Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

APPLE VALLEY - A 22-year-old Victorville man tragically died Sunday night after he was struck by several vehicles on Highway 18 in Apple Valley, the Victorville Daily Press reported. The fatal pedestrian accident was reported in the westbound lanes of Highway 18 near Bass Hill Road at about 10:45 p.m. on Sunday, February 5, 2012. According to news accounts, Devance Jerome Coleman was struck by several passing vehicles and died at the scene of the crash. A second man was reportedly injured and taken to a local hospital. It was unclear if the injured man had been walking with Coleman or if he was an occupant of one of the vehicles that struck Coleman.

Cause of the Apple Valley Pedestrian Accident

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Major Accident Investigation Team is investigating the cause of the fatal pedestrian accident. Based on the very limited information provided in the Victorville Daily Press, the cause of the accident is unclear.

Pedestrian Accident Wrongful Death Liability

Following a fatal pedestrian accident such as this Highway 18 crash, the family members of the victim of this accident would be well-advised to consult with a knowledgeable and experienced Apple valley personal injury lawyer. A knowledgeable and experienced wrongful death attorney can review the accident investigation report and advise the victim's family of their legal rights and best course of action should they decide to pursue a wrongful death claim against any of the drivers involved in this fatal collision.

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SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY - A 42-year-old woman was killed and two other were injured after they were involved in a head-on collision on Highway 18 in San Bernardino. The accident occurred at 5:47 p.m. Friday when the woman, Holly Foor of Crestline, was traveling north on Highway 18 in her 2005 Honda Civic and was struck head-on by a Ford Explorer.

According to The Press-Enterprise, the 1997 Explorer was traveling on the southbound side of the highway when it crossed the double yellow line and into the northbound lanes. A tour bus carrying 20 passengers was also sideswiped in the accident, but no one on board was reported to be injured. However, following the crash, Foor was taken to St. Bernardine Medical Center in San Bernardino where she later died due to her injuries. The driver and the other occupant in the SUV were taken to area hospitals for further treatment.

Wrongful Death Liability for San Bernardino Car Accidents

The investigation of the January 27th accident remains ongoing by the San Bernardino Police Department to determine what happened and who is responsible. However, if authorities conclude that the driver is solely at fault for this horrific collision, family members of the victim would be well-advised to contact a San Bernardino accident lawyer immediately regarding their legal rights in a wrongful death claim. An experienced attorney who has handled many cases involving fatal car collisions, can advise the family of their rights to hold the other party financially liable for the loss of their loved one, and ensure they obtain the maximum compensation they are entitled to.

Continue reading "One Killed, Two Injured on Highway 18 Head-On Crash in San Bernardino" »

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY -- A 35-year-old pedestrian man was struck by an oncoming vehicle in Apple Valley, The Press-Enterprise reported. The accident occurred at about 11:12 p.m. Thursday along Highway 18 east of Apply Valley Road. According to the San Bernardino County sheriff's officials, 70-year-old Floyd Keeth was traveling west on the highway when he failed to see the dark-clothed pedestrian walking on the road. The pedestrian, Clifford Richardson, was taken to St. Mary's Medical Center and then was airlifted to a trauma unit for further treatment.

Cause of the Apple Valley Pedestrian Accident

The accident on December 1st remains under investigation by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. However, based on the information provided by The Press-Enterprise, it is unclear why the man was walking along the highway and whether the driver of the vehicle could have prevented or avoided the collision. Hopefully, authorities can come to a conclusion as to what happened and why.

