Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

The victim of a fatal off-road crash in Menifee has been identified as Riley Wills, 25, of Menifee. According to reports in the San Bernardino Press-Enterprise, on Wednesday, May 26th at about 6:20 p.m., Wills was driving a Jeep on a dirt trail about 900 feet above a residential neighborhood in the area of McCall Boulevard and Oakhurst Avenue. For unknown reasons, the Jeep slid off the trail and rolled about 400 feet down a steep embankment. According to the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner, Wills, the sole occupant of the vehicle, was ejected and died at the scene of the crash.

Our deepest condolences go out to Riley's family and everyone who loved this young man. Please keep his family in your prayers.

Cause of the Accident

The limited information in news reports does not explain what happened in this accident. The investigation as to the cause of the accident is continuing and anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call Sergeant Dan Lingo at the Menifee Police Traffic Team at (951) 210-1000. Hopefully the investigation by law enforcement will reveal why this accident occurred and exactly what happened.

Off-Road Accidents and Wrongful Death Liability

Just like accidents on streets and highways, off-road accidents have countless causes. They may be caused by dangerous roadway conditions, vehicle defects, and tire failures, or they may caused by the driver. In any fatal accident where it is not clear why a crash occurred, the family members of the decedent are well-advised to contact a wrongful death lawyer who can arrange to have the vehicle and accident location independently inspected. If this accident was caused by a manufacturing defect in the jeep or its tires, or a dangerous road condition, the family of the victim may be entitled to financial compensation from whoever is responsible for the loss of their loved one in a wrongful death claim.

Continue reading "Menifee Man Killed in Off-Road Vehicle Rollover Crash " »

A crash Wednesday afternoon involving a Saturn sedan and a big-rig truck left a family of five from Los Osos with serious injuries, KEYT News reported. According to reports, the driver of a big rig truck hauling 14,000 pounds of citrus and vegetables had pulled over to inspect his vehicles braking system. The truck driver pulled onto the northbound shoulder of the highway.

The sedan collided with the rear-end of the trailer near Mussel Shoals Road at 1:50 p.m., and was wedged under the back of the big rig. According to the Daily Sound, the truck driver and a good Samaritan off duty firefighter helped pull three children, a 2-year-old boy a 4-year-old girl, and a 6-year-old girl out of the back of the vehicle. Their parents, identified by the Ventura County Star as Christopher and Vanessa Dunne of Los Osos, remained trapped in their vehicle for nearly an hour.

A CHP officer said that the fire department had to use "extreme extrication procedures" to remove the parents. A helicopter landed on the highway and took the father to the hospital. The others were taken to the hospital by ground ambulance. The driver of the truck was not hurt. Our hearts go out to the Dunne family and we hope they all make a full recovery from their serious injuries.

Cause of the Crash

The facts reported in the news do not explain what happened, and at this point, there are really more questions than answers. It is not clear if the semi-truck was partly on the roadway, and whether it was parked legally. Also at issue is whether the underride protection bar (also known as a rear-impact guard or DOT bumper) met Department of Transportation requirements. The laws that govern rear-impact protection on tractor-trailer trucks can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations §571.224 Standard No. 224. The purpose of this federal regulation is to "reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries occurring when light duty vehicles impact the rear of trailers and semitrailers with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 4,536 kg (approximately 10,000 pounds) or more."

Continue reading "Family of Five Injured When Car Collides with Parked Semi on Highway 101 " »

Five people were injured in a rollover crash on Interstate 10 Wednesday afternoon, the California Highway Patrol reported. The injury accident was reported at 4:23 p.m. on Interstate 10 at Frontage Road, east of the Cactus City Rest Area in Chuckwalla. According to KPSP Local 2 News, the vehicle rollover was triggered by a tire blowout on the freeway. Firefighers extricated five people from the car. One person suffered critical injuries and was airlifted to a hospital. Two others suffered moderate injuries and two others suffered minor injuries.

