Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

Three people suffered major injuries Wednesday morning in a head-on collision in Anaheim, police reported. The June 30th accident occurred on Tustin Avenue, near Miraloma Avenue in Anaheim, at 11:10 a.m. According to news reports in the OC Register, a 28-year-old man was driving a blue Honda Civic at a high rate of speed northbound on Tustin Avenue, when he veered into southbound traffic. The Honda collided head-on with a Toyota 4Runner driven by a 70-year-old man. Airbags deployed in both vehicles. The driver of the 4Runner and his wife were taken to a nearby hospital, along with the driver of the Honda. A tricolor beagle in the backseat of the 4Runner appeared to be unhurt.

Cause of the Orange County Crash

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. However, police believe the driver of the Honda Civic caused the accident by veering into southbound traffic. Police are investigating whether the driver of the Honda Civic may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Personal Injury Liability Considerations

While this Anaheim car accident remains under investigation, the family members of the victims hurt in this crash would be well-advised to consult with an experienced California car accident lawyer about this accident and the personal injury liability issues involved. A skilled attorney can help the victims understand and protect their rights, to ensure they receive maximum, full and fair compensation for their serious injuries from the party or parties responsible for causing this accident.

Continue reading "Three People Seriously Injured in Anaheim Car Accident " »

A 76-year-old Upland man died Tuesday, less than two hours after a three-vehicle crash that ended a short police pursuit, the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin reported. The fatal June 29th crash occurred shortly before 9:30 a.m. near 16th Street/Baseline Road. According to news reports, on Sunday, an Upland resident reported two cars stolen from his garage. On Tuesday, a Claremont police officer spotted a silver BMW sedan without a license plate near Padua Avenue and Baseline Road. According to the Daily Bulletin, the Claremont officer had no knowledge of the burglary two days earlier.

The driver of the BMW, Brett Joseph Fagan, 25, of Corona, sped off, and the Claremont Police officer pursued. Just seconds later, in the area of Baseline Road/ W 16th Street (State Highway 30) and N Benson Avenue, the stolen vehicle broadsided a Dodge Dakota pickup truck driven by William Blanchard, 76, of Upland. Blanchard was airlifted to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center where he died at 11:18 a.m.

Fagan, who according to the Claremont Police Department has an extensive criminal history, fled the scene on foot and was arrested a short time later on suspicion of murder, vehicular manslaughter, felony evading causing a death and a parole violation. He was booked at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga with no bail.

Cause of the Crash

If news reports are accurate, Brett Fagan, the driver of the stolen vehicle, caused the fatal collision. Claremont Police reported that the BMW entered the intersection of Baseline Road against a solid red light and struck vehicles lawfully in the intersection.

Police Pursuit Accidents

According to the NHTSA, about 400 innocent bystanders die each year in police pursuit collisions, and several thousand more are injured. Southern California has the highest police pursuit rates in the country. Earlier this month, a 6-year-old girl tragically died when she was struck by a car fleeing a Los Angeles Police Department squad car on a residential street (see LA Times article).

Continue reading "Police Pursuit Ends in Death of Elderly Upland Man " »

A 59-year-old Colton man died tragically in a motorcycle accident on Friday, June 25th on Reche Canyon Road, the San Bernardino Sun reported. The crash occurred shortly after 12:30 p.m. near Westwood Street. According to a press release by the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner, the victim, Michael Cupp, was riding a 2007 Honda Shadow motorcycle southbound on Reche Canyon road when a 1994 Honda Accord pulled out of a driveway, directly in the path of his motorcycle.

Cupp broadsided the sedan and sustained very serious injuries. He was taken to Loma Linda University Medical Center where he died at 1:25 p.m. The cause of the accident remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.

Motorcycle Accidents and Wrongful Death Liability

While this heartbreaking accident remains under investigation by law enforcement, the family of Michael Cupp may benefit from consulting with a California motorcycle accident attorney about this incident. If the driver of the Honda Accord is determined to be responsible for this accident, and the resulting death of the motorcyclist, the family members of the victim may be entitled to monetary compensation for their loss in a wrongful death action, including damages for funeral and burial expenses, final medical costs, loss of future income and benefits, and loss of love, care and support. An experienced wrongful death lawyer can help the family members understand and protect their rights following the devastating loss of a loved one.