Pedestrian Accident Injury Liability

In unique and complex pedestrian accidents such as this one, the injured victim or the family of the victim would be well-advised to consult with a knowledgeable and experienced San Bernardino pedestrian accident attorney. Discussing your legal rights in a personal injury claim with a lawyer is vital in obtaining the compensation you deserve for your injuries, including, lost earnings, disfigurement, pain and suffering, or other damages related to this devastating accident. So call Estey Bomberger for a free case evaluation at (213)785-6828.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Struck by Car in Apple Valley along Highway 18" »

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY -- According to the San Bernardino County Sun, nine students were hospitalized Monday morning following a radiator burst on a school bus. The bus carrying roughly 50 students was traveling on Highway 18 and heading to Mary Putnam Henck Intermediate School in Lake Arrowhead when the bus overheated at about 8:43 a.m. The sudden overheating of the school bus caused hot radiator fluid to breach and spew on several students. The bus driver then pulled over on the shoulder of Highway 18, just west of Santa's Village. Students that sustained burn injuries were taken to local hospitals for further treatment, while another school bus was dispatched to pick up the unharmed students and take them to school.

Cause of the Lake Arrowhead School Bus Accident

The accident on October 31st remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. However, based on the information provided by news reports, it is unclear what prompted the school bus to overheat. Therefore, while the official cause is not evident, police officials will monitor the situation, determine what happened, and who is ultimately responsible for this devastating incident.

School Bus Accident Personal Injury Liability

In unique and complex situations such as this one, the family of the injured children would be well-advised to immediately contact a San Bernardino personal injury lawyer to discuss their legal rights. A knowledgeable attorney who has handled school bus accidents, can help the families' protect their legal rights to hold the responsible party or parties liable for their children's injuries, and decide the best course of action to recover the maximum compensation for medical care expenses, permanent scarring, pain and suffering, and other damages relating to this tragic school bus incident.

Continue reading "Several Students Seriously Injured in School Bus Accident in Lake Arrowhead" »

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY -- A Hesperia woman, Cheryl Hightower, 65, was tragically killed while riding her motorcycle in Big Bear at about 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Victorville Daily Press reports. Hightower was riding on her 1997 Harley-Davidson and traveling west on North Shore Drive when she was struck by a 2000 Jeep Cherokee. The driver of the Jeep, Walter Campbell, 60, of Big Bear City, failed to make a stop at a stop sign as he was going north on Greenway Drive. Following the accident, CHP reported Hightower to have died at the scene.

Cause of the Motorcycle Crash in Big Bear

The accident on August 31st remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. However, based on the information provided by the Victorville Daily Press and San Bernardino County Sun, it appears the driver of the Jeep may be at fault for failing to make a stop at a stop sign. Under California Vehicle Code Section 21802: "The driver of any vehicle approaching a stop sign at an entrance to, or within, an intersection shall stop as required by Section 22450. The driver shall then yield the right-of-way to any vehicles approaching from another highway or which are approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard and shall continue to yield until he or she can proceed with reasonable safety."

Motorcycle Accident Wrongful Death Liability

If the investigation is confirmed that the fatal motorcycle accident was caused by the driver who failed to make a stop at a stop sign, family members of the victim would be well-advised to speak to a skilled San Bernardino motorcycle accident lawyer. A knowledgeable attorney who has the experience in motorcycle accidents, can advise the family of their legal rights and their best course of action should they wish pursue a wrongful death claim for damages, including funeral/burial costs, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages relating to this horrific motorcycle accident.

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SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY - A 26-year-old Hesperia man tragically died Monday afternoon in a three-vehicle collision on Highway 18 (Palmdale Road) in Phelan, the Press-Enterprise and multiple other news outlets reported. According to reports by the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner, the victim, Daniel Crihfield, was travelling eastbound on State Route 18 in a 1991 Ford Ranger. He attempted to pass a Toyota Tacoma Pickup truck that was ahead of him stopped to make a left turn on Mescalero Road.

The Ford struck the rear of the Toyota, and the impact caused the Ford to rotate and come to rest in the westbound lanes of Highway 18. The disabled Ford was then struck by a GMC Trailblazer travelling at an estimated 55 mph. Crihfield was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver and a 9-year-old girl in the Chevy Trailblazer suffered minor to moderate injuries and were taken to Desert Regional Medical Center.

Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Liability

The cause of the accident is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. According to the Victorville Daily Press, alcohol was not believed to be a contributing factor. Based on the limited information provided in news accounts, the exact cause of the accident is not clear and it is impossible to speculate who is at fault. While this accident remains under investigation, the family members of the victims of this accident would be well-advised to contact an experienced and knowledgeable San Bernardino car accident lawyer. An attorney who understands the complex legal issues of multi-vehicle car accidents can advise the victims and their families of their legal rights to pursue a personal injury or wrongful death claim against whoever is determined to be responsible.

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The San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner reported that Benjamin Anthony Romero, 35, of Lucerne Valley, tragically died Monday night in a motorcycle accident on Highway 18. The Lucerne Valley crash occurred in the eastbound lanes of the highway, near Cody Road, at 8:25 p.m. on July 26, 2010.

According to news reports, Romero collided with the side of a 2004 Dodge pickup truck that was in front of him, when it made a right turn. The impact forced him off the bike. He was then struck by a westbound 2005 Ford pickup truck.

Cause of the Highway 18 Motorcycle Crash

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the accident. Based on the limited information provided in news reports of this incident, it is impossible to tell who was responsible for the crash. The CHP will surely look at factors such as the speed of the motorcycle, and both pickup trucks, as well as possible impairment of any other drivers, and whether or not the Dodge made a safe turning maneuver.

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Police say illegal street racing is likely to blame for a fatal head-on collision on Highway 18 Saturday afternoon in San Bernardino County. An accident involving a Dodge Neon, a Nissan Sentra, and a Honda Pilot killed a 57-year-old passenger in the Sentra, the San Bernardino Press-Enterprise reported. The accident occurred around 11:40 a.m. on Saturday, May 28th, about 1.5 miles north of Lower Watermann Canyon Road. The victim, Christian Hansen Gunn, was a passenger in a silver 2002 Nissan that had been travelling northbound on Highway 18.

The Nissan was struck by a red 2005 Dodge Neon that had been travelling southbound on Highway 18. A Honda Pilot, headed northbound, struck the wreckage. Gunn died at the scene of the crash. The driver of the Nissan and two occupants in the dodge were taken by ambulance to Loma Linda University Medical Center. No one inside the Honda Pilot was reportedly injured.

Street Racing Accidents and Wrongful Death Liability

Estey Bomberger has represented a number of victims of illegal street racing accidents. These crashes are 100% preventable and caused by the reckless actions of thrill-seekers who have no regard for others on the road. Although the crash is still under investigation, if the facts reported in the news are accurate, the driver of the Dodge Neon is responsible for this accident, and the wrongful death and serious injuries it caused. While this May 29th accident remains under investigation, the family of Christian Hansen Gunn and the driver of the Sentra would be well-advised to contact a California auto accident attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help the victims protect their rights and hold the at-fault driver and any other responsible parties accountable for this horrific accident.

Continue reading "Covina Man Killed in Head-on Crash on Highway 18 " »

The San Bernardino Sheriff's Department is investigating the death of 17-year-old Deanae Weatherall, of Mira Loma, in a pedestrian accident Sunday evening (12-21-2009) on Highway 18 in Apple Valley. Weatherall had been walking with friends on the westbound side of the Happy Trails Hwy when she was struck by a Chevy Astro van at about 6:05 p.m. The accident occurred near Mana Road. She was taken by ambulance to Loma Linda University Medical Center where she died at about 8:30 p.m.

The driver of the Astro van, a 28-year-old woman, remained at the scene. Sheriff's officials did not believe the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The cause of the fatal Apple Valley pedestrian accident is under investigation. Based on the facts reported in the San Bernardino Sun and by the San Bernardino County Coroner's press release, it is not clear who is at fault for this accident.

Please keep the family of Deanae Weatherall in your prayers. The sudden loss of this young woman is surely heartbreaking. In types of cases like this, it is in the best interests of the family to discuss the situation with an experienced San Bernardino pedestrian accident attorney, who will independently investigate the accident and hold the negligent parties liable. In this case, the accident could possibly be caused by a negligent driver, or even a dangerous roadway condition, such as a poorly lit highway.