Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

A tow truck driver was arrested Tuesday afternoon after striking a mom and her two young children in a marked crosswalk in Oxnard. The accident occurred at the intersection of Vineyard Boulevard and Simon Way. According to police, the tow truck driver was turning left from westbound Simon Way to southbound Vineyard Avenue on a green light. The young mother, Alma Lopez, 19, was pushing her stroller across Vineyard on a green light in a marked crosswalk. Lopez was struck by the tow truck, driven by Mehran Khamseh, 45, of Santa Barbara, and thrown to the ground, and the stroller was pinned under the flatbed truck and dragged more than a quarter of a mile. The accident occurred at about 12:07 p.m. Tuesday.

Lopez suffered moderate injuries and her two children, a 3-year-old girl and a 1-year-old boy, suffered critical injuries. They were treated at Ventura County Medical Center. Khamseh was later arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs. According to the Ventura County Star, Khamseh was held in jail without bail on suspicion of DUI, parole hold and immigration hold. Court records showed several prior traffic infractions. Khamseh was also convicted in 2008 of making terrorist threats and petty theft with a prior, both felonies.

Cause of the Major Injury Crash

The Oxnard Police Department is still continuing their investigation. Anyone with information about this major injury collision is asked to contact Officer Maria Pena of the Oxnard PD at 805-385-7750. However, if news reports are accurate, this crash was almost certainly caused by the driver of the tow truck.

Pedestrian Knockdown Accidents and Personal Injury Liability

This accident has unique legal issues because it involved a tow truck (as opposed to a passenger vehicle). If Khamseh was driving a company-owned tow truck, the towing company may be liable for the injuries of the three victims, including medical expenses, future medical care costs, lost earnings related to the victims' injuries, and pain and suffering. In situations where gross negligence or drug or alcohol use are involved, punitive damages may also be available. While this crash remains under investigation, the family members of the three victims would be well-advised to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. A skilled and knowledgeable lawyer who has represented victims of pedestrian accidents involving commercial vehicles can help the victims' family protect their legal rights to ensure they receive nothing less than the maximum compensation they are entitled to.

Continue reading "Mother and Two Children Struck by Tow Truck Driver in Oxnard Crosswalk " »

Three people were injured, including one critically, Friday morning in a crash on Interstate 5 north of Los Angeles, Mercury News reported. The crash, which occurred in the northbound lanes of the freeway in the Valencia area at about 11:17 a.m., involved a small car being involved between two trucks. Based on the limited information provided in news reports, it is not clear how this crash occurred or who was at fault. The California Highway Patrol is investigating.

This accident is just another example of the severe damage a tractor-trailer can cause. Semi-trucks can weigh up to 40 times more than a small passenger vehicle, and are responsible for several hundred fatal accidents and more than 3,000 injury accidents each year in California alone. We hope the three injured parties involved in this crash make a full and quick recovery from their serious injuries sustained in this July 30th truck accident.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Truck Accident?

In accidents involving only passenger vehicles, most of the time fault and liability is attributed to one of the drivers. However, in trucking accidents, there are often multiple parties that may be liable, including the truck driver, the trucking company, the manufacturer of the truck or truck parts, the company or individuals responsible for maintaining the truck, the shipping company, and others. It is always a good idea to contact an attorney soon after any accident; however, in truck accidents, it is especially important. The trucking company will fight liability and do everything to limit the amount of compensation a victim ultimately receives, including presenting evidence to suggest an injured party is responsible for a crash.

Truck Accidents and Personal Injury Liability

The injured victims of this accident would be well-advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles truck accident attorney as soon as possible who can review the accident report and advise of their legal rights and options to pursue compensation in a personal injury claim. Accidents involving big-rigs and semi-trucks have very unique legal issues due to the federal laws governing the trucking industry. A skilled truck accident lawyer can advise the victims of their best course of action following this crash to ensure they receive the maximum, full and fair compensation for their injuries.

Continue reading "Three People Injured in Big Rig Crash on Interstate 5 in Valencia " »

A 43-year-old Santa Ana man tragically died Thursday morning after his bicycle collided with a Chevy stake bed truck in Corona Del Mar, the Daily Pilot reported. The fatal July 15th Orange County bicycle accident occurred on Spyglass Hill Road, at about 7:47 a.m., at Harbor Ridge Road. The Orange County Sheriff's Department identified the victim as Michael Nine, 43, of Santa Ana. Nine was rushed to Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, where he died at about 8:40 a.m.

It is very sad to hear of this accident. Please keep Michael Nine's family and close friends in your prayers during this surely very difficult time. Cyclists in the community are understandably upset about this crash, as this accident occurred almost a year to the date of a fatal crash on Ridge Park Road that led to the establishment of a city task force on cycling safety.

