Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

The City of Indio has seen consistent population growth over the years. Since the previous census, the number of Indio residents swelled 54.8% to 76,036 at the time of the 2010 Census. Thousands of visitors flock to Indio for annual music festivals like Coachella and Stagecoach, as well as enjoy the camping grounds available near by. And like any other large city, Indio is the site of hundreds of motor vehicle accidents, causing serious injury and fatality. In 2009, there were 5 fatal accidents and 176 injury accidents on Indio's roadways. Some of the locations of fatal accidents include:

• State Route 111
• Jackson Street
• Pacific Street
• Interstate 10.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a serious car accident as result of someone else's careless actions, you may be entitled to compensation. Please consult our Indio traffic accident attorneys to ensure your rights are fully protected.

Truck Accidents in Indio

Riverside County has one of the highest numbers of truck accidents in California. Because the Interstate 10 bisects the County, thousands of trucks crossing the State or country pass through Riverside and Indio. As the fourth longest highway in the United States, Interstate 10 is a major route for transportation. The high number of commercial trucks means a greater chance for a serious truck accident to occur. A trailer truck can outweigh a passenger vehicle by over 76,000 pounds. A collision with a large vehicle can result in catastrophic injuries for the occupants of the smaller car. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:

• Fatigued driving
• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• DUI/DWI
• Unsafe lane changes and turns
• Sudden stops.

Recovering Compensation

Not all accidents require assistance from a personal injury lawyer; smaller claims can be settled without professional intervention. However, when damages are large and injuries serious, a professional Indio accident attorney may be a necessary component to recovering your rightful compensation. At Estey Bomberger, our trusted trial lawyers will not relent until our clients have received the total compensation for all of the damages incurred by the accident, including:

• Medical fees
• Lost wages
• Physical/occupational therapy expenses
• Reduced earning capacity
• Future medical fees and expenses related to the accident.

Trusted Personal Injury Lawyers

With over 70 combined years of serving serious accident victims, our attorneys have accumulated the skills and experience necessary to face the challenges of a wide variety of different types of personal injury claims. Some of the types of claims we handle involve:

• Brain injury accident
• Spinal cord injury accident
• Defective product accident
• Motorcycle accident
• Truck accident
• Paralysis/nerve damage accident
• Wrongful death accident.

No Fees Unless We Win

We accept all of our cases on a contingency fee agreement, meaning our clients will not be charged for any legal service we provide unless or until we successfully recover compensation for them. Protect your claim to a total compensation by entrusting your case to a professional Indio personal injury lawyer. If you or a loved one has been harmed in an accident where another negligent party was at fault, please contact us today and schedule a consultation with one of our experienced Indio accident lawyers; all inquiries are free and confidential.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY -- A woman was severely hit by a car on Interstate 10 in Palm Springs, The Desert Sun reports. The pedestrian, whose name was not released, was running across the I-10 near Indian Canyon Drive at about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, when a black Volkswagen Jetta struck her and then fled the scene. Following this devastating collision, the woman was taken to a hospital for further treatment. Meanwhile, CHP officers are currently searching for the driver of the Volkswagen that has a partial license of 7H6X.

Cause of the Pedestrian Accident on I-10

The accident on October 12th remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. However, based on the information provided by The Desert Sun, it is not clear why the driver of the Volkswagen Jetta struck the pedestrian and then fled the scene of the accident. Under 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."

Hit-And-Run Pedestrian Accident Personal Injury Liability

While the investigation of the accident is ongoing, the victim or family members of the victim would be well-advised to contact a Riverside pedestrian accident lawyer. An experienced Riverside personal injury attorney can help the victim protect their legal rights and decide the best course of action to recover the maximum compensation for medical care expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages relating to this hit-and-run pedestrian accident. However, in the in the event where the driver cannot be located, the victim may also look into her own insurance policy for financial compensation.

Continue reading "Woman Severely Struck by Car on Interstate 10 in Palm Springs" »

ALHAMBRA - The San Gabriel Valley Tribune reported Valerie Viamonte, 27, of Inglewood was tragically killed Sunday night after she was thrown from a motorcycle on the 10 Freeway. The accident was reported at 6:48 p.m. Sunday, July 17, 2011 on the westbound 10 (San Bernardino). According to reports in the Daily Breeze, Viamonte was riding a Yamaha YZFR-6 operated by a 29-year-old Paramount man. The driver lost control of the bike and struck a raised median, throwing Viamonte onto the No. 3. Lane, where she was struck by a 2011 Lexus GS350 driven by a 29-year- old Arcadia man. Viamonte died at the scene of the crash. The motorcycle operator suffered only minor injuries.

