Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

Four people were hurt in a SUV rollover accident Tuesday afternoon in Barstow, the Desert Dispatch reported. The solo-vehicle accident, which involved a Jeep Grand Cherokee, occurred near the intersection of CA State Route 58 and Interstate 15. According to the CHP, the tread separated on one of the rear tires on the Jeep, causing the driver of the vehicle to lose control and veer off the freeway. Two of the occupants in the vehicle suffered major injuries and were airlifted to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center; two others with less serious injuries were taken by ambulance to Barstow Hospital. The California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the San Bernardino SUV rollover accident.

Tire Blowouts and SUV Rollovers on I-15

On March 21st of this year, a San Bernardino woman who was a passenger in a 1995 Jeep died in a solo-vehicle rollover accident on Interstate 15 in San Bernardino caused by a tire blowout. This July 3rd Jeep rollover accident, and the one earlier this year in March, are both examples of the serious consequences of tire blowouts at highway speeds. There have been a number of other serious injury and fatal vehicle rollovers on I-15 this year involving pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. Tire blowouts have a number of causes, including underinflation, overinflation, overloading, negligent maintenance, road debris, negligent installation and structural defects.

Potential Personal Injury Liability

In any accident where a defect in a vehicle is a potential contributing factor to a collision, the vehicle must be preserved for inspection and testing. The vehicle itself is valuable evidence that can establish what happened in an accident. In situations such as this one, the family members of the injured victims would be well-advised to contact a California SUV rollover accident lawyer about this accident and whether a defect in the tire caused this accident. If the accident was caused by a tire defect, the injured victims may be entitled to compensation for their injuries from the manufacturer of the tire or the vehicle. A lawyer who has successfully represented victims of SUV rollovers can help the injured victims protect their rights and recover the maximum compensation they may be entitled to for their injuries.

Continue reading "Major Injuries in Jeep Grand Cherokee Rollover Near Barstow " »

A Bloomington woman died Monday morning in a solo vehicle rollover accident on Interstate 15 in Victorville, the San Bernardino Press Enterprise reported. The July 5th accident was reported at 7:51 a.m. on northbound I-15, north of Bear Valley Road in Victorville. The San Bernardino County Coroner identified the victim as Gloria Lynn Hooker, 57, of Bloomington.

According to the Victorville Daily Press, Hooker was a passenger in a 1999 Ford F250 Superduty pickup truck driven by Jerry Wayne Hooker, 55. The vehicle was in the fast lane when one of the tires rapidly lost pressure. As the driver attempted to pull over in the center divider, the tire shredded, causing the pickup truck to overturn multiple times. Both the driver and the passenger remained in the vehicle and had to be extricated by emergency personnel. Jerry Wayne Hooker was flown to Antelope Valley Hospital with moderate injuries. Gloria Lynn Hooker died at the scene.

Tire Blowouts and Rollover Accidents

The California Highway Patrol is still investigating the cause of the accident. If news reports are accurate, the rapid deflation and blowout of the tire caused the driver of the vehicle to lose control, and the vehicle to overturn. This was not the first I-15 rollover fatality attributed to a tire blowout this year. A 46-year-old San Bernardino woman died in March in a Jeep rollover accident on I-15 attributed to a tire blowout.

At freeway speeds, it can be very difficult to regain control of a vehicle in a rollover situation. Tires are a critical element of vehicle safety. When tires blow out, or rapidly deflate, the consequences are often deadly. Tire blowouts can be caused by aged tires, excessively worn tires, road hazards, underinflation, overinflation, overloading, and defects in design and manufacturing. Every year, dozens of tire manufacturers recall tires for defects that put motorists at risks. Tire blowouts can also result when tires are not installed properly.

Wrongful Death Liability and Compensation

If the tire blowout resulted from a tire manufacturing defect or negligence in installation, the family members of the victim of this accident may be entitled to compensation for their loss in a wrongful death claim. While this crash is under investigation, the family members of the victims of this crash may benefit from speaking to an attorney about the cause of this crash and potential liability issues. An experienced lawyer who has handled many tire blowout accident cases can arrange to have the tire and vehicle inspected, and advise the victims of their potential legal rights, options, and responsibilities following this accident.