Tire Blowouts and Accidents

By definition, tire blowouts are a rapid loss of air pressure in a tire, usually caused by a tire bursting or falling apart. With advances in tire technology, blowouts are less common than they were several decades ago, but these events still occur. Blowouts can occur for a number of reasons ranging from debris in the road, under inflation of a tire, or a small puncture that allows a tire to slowly deflate until it fails. In some cases, blowouts occur because of defects in the manufacturing of the tire. In any event, tire blowouts often cause loss of control of a vehicle, which can result in a rollover.

Continue reading "Five Injured After Tire Blowout Causes Rollover Crash on Interstate 10 " »

A 23-year-old Riverside man died Monday night in a rollover crash on northbound Interstate 15, the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner's Department said in a press release. The man was identified as Pablo Larios. According to the San Bernardino Press-Enterprise, the rollover crash was reported at 11:15 p.m. on Interstate 15 near Main Street. Larios died at 11:41 p.m. Monday at the scene of the crash. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Continue reading "Riverside Man Killed in I-15 Rollover Crash in Lake Elsinore " »

The Southwest Riverside News Network reported that at least one person was hurt in a rollover crash on state Route 371 (Cahuilla Road) near Anza this morning. The accident was reported at 8:37 a.m. near Cary Road, the Temecula Valley News said. Information about what caused the crash or the extent of the victims' injuries was not immediately available. At least one person was taken to the hospital with moderate injuries.

Highway 71 Accidents and Fatalities

Less than a year ago, on Friday, August 14, 2009, two people suffered critical injuries in a head-on collision on Highway 371 at Cary Road, likely very near this same accident location. On May 23, 2006, one person died in an early morning rollover crash on Hwy 371 near Burnt Valley Road (about five miles away from the location of the May 20th rollover crash). A total of nine people died in accidents on Highway 371 in 2006, and three people died on Hwy 371 in 2007, according to the CHP. Residents of the Anza Valley have long lobbied Caltrans for more safety projects for their rural area, which is located south of Hemet and east of Temecula.

About Hwy 371

California State Route 371 is a heavily travelled 20-mile connector route beginning at State Route 79 in Aguanga, and ending at State Route 74 near Anza. The route from southwestern Riverside County to the Coachella Valley runs through the town of Anza, but otherwise travels through mostly rural areas.

Continue reading "At Least One Person Injured in Hwy 371 Crash " »

A 12-year-old Los Angeles girl and her 21-year-old cousin tragically died Sunday night when a suspected drunk driver ran a stop sign and struck the vehicle they were riding in, the San Bernardino Sun reported today.

The fatal intersection accident occurred at North Macy Street and Mesa at 8:25 p.m., the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner said in a press release. According to reports, the 12-year-old girl, Sandra Ceballos, was a passenger in the rear-middle seat of a silver 2004 Kia Optima travelling southbound on North Macy Street in Muscoy. Her cousin, Timothy Sigala Jr., the front seat passenger, was critically injured.

A 1998 Chevy pickup truck travelling eastbound on Mesa reportedly failed to stop at the stop-sign and broadsided the Kia. The collision forced the Kia into a wooden fence and the vehicle came to rest against a nearby palm tree.

San Bernardino Fire Department responders arrived at the scene approximately five minutes after the crash and found Ceballos dead at the scene. Timothy Sigala Jr. was taken to Loma Linda University Medical Center, where he was removed from life support Monday night. Ceballos' mother and 14-year-old brother were also badly injured in the accident.

Our sympathy and condolences out to the family of Sandra Ceballos and Timothy Sigala and everyone who knew and loved them. Please keep their family in your prayers. We hope the others hurt in this crash make a full recovery.

Cause of the Crash

Although the cause of the accident is still under investigation by the CHP, the San Bernardino Sun stated that the driver of the Chevy ran a stop sign. The Press-Enterprise reported Monday that the driver of the Chevy, Alexander Velasco, 21, of San Bernardino, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. If news reports are accurate, the driver of the Chevy truck caused this crash by making the decision to drink and drive. Crashes caused by drunk drivers are 100% preventable.