What Caused this Accident?

Based on the limited information provided in news accounts, the cause of the accident is not 100% clear. Although it was reported that the driver of the motorcycle was speeding, it is unclear what Viamonte's fate would have been had she not been struck by the Lexus. It is also unclear how fast the Lexus was travelling when the secondary collision occurred. The CHP will look to answer these questions in others in determining why this accident occurred, and who was at fault.

Motorcycle Accident Wrongful Death Liability

The CHP is investigating this Interstate 10 Alhambra motorcycle accident and will determine whether the motorcycle operator, the driver of the Lexus, or both in part, were responsible for this accident. While the investigation is ongoing, the family members of the victim would be well-advised to speak with an experienced and knowledgeable Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney. A skilled lawyer who understands the unique legal issues of multi-vehicle accidents involving motorcycles can advise the victim's family of their legal rights and options should they consider pursuing a wrongful death claim against whoever was responsible for their loved one's death.

Continue reading "Inglewood Woman Killed in Alhambra Motorcycle Accident " »

ONTARIO - A 23-year-old paramedic was killed in an ambulance crash early Sunday morning on Interstate 10, the Press-Enterprise reported. According to news accounts, 23-year-old Doug Odgers was a front passenger and paramedic in an ambulance travelling westbound on I-10 when, for unknown reasons, the vehicle struck a freeway sign pole east of the Fourth Street onramp. Paramedics responded and transported Odgers to San Antonio Community Hospital where he died of his injuries just after 9 a.m. No patients were being transported at the time of the accident, which occurred at 6:10 a.m. on May 8, 2011.

Cause of the May 8th Ontario Ambulance Accident

The Press-Enterprise reported that a preliminary investigation by the CHP did not reveal the cause of the San Bernardino County accident. The ambulance, a 2007 Ford, was driven by 25-year-old Grelli Ugarte of Carmarillo. Carmarillo suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. Hopefully, the CHP investigation will reveal exactly what happened and why.

Ambulance Accident Wrongful Death Liability

Based on the limited information in news accounts, it appears that, as a passenger, Odgers could have done little to prevent this accident from occurring. If it is determined that the driver of the ambulance caused the crash, or if the accident was caused by a defect in the ambulance or due to deferred maintenance, the owner / operator of the medical transport company may be liable for the wrongful death of the paramedic. After a fatal accident such as this one, the family members of the victim would be well-advised to speak with an experienced and knowledgeable California wrongful death lawyer who is familiar with the unique legal issues of medical transport accidents. An attorney can advise the family of their best course of action to protect their legal rights following this accident, and help them fully hold accountable whoever is responsible for their loved one's death.

Continue reading "Paramedic Killed in Ambulance Crash on Interstate 10 " »

LOS ANGELES COUNTY - A 23-year-old Burbank man died Saturday afternoon after colliding into another motorcyclist on the westbound I-10, the Burbank Leader reported. According to the newspaper, Kevin Butcher was riding a Ducati motorcycle behind a 29-year-old North Hollywood man on a Honda motorcycle. Both bikes were travelling at high speeds in excess of 90 mph, according to CHP reports. At some point, Butcher, apparently not seeing traffic slowing ahead, struck the back of the Honda, ejecting both motorcyclists from their bikes. Butcher was taken to UCLA Medical Center, where he died of his injuries. The driver of the Honda motorcycle, who was not identified by CHP officials, sustained major injuries, and was also taken to UCLA Medical Center. He was also arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. The cause of the April 10th Interstate 10 motorcycle accident remains under investigation.

Continue reading "Burbank Man Killed in Interstate 10 Motorcycle Crash " »

CHIRIACO SUMMIT - An 84-year-old Phoenix, AZ woman tragically died Tuesday night, about seven hours after she was ejected from a SUV in a rollover accident on Interstate 10, the Press-Enterprise reported. The accident occurred in the westbound lanes of the freeway in the Chiriaco Summit area at 11:24 a.m. on Tuesday, March 29, 2011.