Continue reading "Colton Man Killed in Motorcycle Crash on Reche Canyon Road" »

A nine-year-old boy suffered serious injuries Monday afternoon after he was struck by a car driven by an unlicensed driver, the San Gabriel Valley Tribune reported. According to news reports, the victim, Robert Garcia Umanzor, was riding his scooter across the street when he was struck by a Toyota Corolla on Maine Avenue, just north of Rexwood Avenue, at about 4:15 p.m. Monday. Umanzor suffered head trauma and a leg injury, police reported. The driver of the older model Toyota Corolla, who was not licensed, was cited and released. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

Children's Injury Liability Considerations

The incident took place in a residential area where the speed limit was 25 mph. According to news reports, police have not yet determined if the driver of the Corolla was speeding. While the investigation is pending, the family members of the little boy would be well-advised to talk to a Los Angeles personal injury attorney about this accident, and whether the driver of the Toyota Corolla is liable and financially responsible for the boy's injuries. Compensation awarded in a personal injury claim can include monetary damages for medical expenses, emotional trauma, and more. A personal injury attorney who has successfully represented families of children struck by vehicles can help the family understand and protect their legal rights.

Continue reading "9-Year-Old Boy Struck by Car While Riding Scooter in Baldwin Park " »

An 8-year-old Cathedral City boy tragically died Tuesday night at Desert Regional Medical Center, shortly after he was struck by a passing pickup truck, the Desert Sun reported. The Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner's Department identified the boy as Mario Salinas Jr. According to news reports, the boy was struck at 7:14 p.m. in the 68000 block of Durango Road, west of Avenida Maravilla. The boy apparently ran out into the street and was struck by the westbound truck. The dog that the boy was walking was also killed.

The loss of a young child is something no parent should ever have to go face. Our sympathy goes out to the parents and all the family members of this little boy, and everyone who knew and loved him. Please keep his family in your prayers during this surely very difficult time.

Cause of the Accident

Police are still investigating the accident and are still trying to locate witnesses. Anyone that may have seen the incident occur is urged to telephone the Cathedral City Police Department Traffic Bureau at (760)770-0306. According to KPSP News, police were still investigating whether excessive speed played a role in the crash.

Continue reading "8-Year-Old Boy Struck and Killed by Pickup Truck in Cathedral City " »

Three construction workers employed by Metro Construction suffered serious injuries Monday morning when a hydraulic scissor-lift toppled over, the Glendale News-Press reported. The June 13th Glendale construction accident occurred near the corner of Broadway and Orange, near the northernmost end of the Glendale Galleria shopping mall.

According to news reports, the three workers, who were only identified as men in their 30's or 40's, were in a bucket atop the hydraulic scissor-lift, removing rock and sand out of the flower boxes on a second-floor window. At around 8:27 a.m., one of the planters shifted and struck the lift, causing it to become unstable tip over. The planter box also collapsed with the lift. All three workers suffered serious injuries and were taken to Los Angeles County - USC Medical Center, where they were listed in critical condition.

Cause of the Scissor-Lift Collapse Accident

According to a spokeswoman for the state's Department of Industrial Relations, the CA Division of Occupational Safety and Health will investigate whether the lift was being used properly, and in compliance with weight limits. A Glendale fire captain told ABC 7 News that "the maximum identified on the scissor-lift says two people at a 500-pound maximum capacity and there were three gentlemen working up there." Additionally, the planter boxes that the workers were removing had been previously deemed unsafe by the Glendale Galleria. It is unclear if the planter boxes played a role in the accident, which remains under investigation. According to the LA Daily News, officials with the Glendale Galleria, which subcontracted with Metro Construction, had no comment on the accident.

Continue reading "Three Workers Seriously Injured in Construction Accident Near Glendale Galleria " »

A Rancho Cucamonga resident died Sunday night after a head-on collision on Church Street in Rancho Cucamonga, police reported. The accident occurred at about 9:13 p.m. on Church Street, near the intersection of Elm Avenue. According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department, the victim, Paul Martin, 64, of Rancho Cucamonga, was driving east in his 2007 Hummer H3 on Church Street near Elm Avenue. At the same time Albert Ruiz, 23, of Rancho Cucamonga, was driving his 2005 Nissan Sentra westbound on Church Street.

Ruiz's Nissan reportedly struck the north curb and then crossed the center median and into westbound traffic. The front of the Sentra collided with the driver's door of Martin's Hummer. Both Martin and Ruiz were transported to local hospitals. Martin died of his injuries at San Antonio Community Hospital. Ruiz was treated for minor injuries at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton and later booked on charges of Vehicular Manslaughter, PC 192(C)(1) at the West Valley Detention Center.