Cause of the Fatal Bicycle Accident

The cause of the accident is still under investigation. Police said it was not evident if the truck struck the bicyclist or the bicyclist collided with the truck. However, the Corona Del Mar Today reported that a gardening truck pulled in front of Mike Nine, causing him to swerve and crash. Anyone with information about this accident is asked to contact Newport Police investigator Todd Bush at (949) 644-3746.

Bicycle Accidents and Wrongful Death Liability

Understanding the causes of bicycle accidents and the liability concerns that arise from them requires unique perspective. While this crash is under investigation, the family of the victim would be well-advised to contact an experienced bicycle accident attorney. While many personal injury attorneys claim to handle bicycle accidents, an attorney who is also a cyclist may be a huge benefit in this situation. A skilled lawyer who specializes in cycling accident injury and wrongful death claims and understands the dynamics of sharing the road with negligent motorists can help the family protect their legal rights and hold whoever is responsible for this fatal accident fully accountable for the wrongful death that occurred as a result of it.

Continue reading "Santa Ana Cyclist Killed in Newport Beach Crash " »

A tow truck driver was seriously injured early Saturday morning after a car crashed into him and pinned him against his rig on the 101 Freeway, just north of Melrose Avenue, ABC 7 News reported. The July 3rd accident occurred at about 2:15 a.m. At least one other person was also injured in the accident and taken to a local hospital.

Cause of the 101 Freeway Accident

The CHP is investigating the cause of the 101 Freeway tow truck accident. Further details about what happened were not available; it was not known if alcohol was a factor in the crash.

Tow Truck Driver Personal Injury Liability

Every year, a number of tow truck drivers suffer serious injuries or death when they are struck by other vehicles on the job. The family of the tow truck driver seriously hurt in this collision, and any other victims of this accident would be well-advised to speak to a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer about this accident, and the unique legal issues involved since this accident occurred on the job. An experienced attorney can help the victims protect their rights and obtain maximum compensation for their injuries, lost earnings, and pain and suffering, along with any other accident-related expenses.

Continue reading "Tow Truck Driver Struck by Car, Seriously Injured On 101 Freeway " »

Two men in their 20's died and one person was critically injured in an accident on westbound Highway 101 in Agoura Hills early Friday, the LA Times reported. The July 2nd crash occurred at about 4:40 a.m. near Reyes Adobe Road, the California Highway Patrol said.

A small silver compact car headed westbound on Highway 101 (the Ventura Freeway) drifted onto the shoulder where it collided with a big rig parked on the shoulder. Both the driver and front seat passenger were killed in the collision. One of the victims was identified as Joshua Dubon, 23, of Santa Paula. The other victim, whose name was not released, was 24 years old. The backseat passenger, a 21-year-old Santa Paula man, suffered major injuries and was airlifted to a local hospital. The truck driver complained of shoulder pain following the crash, but was able to drive away from the scene of the crash.

The CHP is investigating what happened to cause this Highway 101 crash. Based on the limited information provided in news reports, it was not clear why the big rig was parked on the side of the road, and if it was parked legally. The CHP will also look into other possible causes, including fog or other reduced visibility, fatigue, or alcohol use.

Big-Rig Rear-End Underguard Collisions

There have recently been a number of very serious accidents involving passenger cars rear-ending big-rig trucks. On May 26th, a family of five suffered very serious injuries when in a rear-end big rig collision on Highway 101 north of Ventura. On May 21st, a 22-year-old Madera man died in a rear-end big rig crash on Highway 99 in Fresno County. Because there are federal Department of Laws in place that govern big rig trailer bumpers (also known as underguard bars), rear-end accidents involving big rigs have unique legal issues.

Wrongful Death Liability Considerations

While this Agoura Hills crash remains under investigation, the family members of the victims of this accident would be well-advised to consult with an experienced California truck accident lawyer as soon as possible, who is familiar with federal Department of Transportation (DOT) rear-impact protection requirements (see Code of Federal Regulations §571.224 Standard No. 224), as well as laws regarding parking big-rigs on the side of a highway. If the truck was not parked legally, or if the underguard bumper on the tractor trailer did not meet Department of Transportation regulations most recently amended in 2006, the trucking company may be liable for the wrongful deaths of the driver and passenger, and the serious injuries of the backseat passenger.

Continue reading "Two Men Killed in Crash with Big Rig on Highway 101 in Agoura Hills " »

At least two people died and others were injured after three separate big-rig crashes on Interstate 40 Thursday morning, the CHP reported. Eight tractor trailers were involved in three collisions in a six mile area between Fenner rest area and Essex Road in San Bernardino County, about 40 miles west of Needles.