According to the CHP, the driver of the vehicle, a 26-year-old Scottsdale woman, allowed the vehicle to drift into the center median past Cottonwood Springs Road, where she lost control. A rear passenger in the vehicle, Violet Nikas, was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected when the vehicle overturned. She was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, where she died Tuesday night. The driver of the SUV was also airlifted to Desert Regional with major injuries. Two men in the SUV, ages 23 and 81, suffered only minor injuries.

Cause of the March 29th Interstate 10 Accident

Based on the news reports in the Desert Sun and Press Enterprise, it is impossible to tell why this SUV rollover accident occurred. Freeway rollover accidents may be caused by unsafe maneuvers, tire blowouts, falling asleep at the wheel, roadway debris, roadway defects, and numerous other causes. Hopefully, the investigation by law enforcement will reveal exactly what happened. The passengers in the vehicle who survived this accident may also provide information as to what happened in the moments leading up to the collision.

Wrongful Death and Personal Injury Liability

In situations where a car accident is caused by negligence or recklessness, the injured parties and family members of the deceased victim may consider filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim for medical care costs and funeral and burial expenses, and other damages. Following an accident such as this one, an experienced and knowledgeable California SUV rollover accident attorney can advise the victims of their legal rights and best course of action to protect their interests following this accident.

Continue reading "Arizona Woman Dies Following Interstate 10 Rollover Accident " »

THOUSAND PALMS - Six people were hospitalized following a minivan rollover crash Thursday morning on westbound Interstate 10, near Cook Street, KPSP Local 2 News reported. The accident, involving a 2002 Mercury van registered to the Coachella Valley Unified School District, occurred around 8:49 a.m. on Thursday, March 24, 2011. According to the CHP, six people were injured in the crash. Two people suffered critical injuries, two people suffered moderate injuries, and two people suffered minor injuries. The occupants included a high school student, parent and staff of Coachella Valley Unified, and were part of a caravan of vehicles headed to Ontario International Airport, where the group would fly to Sacramento and then visit California State University Chico.

Due to the accident, the trip was cancelled, and the 23 students scheduled to visit the university would not get to go.

Cause of the Interstate 10 Rollover Crash

KPSP News reported that the driver of the vehicle following the van reported seeing a tire blowout before the driver lost control of the vehicle and the fan overturned. Tire blowouts can be attributed to many causes, including deferred maintenance of aging, worn tires, cargo overloading, underinflation, roadway hazards (such as potholes and debris), excessive speed, and manufacturing defects. Additionally, defective tire repairs can allow moisture to penetrate the tires and rust the steel belts. This could lead to rusting and increase the likelihood of tire failure. The CHP will likely have the tire inspected to determine if the crash was caused by a defect in the tire.

Rollover Accident Personal Injury Liability

The family members of the victims of this accident would be well-advised to speak with a knowledgeable California personal injury attorney while this March 24th accident remains under investigation. Because the van involved in the crash was owned by the school district, the CVUSD may be liable for the injured victim's medical care expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. If the accident was caused by a defect in the tire, the tire manufacturer could be liable. An accident attorney who has successfully handled claims against numerous Southern California school districts and tire manufacturers can advise the injured victims of their legal rights and best course of action to protect them. In the interest of preserving evidence and witness recollections, it is advisable to speak with an attorney as soon as possible following a rollover accident such as this one.

Continue reading "Critical Injuries Reported in School Van Rollover on Interstate 10 " »

CABAZON - Six people were injured Saturday morning in a two-vehicle collision on eastbound Interstate 10, the Southwest Riverside News Network reported. The Riverside County crash was reported near the Main Street exit at 7:29 a.m. on February 26, 2011. Two people reportedly suffered moderate injuries, and four people suffered minor injuries. The injured parties were taken to a hospital for treatment. The cause of the crash is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.

Fault and Personal Injury Liability

News accounts of the February 26th I-10 car accident offered very limited details. It was unclear why this crash occurred or who was responsible. While this injury car accident remains under investigation by the CHP, the injured parties would be well-advised to speak with a Riverside car accident lawyer. An experienced and knowledgeable lawyer who has successfully represented hundreds of injured victims of southern California car accidents can help the victims protect their legal rights to recover maximum compensation for accident-related expenses, including medical care, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.