Cause of the Crash

The Rancho Cucamonga Major Accident Investigations Team is investigating the cause of the June 13th accident. According to the San Bernardino Sun, blood tests taken at the hospital showed Albert Ruiz's blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit. Ruiz is facing criminal charges for this accident and the resulting death of Paul Martin.

Wrongful Death Liability Considerations

In addition to the criminal charges, Ruiz may also potentially be held civilly liable and financially accountable his actions in a wrongful death claim, along with any other parties responsible for this crash. While this sadly preventable accident remains under investigation, the family of Paul Martin would be well-advised to contact a skilled California wrongful death attorney about this suspected DUI accident and the family's legal rights, and holding the at-fault driver accountable. Compensation from a wrongful death claim can include monetary damages for final medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses, anticipated future income of the decedent, and loss of love, care and companionship. In some situations where a driver is drunk, additional punitive damages may also be obtained.

Continue reading "Driver Facing Vehicular Manslaughter Charges After Rancho Cucamonga Man Killed in Head-On Collision" »

A 45-year-old Ontario motorcyclist tragically died Sunday after being struck by a Ford Ranger pickup truck making a left turn, the San Bernardino Press Enterprise reported. The accident occurred at 11:25 a.m. on Turner Avenue in Ontario, at the intersection of Silver Saddle Street. According to news reports, Enrique Jose Salas, 45, of Ontario, was riding his Honda motorcycle southbound on Turner. A 2002 Ford Ranger pickup truck travelling from Silver Saddle onto northbound Turner struck Salas. He was taken by ambulance to Chino Valley Medical Center where he died shortly after 12:00 p.m. The Ontario Police Department is investigating the June 13th motorcycle accident.

Ontario Motorcycle Accident Prevention

Ironically and sadly, this Ontario motorcycle accident happened on the same day that the Ontario Police Department was conducting a special traffic enforcement detail aimed at motorcycle safety and motorists that put motorcycle riders in danger (see San Bernardino Sun article). Funding for the program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. According to the Ontario PD, Between October 2007 and October 2009 there were two motorcyclists killed in Ontario.

Wrongful Death Liability Considerations

While this Ontario motorcycle accident remains under investigation, the family of Enrique Salas would be well-advised to contact an experienced San Bernardino motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible about this incident. If news reports are accurate and the driver of the pickup truck is found responsible for this accident, the family of the victim may be entitled to financial compensation for their loss in a wrongful death claim to cover final medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses, anticipated future earnings and benefits, and loss of love, care and companionship. A skilled attorney can help the victims protect their rights and advise them of their best course of action going forward, should they wish to pursue a claim.

Continue reading "Motorcyclist Struck and Killed June 13th in Ontario " »

At least two people died and others were injured after three separate big-rig crashes on Interstate 40 Thursday morning, the CHP reported. Eight tractor trailers were involved in three collisions in a six mile area between Fenner rest area and Essex Road in San Bernardino County, about 40 miles west of Needles.

The first collision, a solo vehicle accident, was reported at 1:20 a.m. on eastbound I-40 about two miles west of the Fenner rest stop near Essex (about 100 miles east of Barstow). One semi-truck overturned and the driver suffered a broken arm and other injuries.

The second collision, involving four tractor-trailers, occurred at 2:36 a.m. about a mile away from the initial crash. One of the big-rig trucks burst into flames and was completely burned. One of the truck drivers died in that collision.

The third collision was reported at 3:51 a.m. One of the truck drivers died in that collision; another suffered minor injuries.

The causes of the three June 10th I-40 tractor-trailer accidents remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. A San Bernardino County fire Dispatch supervisor said it did not appear that weather was a factor in the Interstate 40 accidents. More information will be updated as it becomes available.

Continue reading "Two Truck Drivers Killed in I-40 Big Rig Pileup in San Bernardino County " »

An Upland man died Sunday afternoon and an 11-year-old boy, who was not related to him, suffered serious injuries in a motorcycle accident, the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin reported. According to the CHP, the solo vehicle motorcycle accident occurred at 12:05 p.m. on the on the transition road between the southbound 57 Freeway (Orange Freeway) and the eastbound 10 Freeway.

