Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

RIVERSIDE COUNTY - According to a press release from the Riverside County Sheriff-Corner's office, a 55-year-old woman was killed in car crash in Winchester early Friday morning. The accident took place on Winchester Road, south of Scott Road, when the driver of a Toyota Corolla - Louisa Valdovinos of Menifee - was struck head-on by a Pontiac Grand Am that crossed into the opposite lane. After the 3:50 a.m. collision, Valdovinos was reported to have died at about 4:04 a.m. No information regarding the name or the injuries of the Pontiac driver was released.

Cause of the Head-On Car Collision on Winchester Road

The accident on January 29th remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. However, based on the information given, it is not clear what caused the driver to veer into opposing traffic. It is also not certain whether alcohol or drugs were a factor in the collision. Hopefully, authorities can come to a conclusion as to what happened and why.

Riverside County Fatal Accident Liability

Veering across lanes and into opposing traffic can be caused by many factors such as distracted driving, speed, the intoxication of alcohol/drugs, vehicle malfunctions, or road conditions. However, if the accident is determined by police that the collision was due to negligent and reckless driving of the Pontiac driver, he or she can be held liable for the death of the victim. Therefore, in accidents like this, it would be well-advised for the family to seek an experienced Riverside County car accident lawyer. A skilled attorney who has handled numerous wrongful death claims, can ensure the family rights are protected, and help them obtain the maximum compensation for their unexpected and devastating loss.

Continue reading "Woman Killed in Winchester Head-On Car Crash" »

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY - A 42-year-old woman was killed and two other were injured after they were involved in a head-on collision on Highway 18 in San Bernardino. The accident occurred at 5:47 p.m. Friday when the woman, Holly Foor of Crestline, was traveling north on Highway 18 in her 2005 Honda Civic and was struck head-on by a Ford Explorer.

According to The Press-Enterprise, the 1997 Explorer was traveling on the southbound side of the highway when it crossed the double yellow line and into the northbound lanes. A tour bus carrying 20 passengers was also sideswiped in the accident, but no one on board was reported to be injured. However, following the crash, Foor was taken to St. Bernardine Medical Center in San Bernardino where she later died due to her injuries. The driver and the other occupant in the SUV were taken to area hospitals for further treatment.

Wrongful Death Liability for San Bernardino Car Accidents

The investigation of the January 27th accident remains ongoing by the San Bernardino Police Department to determine what happened and who is responsible. However, if authorities conclude that the driver is solely at fault for this horrific collision, family members of the victim would be well-advised to contact a San Bernardino accident lawyer immediately regarding their legal rights in a wrongful death claim. An experienced attorney who has handled many cases involving fatal car collisions, can advise the family of their rights to hold the other party financially liable for the loss of their loved one, and ensure they obtain the maximum compensation they are entitled to.

Continue reading "One Killed, Two Injured on Highway 18 Head-On Crash in San Bernardino" »

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY - A tragic head-on car collision in Morongo Valley killed one person and left three people injured, Hi-Desert Star reported. At about 12:14 p.m. Thursday, 21-year-old Andrew Dufresne was driving a 2004 Saab sedan westbound on Twentynine Palms Highway when he veered onto the eastbound lane and struck a 1979 Chevrolet Caprice driven by Louis A. Castellucci, 67, of Yucca Valley.

Following the accident, Castellucci was reported to have died at the scene and Dufresne was airlifted to Desert Regional Medical Center. Dufresne's two passengers, whose names were not released, were taken to Desert Regional via Morongo Basin Ambulance. The extent of Defresne's and his passengers' injuries or their condition was not immediately available.

Cause of the Morongo Valley Car Crash

The accident on December 22nd remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. However, based on the information provided by the Hi-Desert Star, it is unclear what caused the driver of the Saab to veer onto the opposite side of the road and into oncoming traffic. Therefore, the CHP will monitor this fatal incident and determine whether speed, vehicle malfunctions, road conditions, and distracted driving or distracted driving played a factor in the collision.

