Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

A 45-year-old man was hospitalized Tuesday night with critical injuries after he was struck by an SUV on Dinuba Street, authorities said. The Tulare County accident occurred at about 9:30 p.m. near Houston Avenue. According to reports, the driver of the 1992 GMC Suburban, Palemon Viera, stopped initially, but then got in his vehicle and fled the scene. A witness followed him and reported his location to police. He was arrested at his home on suspicion of felony hit and run. The victim, who was homeless, suffered serious injuries. He was taken to Kaweah Delta Medical Center and then to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno.

Police are investigating the accident. We hope this poor man survives and is able to make a full recovery from his injuries. Please keep him in your prayers.

Hit-And-Run Accidents & Liability Issues

Not to mention being incredibly cold-hearted, not stopping at the scene of an injury accident (and staying until help arrives) is against the law in California. Under the California Vehicle Code § 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." While this accident remains under investigation, the victim and his family would be well advised to contact a California personal injury attorney experienced in handling pedestrian accident claims, including accidents involving hit-and-run drivers. An attorney can help protect the rights of the injured man and ensure he receives full and fair compensation for his injuries and pain and suffering due to this accident.

Continue reading "Man Critically Injured After Visalia Hit and Run Accident " »

A 78-year-old Riverside man died Friday night after he was struck by a vehicle in Riverside, police reported. The victim, Francisco Rivera-Villeta, was waking eastbound across Van Buren near Magnolia Avenue when he was struck by a car traveling southbound on Magnolia. Rivera-Villeta was taken to Riverside Community Hospital where he later died. The female driver told police she was not able to stop before striking the man. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

What Caused This Accident?

Based upon the limited information about the accident reported in the Riverside Press-Enterprise, it is not clear why the woman struck the man. Was she speeding, under the influence of alcohol, or distracted? Or was the man crossing the road illegally? Hopefully the investigation by the Riverside Police department will yield answers to these questions. Please keep the family of Francisco Rivera-Villeta in your prayers. Our sympathy goes out to everyone who knew and loved him.

Pedestrian Accident Liability

About 5,000 people die in pedestrian accidents each year in the United States. The vast majority of fatal pedestrian/motor vehicle collisions occur on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in later evening hours, which was the case in this March 26th accident. Elderly people (age 70 and older) account for 16 percent of all pedestrian fatalities. While this incident remains under investigation, the family of the man killed would be well-advised to speak to a Riverside pedestrian accident attorney about their legal rights. If the driver caused this accident, or if a defect in the roadway caused this accident, the family may be entitled to compensation in a wrongful death claim. An attorney can monitor the investigation and help the family protect their legal rights.

Continue reading "78-Year Old Riverside Man Killed in Pedestrian Accident " »

A 20-year-old Loma Linda woman died early Monday morning in an intersection crash in the city of Highland, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department reported. The victim, Rachel Bradshaw, was a passenger in a Mazda RX-7 that struck a light pole at the corner of Boulder Avenue and Greenspot Road in San Bernardino County. The male driver of the car, Michael Crispin, 20 was taken to a hospital with critical injuries.

Based upon unknown evidence found during the investigation into the cause of the crash, the March 29th accident is now under investigation by homicide detectives. According to the San Bernardino Sun, deputies turned up evidence that led them to turn the case over to homicide detectives. The nature of the evidence was not specified, and further details were not available.

Our condolences go out to the family of Rachel Bradshaw and her close friends as they are grieving the sudden and unexpected loss of this young woman. Please keep her family in your prayers.

While this accident remains under investigation, Rachel Bradshaw's family would likely benefit from consulting with an experienced San Bernardino wrongful death attorney who will monitor the investigation and make sure the family's legal rights are protected. In cases where negligence, carelessness or intentional willful conduct is involved, the family of the deceased may file a wrongful death claim for funeral expenses, loss of companionship and other damages. Damages may be available regardless of whether the driver is criminally charged.

