Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

CHIRIACO SUMMIT - An 84-year-old Phoenix, AZ woman tragically died Tuesday night, about seven hours after she was ejected from a SUV in a rollover accident on Interstate 10, the Press-Enterprise reported. The accident occurred in the westbound lanes of the freeway in the Chiriaco Summit area at 11:24 a.m. on Tuesday, March 29, 2011.

According to the CHP, the driver of the vehicle, a 26-year-old Scottsdale woman, allowed the vehicle to drift into the center median past Cottonwood Springs Road, where she lost control. A rear passenger in the vehicle, Violet Nikas, was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected when the vehicle overturned. She was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, where she died Tuesday night. The driver of the SUV was also airlifted to Desert Regional with major injuries. Two men in the SUV, ages 23 and 81, suffered only minor injuries.

Cause of the March 29th Interstate 10 Accident

Based on the news reports in the Desert Sun and Press Enterprise, it is impossible to tell why this SUV rollover accident occurred. Freeway rollover accidents may be caused by unsafe maneuvers, tire blowouts, falling asleep at the wheel, roadway debris, roadway defects, and numerous other causes. Hopefully, the investigation by law enforcement will reveal exactly what happened. The passengers in the vehicle who survived this accident may also provide information as to what happened in the moments leading up to the collision.

Wrongful Death and Personal Injury Liability

In situations where a car accident is caused by negligence or recklessness, the injured parties and family members of the deceased victim may consider filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim for medical care costs and funeral and burial expenses, and other damages. Following an accident such as this one, an experienced and knowledgeable California SUV rollover accident attorney can advise the victims of their legal rights and best course of action to protect their interests following this accident.