Auto Accident Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Liability

After a car accident such as this one, the injured victims and the family of the deceased victim would be well-advised to contact either a San Bernardino personal injury lawyer or a San Bernardino wrongful death lawyer. A skilled attorney who has helped many victims in auto accidents, can help the injured victims and the family of the deceased understand and protect their legal rights, and decide the best course of action to recover the maximum compensation for their injuries or their tragic loss. Compensation in a civil claim can include medical care expenses, funeral and burial costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, or other damages relating to this horrific car accident.

Continue reading "One Killed, Three Injured in Morongo Valley Car Accident on Twentynine Palms Highway" »

RIVERSIDE COUNTY -- A tragic car collision on early Sunday morning left two people killed and one critically injured, The Press-Enterprise reported. According to the CHP, a 2008 Scion XB was traveling south on State Route 79 at about 3:29 a.m. when for unknown reasons the driver veered his vehicle onto the northbound lane and slammed head-on with a 2002 Toyota Camry.
Following this accident, the driver of the Scion, Patrick Adam Ryan, 22, of Homeland, and the driver of the Camry, Michael Timothy McCoy, 42, of Murrieta, were reported to have died at the scene. McCoy's passenger, a Buena Park woman, sustained moderate injuries and was taken to Riverside County Regional Medical Center for further treatment.

Cause of the Head-On Car Crash on State Route 79

The two-vehicle collision on November 27th remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. However, based on the information provided by The Press-Enterprise, it is unclear what could have caused the driver of the Scion to veer onto the opposite side of the road and into oncoming traffic. It also was not evident if distracted driving, drugs or alcohol, vehicle malfunctions, or road conditions prompted this horrific accident.

Auto Accident Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Liability

While the accident on State Route 79 is under investigation, the injured victim and the family of the deceased would be well-advised to seek a knowledgeable Riverside auto accident lawyer. An attorney who has handled fatal incidents such as this one, can advise the victim and the family of their legal rights in a personal injury or wrongful death claim, and best course of action in recovering the maximum compensation for the victim's injuries and the families' unexpected loss. Compensation in civil claim regarding this devastating accident can include medical care expenses, lost earnings, loss of love, care, affection, and companionship.

Continue reading "Two Killed, One Critically Injured in Winchester Head-On Car Accident" »

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY -- A Hesperia car crash involving three vehicles left seven people seriously injured, Victorville Daily Press reports. An SUV hauling roughly 4,000 pounds of scrap metal in its flat-bed trailer, was traveling eastbound on Main Street near Pyrite Road when a tire from the trailer blew causing the SUV to veer onto westbound traffic and then colliding head-on with a Toyota Matrix. A third vehicle was also involved when a pick-up truck struck the SUV's trailer. According to Sgt. Linzy Savage of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Hesperia station, the collision occurred a little after 2:30 p.m. Monday.

Following this terrible accident, a total of seven people were injured. Three out of the seven people were flown to a nearby trauma center, while the other four were transported via ambulance to local hospitals. The identities of the individuals involved in this collision were not immediately available.

Cause of the Car Crash in Hesperia

The accident on September 26th remains under investigation by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. However, based on the information provided by the Victorville Daily Press, it is unclear why the tire blew on the SUV's flatbed trailer. Therefore, police officials will try to determine if the crash was due to a variety of factors, which include and are not limited to the speed of the vehicle, whether or not the tire was defective, or other vehicle malfunctions.

Car Accident Personal Injury Liability

Automobile accidents such as this one can have unique and complex issues. While the investigation is ongoing to determine why this accident occurred, victims or family members of the victims would be well-advised to consult a skilled Hesperia personal injury attorney. A knowledgeable and experienced attorney who has handled car accidents such as this one, can review the collision, advise the victims of their legal rights to hold the parties financially liable, and help the victims recover the maximum compensation they are entitled to for medical care expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages relating to this horrible car accident.