Continue reading "Homicide Detectives Investigating Fatal Car Accident in Highland" »

Injuries sustained in Los Angeles motorcycle accidents are often much more serious than injuries sustained in car accidents. In the video below, Stephen Estey explains why you should consider hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer after an injury accident, and how an attorney can help you get the maximum value for your claim.

Choosing the right lawyer to handle your case is an important decision, one that can mean the difference between full and fair compensation, and no compensation at all. The lawyers at Estey Bomberger have obtained millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for motorcycle accident victims in Southern California. For more information or to request a free consultation about your accident, contact us at (213)785-6828.

A pedestrian was killed Thursday night in downtown Guernerville after he was struck by a white Ford Econoline van, CHP officers reported. The Sonoma County accident occurred near the intersection of Church Street and Main Street at about 8:20 p.m. March 25. The victim, who was not immediately identified, was a man in his late 40's or early 50's. The California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash. It was not clear if the man was in, or just near a crosswalk when the accident occurred.

The driver of the Econoline van stopped at the scene and underwent field sobriety tests.

The Sonoma County Coroner is withholding the man's name until they notify his family. Our sympathy goes out to the family of the man killed in this accident and his friends that loved him.

Based upon the news reports of this accident in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, the cause of the Guernerville pedestrian accident was not clear. It was not known whether careless driving, speeding or drugs or alcohol were factors in this accident, or if the pedestrian walked into the path of the vehicle. While this accident remains under investigation, the family may benefit from speaking to an experienced and caring California wrongful death attorney who can help them protect their rights and obtain justice for their loss. Even if the at-fault driver is not cited or arrested, he or she may still be held liable in a wrongful death claim.

An 11th grade high school student was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center Friday morning after an accident in shop class, a school district official told CBS News. The March 26, 2010 accident occurred at about 10:40 a.m. at Palm Springs High School. The 11th grader suffered a cut about 3-4 inches long above his eye. It was not known if the boy was wearing goggles at the time the accident occurred.

We hope the young man injured in this accident makes a full and fast recovery, and that his injuries are not life threatening. Please keep him in your prayers.

Schools have a legal responsibility to ensure that classrooms do not have hazardous conditions or defective equipment. If the school failed to exercise its duty of care to protect its students, and this resulted in the young man's injury, the school district may be held liable. The family of the young man injured in this Palm Springs shop class accident would be well-advised to consult with a California personal injury attorney about their legal rights. An attorney can review the situation and help the family understand their legal options following this incident.

Continue reading "High School Student Hospitalized After Accident in Shop Class " »

A 73-year-old Modesto man died of injuries he suffered after he was struck by a vehicle on Claus Road in Modesto Monday afternoon, authorities reported. William Foltz was riding in the right lane and in the process of crossing to the left turn-lane to turn at the intersection of Claus and Sceneic when he was struck by a pickup truck. According to reports, Foltz, who was wearing a helmet, reportedly put his hand out to signal, but was subsequently struck from behind. He was taken to Memorial Medical Center where he later died.

Fatal Accidents in Stanislaus County

According to reports in the Modesto Bee, the March 22 bicycle accident was the fifth death in the last three months involving a pedestrian or cyclist being struck by a vehicle. Our sympathy and prayers goes out to the family and friends of William Foltz, as well as the families of other victims killed in pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents this year in Stanislaus County: Charles Arnold, 70, of Turlock; Ashley Henderson, 16, of Waterford; Fermin Duran Jr., 29, of Modesto; and Joyce Codey, 46, of Riverbank.

Who Was At Fault?

Although the driver of the pickup truck was not cited in Monday's accident, police are still investigating the accident. While this accident remains under investigation, the family of William Foltz may consider consulting with an experienced and understanding California bicycle accident lawyer who can help protect their rights and ensure justice is served following this devastating accident. Even if the driver is not cited or arrested for negligent driving, the family may still hold him and any other responsible parties accountable in a wrongful death claim.