DUI Laws in California

Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is against the law under California Vehicle Code (CVC) § 23152(1), which states "It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle." The driver, if he was determined to be under the influence of alcohol, will likely face charges of vehicular manslaughter for the death of the young girl killed in this crash. Under California Penal Code § 191.5 (a) Gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated is the unlawful killing of a human being without malice aforethought, in the driving of a vehicle, where the driving was in violation of Section 23140, 23152, or 23153 of the Vehicle Code, and the killing was either the proximate result of the commission of an unlawful act, not amounting to a felony, and with gross negligence, or the proximate result of the commission of a lawful act that might produce death, in an unlawful manner, and with gross negligence."

Continue reading "Two Killed, Two Injured in Muscoy Car Accident; Driver Arrested " »

Two people died and one person was injured May 14th in a crash in Sun City, police reported. The fatal Riverside County accident occurred near the intersection of Sherman Road and Mapes Road at about 7:40 p.m. Friday, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department said in a press release. Perris Police officers dispatched to the scene of the crash discovered a pickup truck had been travelling southbound on Sherman Road when the driver of the vehicle lost control and struck a large tree. The driver of the pickup truck, Antonio Esparza, 22, of Perris, died at the scene of the crash. Another passenger, Francisco Esparza, 24, was taken to Menifee Valley Medical Center, where he died. A third passenger was hospitalized in critical condition.

Cause of the Crash

The cause of this May 14th Menifee crash is still under investigation. Sheriff's officials have asked anyone with information about the crash to call the Perris Police Department Traffic Division at (951)210-1000.

Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Liability

Based on the limited information provided in news reports, it is not exactly clear why this accident occurred. Perris Police are investigating whether driver error caused this crash, or if this accident was the result of a vehicle defect or a dangerous road condition. If the negligence of the auto manufacturer, the road maintenance agency, or any other party caused the driver to lose control of his vehicle, the man critically injured and the families of the two men killed may be entitled to monetary compensation in a personal injury or wrongful death claim.

While this accident is still under investigation, the families of the three men involved in this accident would be well-advised to consult with an attorney. An experienced Riverside County auto accident lawyer can oversee the official investigation, review the accident report, explain the unique legal issues surrounding this accident, and help the families understand and protect their legal rights to compensation following this accident.

Continue reading "Two Killed, One Critically Injured in Sun City Crash " »

The driver of a Jeep Wrangler was arrested early Friday morning after he plowed into a home in Downey, directly into the bedroom where a 6-year-old girl was sleeping, the Contra Costa Times reported. According to Downey Police, the suspected drunken driving crash was reported at Brookshire Avenue and Stewart and Gray Road about 1:45 a.m.

A man and his daughter living at the home were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The man's wife was staying at a nearby hospital, having just given birth to her second child the day before. The driver of the Jeep, who was not identified, tried to flee the crash on foot. However, neighbors who were awakened by the sound of the crash, chased and caught the man and held him until police arrived. A passenger in the Jeep was pinned and had to be extricated by firefighters.

Cause of the Crash and Liability Issues

Although the cause of this accident is still under investigation by Downey Police, if news reports are accurate, this Los Angeles crash is the fault of the suspected drunken driver. He will likely be liable for both the man and his daughter's injuries as a result of this crash, and also the damage to their home. While this incident is still under investigation, the family of the two injured victims would be well-advised to consult with a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney can explain their legal rights and any unique legal issues to this case, and help them obtain justice for their injuries, including compensation for their medical expenses, lost earnings, and emotional pain and suffering.

Continue reading "Father and Daughter Taken to Hospital after Car Plows into Downey Home " »

A 55-year-old Costa Mesa man was tragically killed Monday afternoon when he was struck by a sport-utility-vehicle while riding his bicycle in Temescal Valley, the Riverside County Sheriff reported. According to the San Bernardino Press-Enterprise, the cyclist, identified as Alan Earl Miller, was riding his bike northbound on Temescal Canyon Road about 1.5 miles south of Indian Truck Trail when he was struck from behind by a northbound 2003 Ford SUV. Miller was ejected from his bicycle and died at the scene shortly after the crash. The driver of the SUV and a passenger in the vehicle were not hurt, a fire department spokesman said. The accident occurred at 2:38 p.m. on May 10th.

