Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

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.

Continue reading "Multiple Fatalities and Major Injuries Reported in Highway 395 Crash Near Bishop " »

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.

Continue reading "Woman Seriously Injured in Head-On Collision Caused by Sleepy Driver on Highway 395 " »

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" »