Continue reading "Cyclist Struck and Killed in Modesto " »

Two young men died in a horrific solo-vehicle SUV rollover crash Tuesday night in Santa Fe Springs, the California Highway Patrol reported. The accident occurred in the northbound lanes of Interstate 5, south of the 605 Freeway, at about 11:25 p.m. According to reports in the Whittier Daily News, the driver of the 2003 Nissan Xterra, Ryan Tiederman, 18, of Cerritos, lost control of the SUV for unknown reasons and veered off the freeway. The vehicle then struck a raised embankment and rolled several times, coming to a rest on its roof near the bottom of the on-ramp at Florence Avenue. The passenger, Jacob Aragon, 19, of Lakewood, was partially ejected from the vehicle. Both men died at the scene of the crash.

Our sympathy goes out to the families of Ryan Tiederman and Jacob Aragon, and everyone who knew and loved them. Please keep their families in your prayers as they are grieving the sudden and unexpected loss of these two young men.

CHP Investigation

Any witnesses to the accident or anyone else with information about the accident is asked to contact the CHP's Santa Fe Springs office at (562)868-0503. CHP officers are investigating the cause of the crash, and working to determine the speed of the SUV at the time of the crash, whether the two men were wearing seat belts, and whether alcohol or drugs were involved. A CHP officer said investigators at the scene did not find any initial evidence that alcohol was a factor in the crash.

Who Was At Fault?

Based on the news reports of this accident, it is impossible to tell what caused this rollover accident or who was at fault. The family of both of the men killed in this accident would be well advised to consult with a Los Angeles SUV rollover accident lawyer who can help them determine the cause of the accident, and whether deficient roof-strength in the Nissan XTerra contributed to the two men's deaths. Some SUVs also have defective door latches that are too weak to keep the doors closed in the event of a rollover, which may cause passengers to be ejected. If a defect in the SUV caused the two young men to die in this accident, the families may consider filing a wrongful death claim against the vehicle's manufacturer. An experienced Los Angeles wrongful death lawyer can help the family understand their legal rights, options and obligations following a devastating accident such as this one.

Did you know March is Brain Injury Awareness Month? In the below video, founding partner Mike Bombergr touches on some of the common symptoms of brain injuries.

The dedicated lawyers at Estey Bomberger have recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for victims of brain injuries in California (see our case results). If you or someone you love has suffered a brain injury, contact the Los Angeles brain injury lawyers at Estey Bomberger for more information a consultation of your legal rights. All consultations are free, with no obligation.

Seven people were hurt in an accident Tuesday morning on State Route 138 (Antelope Highway), near Pinion Hills, authorities reported. The crash occurred around 6:45 a.m at 263rd Street East, the CHP reported. Several people had to be extracted from their vehicles by LA County Fire Rescue crews. Six people had reportedly minor injuries, and one person was airlifted to a hospital by helicopter. The crash involved several vehicles and a tractor trailer, which became engulfed in flames.

We hope that everyone injured in this accident makes a full and speedy recovery, and that the injuries they suffered are not life threatening.

Based upon the limited news reports of this accident in the LA Times, the cause of the crash is not clear. Multi-vehicle accidents can often involve more than one at-fault party. The victims injured in this accident near Pinion Hills may benefit from speaking to a Los Angeles auto accident lawyer who has experience handling multi-vehicle accidents. An attorney can help the victims protect their rights and advise them what to tell the insurance adjustor after a car accident, and ultimately help them recover the full and fair compensation they deserve for injuries in a serious car accident.

Continue reading "Seven People Hurt in Crash Involving Big Rig on Antelope Highway" »

Plavix (clopidogrel), the anti-clotting drug sold by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Sanofi-Aventis SA will now get the FDA's most serious black box warning, Reuters reported earlier this month. According to the FDA, the language on the drug's packaging will "warn about reduced effectiveness in patients who are poor metabolizers of Plavix."

