski of Victorville, and Truman Switzer of Apple Valley. Please keep the families of these young men in your prayers. Our condolences go out to everyone who know and loved them.

As of Monday, the driver was still hospitalized. The front seat passenger, a 31-year-old Oak Hills man, suffered less serious injuries. He was take to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center and was treated and released. The cause of this double fatal January 17 accident remains under investigation. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Region II Major Accident Investigation Team is the agency investigating the incident.

Continue reading "Two Killed, Two Injured January 17th in Ford Bronco Rollover Crash in Hesperia " »

The Lake Elsinore Police Department is asking the public for information about a crash Sunday evening on Summerhill Drive, the road leading to the Tuscany Hills Community. The female driver, identified only as a Murrieta resident, died after she apparently lost control of her pickup truck in rainy conditions about 150 feet northwest of the intersection of Summerhill Drive and Canyon Ridge shortly after 5 p.m.

According to reports in the Valley News, the woman was travelling west on Summerhill when her truck struck a curb and rolled down a steep embankment. The driver was ejected and died at the scene of the crash. A passenger in the vehicle was taken to a local hospital with critical injuries. The cause of the Riverside County accident remains under investigation. Witnesses or anyone with information about the solo-vehicle rollover crash is asked to call Sgt. Marc Cloutier of the Lake Elsinore Police Department at (951) 245-3300.

Continue reading "Driver Killed, Passenger Critically Injured in Toyota Pickup Truck Rollover Crash in Lake Elsinore " »

Authorities are investigating the cause of a fatal side-impact collision in San Bernardino County Sunday night that killed a 60-year-old Los Angeles woman. The woman, who was wearing a seat belt, was a right front seat passenger in a 2002 Lexus RX 300 travelling east on Highway 58. For unknown reasons, the Lexus veered into westbound lanes and was broadsided by an oncoming 2002 Honda Civic. The crash was reported around 6:35 p.m., about a half-mile east of Lenwood Road.

The victim was taken by ambulance to Barstow Community Hospital where she passed away. The driver of the Lexus, the driver of the Honda, and another passenger in the Honda were taken to Barstow Community Hospital. Another passenger in the Honda and another passenger in the Lexus were taken to St. Mary's Medical Center in Apple Valley with major injuries. The CHP's office in Barstow is investigating the cause of this fatal San Bernardino accident.

Continue reading "Woman Killed, Four Injured in Highway 58 Crash In Hinkley " »

A 37-year-old Palm Springs man was killed in a traffic accident Friday afternoon, Palm Springs police reported. The victim, identified by the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner's Office as Ryan Wade Woosley, was riding his motorcycle eastbound on Dina Shore when his motorcycle collided with a white Buick making a southbound turn. The Buick then collided with a BMW travelling north on Crossley Road. Woosley was ejected from his motorcycle and died at the scene of the crash.

The driver and a passenger in the Buick were taken to Desert Regional Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver and a passenger in the BMW had only minor injuries and were not taken to the hospital. The cause of the fatal January 15 motorcycle accident remains under investigation. The Desert Sun reported the motorcyclist had a green light and the driver of the Buick failed to yield. Palm Springs police Sgt. Abraham Tokler told the newspaper that Woosley had a green light, was wearing a helmet and was not speeding.

Our condolences go out to everyone who knew and loved Ryan Woosley. Please keep his family in your prayers.

Continue reading "Palm Springs Man Killed in Motorcycle Accident" »

The San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner's Department has reported a 77-year-old resident of Bullhead City, Arizona, was killed in an accident Wednesday morning on Interstate 40. The January 13, 2010 accident was reported shortly after 10 a.m. on westbound Interstate 40, about four miles east of Ludlow in San Bernardino County. According to news reports of the accident, the victim, Phyllis Cuseo, was driving west when, for unknown reasons, her 1999 Toyota 4Runner drifted from the slow lane and into the center divider. Cuseo then overcorrected, causing the SUV to overturn multiple times and come to rest on the south shoulder of the highway. Cuseo was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene of the crash.

The news reports of this accident do not fully explain what happened and it is impossible to tell what caused this devastating crash. The California Highway Patrol is still investigating the Interstate 40 accident, and will determine if a possible dangerous road condition caused the accident, or even if something malfunctioned mechanically with Cuseo's car. While this accident is still being investigated, the victim's family would be well advised to consult with an experienced California highway accident lawyer. If a defective road condition or vehicle malfunction resulted in this tragic accident, the family may consider filing a wrongful death claim.

Continue reading "Arizona Woman Killed in I-40 Crash Near Ludlow " »

A man suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol was arrested Sunday night after striking a 12-year-old boy riding a skateboard in Hesperia. The boy was struck by the suspected drunk driver's truck near Lime Street and E Street. The Victorville Daily Press reported the child suffered serious injuries, including major head trauma and a possible compound fracture of one of his legs. He was flown to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center.

Authorities conducted a field sobriety test and concluded that Todd Dean Thomas, 39, the driver of the truck that struck the boy, was under the influence of alcohol. The arrest was the second incident involving a suspected drunk driver in Hesperia on January 10.

