Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

RIVERSIDE COUNTY -- A 19-year-old skateboarder was seriously struck by hit-and-run driver on Saturday in Lake Elsinore, The Press-Enterprise reports. The horrible incident happened at about 6:48 p.m. on Lakeshore Drive at Avenue 6. According to the Riverside County Sheriff's, the skateboarder was struck from behind by a light-colored, lowered Honda vehicle with front-end damage. The skateboarder, whose name was not released, suffered major head injuries and was taken to hospital for further treatment.

UPDATE: Based on updated news reports given by The Press-Enterprise, the skateboarder involved in this tragic hit-and-run, died from his injuries New Years Day. He was later identified by the Riverside County coroner's office as Gerardo Garcia.

Pedestrian Accident Injury Liability

Following a major pedestrian accident, the victim or family members of the victim would be well-advised to contact a skilled Lake Elsinore personal injury lawyer. An attorney who has the experience in hit-and-run accidents, can protect the victim's legal rights and help police in efforts locate the driver.

In the event the driver cannot be located, an attorney at Estey Bomberger can help recover compensation for the victim through his insurance, if he has one. Compensation in a civil claim can include medical care expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, or other related damages in this December 31st hit-and-run pedestrian accident.

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SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY -- A 12-year-old boy was tragically killed in a hit-and-run accident at about 8:03 p.m. Sunday, San Bernardino County Sun reports. The boy, Johnathan Olagues, was riding his skateboard on the 400 block of Home Street in Rialto when he was struck by a speeding 2001 Chevrolet Camaro. The driver of the Camaro, whose identity was unknown at the time, fled the scene of the accident, however, police recovered the license plate of the vehicle, which may have fell off due to the impact of the collision. According to Rialto police Lt. Randy Deanda, Olagues suffered major head trauma and was reported to have died at scene.

Within eight hours after the accident, police found their suspect, 21-year-old Matthew Hudson. At about 3:30 a.m. Monday, Hudson called the Rialto Police Department and reported his car had been stolen. However, inconsistencies with his statement led police to arrest and book Hudson into the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga on suspicion of felony hit-and-run and vehicular manslaughter.

Cause of the Hit-And-Run Accident

The accident occurring on September 4th remains under investigation by authorities. However, based on the information provided by San Bernardino County Sun and KABC-TV, it appears the driver may be at fault for the accident. Therefore, the pedestrian had no way to prevent or avoid this horrific collision.

Pedestrian Accident Wrongful Death Liability

Children and the elderly are the most vulnerable to injury and/or death when they are involved in a collision with an automobile. In situations such as this one, where it is evident the driver may be responsible for the accident, the family of the victim would be well-advised to contact a skilled San Bernardino wrongful death attorney. A knowledgeable and experienced attorney can review the accident, and help the family protect their legal rights to recover the maximum compensation for funeral/burial expenses, loss of love, care, affection and companionship, and other damages relating to this devastating pedestrian accident.

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More than 10 million people live in Los Angeles County, more than any other county in the United States. With such a large population, pedestrian accidents are unfortunately a relatively frequent occurrence. Traffic congestion is a serious issue in southern California, and many residents travel on foot to work and school on a daily basis. Pedestrian accidents include collisions with cars, tractor-trailer trucks, package delivery trucks, buses, trains and other vehicles. Pedestrians struck by cars are subject to permanently life-changing injuries or death. Accidents include pedestrian accidents caused by drunk drivers, distracted drivers, speeding, falling asleep at the wheel, defectively designed intersections and dangerous road conditions.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

Nationwide, a pedestrian is injured in an accident every 8 minutes, and a pedestrian is killed in an accident every 111 minutes. This means that more than 5,000 people are killed and about 64,000 people are injured in accidents each year. Without the protection of the four walls of a motor vehicle, pedestrians can suffer very serious injuries, including spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and numerous broken bones. Pedestrians include walkers, joggers, runners, or anyone walking on foot or in a wheelchair. Pedestrians account for 11% of motor vehicle fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Pedestrian Accidents and Injury Victims' Rights

Injured victims of accidents may have legal rights to compensation for their injuries. If the driver of a vehicle is responsible for causing an accident, the driver may be financially responsible for the victim's injuries, including medical care costs, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages. Depending on the unique circumstances of the pedestrian accident, numerous parties may be responsible.

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A man suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol was arrested Sunday night after striking a 12-year-old boy riding a skateboard in Hesperia. The boy was struck by the suspected drunk driver's truck near Lime Street and E Street. The Victorville Daily Press reported the child suffered serious injuries, including major head trauma and a possible compound fracture of one of his legs. He was flown to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center.

Authorities conducted a field sobriety test and concluded that Todd Dean Thomas, 39, the driver of the truck that struck the boy, was under the influence of alcohol. The arrest was the second incident involving a suspected drunk driver in Hesperia on January 10.

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Temecula police reported Tuesday that a 20-year-old man is in critical condition after being struck by a Honda Accord at the intersection of Ynez Road and Rancho California Road Monday night. The man's identity was not released Tuesday because his family had not been notified. He was taken to a local hospital where he is in critical condition.

According to reports in the Californian, a 17-year-old girl turning left from northbound Ynez Road onto westbound Rancho California Road struck the man. He was crossing Rancho California Road going north when he came into contact with the left front of the Accord. The crash occurred just before 5 p.m. Monday night. It was not known whether the man was wearing a helmet. The driver of the Honda was not injured.

Skateboard accidents involving collisions with other vehicles are essentially another type of pedestrian accident. Accidents involving serious injury and death are relatively common in Southern California. Below are several of the documented skateboard accidents in the last six months in Southern California:

• A 24-year-old Vista man, Christopher Toraason Pompa, was killed on November 15, 2009, after he was struck by a car on Hacienda Drive in Vista (San Diego County).


• A 17-year-old Hesperia boy, Bryan Gomez, was killed August 25, 2009 when he was struck by a car while skateboarding in Hesperia.


• A 14-year-old boy suffered broken bones on July 27, 2009 when he was struck by a car in Nipomo (San Luis Obispo County).


• A 14-year-old Lake Forest boy, Nestor Barrientos-Macias, died of his injuries several days after he fell in the parking lot of La Tierra Elemetary School (Orange County) on June 13, 2009.


• A 17-year-old skateboarder, Dustin Rogers Martin, died in San Bernardino County after he was struck by a hit-and-run driver while skateboarding on Cottonwood Avenue on June 15, 2009.

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