Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

California State Route 46 was closed between Highway 41 and Highway 43 east of the San Luis Obispo County Line in Kern County after a major injury crash shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday night, authorities reported. The head-on collision, which left one person dead and five people injured, occurred near Anette Road. Twenty-one-year-old Sandy Blake Roberts, 21, of Hollywood, Florida died at a hospital following the crash, which involved a westbound 2009 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck and a eastbound 2005 Chrysler Sebring.

Roberts was a passenger in the Sebring, which was driven by 20-year-old Nicole C. Deane. Authorities believe Deane was passing another vehicle when she lost control of her car while moving back into the eastbound lane. Deane then collided head-on with the Silverado truck, driven by Luis Carlos Mosqueda, 28, or King City. Mosqueda and three passengers in the truck, Karla E. Reyes, 30, Manuel Mosqueda, 55, and Maria Mosqueda, 54, suffered injuries ranging from moderate to major. All occupants of the Silverado were taken to Mercy Southwest Hospital in Bakersfield. Deane suffered major injuries and was taken to Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. We hope that everyone injured in this collision makes a full and quick recovery, and our sympathy goes out to everyone who knew and loved the young man who died in this tragic accident. The driver of the Sebring and all of the passengers injured the accident would be well-advised to speak with a California highway accident attorney who can explain their legal rights in this situation. The victims may be entitled to compensation for their injuries, including damages for medical expenses, lost earnings and pain and suffering. The family of the passenger killed in this accident may also consider speaking with a California wrongful death lawyer about protecting their rights under a wrongful death claim.

A 36-year-old Rialto woman died Monday night after a crash at a Fontana intersection, authorities reported. The fatal February 22 San Bernardino County accident occurred at Foothill Boulevard and Laurel Avenue at about 5:50 p.m. According to reports in the Fontana Herald, Yesenia Lopez was driving south on Laurel Avenue in a silver 2002 Honda Accord when she was broadsided in the intersection of Foothill Boulevard by a white 2009 Kia Spectra travelling westbound. Lopez was taken to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center where she died of her injuries. The male driver of the Kia was not injured.

Our sympathy goes out to the family of Yesenia Lopez and everyone who knew and loved her. Please keep her family and close friends in your prayers.

It is not known if the driver of the Kia ran a red light, if there was a traffic light malfunction, or what happened to cause this incident. The Fontana Police Department is the agency investigating the crash. While this collision remains under investigation, the family of Yesenia Lopez may benefit from speaking with an experienced San Bernardino wrongful death attorney. If the other driver caused the accident or some other dangerous roadway condition, such as a malfunctioning traffic light caused this accident, the family may be entitled to damages from their loved one's wrongful death.

Continue reading "Rialto Woman Killed In Fontana Intersection Accident " »

Five people were injured Sunday afternoon in a wrong way crash on Highway 221 in Napa, the California Highway Patrol reported. The crash occurred around 1:30 p.m. According to reports in the Napa Valley Register, Michael Meehan 61, was reportedly driving a 2003 Toyota Tacoma the wrong way (northbound) on Highway 221 when he collided with a southbound 2001 Oldsmobile Alero.

Meehan suffered major injuries in the Napa County crash, and was later arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The driver of the Oldsmobile, a 22-year-old Vallejo man, suffered major injuries. Three other passengers in the Oldsmobile, a 23-year-old, a 22-year-old, and a 17-year-old also suffered injuries ranging from major to moderate. All parties were taken by ambulance to Queen of the Valley Medical Center.

We hope each of the young people injured in the Oldsmobile make a full and quick recovery. If the facts of this accident are accurate, the driver of the Toyota is at fault for this wrong-way head-on collision and was acting irresponsibly by driving under the influence of alcohol. The four injured victims in the Oldsmobile would be well-advised to speak with an experienced California highway accident lawyer who will protect their rights and help them recover the maximum compensation they deserve for their serious injuries.

