Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY -- A 26-year-old San Bernardino man was tragically killed after he was hit by a car while walking along a Rancho Cucamonga street. The San Bernardino County Sun reported that Terrell Conner, was heading east across Vineyard Drive, south of 9th Street, at about 12:50 a.m. Sunday when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver.

Witness statements reported to police that a newer model Ford F-150 parked south of where the incident took place and an unidentified man walking away from Conner's body. The man then walked back to the vehicle before taking off. Anyone with information about this fatal incident should call Deputy Mark Addy or Deputy Richard Buss at (909) 477-2800.

Cause of the January 8th Pedestrian Accident

Based on the information provided by news reports, it is unclear what caused the accident to occur. However, there is absolutely no reason to leave the scene of an accident before the proper authorities arrive. According to the 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."

San Bernardino Pedestrian Accident Wrongful Death Liability

While the police are investigating this devastating accident, it would be well-advised for the family of the victim to contact a knowledgeable Rancho Cucamonga personal injury lawyer regarding their legal rights in a wrongful death claim. A skilled attorney experienced in pedestrian accidents, can advise the family of their rights, help police in efforts in locating the driver, and ensure they recover the maximum compensation for their tragic and unexpected loss. If the driver involved in the collision cannot be located, the family can obtain the compensation through the victim's insurance, if he has one.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Killed in Rancho Cucamonga Hit-and-Run Accident" »

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY -- A 65-year-old pedestrian was fatally struck and killed in Rancho Cucamonga, The Press-Enterprise reported. The accident was reported at about 7:44 a.m. Monday, at the intersection of Church Street and Terra Vista Parkway, when Rancho Cucamonga resident, Carmen Arugay, was attempting to cross at a marked crosswalk before she was severely hit by 2005 Ford F-150. Following the collision, Arugay was airlifted to a local hospital where she later died due to her injuries.

Cause of the Pedestrian Accident in Rancho Cucamonga

Based on the limited information provided by The Press-Enterprise and the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, it is unclear why the driver of the Ford struck the pedestrian. Therefore, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department will continue to investigate this devastating accident to determine how this crash occurred and who is ultimately responsible.

Pedestrian Accident Wrongful Death Liability

Following a fatal pedestrian accident such as this one, family members of the victim would be well-advised to speak to a San Bernardino wrongful death lawyer. A skilled attorney who has the expertise in pedestrian accidents, can help the family understand and protect their legal rights to hold the responsible party liable for the loss of their loved one, and decide the best course of action to recover the maximum compensation for funeral/burial costs, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages relating to this tragic October 10th pedestrian accident.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Fatally Struck and Killed by Car in Rancho Cucamonga" »

A 19-year-old Fontana man was tragically killed Sunday evening in a motorcycle crash in Rancho Cucamonga, the Press-Enterprise reported. The accident occurred at 7:16 p.m. at the intersection of Milliken Avenue and Church Street. The victim, Timothy Neil Denzler Jr. was riding a 1996 Suzuki motorcycle that collided with a 2009 Toyota Corolla. According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner, Denzler was riding northbound on Milliken. As he entered the intersection to Church Street, the 2009 Toyota Corolla turned left from southbound Milliken Avenue toward eastbound Church Street, and collided with his motorcycle. Denzler was flown to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton where he died of his injuries shortly after 8:30 p.m.

Cause of the Rancho Cucamonga Motorcycle Accident

The cause of the accident remains under investigation by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. However, if news reports are accurate, it appears that this collision was likely caused by the driver of the Toyota making an unsafe left-turn into the path of the motorcycle. The law pertaining to left turns is stated in California Vehicle Code Section 21801: "The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left or to complete a U-turn upon a highway, or to turn left into public or private property, or an alley, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to the approaching vehicles until the left turn or U-turn can be made with reasonable safety." Investigators will surely look at the speed of both vehicles and other factors in determining exactly what happened and why.

Motorcycle Accident Wrongful Death Liability

If it is determined that the driver of the Toyota caused this collision, he or she may be financially liable for the death of the motorcyclist. In situations such as this accident in San Bernardino County, where another driver is potentially responsible for causing a fatal accident, the family members of the victim may benefit from consulting with an experienced and knowledgeable San Bernardino motorcycle accident lawyer. An experienced attorney can review the facts of the incident and help the family understand who is responsible for their devastating and unexpected loss. If negligence of the driver caused the crash, the family may be entitled to compensation for their loss in a wrongful death claim, including damages for final medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses, anticipated future lifetime earnings and benefits, and loss of love, care and companionship.

Continue reading "Fontana Man Killed in Rancho Cucamonga Motorcycle Crash " »

A Rancho Cucamonga resident died Sunday night after a head-on collision on Church Street in Rancho Cucamonga, police reported. The accident occurred at about 9:13 p.m. on Church Street, near the intersection of Elm Avenue. According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department, the victim, Paul Martin, 64, of Rancho Cucamonga, was driving east in his 2007 Hummer H3 on Church Street near Elm Avenue. At the same time Albert Ruiz, 23, of Rancho Cucamonga, was driving his 2005 Nissan Sentra westbound on Church Street.

Ruiz's Nissan reportedly struck the north curb and then crossed the center median and into westbound traffic. The front of the Sentra collided with the driver's door of Martin's Hummer. Both Martin and Ruiz were transported to local hospitals. Martin died of his injuries at San Antonio Community Hospital. Ruiz was treated for minor injuries at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton and later booked on charges of Vehicular Manslaughter, PC 192(C)(1) at the West Valley Detention Center.

Cause of the Crash

The Rancho Cucamonga Major Accident Investigations Team is investigating the cause of the June 13th accident. According to the San Bernardino Sun, blood tests taken at the hospital showed Albert Ruiz's blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit. Ruiz is facing criminal charges for this accident and the resulting death of Paul Martin.

Wrongful Death Liability Considerations

In addition to the criminal charges, Ruiz may also potentially be held civilly liable and financially accountable his actions in a wrongful death claim, along with any other parties responsible for this drunk driving crash. While this sadly preventable accident remains under investigation, the family of Paul Martin would be well-advised to contact a skilled California wrongful death attorney about this suspected DUI accident and the family's legal rights, and holding the at-fault driver accountable. Compensation from a wrongful death claim can include monetary damages for final medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses, anticipated future income of the decedent, and loss of love, care and companionship. In some situations where a driver is drunk, additional punitive damages may also be obtained.

Continue reading "Driver Facing Vehicular Manslaughter Charges After Rancho Cucamonga Man Killed in Head-On Collision" »