Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

The Associated Press reported that at least eight people died and twelve people were seriously injured Saturday night when a truck plowed into a crowd at the California 200, a race for off-highway vehicles north of Highway 247 in San Bernardino County. The crash happened at 7:51 p.m., about 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles near the Lucerne Valley.

One of the off-road racers participating in the crash, Brett M. Sloppy, 28, of San Marcos, lost control of his white truck at a spot called the "rock pile", shortly after the race started. The driver was reportedly not hurt. Witnesses described the scene as "complete chaos" and said "bodies were everywhere."

Because of the remote location of the crash, it took rescue units a half hour to reach the location. Ten emergency aircraft responded and 12 people were flown to Southern California hospitals. Victims included four men from the San Diego area, Brian Wolfin, 27, of Escondido, Anthony Sanchez, 23, of Escondido, and Aaron Farkas, 25, also of Escondido, and Michael James Dickinson, 34 of Spring Valley, and a woman from Las Vegas, Danica Frantzich, 20. Other victims were identified as Andrew Therrin, 22, of Riverside, Zachary Freeman, 24, of Fillmore and Dustin Malson, 24, of Ventura. The name of the eighth victim was not immediately released.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the 200 mile race where the accident occurred was held at Soggy Dry Lake on federal desert land just east of the San Bernardino Mountains. The only way to reach the location of the accident is via a six-mile dirt road off of California State Route 247. Some off-duty police and firefighters who were spectators at the event helped the injured and placed blankets over the deceased.

Cause of the August 14th Accident

Based on the limited information provided in news reports, the cause of this horrific crash is not clear. The California Highway Patrol has begun their investigation to see if this crash was caused by driver error or a defect in one of the vehicles. It was not evident who was the owner of the truck. The San Jose Mercury News reported that the Bureau of Land Management issued a statement saying safety was the responsibility of the race organizer, Mojave Desert Racing, based in South El Monte.

Liability for Injuries and Deaths

Spectators attending the race were not protected by barriers. The promoters of races such as the California 200 may not employ the proper amount of manpower to keep spectators a safe distance away from racing vehicles. Instead, promoters rely on federal and state land managers who are responsible for patrolling the desert. Due to high temperatures in the desert areas where races are permitted, races are often held at night. Bystanders have been killed or injured at other off-road races, including the Baja 1000 and the Dakar Rally, according to a report in the New York Times.

In situations such as this one, victims and their families would be encouraged to contact a California personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Because of unique liability issues of these type of event bystander accidents, victims and their families have only a limited amount of time to pursue compensation for their injuries or a loved one's wrongful death. If you would like to know more about your legal rights as an injured bystander or the family of someone who was killed in this crash, contact a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your potential case and rights to compensation from whoever is responsible for the accident.

Continue reading "Eight Spectators Killed, Dozens Injured in Off-Road Accident at California 200 OHV Race " »

A 61-year-old man was taken to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo Sunday night after he was hit by a car driven by a 16-year-old near San Clemente High School, the Orange County Register reported. The accident occurred in the 700 block of Avenida Pico, at around 9 p.m. The teen driver was not cited, and police did not believe alcohol was a factor in the crash. The injured man suffered a broken leg and a head injury in the August 1st San Clemente pedestrian accident.

Pedestrian Accidents & Personal Injury Liability

The cause of the incident remains under investigation. Based on the limited information provided in news reports, it is not clear what happened or who was responsible. Authorities will look at the location of the accident, the speed of the vehicle, and whether there was any way the driver could have prevented in the accident. If the driver is determined to be at fault, he or she may be liable for the injuries sustained by the victim. In situations such as this one, while an accident investigation is ongoing, the family members of the injured victim would be well-advised to consult with a California pedestrian injury lawyer about the accident and the victim's possible rights to compensation for his injuries in a personal injury claim.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Hit by Teen Driver Near San Clemente High School " »

The driver of a Audi A4 sedan suffered major injuries to his head, pelvis, and chest after a bobtail box truck crashed into his vehicle on Thursday on the 60 (Pomona) Freeway. According to news reports in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, the Audi was stopped on the shoulder on the eastbound 60 Freeway at Nogales Street in Rowland Heights when the box truck veered into it, pushing it forward between 200 and 300 feet. The injured driver of the Audi, who was not identified, was taken to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center.

Cause of the July 22nd 60 Freeway Accident

The CHP is investigating the cause of the accident. Based on the news reports, it is not clear why the driver of the box truck veered into the Audi. In their investigation, the CHP will look at factors such as driver impairment, driver distraction, vehicle speed, and even possible mechanical malfunction. We hope the man driving the Audi is okay and makes a full recovery from his undoubtedly very serious injuries. Please keep him in your prayers.

Personal Injury Liability

If the driver of the box truck is determined to be responsible for striking the Audi and severely injuring its driver, he or she may be liable for the man's injuries. If the box-truck was rented or owned by the man's employer, the rental company or employer may also be liable for the victim's injuries. In situations such as this one, where another party is likely responsible for someone else's serious injuries, the family members of the victim would be well-advised to contact a Los Angeles auto accident attorney as soon as possible. A skilled lawyer can help the victim and his family protect their legal rights and recover the maximum compensation for his medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.

Continue reading "Man Seriously Injured After Box Truck Crashes Into Disabled Audi on 60 Freeway " »

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 Mustang 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.