Continue reading "12-Year-Old Skateboarder Struck by Drunk Driver in Hesperia " »

Five people were injured in a crash involving a truck and a LACMTA Metro Bus Monday night, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported. The January 11th bus accident occurred shortly after 9:00 p.m. Monday, in the 1800 block of North Glendale Boulevard.

According to police reports, the driver of the truck, who was not identified, was on the offramp of the Glendale (2) Freeway, when he struck a guardrail, went through a red light, and struck the bus. The driver of the truck and four bus passengers were taken to area hospitals. All are expected to survive.

Because this collision began on the freeway offramp, the California Highway Patrol is the agency assigned to the investigation.

Bus accidents are a common occurrence in the Los Angeles Area. This accident is not the first collision on Glendale Boulevard involving a Los Angeles bus. On November 6, 2009, ten people were taken to hospitals after a bus crash very close by, on Glendale Boulevard, near the entrance to the Glendale Freeway (California State Route 2). At least one person suffered critical injuries in that collision.

Continue reading "Five Injured in Metro Bus Accident in Silver Lake Area " »

Los Angeles county fire officials reported that six adults, a child and an infant suffered burn injuries ranging from minor to moderate when the minivan they were riding in burst into flames on the 60 Freeway (Pomona Freeway) in Industry.

It is not clear from news reports whether the minivan struck another vehicle and burst into flames, or if it burst into flames and then struck another vehicle. At least one other vehicle was involved in the accident, which was reported Monday morning shortly after 6:15 a.m. The incident occurred on westbound 60, near Azusa Avenue.

Vehicle fires are sometimes caused by defective vehicle parts. The make and model of the vehicle involved in this accident was not included in news reports. Nonetheless, those who suffered burn injuries in this accident would be wise to consult with a Los Angeles personal injury attorney to determine if a vehicle defect caused or contributed to this accident.

Continue reading "Eight People Injured After Minivan Burst Into Flames in Industry " »

The CHP is investigating a crash in Temecula Wednesday afternoon that injured at least one person. The collision was reported at about 3:20 p.m., on Temecula Parkway on the on-ramp to southbound Interstate 15 (Temecula Valley Freeway). The accident involved four vehicles, two of which overturned. One of the vehicles was a U-Haul truck. All four vehicles had to be towed away from the scene of the crash. The ramp was closed for about two hours following the crash.

Based on the limited information provided by the Temecula Valley News, it is impossible to determine what caused this Temecula car accident and who is ultimately responsible. Multi-vehicle accidents can be complicated to sort out with insurance companies, and injured victims may have a claim against more than one party. Those seriously injured in any multi-vehicle accident should always consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who will protect their rights and ensure full and fair compensation is obtained for injuries.

Continue reading "U-Haul Truck, 3 Other Vehicles involved in Temecula Injury Crash " »

The Long Beach Press Enterprise reported today that a well-known cyclist was killed on Tuesday morning when he was struck by a big rig truck. The January 5th accident occurred at Shoreline Drive and Shoreline Village Drive, at about 10:30 a.m. The victim, Gustavo Ramirez, 30, was riding his bicycle eastbound on Shoreline Drive when he collided with a big rig at Shoreline Village Drive. Authorities believe Ramirez was entering the crosswalk on the south side of Shoreline when he collided with the truck.

The unidentified truck driver was not cited at the scene. He reportedly told authorities that he was heading southbound on the Long Beach Freeway when he missed the exit for the Port of Long Beach and ended up going eastbound on Shoreline. He was attempting a U-turn to return to the Freeway when he collided with Ramirez. The cause of the Long Beach bicycle accident remains under investigation.

Continue reading "Cyclist Killed by Semi-Truck in Long Beach " »

Three people were killed in a head-on crash on Highway 46 on New Years Day. The fatal accident occurred just after 10 a.m. on Friday, January 1, 20910 in Kern County, just eastbound of the San Luis Obispo - Kern County Line.

According to California Highway Patrol reports, Herculano Hernandez, 23, of Delano, driving a 2000 Ford eastbound on Highway 47, rear-ended a Honda travelling in front of it. The collision sent the Honda into westbound lanes, causing it to crash head-on into a westbound truck. Hernandez was not injured in the crash and was arrested at the scene. He faces charges of felony driving under the influence causing injuries or death.

The victims in the Honda included a 21-year-old Shandon man and his 49-year-old mother. Both died at the scene of the crash. The driver of the truck, a 71-year-old Bakersfield man, was taken to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno, where he died. His 68-year-old wife was taken to Twin Cities Community Hospital with major injuries.

KGET news reported that Hernandez had a BAC (blood alcohol content) over the legal limit and was probably speeding. In a jailhouse interview, Hernandez admitted to drinking earlier that morning with friends. The CHP also said that Hernandez had a prior DUI conviction, and when arrested, had been driving without a license.

Continue reading "DUI Suspected in Highway 46 Crash that Killed Three " »