Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

RIVERSIDE COUNTY -- A three-motorcycle crash on Highway 74 killed one and injured two others, The Press-Enterprise reports. The accident occurred at about 1:45 p.m. Sunday, when William James Kaucky, 39, of Anaheim, was reported to be traveling east at a high speed on his 2009 Kawasaki motorcycle and then for unknown reasons, he drove off the opposite side of the road and struck an embankment. The impact of the collision caused Kaucky to be thrown off his bike and into the eastbound lane where he was hit by another motorcycle, driven by a 44-year-old man from Riverside. This collision then caused the Riverside man to be thrown off his 2007 Suzuki.

Following the second collision, a third motorcyclist in a 2011 Honda, was able to avoid this accident when he laid down his bike as he was approaching the crash. According to authorities, Kaucky died at the scene, the Riverside man sustained major injuries and was transported to Inland Valley Regional Medical Center in Wildomar, and the 22-year-old was treated for abrasions.

Cause of the Motorcycle Crash on Highway 74

The motorcycle accident on October 2nd remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. However, if the information provided by news reports are accurate, the motorcyclist traveling at a high rate of speed may be responsible for the collision. Therefore, the other two motorcyclists had no way to prevent or avoid this terrible accident.

Motorcycle Accident Personal Injury Liability

While the investigation of this accident is ongoing, victims or family members of the victims would be well-advised to contact an experienced Riverside personal injury lawyer. A skilled and competent attorney who has handled unique motorcycle accidents such as this one, can help the victims understand their legal rights and decide the best course of action to recover the maximum compensation for medical care expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages relating to this horrific motorcycle accident.

Continue reading "One Killed, Two Injured in Highway 74 Motorcycle Crash in Lake Elsinore" »

SAN JACINTO MOUNTAINS - Two people were flown to Desert Regional Medical Center following a car accident Tuesday afternoon on Highway 74 (Pines to Palms Highway), the Southwest Riverside News Network reported. The accident was reported at 4:25 p.m., about a half-mile east of Highway 371 in Garner Valley, near Anza. It is unclear what exactly happened, who was at fault, or how seriously the two people were injured. The cause of the April 12th Riverside County crash remains under investigation.

Car Accident Personal Injury Liability

If the accident was the result of negligent or reckless driving, a vehicle manufacturing defect, or a dangerous road condition, the injured victims may be entitled to compensation for their injuries, including medical expense costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Following any serious injury accident, injured victims or their family members are well-advised to seek a consultation with a California personal injury attorney who can help them understand and protect their legal rights to recover compensation for their injuries.

Continue reading "Two People Airlifted Following Highway 74 Crash in San Jacinto Mountains " »

The driver of a red Mazda sedan suffered serious injuries Thursday morning in crash near Lake Elsinore, the Southwest Riverside News Network reported. The November 25th accident, which also involved a GMC Yukon, happened shortly after 10 a.m. on State Route 74 near Meadowbrook Avenue. The driver of the GMC apparently collided with the Mazda, although it was unclear why. The SUV driver only suffered minor injuries. Neither party involved in the crash was identified. The cause of this accident remains under investigation, and based on the news reports, it is unclear what happened to cause this crash.

Car Accident Personal Injury Liability

If the driver of the GMC Yukon is responsible for this accident, he or she may be financially liable for the serious injuries sustained by the driver of the Mazda sedan. While the cause of this Riverside County major injury accident is still under investigation, the family of the injured man that had been driving the Mazda would be well-advised to contact a knowledgeable and experienced California car accident lawyer about the victim's rights to compensation for his injuries, including medical care costs and expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other related damages.

Continue reading "Driver Seriously Injured in Highway 74 Crash on Thanksgiving Day " »

A 19-year-old woman suffered major injuries late Wednesday night when the vehicle she was riding in overturned on a curve on Highway 74, the Desert Sun reported. The CHP received reports of the solo vehicle accident at 11:38 p.m. Wednesday, September 15, 2010, on Highway 74 between Vista Point and Palowet Drive. The driver of the vehicle, a 22-year-old man, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center on Palm Springs. He was later booked into the Riverside County Jail in Indio on suspicion of felony DUI. The front-seat passenger of this vehicle, a 19-year-old woman, suffered major injuries and was also taken to Desert Regional.