Police are looking for the driver of an older model Chrysler following a hit and run collision Friday evening in San Bernardino. Thomas Joseph Meeks, 19, died at the scene of the crash; his 15-year-old stepbrother suffered life-threatening head injuries and was taken to Loma Linda University Medical Center where he was listed in critical condition, the San Bernardino Sun reported Saturday. The hit and run bicycle accident occurred around 7 p.m. Friday, February 19th on 40th Street, between Johnson Street and Acre Lane in San Bernardino. The vehicle, an older model Chrysler or Pontiac, was travelling east on 40th Street about 40 mph when he struck the two boys, throwing them off the bicycle about 60 to 80 feet. One of the boys was sitting on the bicycle handlebars.

Police Sgt. Rich Lawhead told the San Bernardino Sun that investigators have "really have very little to go on." Anyone who witnessed this accident or has information about the accident is asked to call Sgt. Rich Lawhead at 909-384-5738 or 909-384-5735.

Leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury or death is against the law in California. Under California Vehicle Code Section 20001, "The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident." Regardless of who was at fault, by the nature of being a party to this collision, the driver had a legal responsibility to stop. We hope that the driver is located or makes the decision to turn himself or herself in to authorities. Our sympathy goes out to the family of both victims, and we sincerely hope the injured boy is able to recover from his very serious injuries.

Continue reading "One Killed, One Critical After San Bernardino Hit and Run Bicycle Accident " »

In auto defect news, yesterday a jury in West Valley Superior Court returned a 12-0 verdict ordering Ford Motor Company to pay $23.5 million to an Upland woman rendered quadriplegic following an SUV rollover accident on March 23, 2007. Cythia Castillo, 40, was driving her 1997 Ford Explorer on the 15 Freeway near Murrieta when the tread separated from her left-rear tire.

Castillo lost control of her SUV and the car rolled three times down an embankment off the interstate. Castillo was knocked unconscious and woke up in the hospital. The rollover accident left most of her a quadriplegic, with most of her body paralyzed, and limited arm movement. Castillo, who previously lived in Murrieta with her 9-year-old daughter, was forced to move into her parents' home in Upland. Her daughter assists in her round-the-clock care.

At trial, jurors saw safety memos demonstrating Ford was aware that the Explorer lost control very easily in the absence of rear tire tread. Jurors also saw evidence that engineers discovered ways to improve the safety of the vehicle, but that management turned down the engineers' recommendations.

An attorney for Ford said he didn't feel that the evidence supported the $23.4 million verdict, and that the automaker would appeal the case. Ford initially offered to settle Castillo's case for $1.2 million, the Contra Costa Times reported.

Continue reading "Jury Awards $23.4 Million to San Bernardino County Woman Paralyzed in Ford Explorer Rollover Accident" »

Beer cans were strewn across a field at the scene of an SUV rollover accident in Bakersfield early Friday morning that killed a passenger and injured the driver. California Highway Patrol investigators believe alcohol was a factor in the crash. The accident occurred on Lerdo Highway, a short distance east of Interstate 5, sometime before 6 a.m. on February 19.

Both the driver and passenger were ejected from the Chevrolet Suburban. The driver, Javier Moreno, of Lost Hills, was flown to Kern Medical Center with serious head and neck injuries. He was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. The passenger, who was not identified, died at the scene of the crash. According to the CHP, neither the driver nor the passenger was wearing seat belts.

This tragic accident is another painful reminder of the potentially deadly consequences of drinking and driving. Our sympathy goes out to the family of the man who died in this unfortunate, preventable accident. While the cause of this crash is under investigation, the family of the victim killed in this accident may benefit from speaking to a California wrongful death attorney who can help them understand and protect their legal rights.