Continue reading "Bloomington Woman Killed, Man Injured in Interstate 15 Rollover Crash " »

A 23-year-old Riverside man died Monday night in a rollover crash on northbound Interstate 15, the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner's Department said in a press release. The man was identified as Pablo Larios. According to the San Bernardino Press-Enterprise, the rollover crash was reported at 11:15 p.m. on Interstate 15 near Main Street. Larios died at 11:41 p.m. Monday at the scene of the crash. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Continue reading "Riverside Man Killed in I-15 Rollover Crash in Lake Elsinore " »

A 26-year-old Riverside County woman died Friday morning in a horrific three-vehicle crash on Interstate 15 between Lake Elsinore and Corona, authorities reported. The Riverside County Sheriff's Department identified the woman as Holly Elizabeth Powell of Lake Elsinore. According to reports, Powell was driving northbound on the freeway at about 7:40 a.m. when slowed for traffic. She was then rear-ended by another vehicle that did not slow down for traffic conditions.

Powell was wearing her seat belt and was not ejected. She died at the scene of the accident about 10 minutes after the collision. It is not clear how fast the SUV was travelling and how the third vehicle was involved, and if anyone else was injured in the crash.

Fault and Wrongful Death Liability

Although the cause of the April 30th accident is still under investigation by the California Highway Patrol, it appears that Powell was not at fault for this collision. Based on the limited information provided by the NC Times Californian, the driver of the SUV likely caused the crash by failing to stop and rear-ending her vehicle. The family of Holly Elizabeth Powell would be well-advised to talk to a Riverside wrongful death attorney about this fatal Interstate 15 accident. An experienced attorney will be able to explain to the victim's family their legal rights in a wrongful death claim against the driver and any other at-fault parities and the types of damages they may be entitled to for the loss of their loved one.

Continue reading "Lake Elsinore Woman Killed in Interstate 15 Crash " »

Three people were taken to Riverside Community Hospital and one person was taken to Corona Regional Hospital Tuesday afternoon following a three-vehicle collision on northbound Interstate 15, the CHP reported. The Corona Freeway I-15 crash was reported at 3:50 p.m., just south of Magnolia Avenue. At least one vehicle, a silver sport utility vehicle, overturned and two other vehicles crashed into a fence, the Valley News reported. The extent of the injuries of the four people hurt in the crash was not available.

Interstate 15 Speed Limits

Although the state has a general maximum speed limit of 65 miles per hour, California Department of Transportation and the California Highway Patrol has implemented 70 MPH speed limits in various parts of Interstate 15, including in San Diego and Riverside Counties from Deer Springs Road to 1 mile south of El Cerrito Road. It is not known how fast the vehicles involved in this April 13th crash were travelling, however the speed limit was 65 mph where the collision occurred. For a complete list of California highways with 70 mph speed limits, see the California Department of Transportation website.

Accidents on Interstate 15 & Personal Injury Liability

Any accident that occurs at highway speeds has the potential to cause serious injury. The attorneys at Estey Bomberger have handled numerous personal injury and wrongful claims arising from Interstate 15 accidents, including chain reaction crashes and multi-vehicle accidents. If you or a member of your family have been hurt in an I-15 crash and you would like to know more information about your legal rights, contact us for a free consultation with one of our attorneys.

Continue reading "Four People Hurt in Interstate 15 Crash in Corona " »

A passenger in a 1995 Jeep died late Sunday morning after a solo-vehicle SUV rollover accident on Interstate 15, the California Highway Patrol reported. The March 21st accident occurred on southbound I-15, about a half mile north of Kenwood Dr. in the San Bernardino area, at 11:36 a.m. According to witness reports, the left rear tire of a green 1995 Jeep blew out, causing the vehicle to veer into the center divider area and overturn. One of the passengers, a 46-year-old San Bernardino woman, was ejected and died of her injuries at the scene of the crash. Several others injured were taken to area hospitals.

Tire Blowouts and SUV Rollovers

At highway speeds, it is not uncommon for tire blowouts to result in vehicle rolllovers. Tire blowouts can result from road debris, excessive wear and deterioration, underinflation, improper installation or negligent maintenance. They may also occur due to defects in the vehicle or tire itself. In rollover accidents such as this one on Interstate 15, the vehicle and the tires are important evidence and must not be destroyed. The SUV itself and the tires must be preserved for inspection and testing to see if a defect in the tire, such as inadequate adhesion in the tread belt system, caused or contributed to the accident, and the resulting death and injuries.