Cause of the Highway 74 Crash

If news reports are accurate, the 22-year-old driver is likely responsible for this September 15th Riverside County accident that left his passenger with serious injuries. This accident is just one example of thousands of why drunk driving is very dangerous.

DUI Accidents, Passenger Injuries and Personal Injury Liability

In situations such as this one, where a driver is likely responsible for an accident that caused serious injury to a passenger, the family of the injured passenger would be well-advised to speak to a California car accident lawyer about the victim's legal rights to compensation for her injuries, including medical care expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other expenses related to the accident. A knowledgeable lawyer can help the victim and her family protect their rights and and advise them of their best course of action in handling communications with the insurance company to ensure she receives the maximum compensation she may be entitled to receive.

Continue reading "Highway 74 Rollover Accident Seriously Injures Passenger" »

A 29-year-old Moreno Valley woman tragically died Tuesday night when another vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic and struck her car head-on the CHP reported. The accident occurred just after 8 p.m. on Highway 74 (West Florida Avenue, outside the Four Seasons gated community, between Calvert Avenue and Four Seasons Boulevard. The Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner identified the victim as Nicole Mena, 29, of Moreno Valley.

According to news reports in the Press-Enterprise, Nicole Mena was driving a 1996 Acura Integra westbound on Highway 74, while at the same time, Mamdouh Salem, 43, of Hemet, was driving a 2008 Nissan Quest eastbound. For unknown reasons, Salem crossed into the westbound lane and collided with Mena's Acura Integra head-on. Nicole Mena died at the scene of the accident. Salem, who travelling with a 1-year-old, a 3-year-old, and a 4-year-old, suffered minor injuries along with the two of the children.

Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family of Nicole Mena, and everyone who knew her and loved her. The sudden loss of a loved one in a head-on crash like this one is absolutely heartbreaking.

This is not the first fatal head-on collision on Highway 74 this year. Three people died in a head-on crash on March 9th, about a mile west of Warren Road, about 1.6 miles from the scene of the July 6th crash.

Cause of the Highway 74 Crash

If news reports are accurate, the driver of the Nissan Quest caused this July 6th crash, by driving eastbound in the westbound lane. Based on the limited information provided, it is not clear why Salem crossed over into incoming traffic; the California Highway Patrol is still investigating exactly what happened.

Fault and Wrongful Death Liability

Based on the news reports, Nicole Mena was unable to prevent this horrific head-on collision, and was not at fault for the accident. While the crash remains under investigation, her family may benefit from speaking to an experienced, aggressive Riverside wrongful death attorney, who can help hold accountable the party or parties responsible for this Highway 74 car accident. A skilled lawyer can explain to the victim's family their legal rights and options in holding the at-fault driver responsible in a wrongful death claim, and the types of damages they may be entitled to for the loss of their loved one.

Continue reading "Moreno Valley Woman Killed in Highway 74 Head-on Collision in Hemet " »

Three people, including a toddler, died late Tuesday afternoon in a horrific head-on collision in Hemet. For reasons still not known, two cars, an eastbound Chevy Malibu and a westbound Honda Accord, both travelling at about 55 mph, collided head-on on W. Florida Avenue. The March 9th accident occurred at about 5 p.m., about one mile west of Warren Road on Highway 74.

The driver of the Chevy Malibu, Donald Graves, 30, of Hemet, died at the scene, the San Bernardino Sun reported. His three-year-old daughter, Dakota Graves, was rushed to Hemet Valley Medical Center where she died shortly after 6 p.m. The driver of the Honda Accord, Andrew Huizar, 20, of Apple Valley, died at the scene. Our sympathy goes out to everyone who knew and loved both victims. Please keep their families in your prayers, as they are grieving the sudden and unexpected loss of their loved ones. The cause of the fatal Riverside County crash is under investigation.

Head-on collisions at highway speeds such as this one are very often fatal or result in serious injury. Authorities believe Graves drifted into westbound lanes, where he collided head-on with Huizar's Honda. It is not known if he was distracted, or if he swerved to avoid an object or debris in the roadway, or if something malfunctioned with his vehicle. While the investigation is still being conducted, the families of the victims killed in this crash may consider speaking with a Riverside wrongful death attorney about their legal rights. An experienced attorney can help hold the responsible parties legally and financially accountable for the loss of a loved one through an auto insurance claim or wrongful death lawsuit.

Continue reading "Three Killed in Head-On Crash in Hemet" »