Continue reading "Seven Seriously Injured in Hesperia Car Crash" »

RIVERSIDE COUNTY -- According to The Press-Enterprise, three people were killed on Saturday in a head-on collision in Riverside. The driver of a 2003 Jaguar was traveling south on Interstate 215 when a CHP officer pursued him for a traffic violation. However, the driver fled from police by going the wrong way on a freeway off-ramp, which then caused him to collide head-on with a 2010 Nissan Frontier. The driver of the Jaguar was identified as a 26-year-old Moreno Valley resident, and his passenger's identity is currently unknown. A victim in the Nissan pickup was identified as Emeliano Perez, 53, of Moreno Valley, while the passenger's identity who is also from Moreno Valley was not immediately available. Following this fatal collision, the coroner identified three individuals who were killed from the accident, Perez and two males from Moreno Valley. The identities of the other two males are being held until the next of kin is notified.

Cause of the Riverside Head-On Collision

The accident on September 17th remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. However, based on the information provided by The Press-Enterprise, it appears the driver of the Jaguar is at fault for the collision due to driving on the wrong side of the roadway while trying to flee from the police. Therefore, the victims involved in the accident had no way to prevent or avoid this tragic head-on car accident.

Car Accident Injury and Wrongful Death Liability

Head-on vehicle collisions can result in catastrophic injuries and death to any individuals involved. In situations such as this one, where it is evident the driver is responsible for the collision, victims or family members of the victims would be well-advised to speak a Riverside wrongful death lawyer. A knowledgeable attorney who has the experience in automobile accidents, can advise the family of their legal rights, and best course of action to recover the maximum compensation for funeral/burial costs, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages relating to this devastating car accident.

Continue reading "Three Killed in Riverside Head-On Collision " »

ORANGE COUNTY -- The Orange County Register reported Anaheim witnesses seeing a female driver traveling west on Ball Road "at a high rate of speed" when suddenly she crossed the center divider into oncoming traffic. The result led to her Lincoln automobile slamming head-on with a Mazda before overturning. The man driving the Mazda was airlifted to Western Medical Center with significant injuries. His wife suffered a broken arm and their two children received mild injuries. Anaheim Police Sgt. Bob Dunn reported the driver of the Lincoln, whose name is yet to be released, died at the scene of the accident.

Anaheim police stated a third moving vehicle and two parked cars were also involved in the Friday night collision. However, no injures were reported from these vehicles. On Saturday, Dunn announced the man airlifted to the hospital is expected to survive from his injuries.

Cause of the West Ball Road Head-On Collision

Authorities are still investigating the accident occurring on August 5th. And based on the limited information provided by MSNBC and the Orange County Register, it remains unclear as to why the driver of the Lincoln veered into oncoming traffic. However, it is evident the driver and passengers of the Mazda could not prevent and avoid this dreadful collision.

Car Accident Personal Injury Liability

While this accident remains under investigation, if authorities do come to a conclusion that the driver of the Lincoln is at fault, injured victims or their families would be well-advised to seek an experienced Anaheim car accident lawyer. A skilled and knowledgeable Orange County personal injury attorney can review the accident, and help the victims understand and protect their legal rights to recover the maximum compensation they are entitled to for medical care expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages relating to this devastating head-on collision.

Continue reading "Man Injured in Head-On Collision on West Ball Road" »

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY - A fiery head-on collision in the high desert tragically killed a 34-year-old Phelan man and a 49-year-old Wrightwood woman. According to the Press-Enterprise the Phelan man was driving a black 2002 Honda Accord, and the Wrightwood woman was driving a blue 1998 Chevy Silverado pickup truck. The two vehicles collided around 1:38 a.m. on Phelan Road, just east of Shasta Road, in the Baldy Mesa area west of Hesperia.

Earlier this year, a suspected drunk driving head-on collision on Phelan Road left two people with major injuries. That Phelan Road accident on March 10th occurred near Monte Vista Road, about 4.4 miles from this collision near Shasta Road.