The FDA estimates that between 2 and 14 percent of people are poor metabolizers of Plavix. Bristol Myers Squibb estimates this number to be about 3 percent, and said in a statement, "Patients should continue taking Plavix unless told to do otherwise by their healthcare professional." The warning will also advise doctors about how to identify patients who are poor metabolizers through genetic tests. The tests are expected to cost less than $500.

The FDA first expressed its concerns about Plavix, the #2 best selling drug in the world, on November 23, 1998, when it warned patients that manufacturers falsely credited the drug as being more effective than aspirin in treating heart disease. If you have taken Plavix, and suffered a stroke, heart attack, ulcers, internal bleeding or other blood disorders, contact the dangerous drug lawyers at Estey Bomberger for a free consultation of your legal rights. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

A passenger in a 1995 Jeep died late Sunday morning after a solo-vehicle SUV rollover accident on Interstate 15, the California Highway Patrol reported. The March 21st accident occurred on southbound I-15, about a half mile north of Kenwood Dr. in the San Bernardino area, at 11:36 a.m. According to witness reports, the left rear tire of a green 1995 Jeep blew out, causing the vehicle to veer into the center divider area and overturn. One of the passengers, a 46-year-old San Bernardino woman, was ejected and died of her injuries at the scene of the crash. Several others injured were taken to area hospitals.

Tire Blowouts and SUV Rollovers

At highway speeds, it is not uncommon for tire blowouts to result in vehicle rolllovers. Tire blowouts can result from road debris, excessive wear and deterioration, underinflation, improper installation or negligent maintenance. They may also occur due to defects in the vehicle or tire itself. In rollover accidents such as this one on Interstate 15, the vehicle and the tires are important evidence and must not be destroyed. The SUV itself and the tires must be preserved for inspection and testing to see if a defect in the tire, such as inadequate adhesion in the tread belt system, caused or contributed to the accident, and the resulting death and injuries.

Compensation For Injuries and Wrongful Death

While this rollover accident is under investigation, the family of the woman killed in this accident as well as the other occupants injured would be well advised to consult with a Southern California SUV rollover accident attorney about the cause of the accident and their legal rights. An attorney can help preserve evidence and hold the manufacturer of the vehicle or tire responsible for the injuries and wrongful death of those involved in this accident. The SUV rollover lawyers at Estey Bomberger have represented numerous victims of SUV rollover accidents caused by tire defects, and offer a free, comprehensive consultation.

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of a fatal accident involving a semi-truck on Interstate 215 in the city of Colton in San Bernardino County. The Inland Empire accident occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 21st, north of the Washington Street on-ramp to the northbound 215 Freeway. The San Bernardino County Coroner's Office identified the victim as Marvyn Perez, 19, of Las Vegas. Following the accident, Perez was taken by ambulance to Loma Linda University Medical Center where he died.

Who was At Fault?

Based on the limited news reports of this tragic truck vs. pedestrian accident, it is not clear exactly how this accident occurred and who was at fault. Investigators will likely try to determine whether the victim walking along the side of the freeway, or whether he entered freeway traffic? Also, investigators will try to determine how fast semi-truck was travelling. Hopefully the investigation conducted by the California Highway Patrol will reveal answers as to why this crash occurred and who was ultimately responsible.

Truck Accidents and Liability Issues

Truck accidents are unique and different than passenger auto accidents. To better protect their rights, the family of Marvyn Perez would likely benefit from a consultation with an experienced California truck accident attorney. If the driver of the tractor-trailer caused this fatal accident, the family may be entitled to compensation for their loss in a wrongful death claim. While this investigation is ongoing, an attorney can help the family understand some of the common causes of truck accidents and the time periods to file a truck accident lawsuit in California. If the truck driver is responsible for the accident, an attorney can help the victim's family obtain the compensation they're entitled to for the wrongful death of their loved one.