Continue reading "One Killed, One Injured in Suspected DUI Crash in Bakersfield " »

The California Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal accident Sunday afternoon in Riverside County. Gene Gomez, 47, of Calimesa, was riding a 2005 Harley Davidson motorcycle westbound on Interstate 10, when, while exiting Interstate 10 at the Whitewater rest stop, Gomez struck a raised curb and was thrown from his bike. The crash occurred around 2:10 p.m. A CHP officer who responded to the scene performed a modified jaw thrust maneuver on Gomez, and initially restored his breathing. Gomez was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center where he died shortly after 3 p.m.

Please keep the family of Gene Gomez in your prayers. Our thoughts go out to everyone who knew and loved him.

The CHP San Gorgonio Office is investigating the cause of the February 14 motorcycle crash. Based on the reports of this accident in the Desert Sun, it is not clear why this accident occurred. Was the curb constructed in such a way that it was inherently dangerous? Was there a problem with the Harley that caused Gomez to strike the curb? While this Interstate 10 accident remains under investigation, the family of Gene Gomez may benefit from consulting with an experienced California motorcycle accident wrongful death attorney. If the accident was caused by a dangerous road condition, or a mechanical malfunction on the Harley Davidson, the family may be entitled to compensation for their loss.

Continue reading "Calimesa Man Killed in I-10 Motorcycle Crash at Whitewater Rest Stop Exit" »

A 22-year-old Costa Mesa man was arrested early Sunday morning following a fatal intersection accident around 2:30 a.m. in Orange County. Gustavo Adrian Vega was driving a white 2008 Toyota Tundra southbound on S. Flower Street, when he ran a red light at Sunflower Avenue and Sakioka Drive, colliding with a 2008 Toyota Corolla driven by Hao A. Nguyen. The Tundra struck the passenger side of the Corolla and killed 20-year-old Cara A. Lee, from Santa Ana. Authorities reported Vega had gotten into a previous collision in Santa Ana and was fleeing the scene of that crash when the fatal accident occurred. The driver of the Corolla, Hao Nguyen, was also arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

The February 14th accident is the first DUI-related fatality in Costa Mesa this year. Vega, who suffered only minor scrapes, was arrested on suspicion of murder, felony hit and run, driving under the influence, and possession of a controlled substance. He is being held in lieu of $1.05 million bail.

Please keep the family of Cara Lee in your prayers. Our thoughts go out to everyone who knew and loved her. What a devastating loss.

This fatal Orange County accident is a heartbreaking reminder of the potentially fatal consequences of drinking and driving. When car accidents are caused by the reckless, thoughtless actions of another, family members of the deceased victims may seek compensation in a wrongful death claim to cover funeral and burial expenses, loss of companionship and pain and suffering. An experienced California wrongful death attorney can help victims protect their rights and recover the compensation they are rightfully entitled to.

Four people, including two small children, were killed shortly after 12:30 p.m. Saturday in a fiery multi-vehicle accident near Jurupa, in Ontario. The victims, an adult man, an adult woman, and two small children, all died at the scene when their vehicle burst into flames. The crash involved six vehicles, including three big-rig trucks, a U-Haul truck, and two passenger vehicles.

According to California Highway Patrol reports, the victims were in a vehicle at the end of a long chain reaction of collisions in a construction zone. Their vehicle caught on fire after it was sandwiched between two tractor-trailer trucks, possibly rear-ended and pushed into another tractor--trailer. Three other people suffered minor injuries in the San Bernardino County crash.

The accident marks the most deadly collision this year in the Inland Empire area. The CHP has assembled a special task force to investigate this multi-vehicle crash. Our hearts go out to the family members of the victims as they are grieving this tragic and unexpected loss of four people.

Multi-vehicle accidents, especially involving as many vehicles as this one, can be complex accidents to investigate. More than one party may be responsible, and more than one party may be held liable for causing a crash. While this accident is under investigation, the family of those killed in this accident would likely benefit from consulting with a San Bernardino wrongful death attorney. The family may be entitled to compensation from whoever caused this deadly accident, including other motorists, the tractor-trailer operators, and even possibly the agency responsible for maintaining the roadway, if their actions caused this accident. An attorney can review accident reports, gather evidence, speak to witnesses, and ultimately help family members obtain answers and compensation for their loss.