Cause of the Fatal Phelan Road Crash

The Victorville Daily Press reported that the driver of the Honda Accord, who was driving westbound, veered into oncoming traffic and struck the Chevrolet pickup truck head-on. At this point there are simply more questions than answers as to why this accident happened. Both vehicles were estimated to be driving at about 60 mph when the collision occurred. The cause of this June 22nd accident is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. Anyone with information is asked to call the CHP office at (760) 245-6511.

Head-on Collision Wrongful Death Liability

When a fatal accident is determined to be caused by the negligence of another, the family of the deceased victim may be entitled to recover damages in a wrongful death claim. Compensation may include funeral and burial expenses, lost earnings and benefits, and loss of love, care, affection, guidance and companionship. In situations such as this one, an experienced California wrongful death attorney can advise the victim's family of their legal rights and best course of action if they desire to pursue a claim. As a general rule, it is advisable to contact an attorney as soon as possible following an accident, while evidence and witness recollections are most easily obtained.

Continue reading "Two People Killed Early Wednesday Morning in Head-On Collision in Phelan " »

HANFORD - A head-on collision Monday morning on Flint Avenue injured two drivers, the Hanford Sentinel reported. According to news accounts, a white Toyota Camry was travelling westbound, near 12th Avenue, when the driver of the vehicle reached into the back seat and took her eyes off the road. Her Camry drifted off the right side of the road, and when she realized what was happening, she sharply turned to the left, overcorrecting into eastbound lanes. The Camry slammed into an orange GMC pickup truck head-on. Both vehicles were totaled and the drivers were both taken by ambulance to Adventist Medical Center in Hanford with undetermined injuries. The accident occurred at 8:15 a.m. on Monday, May 16, 2011.

Kings County Car Accident Personal Injury Liability

If news accounts of this Kings County accident are accurate, the driver of the Camry is likely responsible for this accident. If the Police investigation confirms this is true, the driver may be liable for injuries sustained by the driver of the GMC pickup truck. While this car accident remains under investigation, the injured victim would be well-advised to consult with an experienced and knowledgeable California car accident lawyer. An attorney who has represented numerous victims of distracted driving crashes can advise the victim of his legal rights and best course of action to recover maximum compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Continue reading "Two Injured in Head-on Collision on Flint Avenue in Hanford" »

RIVERSIDE COUNTY - Reche Canyon Road was shut down from Moreno Valley to Colton following a head-on collision Wednesday evening, the Southwest Riverside News Network reported. The April 20th Riverside car accident was reported on Reche Canyon Road near Arroyo Drive around 5:30 p.m., and involved a gray Honda and a green Toyota Camry. According to news reports, several people were injured in the crash, but the extent of the victims' injuries was not clear. It was also not clear who was responsible for the injury accident. The California Highway Patrol is investigating.

Continue reading "Several Injured Wednesday Afternoon in Reche Canyon Road Head-on Crash " »

PHELAN - A suspected DUI crash Thursday night left two people with serious injuries, the Victorville Daily Press reported. The San Bernardino County accident was reported at about 8 p.m. on Phelan Road, west of Monte Vista Road. According to reports, Suzy Ko, 43, of Victorville, was travelling east on Phelan Road when she allowed her vehicle to drift into oncoming traffic. She struck another vehicle driven by a 24-year-old woman. The 24-year-old woman and her 15-year-old passenger were both seriously injured and had to be flown to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. Suzy Ko was arrested and booked in the Victor Valley County Jail.

Cause of the Phelan Road Crash

The California Highway Patrol is the agency investigating this head-on collision. If news accounts of the March 10th incident are accurate, Suzy Ko is likely responsible for this collision, because she allowed her vehicle to drift into westbound traffic and strike another vehicle head-on. However, the official cause of the crash has not yet been determined.