Continue reading "Las Vegas Man Fatally Struck by Tractor Trailer in Colton " »

A 29-year-old Murrieta man died at the scene of a crash near Temecula on Interstate 15 early Saturday morning, CHP officers said. The Riverside County Sheriff/Coroner identified the victim as Miguel Vega. The March 20th accident was reported on northbound Interstate 15, about three quarters of a mile south of Temecula Parkway (State Route 79). Witnesses said the car initially struck a guardrail, spun out and stopped across the right two traffic lanes with headlights out in predawn darkness. The Mazda was then was hit by an oncoming 2010 Nissan driven by a 50-year-old Yucaipa man, and then struck by a third vehicle. Vega died about 20 minutes after the crash. According to the Press-Enterprise, no one else was seriously injured in the crash.

Cause of the I-15 Accident

Based on the limited news reports of this accident, it is not clear what caused this accident and who was at fault. The CHP and Riverside County Sheriff's Department will investigate whether the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Authorities will want to know what caused the driver to initially strike the guardrail, and why his headlights were out. It is not clear whether his injuries were sustained in the initial collision with the guardrail, or from being struck by the Nissan or a third vehicle.

Accident Fault & Liability Issues

The family of Miguel Vega likely has many questions about what happened in the moments leading up to this devastating Interstate 15 accident. In all catastrophic accidents such as this one, even when liability issues are still not clear, the family of the victim is always advised to consult with a wrongful death lawyer immediately. An experienced lawyer can help the family protect their legal rights and give them valuable advice. If the I-15 fatality crash was the fault of another driver or even caused by a mechanical failure in the Mazda, an experienced California personal injury attorney can help the family obtain the damages they are legally entitled to in a wrongful death claim.

Continue reading "Murrieta Man Killed In Multi-Car Pileup on Interstate 15 in Temecula " »

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating a single-engine plane crash that killed two people Wednesday afternoon about seven miles west of Meadows Field Airport, and about a mile south of Highway 58, near the Frito-Lay Plant in Bakersfield. The Kern County Coroner's Office identified the victims as pilot Alfred Fredrick Goss, 68, of Bakersfield, and passenger Steven Dean Ballard, 54, of Anchorage, AK. The plane broke into pieces upon crash landing and caught fire; both Goss and Ballard died at the scene of the crash.

According to reports in the Bakersfield Californian, both of the men killed in the crash were experienced pilots. Goss was veteran of the Reno Air Races and one-time national air racing champion and member of the Warlock Team. Ballard was a pilot for FedEx. The plane was AT-6 Texan, a single-engine fixed wing propeller plane used to train pilots in World War II. Our sympathy goes out to the families of Al Goss and Steve Ballard, and everyone who knew and loved them. Please keep both of these families in your prayers as they are dealing with such a sudden and unexpected loss.

What Caused this Fatal Airplane Crash?

Friends at the scene were reportedly puzzled as to why the crash occurred because both men were very experienced pilots and weather conditions were favorable. Hopefully the NTSB investigation will yield answers as to what went wrong and caused the plane to go down suddenly. Meanwhile, the families of both men killed in this crash would be well advised to speak to an experienced aviation accident lawyer about this incident. An attorney can monitor the investigation and hire additional investigators to look into what went wrong, whether it is negligence in maintenance or mechanical system component malfunction. If this devastating plane crash was the result of someone else's negligent, an aviation accident attorney can pursue justice, accountability and compensation for the families' losses.

Continue reading "Two Experienced Pilots Killed in Small Plane Crash in Central California " »

A 66-year-old man from Bremerton, Washington was killed when an out-of control vehicle struck him on Friday March 12th in Palm Springs, police reported. The accident occurred at the southwest corner of Farrell Drive at Tachevah Drive, at 9:54 a.m., according to a Riverside County Sheriff's Department Coroner Press Release. The man was walking on a sidewalk when the driver apparently lost control of his car and struck him for unknown reasons.

The victim was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center, where he died shortly after arrival. The identity of the driver of the car that struck him has not been released. The Palm Springs Police Department is investigating the cause of the crash and authorities have not said why the crash occurred or whether the driver has been cited or arrested.