Compensation For Injuries and Wrongful Death

While this rollover accident is under investigation, the family of the woman killed in this accident as well as the other occupants injured would be well advised to consult with a Southern California SUV rollover accident attorney about the cause of the accident and their legal rights. An attorney can help preserve evidence and hold the manufacturer of the vehicle or tire responsible for the injuries and wrongful death of those involved in this accident. The SUV rollover lawyers at Estey Bomberger have represented numerous victims of SUV rollover accidents caused by tire defects, and offer a free, comprehensive consultation.

A 29-year-old Murrieta man died at the scene of a crash near Temecula on Interstate 15 early Saturday morning, CHP officers said. The Riverside County Sheriff/Coroner identified the victim as Miguel Vega. The March 20th accident was reported on northbound Interstate 15, about three quarters of a mile south of Temecula Parkway (State Route 79). Witnesses said the car initially struck a guardrail, spun out and stopped across the right two traffic lanes with headlights out in predawn darkness. The Mazda was then was hit by an oncoming 2010 Nissan driven by a 50-year-old Yucaipa man, and then struck by a third vehicle. Vega died about 20 minutes after the crash. According to the Press-Enterprise, no one else was seriously injured in the crash.

Cause of the I-15 Accident

Based on the limited news reports of this accident, it is not clear what caused this accident and who was at fault. The CHP and Riverside County Sheriff's Department will investigate whether the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Authorities will want to know what caused the driver to initially strike the guardrail, and why his headlights were out. It is not clear whether his injuries were sustained in the initial collision with the guardrail, or from being struck by the Nissan or a third vehicle.

Accident Fault & Liability Issues

The family of Miguel Vega likely has many questions about what happened in the moments leading up to this devastating Interstate 15 accident. In all catastrophic accidents such as this one, even when liability issues are still not clear, the family of the victim is always advised to consult with a wrongful death lawyer immediately. An experienced lawyer can help the family protect their legal rights and give them valuable advice. If the I-15 fatality crash was the fault of another driver or even caused by a mechanical failure in the Mazda, an experienced California personal injury attorney can help the family obtain the damages they are legally entitled to in a wrongful death claim.

Continue reading "Murrieta Man Killed In Multi-Car Pileup on Interstate 15 in Temecula " »

In auto defect news, yesterday a jury in West Valley Superior Court returned a 12-0 verdict ordering Ford Motor Company to pay $23.5 million to an Upland woman rendered quadriplegic following an SUV rollover accident on March 23, 2007. Cythia Castillo, 40, was driving her 1997 Ford Explorer on the 15 Freeway near Murrieta when the tread separated from her left-rear tire.

Castillo lost control of her SUV and the car rolled three times down an embankment off the interstate. Castillo was knocked unconscious and woke up in the hospital. The rollover accident left most of her a quadriplegic, with most of her body paralyzed, and limited arm movement. Castillo, who previously lived in Murrieta with her 9-year-old daughter, was forced to move into her parents' home in Upland. Her daughter assists in her round-the-clock care.

At trial, jurors saw safety memos demonstrating Ford was aware that the Explorer lost control very easily in the absence of rear tire tread. Jurors also saw evidence that engineers discovered ways to improve the safety of the vehicle, but that management turned down the engineers' recommendations.

An attorney for Ford said he didn't feel that the evidence supported the $23.4 million verdict, and that the automaker would appeal the case. Ford initially offered to settle Castillo's case for $1.2 million, the Contra Costa Times reported.

Continue reading "Jury Awards $23.4 Million to San Bernardino County Woman Paralyzed in Ford Explorer Rollover Accident" »

Four people, including two small children, were killed shortly after 12:30 p.m. Saturday in a fiery multi-vehicle accident near Jurupa, in Ontario. The victims, an adult man, an adult woman, and two small children, all died at the scene when their vehicle burst into flames. The crash involved six vehicles, including three big-rig trucks, a U-Haul truck, and two passenger vehicles.