Continue reading "Two People Killed, One Critically Injured in Head-On Crash on PCH in Malibu " »

Three construction workers employed by Metro Construction suffered serious injuries Monday morning when a hydraulic scissor-lift toppled over, the Glendale News-Press reported. The June 13th Glendale construction accident occurred near the corner of Broadway and Orange, near the northernmost end of the Glendale Galleria shopping mall.

According to news reports, the three workers, who were only identified as men in their 30's or 40's, were in a bucket atop the hydraulic scissor-lift, removing rock and sand out of the flower boxes on a second-floor window. At around 8:27 a.m., one of the planters shifted and struck the lift, causing it to become unstable tip over. The planter box also collapsed with the lift. All three workers suffered serious injuries and were taken to Los Angeles County - USC Medical Center, where they were listed in critical condition.

Cause of the Scissor-Lift Collapse Accident

According to a spokeswoman for the state's Department of Industrial Relations, the CA Division of Occupational Safety and Health will investigate whether the lift was being used properly, and in compliance with weight limits. A Glendale fire captain told ABC 7 News that "the maximum identified on the scissor-lift says two people at a 500-pound maximum capacity and there were three gentlemen working up there." Additionally, the planter boxes that the workers were removing had been previously deemed unsafe by the Glendale Galleria. It is unclear if the planter boxes played a role in the accident, which remains under investigation. According to the LA Daily News, officials with the Glendale Galleria, which subcontracted with Metro Construction, had no comment on the accident.

Continue reading "Three Workers Seriously Injured in Construction Accident Near Glendale Galleria " »

Three people were hospitalized last week after a truck went off the road and plowed into an AMPM gas station in Fontana, the Herald News reported. The horrific accident was reported on Tuesday, May 4th, at 10:36 a.m., at the Arco gas station located at the corner of Sierra Avenue and Baseline Avenue.

According to reports by ABC 7 News, a white Chevrolet pickup truck jumped a curb, plowed over a security pole and gas pump and struck a man pumping gas into his Toyota Tacoma. The man was pinned between his truck, the gas pump and the security pole. His leg was completely severed at his knee. The force of the collision uprooted a second pump station, which fell onto a gray Toyota Corolla. A female occupant inside the Corolla was also injured.

The Fontana Police department is investigating the cause of the crash. It is not clear whether the driver of the Chevy was impaired by drugs or alcohol, or if he suffered a medical emergency such as a stroke or a seizure, or if something malfunctioned mechanically in his truck.

Personal Injury Liability Issues

The cause of this crash is still under investigation. However, based on the news reports, it is clear that the driver of the white pickup truck caused this crash by losing control of his vehicle, although why he lost control is still not known. In this situation, the families of the two victims injured in this accident would be well-advised to contact a Riverside personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

This was a very serious incident and there are numerous legal issues involved, as this incident occurred at a gas station. An experienced and skilled personal injury attorney can help the victims understand and protect their legal rights, and obtain full and fair compensation from their serious injuries sustained in this accident. Both victims may be entitled to substantial compensation for their injuries including their medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering as a result of the accident.

Continue reading "Gas Station Customer's Leg Severed After Truck Plows Into Gas Station " »

A 52-year-old woman in a wheelchair was seriously injured Wednesday night after she was struck by a hit-and-run vehicle in South Los Angeles, police reported. The incident happened at about 10 p.m. Wednesday near 103rd Street and Avalon Boulevard. The victim suffered a broken right femur and other injuries and was hospitalized at Harbor/UCLA Medical Center. The driver of the vehicle that struck the woman did not stop and is now wanted for felony-hit and run.

A description of the vehicle that struck the woman was not released. Anyone with information about the driver or the vehicle is asked to call the LAPD's South Traffic Division at (213) 485-7417.

We hope that this woman survives and makes a full recovery, and that the driver of the vehicle will be located or come forward. Regardless of whether the driver was at fault, not stopping at the scene of an injury accident is a crime. The family of the woman injured in this accident would be well-advised to consult with a Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorney who can help with the efforts to locate the driver and protect the victim's rights. An experienced lawyer can also explain how the victim's own insurance policy, if she has one, may come into play if the driver of the vehicle is not located.

A 21-year-old Pasadena man was taken to a hospital with serious injuries Thursday afternoon after his motorcycle collided with a 2008 Honda sedan. According to police, the accident happened at 4:30 p.m. at the intersection of Foothill Boulevard and Linda Rosa Avenue.

Police believe the motorcyclist was riding westbound on Foothill Boulevard, when he collided with the Honda. The driver of the Honda, a 46, year-old Pasadena man, was attempting to turn left from southbound Linda Rosa Avenue onto Foothill Boulevard. The motorcyclist was able to down the bike in the street, but was unable to avoid the collision. The Pasadena Star-News reported the motorcyclist suffered serious injuries, including a broken hip and broken legs, but is expected to survive.

Please keep this injured man in your prayers. We hope he makes a complete and speedy recovery from his very serious injuries.

The driver of the Honda was not arrested or cited at the scene, but police are investigating the incident. If the news reports of the this accident are correct, and the motorcyclist was not speeding, the driver of the Honda is likely at fault for pulling in front of the path of the bike. The man injured and his family would be well-advised to speak with a Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer who will hold the responsible party accountable for the accident and ultimately help the victim obtain the compensation he is entitled to for his injuries. Even if the driver is not cited for the collision, he still may be held accountable in a civil claim.

Continue reading "Motorcyclist Injured in Accident on Foothill Boulevard in Pasadena " »