Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

COACHELLA - A 50-year-old man died Monday evening shortly after he was struck by a light colored four door sedan on Harrison Street, north of Avenue 50, the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner reported in a press release. The accident was reported at approximately 5:42 p.m. on Monday, January 2, 2012. The victim, who was not identified, was transported to John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital where he died shortly after arrival.

The Coachella Police Department is asking for the public's assistance in locating the suspect and the vehicle involved this crime. Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to call Coachella Police Dispatch at (760) 836-3215, or traffic investigators at (760) 863-8990. For the sake of the victim's family, we hope that the driver involved in this incident is located or comes forward to authorities.

Under California Vehicle Code Section 20001(a): "The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident." There is never any reason to flee the scene of an accident, regardless of the circumstances.

Following a hit-and-run accident such as this one, the family members of the victim would be well-advised to contact an experienced and knowledgeable Coachella personal injury lawyer. An attorney who has handled numerous wrongful death claims arising from fatal pedestrian accidents can help the victim's family understand and protect their rights, and possibly aid in efforts to locate the driver.

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RIVERSIDE COUNTY -- A 5-year-old boy, whose name was not released, fell off a moving school bus Monday afternoon, The Press Enterprise reported. The accident happened in Coachella Valley at about 3:13 p.m. on 70th Avenue and Hayes Street near Highway 111. The exact details regarding this terrible incident were not immediately released. However, following the accident, the boy was airlifted to a hospital with moderate injuries.

School Bus Accident Injury Liability

While it is unclear as to what caused this November 14th accident, the family of the child would be well-advised to contact a Riverside personal injury attorney. In complex school bus accidents such as this one, an experienced attorney can help the family understand and protect their legal rights in a civil claim, determine who is responsible, and decide the best course of action in obtaining compensation for the child's injuries. In a personal injury claim, compensation can include medical care expenses, disfigurement, scarring, pain and suffering, or other damages relating to this horrible bus incident.

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RIVERSIDE COUNTY -- Two girls were attacked by a pit bull in Coachella at about 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Los Angeles Times reports. The two girls, whose names have not been released, were walking along 48th Avenue near Jackson Street when the dog viscously attacked them. A relative drove the 12-year-old girl, who suffered from minor injuries, to a hospital. While paramedics transported the 9-year-old girl to Desert Regional Medical Center for treatment of a serious leg wound.

Following this devastating dog attack, police shot the dog twice in the leg as it tried to attack and bite an officer. The dog, which didn't have any identification tags or a microchip, was taken by Animal Services and was euthanized. According to John Welsh, spokesman for the Riverside County Department of Animal Services, the dog's body was sent to a lab to be tested for rabies as a precaution.

Cause of the Dog Attack in Coachella

The accident on August 23rd remains under investigation by the Riverside County Sheriffs Department. However, based on the information provided by The Desert Sun and the Los Angeles Times it is evident the two young girls had no way to prevent or avoid this dog attack. Hopefully, police officials can determine who is the rightful owner of the dog, as he/she may be held fully responsible for this horrible dog attack.

Dog Bite Personal Injury Liability

Dog attacks can result in serious injuries both physically and mentally to any individuals involved, especially in children and the elderly. In situations such as this one, where it is not clear who is the rightful owner of the dog, family members of the victims would be well-advised to consult a knowledgeable and competent Riverside dog bite attorney. A skilled attorney who has the expertise in dog attack incidents, can help the family of their legal rights and best course of action to recover the maximum compensation for hospital care expenses, serious scarring/disfigurement, pain and suffering, and other damages relating to this tragic dog attack.

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COACHELLA -- A 72-year-old pedestrian tragically died late Monday night, several hours after being struck by a hit-and-run driver in Coachella, the Desert Sun reported. The victim was identified by the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner as Jesus Alvarez Moreno, 72, of Coachella. According to news accounts, Moreno was crossing 52nd Avenue near Sunset Drive at about 8:15 p.m. Monday when he was hit by a vehicle. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene but was arrested at his home at about 5:30 a.m. Tuesday morning. Moreno was rushed to Desert Regional Medical Center with critical injuries, where he died shortly before midnight.

Cause of the May 9th Coachella Pedestrian Accident

News accounts of this incident were very limited and it was not clear why the accident occurred. However, it appears that the driver that struck Moreno may be responsible for the accident. Regardless of how the accident occurred, the driver was legally obligated to stop at the scene of the crash. California Vehicle Code § 20001 states, "The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident."When a hit and run accident such as this May 9th accident results in death, the driver, once located, is almost always charged with a felony. A hit and run felony is defined as, "a failure to immediately stop at the scene of a motor vehicle accident involving death or permanent injury to any person(s) associated with the accident."

Pedestrian Accident Wrongful Death Liability

In addition to criminal charges, the driver may also be liable for the victim's death in a civil claim, in which case the family may be entitled to recover compensation for their loss, including final medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses, and loss of love, care, affection and companionship. Following any fatal pedestrian accident, the family members of the victim would be well-advised to speak with an experienced and knowledgeable Riverside County wrongful death lawyer. A skilled attorney can advise the family of the victim of their legal rights and best course of action to hold the driver accountable for their loss.

Continue reading "Elderly Pedestrian Struck and Killed in Coachella " »