Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

ORANGE COUNTY - According to the Orange County Register, a 37-year-old motorcyclist was tragically killed when he was knocked onto the opposite side of State Route 57 Saturday morning. The June 25th motorcycle crash, which involved two other vehicles, happened just before 11 a.m. north of Rolling Hills Drive, reported the California Highway Patrol. A female driving a Honda at approximately 70 m.p.h. in the number one lane turned left into the carpool lane where the motorcycle rider was traveling. The Honda struck the motorcycle, which caused both the rider and his bike to go over the center divider into the northbound lanes of SR-57. A Chevy traveling in the northbound carpool lane was unable to avoid hitting the motorcyclist as he fell over the divider and onto the highway. As a result of the impact, the rider died at the scene of the catastrophic accident. The driver of the Honda suffered minor injuries in the crash while the driver of the Chevy was unharmed.

Determining Fault

If the CHPs initial investigation is accurate, it appears the woman driving the Honda could be liable for the wrongful death of the motorcycle rider. Based on motorcycle accident statistics, the number one cited cause of crashes it the inability of a driver to detect a motorcycle in traffic. However, this does not excuse a driver from all responsibility. According to California Vehicle Code § 21658 (a), a vehicle situated in a single lane shall not be moved from the lane until such movement can be made with reasonable safety. Oftentimes, because of distractions or failure to check mirrors, a driver will make an unsafe lane change.

The family of the victim may benefit from speaking with a Los Angeles wrongful death attorney familiar with the legal issues surrounding a devastating motorcycle accident death. A highly skilled wrongful death lawyer will inform surviving family members of their legal rights and options. Surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for damages related to the loss of their loved. The different types of damages available in a wrongful death claim include funeral and burial expenses, deceased's anticipated earnings, loss of support and loss of companionship.

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ORANGE COUNTY - The OC Register reported an 18-year-old Ladera Ranch man tragically died early Sunday morning, about five hours following a collision on the 57 Freeway. Cameron Cook, the victim, was a passenger in a 2001 Chevrolet Camaro travelling northbound on the 57 Freeway, south of Katella Avenue. For reasons still unknown, the Camaro was involved in a solo traffic collision. According to the CHP, the vehicle came to rest facing north on the right shoulder, partly blocking the No. 5 lane. The driver, an 18-year-old San Juan Capistrano man, and Cook exited the vehicle.

Cook was standing on the right shoulder near the rear of the Camaro. A few minutes after the initial collision, a 1993 Honda Civic driven by a 24-year-old Highland woman struck the front left side of the Camaro. The impact of the collision caused the Camaro to be pushed onto the right shoulder, striking Cook, and pushing him over the overpass railing. He fell about 50 to 60 feet down a cement embankment. He was rushed to UCI Medical Center in Orange, where he died just after 5 a.m. The CHP is investigating the cause of this crash, and will surely look at factors such as the speed of the Honda, possible driver impairment, and the location of Cook in the roadway when he was struck.

Freeway Bystander Accidents

Disabled vehicle and freeway bystander deaths are surprisingly common occurrences, and this accident is a painful reminder of the dangers of exiting a vehicle on a freeway. If you find yourself involved in a disabled vehicle on a freeway, remain in the car with your seat belt on and caution lights activated until help arrives. There have been a number of similar incidents recently, including:

• In December 2010, a Mission Viejo man was killed while trying to retrieve a small boat that had come off a trailer on Interstate 5 in San Juan Capistrano.

• In October of 2010, an 18-year-old Vista woman was standing outside her disabled Nissan Sentra on Interstate 10 near Cabazon when she was struck and killed by a BMW.

• In August 2010, three people were killed when a drunk driver struck their vehicle on the shoulder of Highway 78 in Vista. The group had stopped because one of the passengers was feeling ill.

• In July 2010, two men who were working under the hood of a disabled vehicle on Interstate 5 in San Diego, where critically injured when the car was struck from behind.

Freeway Accident Wrongful Death Liability

While this April 2nd incident remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol, the family members of the young man who lost his life would be well-advised to speak with an experienced and knowledgeable California wrongful death attorney. A lawyer who has successfully represented numerous victims of fatal accidents on freeways can advise the victim's family of their legal rights and options following this crash. The victim's family may choose to pursue a wrongful death claim against the driver of the Camaro or the driver of the Honda, or both, if their negligent actions was a cause of death of their loved one.