According to California Highway Patrol reports, the victims were in a vehicle at the end of a long chain reaction of collisions in a construction zone. Their vehicle caught on fire after it was sandwiched between two tractor-trailer trucks, possibly rear-ended and pushed into another tractor--trailer. Three other people suffered minor injuries in the San Bernardino County crash.

The accident marks the most deadly collision this year in the Inland Empire area. The CHP has assembled a special task force to investigate this multi-vehicle crash. Our hearts go out to the family members of the victims as they are grieving this tragic and unexpected loss of four people.

Multi-vehicle accidents, especially involving as many vehicles as this one, can be complex accidents to investigate. More than one party may be responsible, and more than one party may be held liable for causing a crash. While this accident is under investigation, the family of those killed in this accident would likely benefit from consulting with a San Bernardino wrongful death attorney. The family may be entitled to compensation from whoever caused this deadly accident, including other motorists, the tractor-trailer operators, and even possibly the agency responsible for maintaining the roadway, if their actions caused this accident. An attorney can review accident reports, gather evidence, speak to witnesses, and ultimately help family members obtain answers and compensation for their loss.

Continue reading "Four People Killed Saturday in 6-Vehicle Accident on Interstate 15 Near Ontario" »

A 52-year-old Apple Valley woman and her 19-year-old son, also of Apple Valley, were killed in a crash on I-15 Saturday in San Bernardino County. The crash occurred Saturday morning at about 7:20 a.m. in the southbound lanes of Interstate 15, just north of Highway 138. According to reports in the San Bernardino Sun, Merced Molina was driving her 1999 Mercury Villager on Interstate 15 when she struck a disabled tractor-trailer truck in the center median. Merced Molina died at the scene of the crash. Her husband and son were taken to nearby hospitals. Later that day, her son, Javier Molina, Jr., died at Loma Linda University Medical Center.

Please keep the family of Merced and Javier in your thoughts and prayers, as they cope with the sudden and unexpected loss of two family members. Our sympathy goes out to everyone who knew and loved both of them.

The CHP is still investigating the cause of the crash. Based upon news reports of the incident, it is not clear why this accident occurred? Why was a truck stopped in the center median? Was something mechanically wrong with the vehicle? The family of Merced and Javier Molina would be well-advised to speak with a San Bernardino wrongful death attorney for a consultation of their legal rights. There are many factors that can contribute to a highway accident. Depending on the cause of the crash, the family may have a claim for wrongful death, and may be entitled to compensation for their loss.

Continue reading "Apple Valley Mother and Son Killed in Interstate 15 Crash " »

The CHP is investigating a crash in Temecula Wednesday afternoon that injured at least one person. The collision was reported at about 3:20 p.m., on Temecula Parkway on the on-ramp to southbound Interstate 15 (Temecula Valley Freeway). The accident involved four vehicles, two of which overturned. One of the vehicles was a U-Haul truck. All four vehicles had to be towed away from the scene of the crash. The ramp was closed for about two hours following the crash.

Based on the limited information provided by the Temecula Valley News, it is impossible to determine what caused this Temecula car accident and who is ultimately responsible. Multi-vehicle accidents can be complicated to sort out with insurance companies, and injured victims may have a claim against more than one party. Those seriously injured in any multi-vehicle accident should always consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who will protect their rights and ensure full and fair compensation is obtained for injuries.

Continue reading "U-Haul Truck, 3 Other Vehicles involved in Temecula Injury Crash " »

The San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner's Office has reported a 24-year-old man was killed Thursday in a rollover crash on I-15 in Barstow. The crash occurred at about 1:15 p.m. on northbound I-15 at Cady Wash. The driver, Edward Tutundjian, reportedly veered into the dirt median for unknown reasons and overcorrected across traffic lanes. His 2008 BMW rolled several times and Tutundjian was ejected from his vehicle. He died at the scene of the crash.

Please keep Edward's family in your thoughts and prayers as they cope with the loss of this young man. Based on the news reports in the San Bernardino Sun, it is not clear what caused this crash. Was there a mechanical failure of the vehicle, or did something in the roadway cause Tutundjian to lose control of his vehicle? The facts of this accident leave more questions than answers. Tutundjian's family would be wise to consult with a Los Angeles personal injury attorney who will perform and independent investigation into the cause of this fatal rollover crash.

Continue reading "North Hollywood Man Killed in I-15 Rollover Crash in Barstow " »