Cause of the Fatal Bicycle Accident

The OC Register reported that the driver of the SUV, Scott Reis, 42, of Corona, drifted off the road and struck Miller. If this report is accurate, the driver of the SUV caused this collision and Miller's death. The Riverside office of the California Highway Patrol is the agency investigating the cause of the accident.

Bike Accidents & Wrongful Death Liability

While this Riverside County bicycle accident is still under investigation, the family of Allen Miller would be well-advised to talk to a Southern California bicycle accident attorney about their legal rights in a wrongful death claim. If the driver of the SUV is at fault for this crash, as it sounds based on news reports, he may be held liable for Miller's death in a civil claim for wrongful death. An experienced attorney who has successfully represented surviving family members of victims of fatal bike accidents can explain the legal issues surrounding this case and help the family protect their rights to compensation for their loved one's funeral expenses, loss of future earnings and support, and loss of love and companionship.

Continue reading "Costa Mesa Man Killed in Temescal Valley Bicycle Accident " »

Three people were hospitalized last week after a truck went off the road and plowed into an AMPM gas station in Fontana, the Herald News reported. The horrific accident was reported on Tuesday, May 4th, at 10:36 a.m., at the Arco gas station located at the corner of Sierra Avenue and Baseline Avenue.

According to reports by ABC 7 News, a white Chevrolet pickup truck jumped a curb, plowed over a security pole and gas pump and struck a man pumping gas into his Toyota Tacoma. The man was pinned between his truck, the gas pump and the security pole. His leg was completely severed at his knee. The force of the collision uprooted a second pump station, which fell onto a gray Toyota Corolla. A female occupant inside the Corolla was also injured.

The Fontana Police department is investigating the cause of the crash. It is not clear whether the driver of the Chevy was impaired by drugs or alcohol, or if he suffered a medical emergency such as a stroke or a seizure, or if something malfunctioned mechanically in his truck.

Personal Injury Liability Issues

The cause of this crash is still under investigation. However, based on the news reports, it is clear that the driver of the white pickup truck caused this crash by losing control of his vehicle, although why he lost control is still not known. In this situation, the families of the two victims injured in this accident would be well-advised to contact a Riverside personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

This was a very serious incident and there are numerous legal issues involved, as this incident occurred at a gas station. An experienced and skilled personal injury attorney can help the victims understand and protect their legal rights, and obtain full and fair compensation from their serious injuries sustained in this accident. Both victims may be entitled to substantial compensation for their injuries including their medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering as a result of the accident.

Continue reading "Gas Station Customer's Leg Severed After Truck Plows Into Gas Station " »

A 46-year-old woman in a wheelchair was struck and ran over by a hit-and-run driver in a crosswalk Saturday night, Bakersfield police reported. The accident occurred in the 800 block of Union Avenue (California State Route 204) at 8:28 p.m. The woman, identified as Guadalupe "Lupe" Delgadillo, was crossing the street in a crosswalk when she was struck. She died at about 3 a.m. the next morning at Kern Medical Center, the Bakersfield Californian reported.

Police are asking for the public's help in identifying the driver of the vehicle that struck Delgadillo. The car is believed to be a small gray or silver sedan, likely with visible damaged to the front end. Anyone with information is asked to contact Bakersfield Police at (661) 327-7111.

Bakersfield Pedestrian Accidents

There were a number of fatal pedestrian accidents in Bakersfield last year. On August 30, 2009, a 77-year-old woman in a wheelchair died after she was struck and killed on Redbank Road in Bakersfield. On August 22, 2009, a 54-year-old Bakersfield woman was struck and killed while walking in the 2700 block of Union Avenue. And last June, a 55-year-old man was killed when he was struck by a Ford F-350 pickup truck while riding his bicycle on South Union Avenue. The driver in that crash was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.