DUI Accident Personal Injury Liability

Injured victims of drunk driving accidents may be entitled to financial compensation for their injuries. The drunk driver may be liable for damages including medical care and treatment expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages. Following a suspected drunk driving head-on collision such as this March 10th crash on Phelan Road, the injured victims or their family members would be well-advised to speak with a San Bernardino County DUI accident victim lawyer. An attorney experienced with the unique legal issues of drunk driving accidents can help the two injured victims protect their legal rights and recover the maximum financial compensation they are entitled to receive for their injuries.

Continue reading "Two People Injured in Suspected DUI Head-on Collision in Phelan " »

STRATHMORE - Two men from Porterville suffered serious injuries in a head-on collision Sunday evening near Strathmore. The accident occurred just before 7 p.m. on Road 224 south of Avenue 176 on March 6, 2011. According to CHP reports, Antonio Pezzi, 27, of Sacramento, was driving northbound on Road 224 in a 2003 Chevy Malibu, while at the same time, Abdur Razaq, 56, of Porterville, was driving a 2004 southbound on the same road. Pezzi swerved to avoid striking an animal on the road and lost control of his vehicle. His Malibu went onto the eastbound shoulder and then to the left into southbound traffic, where he collided with Razaq's Honda. Razdaq, who suffered major injuries, was pinned in his vehicle and had to be extricated. He was taken to Community Regional Medical Center along with his passenger, Gulam Mustafa, 71, also of Porterville. Pezzi sustained moderate injuries in the crash but told paramedics that he would seek his own treatment. His 22-year-old passenger was not injured.

Cause of the March 6th Accident

The cause of this Tulare County head-on collision remains under investigation by the CHP. If news accounts are accurate, it is likely that the driver of the Honda could have done anything to avoid the head-on collision.

Car Accident Personal Injury Liability

If the driver of the Chevy Malibu is determined to be responsible for this crash, he may be liable for the serious injuries sustained by the two occupants of the Honda. After any serious injury accident, injured victims are well-advised to contact an experienced California car accident attorney. A lawyer who has represented numerous victims of head-on collisions such as this one can advise the victims of their best course of action to protect their legal rights and recover maximum compensation for their injuries. If the driver of the other vehicle is responsible for the accident, the injured victims may be entitled to damages for medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.

Continue reading "Porterville Men Seriously Injured in Head-On Crash " »

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY - One person was killed and 23 others were injured Monday afternoon when a church bus crashed on Highway 189, about 70 miles east of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Times and multiple media outlets reported. The collision was reported about one-half mile north of Lake Gregory near Crestline at about 11:45 a.m. on February 21, 2011. According to a press release from the San Bernardino Sheriff-Coroner Department, the driver of the bus, Won Seok Chae, 61, of Los Angeles, lost control of the bus on a curve. The bus went over double yellow lines and struck a northbound Nissan Murano SUV head-on before striking a telephone pull and going down an embankment. Chae was extricated at the scene and died at the scene at 1:25 p.m. The rest of the passengers were taken to area hospitals, including Loma Linda Medical Center, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, and Community Hospital of San Bernardino with injuries ranging from minor to major. The cause of the San Bernardino County bus crash is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.

Most of the passengers on the bus were middle school and high school students and members of the predominantly-Korean Light of Love Mission Church. Four adults and 18 teenagers were on the bus. According to a deacon at the church, the bus driver was a professional tour bus driver who had volunteered to transport the students to a weekend retreat in Twin Peaks at the Pinecrest Christian Conference Center.

Cause of the Crash

The CHP will thoroughly investigate this accident and provide an official report of the cause of the crash. However, based on the information provided in news reports, it appears that speed may have been a factor. On winding roads such as this stretch of Highway 189, speed is a common cause or contributing factor of accidents such as this bus crash near Crestline. It is also possible that a defective in the bus, such as failing brakes, could be a factor. Hopefully, the investigation by law enforcement will provide answers as to what happened, and who was responsible.

