Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

LOS ANGELES - A man tragically died Monday night when a SUV went off the 14 Freeway in Santa Clarita, the LA Times and Daily News reported. The April 2nd accident was reported just before 8:30 p.m. in the northbound lanes of the Antelope Valley Freeway, south of Agua Dulce Canyon Road. The accident sparked a small brush fire, which was quickly controlled by LA County firefighters. Two lanes of the freeway were closed following the collision while the CHP investigated. Further details about the accident were not available; the victim was not immediately identified.

Determining the Cause of the Accident

This accident raises a number of questions that investigators are undoubtedly asking. What caused the vehicle to do off the freeway? Was driver negligence a factor? Were other vehicles involved? Did another motorist force the vehicle off the road? Did a vehicle manufacturing defect or dangerous roadway condition play a role? Based on the limited information provided in news reports, it is not clear what happened.

Fatal Santa Clarita Car Accident Liability Issues

Following a serious injury car accident such as this one, an independent investigation of the vehicle and accident location can preserve important evidence. If negligence of a third party is suspected to be a factor in the victim's death the family members of the victim would be well-advised to consult with an experienced and knowledgeable Santa Clarita personal injury lawyer who can review the CHP report and advise the victims family of their legal rights and options, should they wish to pursue a wrongful death claim.

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Three people were injured, including one critically, Friday morning in a crash on Interstate 5 north of Los Angeles, Mercury News reported. The crash, which occurred in the northbound lanes of the freeway in the Valencia area at about 11:17 a.m., involved a small car being involved between two trucks. Based on the limited information provided in news reports, it is not clear how this crash occurred or who was at fault. The California Highway Patrol is investigating.

This accident is just another example of the severe damage a tractor-trailer can cause. Semi-trucks can weigh up to 40 times more than a small passenger vehicle, and are responsible for several hundred fatal accidents and more than 3,000 injury accidents each year in California alone. We hope the three injured parties involved in this crash make a full and quick recovery from their serious injuries sustained in this July 30th truck accident.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Truck Accident?

In accidents involving only passenger vehicles, most of the time fault and liability is attributed to one of the drivers. However, in trucking accidents, there are often multiple parties that may be liable, including the truck driver, the trucking company, the manufacturer of the truck or truck parts, the company or individuals responsible for maintaining the truck, the shipping company, and others. It is always a good idea to contact an attorney soon after any accident; however, in truck accidents, it is especially important. The trucking company will fight liability and do everything to limit the amount of compensation a victim ultimately receives, including presenting evidence to suggest an injured party is responsible for a crash.

Truck Accidents and Personal Injury Liability

The injured victims of this accident would be well-advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles truck accident attorney as soon as possible who can review the accident report and advise of their legal rights and options to pursue compensation in a personal injury claim. Accidents involving big-rigs and semi-trucks have very unique legal issues due to the federal laws governing the trucking industry. A skilled truck accident lawyer can advise the victims of their best course of action following this crash to ensure they receive the maximum, full and fair compensation for their injuries.

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A 43-year-old woman watching fireworks with her children and nieces was killed when a car plowed into her family Sunday night, KTLA News reported. The accident occurred outside the Westfield Valencia Town Center Mall, just before 10 p.m., on Valencia Boulevard at Mall Entrance Drive. According to news reports, a two-car collision involving a sedan and an SUV at the intersection sent one of the vehicles onto a curb, where it struck Matilde Garnica Juarez, 43, of Newhall, died at the scene. Her two children and four nieces were also hurt. One of her children suffered critical injuries and was airlifted to Children's Hospital. The other victims with non-life-threatening were taken by ambulance to Henry Mayo Memorial Hospital.

It is absolutely heartbreaking that a family outing to enjoy a fireworks show ended in such tragedy. Our condolences go out to the family of Matilda Gamica and everyone who knew and loved her. We hope that her children and nieces make a full recovery. Please keep this entire family in your prayers, as this accident has surely changed their lives forever.

Cause of the Fatal Accident

As pedestrian on a sidewalk, Matilde Garnica Juarez and the children she was with were innocent victims of tragedy. The cause of the Valencia pedestrian accident remains under investigation, and it was not immediately known if alcohol was a factor in the collision. SHERIFF'S DETECTIVES URGE ANYONE WHO WITNESSED THE CRASH TO CONTACT DETECTIVE JEFF MAAG THE SANTA CLARITA VALLEY SHERIFF'S STATION AT (661) 255-1121.

Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Liability

The family members of all of the victims of this pedestrian accident would be well-advised to talk to a Los Angeles personal injury attorney as soon as possible, who can help them understand and protect their legal rights, and obtain compensation for their injuries and the wrongful death of their loved one. In cases such as this one, injured victims are advised to contact an attorney soon after an accident, while evidence and witness recollections are still fresh. Compensation for a personal injury claim may include damages for medical expenses, loss of earnings, emotional pain and suffering, and other accident related expenses. Wrongful death damages can include money for loss of love, care and support, anticipated future earnings and benefits, and funeral and burial expenses.

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Four people were injured Thursday afternoon in Valencia after a Sheriff's vehicle rear-ended a Jeep, authorities reported. The accident occurred around 3:15 p.m. on McBean Parkway, just north of Creekside Road in Los Angeles County.

The four people injured in the crash included the sheriff's deputy and three occupants in the Jeep, a grandmother and her 16-year-old and 11-year-old grandchildren.

The three occupants of the Jeep were taken to a local hospital by ambulance. According to the sheriff's department, the accident was the first on-duty collision in the eight years since the sheriff's deputy had been on the force. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Personal Injury Liability Issues

Although the cause of the crash remains under investigation, if the news reports are accurate, it appears that the driver of the patrol car is likely at fault. In most, but not all, cases, if a vehicle rear-ends someone, the driver that hits the car in front of him or her is at fault. If the driver of the patrol car is determined to have caused this crash, she, along with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, may be liable for the injuries of the grandmother and her grandchildren, including all medical expenses, any lost earnings, and pain and suffering. While the cause of the crash is under investigation, the family of the injured victims would be well-advised to consult with a Los Angeles auto accident attorney about their legal rights and best course of action in a personal injury claim.

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