Hit and Run Accidents & Liability Issues

While this crash is still being investigated, the family of the victim may benefit from speaking to a California wrongful death attorney. If the driver is located, the family of the woman killed may be entitled to compensation for their loss in a civil claim for wrongful death. An attorney experienced in hit-and-run accident cases can aid in the search efforts to locate the driver, preserve evidence and explain how the victim's own insurance policy may apply, if she had one.

When a hit and run accident results in a fatality, the driver is usually charged with a felony. Under California law, a hit-and-run felony is defined as "a failure to immediately stop at the scene of a motor vehicle accident involving death or permanent injury." For the family's sake, we hope that the driver of the vehicle involved in this collision is located or turns himself or herself in.

Continue reading "Woman in Wheelchair Struck and Killed by Hit-and-Run Driver in Bakersfield " »

A 52-year-old Lake Elsinore man who was struck by a car last month has died, the Riverside County Sheriff Coroner reported May 9th. The cyclist, Michael Padilla, was struck by a mid-size 4-door gray Mitsubishi sedan as he rode across Riverside Drive north of Lincoln Street in Lake Elsinore. The accident occurred last month on Saturday, April 17th , shortly before 3:30 p.m. Padilla suffered major injuries and was taken to Inland Valley Hospital where he reportedly underwent major surgery. He died at the hospital early Sunday, May 9th.

Please keep the family of Michael Padilla in your prayers during this difficult time. Our sympathy goes out to everyone who knew and loved him.

Cause of the Accident

The Lake Elsinore Police Department is investigating the April 17th accident. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the agency at (951)245-3300. Based on the limited information provided by news reports, it is not clear why this accident occurred. At this point, there are more questions than answers. However, if the driver of the Mitsubishi caused this accident, the family of the cyclist may be entitled to compensation for their loss in a wrongful death claim.

Wrongful Death Liability

While this accident is still under investigation, the family of the victim may benefit from speaking with an attorney about a possible wrongful death claim and the family's legal rights. Monetary damages awarded in a wrongful death suit may include compensation for final medical expenses, funeral or burial expenses, loss of expected future earnings, and loss of future companionship. An experienced Riverside wrongful death attorney can review the accident report and stay on top of the official investigation, as well as advise the family of their best course of action to protect their legal rights, and help them recover the compensation they deserve for their loss.

Continue reading "Lake Elsinore Cyclist Dies Weeks After Being Struck by Car " »

Four people were injured Thursday afternoon in Valencia after a Sheriff's vehicle rear-ended a Jeep, authorities reported. The accident occurred around 3:15 p.m. on McBean Parkway, just north of Creekside Road in Los Angeles County.

The four people injured in the crash included the sheriff's deputy and three occupants in the Jeep, a grandmother and her 16-year-old and 11-year-old grandchildren.

The three occupants of the Jeep were taken to a local hospital by ambulance. According to the sheriff's department, the accident was the first on-duty collision in the eight years since the sheriff's deputy had been on the force. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Personal Injury Liability Issues

Although the cause of the crash remains under investigation, if the news reports are accurate, it appears that the driver of the patrol car is likely at fault. In most, but not all, cases, if a vehicle rear-ends someone, the driver that hits the car in front of him or her is at fault. If the driver of the patrol car is determined to have caused this crash, she, along with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, may be liable for the injuries of the grandmother and her grandchildren, including all medical expenses, any lost earnings, and pain and suffering. While the cause of the crash is under investigation, the family of the injured victims would be well-advised to consult with a Los Angeles auto accident attorney about their legal rights and best course of action in a personal injury claim.

Continue reading "Four Injured in Valencia Crash Involving Sheriff's Patrol Car " »

A 42-year-old Morongo Valley woman was arrested Monday following a three car collision on Highway 62 that injured herself and three other people, the CHP reported. According to reports in the San Bernardino Sun, the suspect, Michelle Webster, was driving her Jeep Commander southbound on Big Morongo Canyon Road when she reached the intersection of Highway 62 (Twentynine Palms Highway).