The driver, Michael Smith 36, lost control of the 2007 Honda CBS 1000 motorcycle and was thrown from the bike. The 11-year-old passenger, Nathan Ryan of Upland, stayed onboard as the bike went from the west guardrail and across traffic lanes into the east guardrail.

Smith died at the scene and Ryan was taken to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center with serious injuries. Both the driver and passenger were wearing helmets. The transition road was closed for approximately three hours while officers investigated.

Continue reading "Upland Man Killed, 11-Year-Old Seriously Injured in San Dimas Motorcycle Crash " »

A jury in Gwinnett County, GA has awarded $317,002 to a north Georgia couple for injuries caused by the husband's leg being trapped by his Yamaha off-road vehicle in 2007. Rogert McTaggart of Blue Ridge sustained a "serious crush injury" when the utility terrain vehicle tipped over on "an uneven, relatively flat, grassy area," court documents alleged. Attorneys for Yamaha disputed the description.

The $317,000 award consisted of pain-and-suffering damages, medical expenses, lost wages, future lost wages and loss of consortium for the injured man's wife. Although many plaintiffs in UTV rollover cases against Yamaha have alleged design defects make the vehicle more prone to rollover, that argument was not made in this case. Attorneys for the McTaggarts argued that the Yamaha Rhino should have included a barrier to keep the riders' legs inside the vehicle.

This verdict will have far-reaching implications, as there are hundreds of pending Yamaha Rhino rollover cases around the country. The next case scheduled to go to trial in Gwinnett County, Georgia, is scheduled for August. A trial is currently underway in Orange County, CA.

Continue reading "Jury Awards $317,000 in Yamaha Rhino Injury Case " »

The victim of a fatal crash on Highway 46 Friday evening has been identified as Aaron Salgado, 26, of Shandon, the San Luis Obispo Tribune reported Tuesday. Salgado had stopped in the eastbound lane of Highway 46 (Green Valley Road) to pull into his driveway when his 1987 Honda Civic was rear-ended by a 1998 Toyota Avalon driven by Justin Sharp, 22, of Grover Beach. The collision occurred around 6 p.m. Friday. The impact of the crash pushed Salgado's Honda into westbound lanes, where it was struck by a 2006 Dodge Ram pickup truck pulling a trailer.

Salgado died at the scene of the crash. Sharp suffered moderate injuries. The driver of the Dodge truck, a 33-year-old Tulare Man, and four passenger in his vehicle suffered minor injuries.

The CHP reported that the driver of the Avalon, Justin Sharp, 22, of Grover Beach, was travelling at an unsafe speed when he rear-ended Salgado's vehicle. Sharp will be charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter, Channel 12 News reported. The cause of the fatal May 28th Paso Robles crash remains under investigation.

Continue reading "Shandon Man Killed in Highway 46 Crash; Speeding Driver Arrested " »

Police say illegal street racing is likely to blame for a fatal head-on collision on Highway 18 Saturday afternoon in San Bernardino County. An accident involving a Dodge Neon, a Nissan Sentra, and a Honda Pilot killed a 57-year-old passenger in the Sentra, the San Bernardino Press-Enterprise reported. The accident occurred around 11:40 a.m. on Saturday, May 28th, about 1.5 miles north of Lower Watermann Canyon Road. The victim, Christian Hansen Gunn, was a passenger in a silver 2002 Nissan that had been travelling northbound on Highway 18.

The Nissan was struck by a red 2005 Dodge Neon that had been travelling southbound on Highway 18. A Honda Pilot, headed northbound, struck the wreckage. Gunn died at the scene of the crash. The driver of the Nissan and two occupants in the dodge were taken by ambulance to Loma Linda University Medical Center. No one inside the Honda Pilot was reportedly injured.

Street Racing Accidents and Wrongful Death Liability

Estey Bomberger has represented a number of victims of illegal street racing accidents. These crashes are 100% preventable and caused by the reckless actions of thrill-seekers who have no regard for others on the road. Although the crash is still under investigation, if the facts reported in the news are accurate, the driver of the Dodge Neon is responsible for this accident, and the wrongful death and serious injuries it caused. While this May 29th accident remains under investigation, the family of Christian Hansen Gunn and the driver of the Sentra would be well-advised to contact a California auto accident attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help the victims protect their rights and hold the at-fault driver and any other responsible parties accountable for this horrific accident.

Continue reading "Covina Man Killed in Head-on Crash on Highway 18 " »