Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY -- A 31-year-old Victorville man was arrested on the suspicion of causing a hit-and-run car accident that occurred at 2:02 p.m. Monday, The Press-Enterprise reports. Luis Arroyo is believed to have been behind the wheel of a Dodge pickup going southbound on Highway 395 when he struck a 2001 Ford Explorer traveling northbound. According to police officials, Arroyo attempted to make a left turn in front of the Ford, however, he ended up hitting the SUV before fleeing the scene. The driver of the Ford, Latrina Leeshell Woodberry, 34, of Victorville, lost control of her vehicle after the impact, which then caused her to slam into a telephone pole.

Following this horrific collision, Woodberry, and her daughter, Lauren Rideau, 11, of Victorville, were reported to have died at the scene. Woodberry's 8-year-old son was also in the vehicle and was airlifted to a hospital with moderate injuries.

Cause of the Victorville Fatal Car Crash on Highway 395

The accident on October 10th remains under investigation by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. However, based on the information provided by news reports, it is unclear what caused the driver of the Dodge pickup to attempt to make a turn in front of the path of the Ford Explorer. But, regardless of why this collision occurred, there is no excuse for leaving the scene of an accident. According to the California Vehicle Code Section 20001(a): "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."

Car Accident Injury and Wrongful Death Liability

If police determine that Arroyo was the driver of the Dodge and is officially responsible for the collision, he will not only face criminal charges, but may also be held financially liable for the injuries and death of the victims involved in the accident. Therefore, in situations such as this one, the family of the victims would be well-advised to contact a Victorville car accident attorney. If the family decides to pursue a personal injury and wrongful death claim, a knowledgeable and experienced lawyer can help the family protect their legal rights and decide the best course of action to recover the maximum compensation for funeral/burial costs, medical care expenses, loss of love, care, and companionship, and other damages relating to this tragic car accident.

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A 28-year-old Hesperia man tragically died in a head-on collision Thursday evening in San Bernardino County, the Press-Enterprise reported. The accident occurred on Highway 395 near Desert Flower Road at approximately 5:25 p.m. According to the Victorville Daily Press, the victim, Robert Linder, was driving a 2004 Kia Rio southbound on Highway 395, while at the same time, a 1992 Toyota pickup truck was travelling northbound. For reasons not yet known, the driver of the Toyota veered across double yellow lines and into the path of Linder's vehicle. The two vehicles collided head-on, and the truck came to rest on its side.

Linder died at the scene of the crash. A 13-year-old passenger in his vehicle was taken to Loma Linda University Medical Center with unknown injuries. The driver of the pickup truck was taken to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center.

Highway 395 Accidents in San Bernardino County

Highway 395 from I-15 to Adelanto is one of the most dangerous stretches of highway in the country. Just last week, on September 6th, a 36-year-old Victorville woman was killed in an accident on Highway 395, about two miles south of Bear Valley Road. On June 7th, a 30-year-old Bakersfield woman died in a head-on crash on Highway 395 at Eucalyptus Street. In February, three people were killed in a head-on collision on Highway 395 north of Rancho Road. Already this year, more than 10 people have died in accidents on Highway 395 in San Bernardino County.

Cause of the September 16th Highway 395 Crash

The CHP is investigating the cause of the fatal head-on collision. Based on the news reports, it is not clear what caused the driver of the Toyota to lose control of his vehicle. The CHP will likely investigate whether the driver was distracted, impaired, fatigued, or if something malfunctioned mechanically in his vehicle to cause the crash. However, it does appear that Linder likely could not have done anything to cause the collision.

Head-on Collisions and Wrongful Death Liability

If the CHP determines that the driver of the pickup truck was responsible for causing the head-on collision, he or she may possibly face criminal charges for vehicular manslaughter, depending on how the crash occurred. Additionally, the driver may be held financially responsible for Linder's death in a civil wrongful death claim. Damages awarded in a wrongful death claim may include funeral and burial expenses, anticipated lifetime future earnings or benefits, and loss of love, care, support and companionship. Additionally, the driver may also be liable for the injuries sustained by Linder's young passenger. In situations such as this one, where another driver may be at fault for a fatal accident, the family members of the victim would be well-advised to speak to an knowledgeable California wrongful death lawyer. An attorney who has represented a number of victims of Highway 395 crashes can help the victims' family protect their rights and hold the driver and any other liable parties fully accountable for this devastating accident.

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The Los Angeles Times reported today that six people were killed in a horrific crash on Highway 395 Monday night, about five miles south of Bishop in Inyo County. The August 9th accident, which involved a southbound SUV and a northbound Ford Econoline van, happened just after 8 p.m. The driver of the SUV lost control of the vehicle for unknown reasons, and drifted off the shoulder, across the center median, and into the van carrying athletes from California Baptist University in Riverside. The SUV burst into flames following the collision.

The SUV was believed to be carrying athletes on a cross-country running team from the San Diego area. The injured victims included Derek Randal Thomas, 19, of Encinitas, who was flown to West Hills Hospital in Reno, Nevada with major injuries. Drew Constantine Delis, 22, of Encinitas, who also suffered major injuries, was transported to San Joaquin Community Hospital in Bakersfield.

The LA Times reported that eleven student athletes from Cal Baptist were taken to area hospitals with minor to serious injuries: David Solis, 19, of Corona; Alyssa Neimeyer, 19, of Temecula; Brenda Perez, 20, of Riverside; Alicia Catanese, 21, of Corona; Kayla M. Beaudoin, 19, of Corona; Jennifer McGuire, 17, of Stevenson Ranch; Miguel Angel Gonzalez, 18, of Hacienda Heights; Marissa Benson, 18, of Gresham, Ore; Jonathan Hernandez, 18, of Moreno Valley; Jonathan Monteon, 18, of Chino; and Hanna Ingulsrud, 19, of Ontario.

Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Liability

The cause of the August 9th crash remains under investigation. Based on the information provided in initial news reports, it is not clear who was responsible for this accident.

Highway accidents have unique and complex legal issues. In situations such as this one, while the accident is still being investigated by the California Highway Patrol, the injured victims and their families would be well-advised to contact a California personal injury lawyer. An attorney who has represented passenger victims of Highway 395 crashes can help the victims protect their legal rights following a mass casualty accident such as this one. Whether this accident was caused by a negligent driver, or a defect in one of the vehicles, an experienced highway accident lawyer will be able to help the victims protect their rights and ultimately recover the compensation they are entitled to for their injuries, or the wrongful death of a loved one.

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Highway 395 was shut down Thursday morning after a head-on collision in Victorville, the Victorville Daily Press Reported. The July 15th crash occurred at about 7 a.m. near Bear Valley Road. Two vehicles were involved in the collision, a northbound Hyundai Sonata and a southbound Kia Sportage, sheriff's officials said. According to news reports, the driver of the Hyundai Sonata, a 27-year-old Rancho Cucamonga man, apparently fell asleep while driving. His northbound vehicle crossed into southbound lanes and collided head-on with the Kia Sportage, driven by a 31-year-old Adelanto woman.

The driver of the Hyundai suffered only minor injuries and was taken to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. The woman driving the Kia suffered multiple bone fractures to her lower extremities and was taken to Desert Valley Medical Center.

Cause of the Crash

The California Highway Patrol is still investigating the cause of the head-on collision. However, if news reports in the Press-Enterprise, the Victorville Daily Press and the San Bernardino Sun are accurate, the Rancho Cucamonga man driving the Hyundai caused this Highway 395 accident by allowing himself to fall asleep while driving.

Falling Asleep at the Wheel and Personal Injury Liability

Falling asleep at the wheel is reckless and dangerous. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), at least 1,500 people are killed and 71,000 people are injured each year in accidents attributed to fatigue, drowsiness, or falling asleep at the wheel. When another driver's negligent or reckless actions result in serious injury to another, that driver may be liable for the victim's serious injuries.

While this Highway 395 crash remains under investigation by law enforcement, the family of the Adelanto woman seriously hurt in this head-on collision would be well-advised to contact a San Bernardino personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. A skilled lawyer who has represented numerous victims of head-on collisions in this dangerous stretch of Highway 395 can help the victim protect her legal rights and obtain maximum, full and fair compensation for her medical expenses, lost earnings related to the accident, and pain and suffering.

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A 34-year-old Pinion Hills man died early July 4th after he was struck by a vehicle on the west side of Highway 395 in Victorville, the San Bernardino County Coroner reported. The victim was identified as Michael Wayne Hartley. According to news reports, the driver of the vehicle that struck Hartley fled the scene of the accident, which occurred north of Dos Palmos Road, at 1:27 a.m. The cause of the accident is under investigation and Victorville Police are actively searching for the driver of the vehicle involved in this fatal hit-and-run accident. Anyone with information is urged to contact Deputy James Snow of the Victorville Police Department at 760-241-2911.

Our condolences go out to the family of Michael Hartley and everyone who knew him and loved him. For his family's sake, we hope that the driver of the vehicle involved in this incident will turn himself in or be located by law enforcement. Regardless of who was at fault or how an accident occurs, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury or death to another is against the law. The penalties for a fatal hit-and-run accident vary whether the driver was driving negligently or grossly negligently, and whether the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Drivers with previous DUI convictions may face more serious charges.

Hit-and-Run Accidents and Wrongful Death Liability

Along with criminal charges, if the driver is located, he or she may also be liable for the victim's death in a civil claim for wrongful death. Damages for a wrongful death claim may include monetary compensation for funeral and burial expenses, anticipated future lifetime earnings and benefits, and loss of love, care and companionship, as well as other expenses related to the accident. While this San Bernardino hit-and-run fatality remains under investigation, the family of the victims would be well-advised to speak to a San Bernardino pedestrian accident lawyer. Even if the driver is not located, an attorney may possibly be able to help the victim's family obtain compensation for their loss from the victim's own insurance policy, if he had one.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Killed by Hit-and-Run Driver on Highway 395 in Victorville " »

Two people were injured Monday morning following a head-on collision on Highway 395 near Bear Valley Road in San Bernardino County, authorities reported. Sheriff's investigators are trying to determine what caused one of the vehicles to cross into oncoming traffic and cause the collision. Firefighters had to extricate one victim from a gray compact car. Another vehicle, a PT Cruiser, ended up on its roof on the side of the highway. Two people were taken to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center with unknown injuries.

Head-on-Collisions on Highway 395

Highway 395 in San Bernardino County is notorious as one of the most dangerous roadways in the country. Head-on collisions on Highway 395, such as this most recent one, often result in serious injury or death. Last month, three people died in a head-on crash on Highway 395 on February 20th. Another person died and three others were injured in a crash on the 395 near Barstow on January 15th.

Who Was At Fault?

Based on the limited news reports of the April 5th accident, it is unclear who caused the accident and who was at fault. Hopefully the investigation conducted by the highway patrol will yield answers as to what happened. While this accident remains under investigation, the family of the victims injured in this collision would be well advised to consult with a California personal injury accident attorney who can help them understand and protect their rights following this U.S. Route 395 accident. An attorney can help the victim recover compensation for their injuries, lost earnings, and pain and suffering following this collision from whoever is responsible for the accident.

Continue reading "Two Injured in Head-On Crash on Highway 395 in San Bernardino County" »