Our sympathy goes out to the family of the victim, Gary S. Champine, and everyone who knew and loved him. Please keep his family and close friends in your thoughts and prayers. While the Riverside Police Department is investigating the accident, the family of the man killed in this fatal Palm Springs pedestrian accident may consider speaking with a Riverside wrongful death lawyer about their legal rights. An attorney can review the case and the family's options for holding the driver accountable for his reckless and negligent actions in a wrongful death claim.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Struck and Killed on Sidewalk in Palm Springs " »

Three people, including a toddler, died late Tuesday afternoon in a horrific head-on collision in Hemet. For reasons still not known, two cars, an eastbound Chevy Malibu and a westbound Honda Accord, both travelling at about 55 mph, collided head-on on W. Florida Avenue. The March 9th accident occurred at about 5 p.m., about one mile west of Warren Road on Highway 74.

The driver of the Chevy Malibu, Donald Graves, 30, of Hemet, died at the scene, the San Bernardino Sun reported. His three-year-old daughter, Dakota Graves, was rushed to Hemet Valley Medical Center where she died shortly after 6 p.m. The driver of the Honda Accord, Andrew Huizar, 20, of Apple Valley, died at the scene. Our sympathy goes out to everyone who knew and loved both victims. Please keep their families in your prayers, as they are grieving the sudden and unexpected loss of their loved ones. The cause of the fatal Riverside County crash is under investigation.

Head-on collisions at highway speeds such as this one are very often fatal or result in serious injury. Authorities believe Graves drifted into westbound lanes, where he collided head-on with Huizar's Honda. It is not known if he was distracted, or if he swerved to avoid an object or debris in the roadway, or if something malfunctioned with his vehicle. While the investigation is still being conducted, the families of the victims killed in this crash may consider speaking with a Riverside wrongful death attorney about their legal rights. An experienced attorney can help hold the responsible parties legally and financially accountable for the loss of a loved one through an auto insurance claim or wrongful death lawsuit.

Continue reading "Three Killed in Head-On Crash in Hemet" »

The city of Los Angeles has settled a lawsuit with a man who was left a paraplegic following an accident at the 2007 Los Angeles Triathlon, the LA Times reported today.

Steve Albala was 60 in 2007 when the accident occurred. He was riding his motorcycle helping to officiate the cycling part of the event. According to the lawsuit, a traffic officer on the course motioned for a vehicle to enter an intersection on the route, causing a collision with the motorcycle. Albala, who had been riding motorcycles for more than 40 years, was thrown about 20 feet following the collision. He fractured a vertebra and suffered a spinal cord injury. He was in the hospital for more than two years and underwent several surgeries.

The $7 million settlement will pay for Albala's medical needs for the rest of his life. The city of Los Angeles also paid $250,000 to an official who was riding with Albala on his motorcycle, and $500,000 to the driver of the car.

Continue reading "City of LA Settles Lawsuit with Injured Triathlon Volunteer for $7 Million " »

The San Bernardino County Coroner's office reported Friday that two men from Los Angeles were killed in a rollover accident Thursday, March 4th on Interstate 40, near Ludlow. The accident occurred at about 1 p.m. on eastbound I-40, just west of Kelbaker Road. The victims were identified Friday as Thomas Getty Thate, 54, of Los Angeles and Brett Hugh Lekie, 43, also of Los Angeles. According to reports, Thomas Thate was driving the 2001 Mercury SUV when for unknown reasons, he lost control of the vehicle and it overturned several times. Both men died at the scene of the crash.

Please keep the families of Thomas Thate and Brett Lekie in your prayers as they are coping with this tragic accident and sudden loss. Our sympathy goes out to everyone who knew and loved both men.

This is not the first fatal SUV rollover accident near Ludlow this year. On January 13, 2010, a 77-year-old Arizona woman died in a Toyota SUV rollover crash on westbound I-40 near Ludlow.