Authorities believe Webster failed to yield to the right of way of a westbound 2002 Ford Focus driven by Krysta Curry, 18, of Cathedral City. The Hi-Desert Star reported that after the two vehicles collided, the Ford Focus came to rest in the eastbound lanes of the highway, where it was struck by a 2005 Toyota Corolla driven by Karen Alvarez, 31, of Yucca Valley. The Corolla subsequently struck a telephone junction box and a fence.

Webster, Curry, Alvarez and a 19-year-old passenger in the Focus were all taken to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs with minor to moderate injuries. The CHP stated that the air bag systems in all three of the vehicles prevented the collision from being much worse.

Cause of the Crash & Personal Injury Liability

The CHP is still investigating the cause of the crash. However, if news reports are accurate, the driver of the Jeep is at-fault for causing this collision, and is likely liable for the injuries of the driver and passenger in the Ford Focus, and the driver of the Corolla. While this accident is still under investigation, the victims hurt in this crash and their families would be well-advised to speak with a San Bernardino County personal injury attorney about their legal rights in a personal injury claim.

In addition to criminal charges for driving under the influence, the suspected drunk driver may also be liable for the injuries of the victims, including all medical expenses, lost earnings related to the accident, and emotional pain and suffering. An attorney can advise the victims of their legal rights and help the victims obtain full and fair monetary compensation for their injuries.

Continue reading "Four People Hurt in Suspected DUI Crash in Morongo Valley " »

A 64-year-old resident of Twentynine Palms was tragically struck and killed by a Ford Aerostar van on Highway 62 (29 Palms Highway) on Friday night, the Contra Costa Times reported today. The accident occurred at the intersection of California State Route 62 and Alpine Avenue around 11 p.m. on April 30th. The bicyclist, identified by the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner as William Brummet, was taken by ambulance to Hi-Desert Medical Center in Joshua Tree where he died shortly after midnight.

The cause of the fatal bicycle accident is under investigation by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department's Major Accident Investigation Team. Anyone with additional information regarding the crash is asked to call the Sheriff's Department at 760-366-4175.

Cause of the Crash and Wrongful Death Liability

The cause of the accident is under investigation, and at this point it is still not clear what exactly happened. However, if news reports are accurate, it appears that the driver of the van struck the cyclist, causing the collision. While the accident remains under investigation, the family of William Brummet may benefit from talking to a San Bernardino County wrongful death attorney about the liability issues involved and the family's rights to compensation in a possible wrongful death claim.

If the driver is found to be negligent and caused this crash, the family may be entitled to compensation for their loss, including funeral expenses, loss of future earnings, and loss of companionship. An attorney skilled in the legal issues of bicycle accidents can monitor the official investigation and explain the family's legal rights, options and obligations, and also advise the family of their best course of action to protect their rights.

Continue reading "Twentynine Palms Bicyclist Struck and Killed on Highway 62 " »

A 26-year-old Riverside County woman died Friday morning in a horrific three-vehicle crash on Interstate 15 between Lake Elsinore and Corona, authorities reported. The Riverside County Sheriff's Department identified the woman as Holly Elizabeth Powell of Lake Elsinore. According to reports, Powell was driving northbound on the freeway at about 7:40 a.m. when slowed for traffic. She was then rear-ended by another vehicle that did not slow down for traffic conditions.

Powell was wearing her seat belt and was not ejected. She died at the scene of the accident about 10 minutes after the collision. It is not clear how fast the SUV was travelling and how the third vehicle was involved, and if anyone else was injured in the crash.

Fault and Wrongful Death Liability

Although the cause of the April 30th accident is still under investigation by the California Highway Patrol, it appears that Powell was not at fault for this collision. Based on the limited information provided by the NC Times Californian, the driver of the SUV likely caused the crash by failing to stop and rear-ending her vehicle. The family of Holly Elizabeth Powell would be well-advised to talk to a Riverside wrongful death attorney about this fatal Interstate 15 accident. An experienced attorney will be able to explain to the victim's family their legal rights in a wrongful death claim against the driver and any other at-fault parities and the types of damages they may be entitled to for the loss of their loved one.

Continue reading "Lake Elsinore Woman Killed in Interstate 15 Crash " »