Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

A high-speed head-on collision early Friday morning left two people dead and one person critically injured, the Los Angeles Times reported. According to Mercury News, authorities were investigating whether one of the drivers deliberately caused the crash by driving the wrong-way (eastbound in the westbound lanes) at high speeds on Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1). The collision, which involved a Saturn and a Ford Mustang, occurred near Zuma View Place at 12:42 a.m.

Authorities believe the Saturn sedan was travelling the wrong way, going eastbound in the westbound lanes, at speeds of more than 80 mph. Two women in another vehicle that was not involved in the collision said that moments before the crash, the Saturn had made a sudden U-turn and apparently deliberately drove toward their vehicle. They were able to avoid crashing into the Saturn, but it collided with the Mustang moments later.

Both vehicles burst into flames upon impact, and both the driver of the Saturn and the driver of the Ford Mustang were killed. A 24-year-old passenger in the Mustang suffered serious injuries, including a broken leg, a broken arm, and a head injury. The two occupants of the Mustang were reportedly naval officers from the Port Hueneme base.

Cause of the Fatal PCH Crash

If news reports are accurate, the driver of the Saturn caused this fatal head-on collision, and authorities are looking at whether the driver of the Saturn was trying to commit suicide. However, the cause of the crash still remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. A CHP spokesman said the driver of the Saturn, whose name was not released, was believed to be from Minnesota. According to Mercury News, friends of the driver of the Saturn reportedly told the agency that the young man had a drinking problem and that his brother had died recently. This Los Angeles County accident is devastating on many levels, not just because two people died, but because the accident could have been so easily prevented.

Wrongful Death and Personal Injury Liability

Numerous unique legal issues arise when a driver that causes a crash is also killed in a collision. While this crash remains under investigation, the family members of the two occupants of the Mustang would be well-advised to talk to an experienced Los Angeles accident attorney as soon as possible, who can help them protect their rights following this tragic head-on collision. A skilled attorney can advise the families of how to handle communications with the insurance companies to ensure they receive the maximum financial compensation resulting from this accident and the wrongful death and serious personal injuries it caused.

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A 54-year-old Oxnard man died Sunday after a crash on Pacific Coast Highway (California State Route 1) in Ventura County, authorities reported. The victim was identified by the Ventura County Medical Center as Juan Manuel Rodriguez. According to reports in the Ventura County Star, Rodriquez was riding northbound on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu at about 1:30 p.m., near Dear Creek Road, when a vehicle driven by a 19-year-old Simi Valley woman pulled out from the right shoulder and onto the highway. Rodriguez struck the left side of the woman's vehicle and was ejected over the hood of her car. He came to rest in the middle of the road.

The California Highway Patrol reported that the driver of the vehicle that struck Rodriquez was not aware of his proximity. Rodriquez was not speeding, but was close enough to her vehicle that there was no way for him to avoid the collision. Rodriguez was reportedly conscious when he was taken by ambulance to St. John's Regional Medical Center in Oxnard. However, his condition declined at the hospital and he died shortly after 2:30 p.m.

Who Was At Fault?

Although this fatal Malibu crash remains under investigation, it appears that the driver pulling out onto PCH caused this accident by failing to yield to the right-of-way of the motorcyclist (California Vehicle Code §21800-21810). Simply because she did not see the motorist does not exempt her from being at fault. Even if the driver is not cited or arrested by law enforcement, the family may still pursue a civil claim for wrongful death.

Wrongful Death Liability

While this fatal motorcycle accident remains under investigation, the family of the motorcyclist killed in this crash would be well-advised to talk to a California wrongful death lawyer experienced in handling motorcycle accidents. The family may be entitled to compensation from the driver, if she is determined to be at fault, as well as any other negligent parties that caused or contributed to this accident. Compensation for a wrongful death claim can include money to cover final medical and funeral expenses, future lost earnings or wages, loss of companionship, and other expenses related to the accident.

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A 48-year-old Santa Monica man was killed Friday afternoon when his car was struck by another vehicle on Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1) in Malibu, authorities reported. The accident occurred at about 4:15 p.m. near Broad Beach Road. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, 19-year-old David Corona of Oxnard struck a vehicle driven by James Stellar. Corona's vehicle, which was going west, drifted across center lines and into eastbound lanes when it broadsided the vehicle driven by James Stellar, who died following the collision. Stellar was attempting to turn left from westbound PCH onto Broad Beach Road.

David Corona, who was hospitalized following the accident, told authorities he fell asleep at the wheel, the Ventura Star News reported. Investigators have not said whether drugs or alcohol were a factor in the collision. The cause of the accident and whether or not David Corona fell asleep at the wheel, remains under investigation.

Liability and Falling Asleep at the Wheel

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the inability of a drowsy driver to stay awake at the wheel kills 1,500 and injures over 70,000 each year. Surprisingly, the under 20 age group has more sleep related car accidents because of their irregular sleep patterns.

Falling asleep at the wheel is, in almost all cases, negligent driving. If news reports are accurate and the driver fell asleep and caused this fatal accident, he is almost certainly at fault. He should have pulled over, or stopped driving when he felt tired, and not kept driving, as he did. Although this accident is still under investigation, the family of James Stellar would be well-advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles auto accident lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney can monitor the investigation and help the family understand their rights and options for holding the driver accountable for their loss in a wrongful death claim.

Continue reading "Santa Monica Man Killed in Crash on PCH in Malibu " »