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DIAMOND BAR - A 32-year-old Diamond Bar man was very tragically killed in a motorcycle accident Thursday afternoon on the 57 Freeway, the San Gabriel Valley Tribune reported. The March 10th Los Angeles County motorcycle accident was reported at about 1:40 p.m. on the southbound 57 Freeway, just south of the westbound 60 Freeway. According to the California Highway Patrol, the motorcyclist, whose identity was not released, was entering the southbound 57 Freeway from the eastbound 60 Freeway. At the same time, a 51-year-old woman in a Pontiac sedan was entering the 57 Freeway from the westbound 60 Freeway when her car began experiencing "mechanical difficulties." The motorcycle collided with a Pontiac as the driver of the Pontiac was trying to move her vehicle to the right shoulder of the freeway. The motorcyclist, who was ejected from the impact of the collision and thrown into a concrete sound wall, was rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Cause of the 57 Freeway Crash

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the 57 Freeway crash. Based on the information provided in news reports, it is unclear why the collision occurred. The CHP will surely look at the speed of both vehicles, and whether either party was driving or riding negligently.

Fatal Motorcycle Accident Wrongful Death Liability

While the investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing, the family members of the victim would be well-advised to speak with an experienced Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney. If driver of the Pontiac lost control due to a defect in the vehicle, it is possible that the manufacturer of the Pontiac could be liable for this accident. If this accident was caused by driver of the Pontiac pulling into the path of the motorcyclist, the driver could be liable for the motorcyclist's wrongful death. A knowledgeable wrongful death attorney can help the victim's family protect their legal rights following this accident to hold whoever is responsible for their loved one's death accountable to the maximum extent. Although a wrongful death claim could never undo the pain of a sudden and unexpected loss in a catastrophic accident, a claim can ease the financial burdens associated with a loss and hold negligent parties financially accountable for the consequences of their actions.

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A 24-year-old Ontario man died early Sunday morning after he was struck by a car while changing a tire, the OC Register reported. The victim, Frank Nguyen, was standing outside his 2001 Acura Integra on the shoulder of the freeway at about 2:50 a.m. on the 57 Freeway near the 91 Freeway in Anaheim when his vehicle was struck by a 2010 Ford Expedition driven by Pedro Resendiz, 28, of Fullerton. According to the CHP, the Ford Expedition struck the Integra, which then struck Nguyen, who died at the scene of the accident. A 26-year-old woman with Nguyen was not hurt. Resendiz and three passengers in the Expedition were not injured.

Cause of the 57 Freeway Accident

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the fatal accident. Based on the limited information provided in news reports, it is unclear why the driver of the Expedition was unable to avoid colliding with Nguyen's vehicle. The CHP will undoubtedly investigate whether the driver was impaired, distracted, or if something else caused him to lose control of the vehicle. At this point, there are more questions than answers as to what happened.

Potential Wrongful Death Liability

Recently there have been a number of tragic accidents involving a broken down vehicle on a freeway and an out-of-control vehicle striking it. Three people died in a crash on Highway 78 in San Diego County earlier this month in a similar accident where a vehicle had stopped because one of the occupants felt ill. These "freeway bystander" pedestrian accidents have unique legal issues. In situations such as this one, the family members of the victim may benefit from talking to an experienced and knowledgeable California wrongful death lawyer about the family's potential rights to compensation in a wrongful death claim. An attorney who has represented victims of fatal accidents on freeway shoulders can help the victim's family protect their legal rights and advise them of their best course of action handling communications with the insurance companies following this tragic accident.

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A 22-year-old Diamond Bar woman tragically was killed Sunday night in a likely alcohol-related crash in Anaheim, the Orange County Sheriff-Coroner reported. The accident occurred on the southbound 57 Freeway (Orange Freeway), near the 91 Freeway (Riverside Freeway), at about 11:15 p.m. on Sunday, August 22, 2010. The victim, Mai Hayakawa, 22, was a passenger in a 2003 Toyota Celica driven by Michael Keating, 24, of Fullerton.

Keating, who was later arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, was attempting to merge onto westbound 91. He reportedly sped up to pass a big-rig on the shoulder, and lost control of his vehicle. The Celica veered down an embankment and struck a palm tree. Hawakawa died at the scene of the crash. Keating and a 22-year-old woman in the backseat of the vehicle suffered minor injuries and were taken to UCI Medical Center.

Cause of the Crash

The cause of the fatal 57 Freeway crash remains under investigation by the CHP. However, if news reports are accurate, this fatal solo-vehicle Orange County crash was caused by the suspected drunk driver of the vehicle. Under the California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a), "It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle."

DUI Accidents and Wrongful Death Liability

If Michael Keating is determined to have caused the accident, he may face criminal charges for driving under the influence of alcohol and the death he is suspected to have caused. In addition to criminal charges, he may also be held liable and financially responsible for Hayakawa's death in a California DUI accident wrongful death claim. While this fatal 57 Freeway accident remains under investigation, the family members of Mai Hayakawa may benefit from talking to a Southern California drunk driving injury lawyer about this accident and the family's legal rights and options. Damages awarded in a wrongful death claim may include compensation for final medical expenses, anticipated future lifetime earnings of the decedent, and loss of love, care and companionship.

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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 " »