Continue reading "Six People Hurt in Interstate 10 Crash in Cabazon " »

Several people were injured Friday afternoon in an SUV rollover accident in Cathedral City, the Desert Sun reported. The solo vehicle rollover accident was reported at 2:02 p.m. on eastbound I-10 approaching Date Palm Drive. One of the occupants of the Ford Expedition was ejected, and another had to be extricated by firefighters. Three others suffered minor to moderate injuries. The cause of December 3rd Riverside County crash is not clear, and remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.

SUV Rollover Accident Personal Injury Liability

In California, if a SUV rollover accident is caused by a defect in a vehicle, or a vehicle part, such as a defective tire, injured victims may be entitled to compensation from the manufacturer of the vehicle or vehicle part. In rollover accidents such as this one, accident victims and their families are well-advised to consult with an experienced and knowledgeable California SUV rollover accident attorney. A lawyer can review the cause of the accident and advise the victims of any legal rights they may have to compensation for their injuries, including medical expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other related damages.

Continue reading "Five People Injured in SUV Rollover on Interstate 10 " »

A Fontana man was sadly killed and three other people were injured Saturday in a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 10, the Fontana Herald News reported. The accident occurred at about 5:20 p.m. on westbound I-10, near Etiwanda Avenue. According to reports, Americo Aucaruri, 53, was driving a green Jeep Cherokee that was rear-ended by another vehicle. The collision caused the Jeep to overturn multiple times and come to rest underneath the Etiwanda overpass. Aucaruri died at the scene of the crash. Three other occupants of his vehicle were taken to area hospitals.

Cause of the September 18th I-10 Accident

Based on the news reports, it is not clear exactly what happened. However, it appears that the unidentified driver of the vehicle that rear-ended the Jeep may be responsible for this accident. The California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the accident.

Wrongful Death and Personal Injury Liability

In situations such as this September 18th fatal accident on Interstate 10, where another driver may be responsible for a crash causing death and serious injuries, the family members of all of the victims of this crash would be well-advised to speak to an experienced California car accident lawyer about their legal rights in a personal injury or wrongful death claim. If the other driver was responsible for the crash, he or she may be liable for the injuries sustained by the three passengers, including their medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering, and the wrongful death of the driver. A knowledgeable attorney can help the victims and their families understand and protect their legal rights so that they may recover the maximum compensation they may be entitled to.

Continue reading "Fontana Man Killed, Three Others Injured in Interstate 10 Rollover Accident " »

Four people were injured in a chain-reaction accident on eastbound Interstate 10 Monday afternoon, the Desert Sun reported. The crash occurred at 2:40 p.m., west of Haugen-Lehmann Way in the Whitewater area. Accordinto to California Highway Patrol reports, five vehicles were involved in the crash. One of the vehicles, a truck, overturned, and at least one person had to be freed from a vehicle by firefighters. Four people were taken by ambulance to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs. No one died in the accident.

Cause of the Interstate 10 Crash

The CHP is investigating the cause of the accident. According to news reports, the incident began when a driver cut off another driver, who honked his horn. The driver of the car that cut off the driver swerved back and collided with the other vehicle. Based on these reports, road rage, defined as violent behavior exhibited by drivers in traffic, may have played a role in the crash. Honking, flashing lights, rude gestures, or intentionally causing a collision are all manifestations of road rage, which is a serious public safety concern. Drivers who exhibit road rage may have their license suspected under California Vehicle Code Section 13210 and held liable for the injuries they cause.

Highway Pileups and Personal Injury Liability

Multi-vehicle accidents on freeways can be complex insurance matters. While this Interstate 10 Whitewater accident remains under investigation, the injured victims of this accident would be well-advised to consult with an experienced California auto accident attorney familiar with the unique legal issues of multi-vehicle crashes on interstate highways. A skilled lawyer can help the victims protect their rights and recover the maximum financial compensation they are entitled for their injuries, including their medical expenses, lost earnings and pain and suffering. In any accident resulting in injury, it is always advisable to speak to a personal injury attorney before discussing an accident with an insurance adjustor.