Continue reading "Four People Killed Saturday in 6-Vehicle Accident on Interstate 15 Near Ontario" »

More than two million people are injured each year in car accidents in the United States. In the state of California, there are more accidents, injuries, and fatalities in Los Angeles County than any other county in the state. If you have been injured in a Los Angeles auto accident, you likely have more than a few questions about what to do next, and how to recover fair compensation for your injuries. The videos below provide answers to some of our most frequently asked questions about auto accidents and personal injury claims, including "What is the number one mistake people make after an auto accident?".

The Los Angeles auto accident attorneys at Estey & Bomberger exclusively practice personal injury law, and have handled personal injury claims for virtually every type of Los Angeles car accident, including fender bender accidents, SUV rollovers, side-impact crashes, head-on collisions, back-up accidents, intersection accidents, and accidents involving drunk drivers, unsafe lane changes, delivery trucks, tour buses, and large trucks.

If you have been injured in a Los Angeles car accident and would like to discuss your legal rights with an experienced attorney, call Estey & Bomberger at (213)785-6828. All consultations are free, and all cases are handled on a no recovery, no fee contingency basis.

A 21-year-old Pasadena man was taken to a hospital with serious injuries Thursday afternoon after his motorcycle collided with a 2008 Honda sedan. According to police, the accident happened at 4:30 p.m. at the intersection of Foothill Boulevard and Linda Rosa Avenue.

Police believe the motorcyclist was riding westbound on Foothill Boulevard, when he collided with the Honda. The driver of the Honda, a 46, year-old Pasadena man, was attempting to turn left from southbound Linda Rosa Avenue onto Foothill Boulevard. The motorcyclist was able to down the bike in the street, but was unable to avoid the collision. The Pasadena Star-News reported the motorcyclist suffered serious injuries, including a broken hip and broken legs, but is expected to survive.

Please keep this injured man in your prayers. We hope he makes a complete and speedy recovery from his very serious injuries.

The driver of the Honda was not arrested or cited at the scene, but police are investigating the incident. If the news reports of the this accident are correct, and the motorcyclist was not speeding, the driver of the Honda is likely at fault for pulling in front of the path of the bike. The man injured and his family would be well-advised to speak with a Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer who will hold the responsible party accountable for the accident and ultimately help the victim obtain the compensation he is entitled to for his injuries. Even if the driver is not cited for the collision, he still may be held accountable in a civil claim.

Continue reading "Motorcyclist Injured in Accident on Foothill Boulevard in Pasadena " »

The femur, the bone running from the hip to the knee, is the longest and strongest bone in the human body. Because it is so strong, it takes a considerable amount of force to fracture the femur. The most common causes of femur accidents are car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and a falls from high places. Comminuted or displaced femur fractures often require a open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) surgical procedure, in which screws and/or plates are attached to the bone to facilitate healing. Femur fractures may also cause vascular damage and other complications.

Compensation for Femur Fracture Injuries

If you or someone in your family suffered a femur fracture in an accident or fall, a personal injury attorney can help you protect and understand your rights, and ultimately obtain the compensation you are entitled to. Before you make a statement to the insurance company or accept any settlement offer, talk to an experienced lawyer and get an honest opinion of your case. You may not fully understand the impact of your injuries over the course of your lifetime, and you may or may not be surprised to learn that the insurance company is offering you far less than you actually deserve. The California bone fracture attorneys at Estey & Bomberger have more than 70 years of collective experience protecting the rights of serious injury victims, and offer a free consultation to anyone injured in an accident in California.

How Much Is Your Case Worth?

