Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

The Los Angeles Times and the Pasadena Star-News reported two men were very tragically killed Saturday while they were helping one of the men's sons change a tire on the 605 Freeway in Irwindale. The Los Angeles County accident was reported in the southbound lanes of the freeway at 11:13 a.m., just south of Arrow Highway, according to the CHP. The men had reportedly just finished changing the tire and were in the process of putting away their tools when they were both struck by a Ford Taurus. The driver of the Ford Taurus apparently lost control while trying to avoid a collision with a tan sedan that had changed lanes in front of him. The victims were identified as Pedro Pedroza, 43, of Azusa, and Ricardo Beltran, 49, of West Covina. Other than the two fatalities, no one else was seriously injured.

Cause of the Accident

The cause of the accident remains under investigation. The driver of the Taurus was going about 70 miles per hour, although it was unclear if speed was a factor in the crash. The CHP is the agency investigating the crash. This accident is a unique type of accident sometimes referred to as a freeway bystander accident. These collisions are often fatal or result in very catastrophic injury because high speeds are usually a factor. It is never advisable to change a tire on the freeway, because accidents such as this one occur far too often. Occupants of a broken down vehicle should always remain in a vehicle with seat belts fastened until the vehicle can be taken off the freeway or help arrives.

Car Accident Wrongful Death Liability

The family members of the victims of this horrific accident may benefit from speaking to a California wrongful death lawyer who has represented families of victims of freeway bystander accidents. These types of crashes have unique and complex legal issues. Advice from a knowledgeable attorney can help the victims' families understand what types of wrongful death compensation they may be entitled to, and the time limits that govern their legal rights to pursue compensation for their loss - including funeral and burial expenses, lost earnings, and loss of love, care and companionship. If the driver that struck the men did not have adequate insurance coverage, the victims' families may be entitled to pursue a claim from the victims' own insurance policies, if they had them. After any accident, it is always advisable to speak to a lawyer before making statements or accepting compensation from an insurer.

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At least three vehicles were involved in a crash on the northbound 605 Freeway (San Gabriel River Freeway) Wednesday night in Cerritos. The accident occurred shortly before 7 p.m., near the 91 (Artesia) Freeway, south of Los Angeles. Two people were killed in the crash, and five people were injured, four of them critically. Two victims were flown to local hospitals by helicopter. Traffic was backed up for several miles following the crash.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the accident occurred during a freeway lane change. At least one of the vehicles overturned. Especially at freeway speeds, it is not uncommon for unsafe lane changes to trigger a catastrophic accident. One car clipping another at high speeds can easily cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle and strike other cars, guardrails or overturn.

The cause of this deadly crash is under investigation. Our sympathy goes out to the families of the victims, and we hope everyone injured in this crash makes a full recovery. While this accident is being investigated, the families of the victims injured and killed in the accident may benefit from speaking with a Los Angeles auto accident attorney about their legal rights. If another driver's negligence caused this accident, the injured victims, and the families of the two people who died in the crash may be entitled to compensation in a personal injury or wrongful death claim.