The first collision, a solo vehicle accident, was reported at 1:20 a.m. on eastbound I-40 about two miles west of the Fenner rest stop near Essex (about 100 miles east of Barstow). One semi-truck overturned and the driver suffered a broken arm and other injuries.

The second collision, involving four tractor-trailers, occurred at 2:36 a.m. about a mile away from the initial crash. One of the big-rig trucks burst into flames and was completely burned. One of the truck drivers died in that collision.

The third collision was reported at 3:51 a.m. One of the truck drivers died in that collision; another suffered minor injuries.

The causes of the three June 10th I-40 tractor-trailer accidents remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. A San Bernardino County fire Dispatch supervisor said it did not appear that weather was a factor in the Interstate 40 accidents. More information will be updated as it becomes available.

Continue reading "Two Truck Drivers Killed in I-40 Big Rig Pileup in San Bernardino County " »

A crash Wednesday afternoon involving a Saturn sedan and a big-rig truck left a family of five from Los Osos with serious injuries, KEYT News reported. According to reports, the driver of a big rig truck hauling 14,000 pounds of citrus and vegetables had pulled over to inspect his vehicles braking system. The truck driver pulled onto the northbound shoulder of the highway.

The sedan collided with the rear-end of the trailer near Mussel Shoals Road at 1:50 p.m., and was wedged under the back of the big rig. According to the Daily Sound, the truck driver and a good Samaritan off duty firefighter helped pull three children, a 2-year-old boy a 4-year-old girl, and a 6-year-old girl out of the back of the vehicle. Their parents, identified by the Ventura County Star as Christopher and Vanessa Dunne of Los Osos, remained trapped in their vehicle for nearly an hour.

A CHP officer said that the fire department had to use "extreme extrication procedures" to remove the parents. A helicopter landed on the highway and took the father to the hospital. The others were taken to the hospital by ground ambulance. The driver of the truck was not hurt. Our hearts go out to the Dunne family and we hope they all make a full recovery from their serious injuries.

Cause of the Crash

The facts reported in the news do not explain what happened, and at this point, there are really more questions than answers. It is not clear if the semi-truck was partly on the roadway, and whether it was parked legally. Also at issue is whether the underride protection bar (also known as a rear-impact guard or DOT bumper) met Department of Transportation requirements. The laws that govern rear-impact protection on tractor-trailer trucks can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations §571.224 Standard No. 224. The purpose of this federal regulation is to "reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries occurring when light duty vehicles impact the rear of trailers and semitrailers with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 4,536 kg (approximately 10,000 pounds) or more."

Continue reading "Family of Five Injured When Car Collides with Parked Semi on Highway 101 " »

Seven people were hurt in an accident Tuesday morning on State Route 138 (Antelope Highway), near Pinion Hills, authorities reported. The crash occurred around 6:45 a.m at 263rd Street East, the CHP reported. Several people had to be extracted from their vehicles by LA County Fire Rescue crews. Six people had reportedly minor injuries, and one person was airlifted to a hospital by helicopter. The crash involved several vehicles and a tractor trailer, which became engulfed in flames.

We hope that everyone injured in this accident makes a full and speedy recovery, and that the injuries they suffered are not life threatening.

Based upon the limited news reports of this accident in the LA Times, the cause of the crash is not clear. Multi-vehicle accidents can often involve more than one at-fault party. The victims injured in this accident near Pinion Hills may benefit from speaking to a Los Angeles auto accident lawyer who has experience handling multi-vehicle accidents. An attorney can help the victims protect their rights and advise them what to tell the insurance adjustor after a car accident, and ultimately help them recover the full and fair compensation they deserve for injuries in a serious car accident.

Continue reading "Seven People Hurt in Crash Involving Big Rig on Antelope Highway" »

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of a fatal accident involving a semi-truck on Interstate 215 in the city of Colton in San Bernardino County. The Inland Empire accident occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 21st, north of the Washington Street on-ramp to the northbound 215 Freeway. The San Bernardino County Coroner's Office identified the victim as Marvyn Perez, 19, of Las Vegas. Following the accident, Perez was taken by ambulance to Loma Linda University Medical Center where he died.

Who was At Fault?

Based on the limited news reports of this tragic truck vs. pedestrian accident, it is not clear exactly how this accident occurred and who was at fault. Investigators will likely try to determine whether the victim walking along the side of the freeway, or whether he entered freeway traffic? Also, investigators will try to determine how fast semi-truck was travelling. Hopefully the investigation conducted by the California Highway Patrol will reveal answers as to why this crash occurred and who was ultimately responsible.