Bus Accident Passenger Injury Liability

California Highway Patrol Officer Mario Lopez told the LA Times that there were no seat belts on the bus. Although seat belts are not required, it is likely that many of the serious injuries sustained in this accident could have been avoided if the passengers had been wearing seat belts. While this devastating accident remains under investigation, the parents and family members of the injured passengers would be well-advised to speak with an experienced and knowledgeable Los Angeles bus accident attorney about this church bus accident and the victims' legal rights. Lawyers who have represented victims of tragic church bus accidents such as this one can explain the unique liability issues that arise from accidents such as this February 21st Pasadena church bus crash in San Bernardino County, and the victims' rights to recover compensation for their serious injuries and related expenses.

Continue reading "One Person Killed, Twenty-Three Injured in Highway 189 Church Bus Crash Near Crestline " »

ANAHEIM -- A 26-year-old Diamond Bar man and a 24-year-old Long Beach woman were killed in a wrong-way collision early Wednesday morning on the 91 Freeway in Anaheim, the LA Times and multiple other news outlets reported. According to news accounts, 21-year-old Anthony Louis Fragoso, 21, of South Gate, was driving west in the eastbound 91 carpool lane at about 12:50 a.m.

As Fragoso approached the off-ramp at Harbor Boulevard, he collided head on with at 2006 Toyota Scion. The driver of the Scion, Alan Reyes, 26, was ejected onto the freeway.

Both Reyes and his passenger, Vanessa Cease, 24, of Long Beach, died at the scene of the crash.

Fragoso suffered major injuries in the collision and was taken to UCI Medical Center in Orange. He was arrested at the hospital charges of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. All lanes of the freeway were closed for about three hours while the California Highway Patrol Investigated.

Our condolences go out to the families of the two young victims, and everyone who knew them and loved them. Please keep their families in your prayers during this surely very difficult time.

Cause of the Orange County Accident

The CHP is investigating why Fragoso was driving the wrong direction. At this point, it has not been confirmed whether Fragoso was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Regardless, he was driving on the freeway in the wrong direction, and this act of negligence took the lives of two people. Fragoso may face further charges for driving under the influence if blood tests come back positive for drugs or alcohol.

Wrong-Way Driving Wrongful Death Liability

This accident is tragic and heartbreaking. While some head-on collisions are caused by driver inattentiveness or unsafe passing maneuvers, wrong-way head-on collisions such as this one are very often due to intoxicated or impaired driving. After fatal wrong-way collisions such as this one, the family members of the victims may benefit from speaking with a California wrongful death lawyer. In addition to criminal charges for grossly negligent driving, the driver may also be financially liable for the wrongful deaths of the victims, including funeral and burial expenses, lost anticipated lifetime earnings, and loss of love, care affection and companionship. In some cases, where the at-fault driver shows deliberate disregard for the safety of others, punitive damages may be available.

Continue reading "Two Killed by Wrong-Way Driver on 91 Freeway in Anaheim " »

The San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner has reported a 68-year-old Helendale man was tragically killed in a head-on collision Monday morning in Victorville. The crash occurred around 10 a.m. at the intersection of Hesperia Road and Seneca Road, and involved a 2008 Nissan and a 1990 Honda Accord. One of the victims, Gary Talbott, was airlifted to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center where he died at 11:35 a.m.

The Press-Enterprise and San Bernardino Sun provided only limited details about the incident. The news reports only serve to raise questions as to what happened, why, and who was responsible. It is unclear if anyone else was injured in the crash other than the victim who died. The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Victorville Police Department.

Fatal Accident Wrongful Death Liability

After any fatal accident, it is understandable that the family members of victims will have many questions about the accident, who was responsible, and what, if any, charges any of the parties may face. If another driver was responsible for causing this accident, the family members of the victim may be able to hold the driver financially responsible for their loss in a wrongful death claim. In situations such as this one, it would be advisable for the family members of the victims to consider speaking with a California wrongful death attorney who can oversee the investigation by law enforcement and advise the family of their legal rights and best course of action following this accident.

Continue reading "Helendale Man Killed in Head-on Collision in Victorville " »