Every injury case is different, with a unique set of circumstances. The amount you ultimately receive for your injuries will depend on numerous factors, including the cost of your medical care, your income lost due to the accident, whether the accident caused permanent disability or disfigurement, and how your injury ultimately affects your life going forward. Be sure to read "What is my California personal injury case worth?" which explores these issues further.

A man suffered head trauma and other injuries when he was struck by a SuperShuttle airport shuttle van on Highway 111 around 12:10 p.m. Wednesday, authorities reported. The accident occurred in the northbound lanes of Hwy 111 near the intersection of West Gateway Drive. According to reports in the Desert Sun, the cyclist was riding northbound in the right lane and the SuperShuttle van was also travelling northbound. The driver of the shuttle van told authorities that he swerved to avoid colliding with the bicyclist but was unable to. The van collided with the cyclist on the front passenger side. The cyclist was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center. There no passengers in the airport shuttle van at the time of the crash. The driver was heading back to Ontario after dropping someone off at Palm Springs International Airport when he struck the cyclist, a man who reportedly appeared to be in his 70's.

Our best wishes go out to the man injured in this accident. We hope he makes a full a recovery from his undoubtedly very serious injuries.

The CHP is investigating the cause of the Palm Springs bicycle accident. Based upon the reports by KPSP news and the Desert Sun, it is not clear who is at fault for this accident. While this accident remains under investigation and the victim is recovering, his family may consider speaking with a Riverside County bicycle accident attorney about the man's legal rights to compensation for his injuries. If the driver of the shuttle van, or even a dangerous road condition or mechanical failure of the bike caused or contributed to this accident, an experienced attorney can help the injured cyclist obtain monetary compensation for his injuries.

Continue reading "Cyclist Struck by Airport Shuttle Van on Highway 111 " »

Three people were taken to area hospitals after a chain reaction crash on Newport Boulevard Tuesday afternoon in Costa Mesa. The February 9th crash was reported at 12:02 p.m. at Newport Boulevard and 19th Street. Five ambulances responded to the scene of the accident. Airbags deployed in at least one of the vehicles. All lanes of southbound Newport Boulevard were closed while authorities investigated and the scene was cleaned up.

Based on reports of the crash in the OC Register, the cause of the crash was not immediately clear. One of the vehicles, an Acura, may have been speeding. In the course of their investigation, Costa Mesa police will reconstruct the accident and determine who was at fault. We hope everyone involved in this Orange County pileup accident makes a full and speedy recovery.

The insurance aftermath of a multi-vehicle accident can be complicated. If you were injured in this accident, or any other multi-vehicle crash, it is important to choose an attorney who will protect your rights and ensure you are fully and fairly compensated. It is possible that more than one party is responsible for your injuries and damage to your vehicle. Contact an attorney experienced in handling multi-car accidents for a free consultation and review of your potential case.

Continue reading "Several Injured in Eight-Vehicle Crash in Costa Mesa " »

A 52-year-old Apple Valley woman and her 19-year-old son, also of Apple Valley, were killed in a crash on I-15 Saturday in San Bernardino County. The crash occurred Saturday morning at about 7:20 a.m. in the southbound lanes of Interstate 15, just north of Highway 138. According to reports in the San Bernardino Sun, Merced Molina was driving her 1999 Mercury Villager on Interstate 15 when she struck a disabled tractor-trailer truck in the center median. Merced Molina died at the scene of the crash. Her husband and son were taken to nearby hospitals. Later that day, her son, Javier Molina, Jr., died at Loma Linda University Medical Center.

Please keep the family of Merced and Javier in your thoughts and prayers, as they cope with the sudden and unexpected loss of two family members. Our sympathy goes out to everyone who knew and loved both of them.

The CHP is still investigating the cause of the crash. Based upon news reports of the incident, it is not clear why this accident occurred? Why was a truck stopped in the center median? Was something mechanically wrong with the vehicle? The family of Merced and Javier Molina would be well-advised to speak with a San Bernardino wrongful death attorney for a consultation of their legal rights. There are many factors that can contribute to a highway accident. Depending on the cause of the crash, the family may have a claim for wrongful death, and may be entitled to compensation for their loss.