Truck Accidents and Liability Issues

Truck accidents are unique and different than passenger auto accidents. To better protect their rights, the family of Marvyn Perez would likely benefit from a consultation with an experienced California truck accident attorney. If the driver of the tractor-trailer caused this fatal accident, the family may be entitled to compensation for their loss in a wrongful death claim. While this investigation is ongoing, an attorney can help the family understand some of the common causes of truck accidents and the time periods to file a truck accident lawsuit in California. If the truck driver is responsible for the accident, an attorney can help the victim's family obtain the compensation they're entitled to for the wrongful death of their loved one.

Continue reading "Las Vegas Man Fatally Struck by Tractor Trailer in Colton " »

Four people, including two small children, were killed shortly after 12:30 p.m. Saturday in a fiery multi-vehicle accident near Jurupa, in Ontario. The victims, an adult man, an adult woman, and two small children, all died at the scene when their vehicle burst into flames. The crash involved six vehicles, including three big-rig trucks, a U-Haul truck, and two passenger vehicles.

According to California Highway Patrol reports, the victims were in a vehicle at the end of a long chain reaction of collisions in a construction zone. Their vehicle caught on fire after it was sandwiched between two tractor-trailer trucks, possibly rear-ended and pushed into another tractor--trailer. Three other people suffered minor injuries in the San Bernardino County crash.

The accident marks the most deadly collision this year in the Inland Empire area. The CHP has assembled a special task force to investigate this multi-vehicle crash. Our hearts go out to the family members of the victims as they are grieving this tragic and unexpected loss of four people.

Multi-vehicle accidents, especially involving as many vehicles as this one, can be complex accidents to investigate. More than one party may be responsible, and more than one party may be held liable for causing a crash. While this accident is under investigation, the family of those killed in this accident would likely benefit from consulting with a San Bernardino wrongful death attorney. The family may be entitled to compensation from whoever caused this deadly accident, including other motorists, the tractor-trailer operators, and even possibly the agency responsible for maintaining the roadway, if their actions caused this accident. An attorney can review accident reports, gather evidence, speak to witnesses, and ultimately help family members obtain answers and compensation for their loss.

Continue reading "Four People Killed Saturday in 6-Vehicle Accident on Interstate 15 Near Ontario" »

The CHP is investigating a crash in Temecula Wednesday afternoon that injured at least one person. The collision was reported at about 3:20 p.m., on Temecula Parkway on the on-ramp to southbound Interstate 15 (Temecula Valley Freeway). The accident involved four vehicles, two of which overturned. One of the vehicles was a U-Haul truck. All four vehicles had to be towed away from the scene of the crash. The ramp was closed for about two hours following the crash.

Based on the limited information provided by the Temecula Valley News, it is impossible to determine what caused this Temecula car accident and who is ultimately responsible. Multi-vehicle accidents can be complicated to sort out with insurance companies, and injured victims may have a claim against more than one party. Those seriously injured in any multi-vehicle accident should always consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who will protect their rights and ensure full and fair compensation is obtained for injuries.

Continue reading "U-Haul Truck, 3 Other Vehicles involved in Temecula Injury Crash " »

The Long Beach Press Enterprise reported today that a well-known cyclist was killed on Tuesday morning when he was struck by a big rig truck. The January 5th accident occurred at Shoreline Drive and Shoreline Village Drive, at about 10:30 a.m. The victim, Gustavo Ramirez, 30, was riding his bicycle eastbound on Shoreline Drive when he collided with a big rig at Shoreline Village Drive. Authorities believe Ramirez was entering the crosswalk on the south side of Shoreline when he collided with the truck.

The unidentified truck driver was not cited at the scene. He reportedly told authorities that he was heading southbound on the Long Beach Freeway when he missed the exit for the Port of Long Beach and ended up going eastbound on Shoreline. He was attempting a U-turn to return to the Freeway when he collided with Ramirez. The cause of the Long Beach bicycle accident remains under investigation.

Continue reading "Cyclist Killed by Semi-Truck in Long Beach " »

A sports utility vehicle crashed into the rear of a parked big-rig early Sunday on the 210 Freeway about 20 miles north of Los Angeles in Sunland, killing three people, authorities reported. The 2007 GMC SUV, which was towing a trailer, burst into flames following the collision, which killed a 41-year-old man, a 40-year-old woman and a 14-year-old boy. A passing motorist Good Samaritan helped pull out a 9-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy. The crash occurred at about 5 a.m. Sunday morning.

The cause of this accident is under investigation. The California Highway Patrol reported there were no skid marks leading up to the collision, indicating the driver did not hit the brakes before the crash occurred. The two surviving children were taken to Children's Hospital Los Angeles in fair condition. The 73-year-old driver of the big rig was also hospitalized.

Continue reading "Three Killed in Fiery Crash on 210 Freeway in Sunland " »