Continue reading "Four People Injured in Chain Reaction Crash on Interstate 10 " »

Two women died Saturday in a violent head-on collision on Interstate 10 near Blythe, the Desert Sun reported. The July 17th accident occurred at about 9:40 a.m. on westbound I-10, approximately three miles east of Corn Springs Road. According to news reports, Kimiko Kamita, 79, of Scottsdale Arizona, was driving her 2005 Toyota Avalon eastbound on Interstate 10, when for unknown reasons, her vehicle crossed the median into westbound traffic, where it collided head-on with a pickup truck.

Kimiko Kamita was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center, where she died shortly before 11:30 a.m. The driver of the 2006 Ford pickup truck, Eduardo Del Toro, 61, of Queen Creek, Arizona, suffered only minor injuries. A passenger in the vehicle, Ofelia Tallon, 83, of Queen Creek, was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, where she died around 1:30 p.m.. A 53-year-old woman in the Ford pickup truck suffered major injuries and was also taken to Desert Regional Medical Center. The CHP reported all of the parties involved in the Riverside County crash were wearing their seatbelts.

Cause of the Crash

If news reports are accurate, it appears that this accident was the result of the driver of the Avalon losing control of her vehicle and ending up going in the wrong direction on Interstate 10. The CHP is looking into why this occurred, and whether the accident was caused by the driver herself, or a defect or malfunction in her vehicle, or even possibly a dangerous condition on the highway that caused her to lose control of the car.

Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Liability

Based on the limited information provided in news reports, it is not clear who caused this accident, although it is evident that the driver of the pickup truck was not responsible. While the crash remains under investigation, the family of the victims in the Ford truck would be well-advised to talk to a California personal injury lawyer about the unique legal issues (including possible auto defect issues) of this Interstate 10 accident and protecting their rights in a personal injury or wrongful death claim. If the accident was the result of a malfunction in the Toyota, the manufacturer could be responsible and liable for the injuries and deaths of all involved parties.

Continue reading "Two Killed, Two Injured in Interstate 10 Head-On Collision" »

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 " »

Five people were injured in a rollover crash on Interstate 10 Wednesday afternoon, the California Highway Patrol reported. The injury accident was reported at 4:23 p.m. on Interstate 10 at Frontage Road, east of the Cactus City Rest Area in Chuckwalla. According to KPSP Local 2 News, the vehicle rollover was triggered by a tire blowout on the freeway. Firefighers extricated five people from the car. One person suffered critical injuries and was airlifted to a hospital. Two others suffered moderate injuries and two others suffered minor injuries.

Tire Blowouts and Accidents

By definition, tire blowouts are a rapid loss of air pressure in a tire, usually caused by a tire bursting or falling apart. With advances in tire technology, blowouts are less common than they were several decades ago, but these events still occur. Blowouts can occur for a number of reasons ranging from debris in the road, under inflation of a tire, or a small puncture that allows a tire to slowly deflate until it fails. In some cases, blowouts occur because of defects in the manufacturing of the tire. In any event, tire blowouts often cause loss of control of a vehicle, which can result in a rollover.

Continue reading "Five Injured After Tire Blowout Causes Rollover Crash on Interstate 10 " »

The California Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal accident Sunday afternoon in Riverside County. Gene Gomez, 47, of Calimesa, was riding a 2005 Harley Davidson motorcycle westbound on Interstate 10, when, while exiting Interstate 10 at the Whitewater rest stop, Gomez struck a raised curb and was thrown from his bike. The crash occurred around 2:10 p.m. A CHP officer who responded to the scene performed a modified jaw thrust maneuver on Gomez, and initially restored his breathing. Gomez was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center where he died shortly after 3 p.m.

Please keep the family of Gene Gomez in your prayers. Our thoughts go out to everyone who knew and loved him.

The CHP San Gorgonio Office is investigating the cause of the February 14 motorcycle crash. Based on the reports of this accident in the Desert Sun, it is not clear why this accident occurred. Was the curb constructed in such a way that it was inherently dangerous? Was there a problem with the Harley that caused Gomez to strike the curb? While this Interstate 10 accident remains under investigation, the family of Gene Gomez may benefit from consulting with an experienced California motorcycle accident wrongful death attorney. If the accident was caused by a dangerous road condition, or a mechanical malfunction on the Harley Davidson, the family may be entitled to compensation for their loss.

Continue reading "Calimesa Man Killed in I-10 Motorcycle Crash at Whitewater Rest Stop Exit" »