Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY - According to a San Bernardino Sun news report, a 39-year-old woman was tragically killed after she was thrown from her vehicle north of Baker Wednesday evening, June 29th. San Bernardino County coroner's officials said the woman's vehicle rolled over after she lost control on Highway 127 at approximately 7:52 p.m. Three passengers, one woman and two children, were taken to hospitals in Las Vegas for treatment.

Cause of the Car Crash

Due to the limited amount of information provided by officials, it is impossible to determine what caused the woman to lose control of her car. It is possible that a malfunctioning auto part or tire blowout caused the single-vehicle collision. It is also possible that substandard road conditions contributed to or were responsible for the crash occurring.

Car Accident Liability

While the cause of the crash is under investigation, the victim's family should seek the counsel of a Los Angeles car accident attorney with experience handling wrongful death litigation. If it is determined the accident was not caused by the actions of the driver, the deceased's family members may be able to file a wrongful death claim against an auto part manufacturer or government agency. In a wrongful death claim, family members may collect various types of damages related to the loss of their loved one, such as funeral expenses and deceased's anticipated earnings. Monetary compensation is by no means intended to replace the life of a loved one, however, compensation can help surviving family members begin to put the pieces of their life back together after a devastating loss.

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SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY - Two Nevada woman were tragically killed Wednesday in an SUV rollover accident on Interstate 15 near Baker. The Press-Enterprise reports that the two women were traveling on the interstate's southbound lanes at Halloran Springs Road when, apparently, one of the SUVs tires blew, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and rollover several times. The driver of the vehicle and a rear seat passenger died at the scene of the accident. The other passengers were hospitalized and at this time, it is not known what their condition is.

Cause of the Interstate 15 SUV Rollover Accident

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the June 28th crash, which occurred around 11:20 a.m. If news reports are accurate, it is possible that a defective or worn tire contributed to the accident occurring. It is also possible that the design and crashworthiness of the SUV also contributed to the deaths of the two women. Due to a high center of gravity and a narrow wheelbase, SUVs are three times more likely to rollover in a single-vehicle accident than the average sedan. In addition, many SUVs are designed wihtouth a roll bar, which in an accident prevents the roof from collapsing or being crushed by the weight of the vehicle. Numerous motorists have been tragically killed or injured by a roof collapsing in a rollover crash.

SUV Rollover Accident Liability

If it is determined by the CHP that a defective tire or flawed vehicle design was responsible for the tragic accident, a tire manufacturer or auto manufacturer may be liable for the wrongful death of the two women. During the investigation process, the family members of the deceased victims would be well advised to speak to a Los Angeles SUV rollover accident lawyer. A knowledgeable lawyer can help victims' families make sense of the legal process and understand what their legal rights are in this situation. Family members may be entitled to compensation for funeral and burial costs, future income and savings, and loss of support, companionship and care.

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A New Year's Eve ATV accident tragically took the life of a 37-year-old North Las Vegas man, the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department reported. The accident happened at about 10:00 p.m. on December 31, 2010, in the Dumont Dunes area of Rural Baker, Cactus Thorns reported. The victim was identified as Jesus Ruiz. According to reports, Ruiz lost control of a Polaris Razor in the open desert. The Razor overturned and Ruiz was ejected from the vehicle. Ruiz was pronounced dead at 10:30 p.m. The cause of the incident remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.

ATV Rollover Accident and Wrongful Death Liability

Hundreds of people die each year in ATV accidents. Based on the news reports, it is unclear why Ruiz lost control of the vehicle, and there are many unanswered questions. Was Ruiz wearing any safety gear? How fast was the vehicle going when Ruiz lost control? Was the vehicle defective in any way? In the past decade, Polaris has issued more than a dozen recalls for its vehicles for various product defects. It is possible that a defect was a factor in this accident. If that was the case, Polaris could be financially liable for this accident. After an accident such as this one, the family members of the victim would be well-advised to contact a California wrongful death attorney about the accident. A lawyer can review the accident report by the CHP and if necessary, arrange to have the ATV examined for possible product defects that could have caused the victim to lose control and crash.

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A 61-year-old Las Vegas woman tragically died in a vehicle rollover crash Wednesday morning on Interstate 15, the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner reported. The woman, Christine Ann Newton, was a right rear passenger in a 2007 Ford F-150 travelling northbound on I-15. About one mile north of ZZyzx Road, at about 8:48 a.m. on November 3rd, the driver of the truck she was riding in lost control and struck the center divider. The driver apparently overcorrected, and then jerked the wheel back to the right. The vehicle overturned and Newton, who was wearing a seat belt, was partially ejected and died at the scene of the crash. It is unclear if anyone else in the vehicle was injured.

Cause of the I-15 Crash

The cause of the fatal Interstate 15 accident remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol - Barstow Station. Based on the news reports, it is unclear what caused the driver of the vehicle Newton was riding in to lose control and crash. As a restrained passenger in the backseat of the vehicle, Newton likely could have done nothing to prevent this horrible crash that ultimately ended her life. Accidents like this one can have numerous causes, including tire blowouts, dangerous road conditions, road debris, falling asleep at the wheel or driving distracted or impaired. Hopefully, the investigation by the CHP will reveal exactly what happened and why.

Passenger Deaths and Wrongful Death Liability

From a liability standpoint, unique legal issues are involved when a passenger is killed in a rollover accident. It is possible that, depending on how the accident occurred, the manufacturer of the vehicle may be liable for this accident, and the resulting wrongful death of the passenger. While this accident remains under investigation by the Highway Patrol, the surviving family members of Christine Newton may benefit from consulting and knowledgeable California wrongful death lawyer. Whether the accident was caused by the negligence of the driver, a defect in the Ford F-150 truck, or even a dangerous condition on the freeway, an attorney can help the family understand their rights and options to hold whoever is responsible for this accident financially accountable. Damages awarded for a passenger's wrongful death may include compensation for anticipated lifetime earnings and income of the victim, funeral and burial expenses, and loss of love, care, affection and companionship.

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