Continue reading "Apple Valley Mother and Son Killed in Interstate 15 Crash " »

In cycling accident news, a federal judge in South Carolina approved a cycling wrongful death settlement yesterday in the amount of $4,999,900 to the family of Thomas Hoskins, 49, who died in October 2007 when he was hit by a Chrysler Pacifica driven by Sharon King. At the time of the collision, King was allegedly talking on a cell phone, while driving a company car.

Lawyers for the estate of Thomas Hoskins and Lee Anne Barry, another cyclist who was killed in the same accident, used cell phone records and a statement from the woman the driver had been talking to stating that she heard the crash through the phone. One of Hoskins' lawyers told The State(South Carolina News) that the cell phone was believed to be a major cause of the crash.

According to The State, defense attorneys would have argued that, despite King being distracted, she had put the phone down and was about to operate the vehicle's radio when the collision occurred. Last month, King herself pleaded guilty to reckless driving in the deaths of Hoskins and Barry. A separate settlement was reached in the death of Lee Anne Barry in December.

Sources: The State

An 87-year-old Coachella woman died of her injuries several hours after an accident in Riverside County on Monday afternoon, authorities reported. The two vehicle accident, involving a sedan and a full-size 2003 GMC pickup truck, happened Monday morning around 11:20 a.m. at Avenue 48 and Indio Boulevard/Grapefruit Boulevard (California State Route 111). The victim, Francisca Reyes, 87, was a passenger in the 2007 Nissan sedan. She was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, where she died of her injuries shortly before 3 p.m. The driver of the Nissan, reportedly the victim's daughter, suffered moderate injuries in the collision and was also taken to Desert Regional Medical Center

Please keep the family of Francisca Reyes in your prayers as they cope with this unexpected loss. Our deepest sympathy goes out to everyone who knew and loved her.

Based upon the news reports in the Press-Enterprise, the cause of this Indio accident is not clear. Did the driver of the pickup truck run a red light or did something else, such as a traffic light malfunction or vehicle mechanical failure, cause this crash? The Indio Police Department is investigating the cause of the collision, and hopefully their investigation will yield answers to these questions. Meanwhile, the family of Francisca Reyes may benefit from consulting with a Riverside wrongful death attorney while this fatal accident remains under investigation. An attorney can protect the victim's rights and help the family obtain the compensation they are entitled from whoever is responsible for their loss.

Continue reading "Coachella Woman Killed in Intersection Accident in Indio" »

A five-year-old girl suffered a punctured lung, broken ribs, numerous bite puncture wounds and is in critical condition on a ventilator after she was attacked by a mastiff and four pit-bull mix breed dogs on Monday afternoon in Fontana. The girl, identified by the San Bernardino Sun as Destiny Colon, was walking with her mother Josie Arellano and her three siblings when they were attacked by the pack of five dogs who escaped a nearby backyard.

Passerby witnesses helped stop the attack, which occurred on Tokay Avenue south of Arrow Highway. An officer shot one of the dogs and the others were impounded. The girl's seven-year-old brother was also seriously injured and reportedly needed 237 staples in his leg.

This story is heartbreaking and we hope that all of the children are able to fully recover from their undoubtedly very serious injuries. Dog attacks are on the rise in the Inland Empire area. A three-year-old died last month in Apple Valley after he was bitten by an aggressive pit bull. The family involved in this pit bull mauling would be wise to consult with a San Bernardino County dog bite attorney as soon as possible. The children and their mother may be entitled to compensation for their injuries, including medical expenses, future plastic surgeries, and other expenses related to this dog attack.

Continue reading "Mother and Four Children Mauled by Pack of Escaped Dogs in Fontana" »