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the accident. According to reports in the Press-Enterprise, both men were wearing seat belts. The weather was cool and clear, so it is unlikely that weather conditions or poor visibility contributed to the accident. Fatalities in SUV rollover accidents such as this one involving a 2001 Mercury SUV, are often caused when the roof collapses in a rollover crash. Vehicles with stronger roofs have fewer deaths than vehicles with weaker roofs, and Ford Explorers, Mercury Mountaineers and Mazda Navajos made between 1999 and 2002 have some of the highest rates of driver death. Ford Motor Company has paid out hundreds of millions in settlements to victims and their families injured or killed in SUV rollover accidents.

While this accident is under investigation, the families of both men killed in this rollover accident would be well advised to speak with a SUV rollover accident lawyer about their rights in a wrongful death claim. An attorney can have a rollover accident expert inspect the vehicle and determine if a defect in design or roof crush caused this accident or the fatalities of both occupants. The families of both victims may consider suing the vehicle's manufacturer for the wrongful death of their loved ones in a product liability lawsuit.

Continue reading "Two Men Killed in SUV Rollover on Interstate 40 in San Bernardino County " »

If you've been injured in a car accident, chances are you have been contacted by your insurance company, and you may be wondering what you should tell the adjustor and how you should handle communications with the insurance company. The car accident lawyers at Estey & Bomberger have successfully handled thousands of car accident claims, and know firsthand the tactics insurance companies use to pay you as little as possible for your injuries. In the video below, founding partner Stephen Estey addresses the common question, "What Do I Tell the Insurance Adjuster After a Car Accident?"

If you have been injured in a car accident in California, contact the Los Angeles auto accident attorneys at Estey & Bomberger anytime for more information and a comprehensive review of your legal rights. All consultations are free and without obligation.

The OC Register reported today that the Orange County Transportation Authority has reached a $7.25 million settlement with a man who was seriously injured when he fell under a bus while attempting to board it on December 14, 2007. The settlement was reached late Tuesday night for a case that was scheduled for trial the next day.

The victim, Ronald E. Cunningham, was a former heating and air conditioning specialist who was already on disability at the time of the accident. The accident occurred at the intersection of Main and LaVeta in Orange. According to news reports, Cunningham had tried to board the bus while it was pulling away from the bus stop. Cunningham reportedly had a blood-alcohol level of .27 and was carrying two 18-packs of beer when he fell under the bus and was run over by the right rear tire.

A spokesman for OCTA said the agency will pay $3.1 million and the rest of the money will come from OCTA's insurance company. The spokesman said that while the OCTA would have rather seen the case go to trial, the insurance company chose to settle the bus accident lawsuit. Cunningham will receive the settlement funds within 30 days.

Continue reading "$7.25 Million Settlement Reached in OCTA Bus vs. Pedestrian Accident " »

At least three vehicles were involved in a crash on the northbound 605 Freeway (San Gabriel River Freeway) Wednesday night in Cerritos. The accident occurred shortly before 7 p.m., near the 91 (Artesia) Freeway, south of Los Angeles. Two people were killed in the crash, and five people were injured, four of them critically. Two victims were flown to local hospitals by helicopter. Traffic was backed up for several miles following the crash.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the accident occurred during a freeway lane change. At least one of the vehicles overturned. Especially at freeway speeds, it is not uncommon for unsafe lane changes to trigger a catastrophic accident. One car clipping another at high speeds can easily cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle and strike other cars, guardrails or overturn.

The cause of this deadly crash is under investigation. Our sympathy goes out to the families of the victims, and we hope everyone injured in this crash makes a full recovery. While this accident is being investigated, the families of the victims injured and killed in the accident may benefit from speaking with a Los Angeles auto accident attorney about their legal rights. If another driver's negligence caused this accident, the injured victims, and the families of the two people who died in the crash may be entitled to compensation in a personal injury or wrongful death claim.