Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

VENTURA COUNTY - A 30-year-old man was killed and two others were injured following a horrific crash in Fillmore, Los Angeles Times reported. The fatal incident occurred at about 7 p.m. Tuesday at a Starbucks Coffee shop on A Street and Highway 126. According to the Ventura County Sheriff's Department, the driver of an SUV, off-duty Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy Michael Cederland of Pasadena, may have fell asleep behind the wheel, which then caused his vehicle to slam through the east wall of the coffee shop.

The collision resulted in a man, Fillmore resident Sergio Mendez, to be pinned against the door frame. After the accident, Mendez and two others were taken to Ventura County Medical Center for further treatment. However, Mendez, who suffered serious internal injuries, tragically died during surgery.

Cause of the Fillmore Accident

The accident on December 13th remains under investigation by the Ventura County Sheriff's Department. Based on the information provided by news reports, it appears the driver may be responsible for this fatal incident due to possibly falling asleep while driving. However, authorities will look at other factors that could have caused this collision such as distracted driving, speed, and negligent or reckless actions by the driver.

Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Liability

In unique and complex accidents such as this one, the injured victims and the family of the deceased victim would be well-advised to seek either a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer or wrongful death lawyer. An experienced attorney who has dealt with similar cases like this, can advise the injured victims and the family of the deceased of their legal rights, and help them obtain the compensation they are entitled to for their injuries or unexpected loss. Compensation in a civil claim can include and are not limited to, funeral and burial costs, medical care expenses, lost wages, loss of love, care, affection, and companionship.

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VENTURA COUNTY - A 51-year-old Oxnard man was tragically killed early Thursday morning on Pleasant Valley Road at Evergeen Lane, the Ventura County Star reported. The accident was reported at 1:30 a.m., when the driver, Luis Lopez-Ordaz, 28, veered off the road at a high rate of speed and struck a large tree at the intersection. The front seat-passenger in the vehicle, Benjamin Martinez, 51, of Oxnard, was killed in the crash. Lopez-Ordaz suffered major injuries, along with a rear passenger, 45-year-old Francisco Patricio of Oxnard.

Cause of the Port Hueneme Car Accident

An investigation into what happened and why continues; anyone with information about the collision or who may have witnessed any portion of the incident is urged to call Sergeant Peter Freiberg at (805) 986-6646, or, Officer Frank Michel at (805) 986-6613. Port Hueneme Police reportedly told KVTA News that alcohol and speed may have been factors in the fatal crash.

Car Accident Passenger Injury and Wrongful Death Liability

Whether the driver of the Honda Civic was under the influence of alcohol when the collision occurred, or was simply driving at an unsafe speed, he may be responsible for causing this August 4th Ventura County solo-vehicle crash. In addition to potential citation or criminal charge, he may also be financially for the resulting death his front seat passenger suffered and the major injuries the back-seat passenger suffered. While this fatal car accident remains under investigation by Port Hueneme police, the family members of the victims of this crash would be well-advised to speak with an experienced Ventura car accident lawyer. An attorney who understands the unique driver liability issues of high-speed vehicle accidents can help the victims and their families protect their legal rights to recover compensation for their injuries or loss.

Continue reading "Oxnard Man Killed in Possible DUI-Related Port Hueneme Crash " »

VENTURA COUNTY - According to the Ventura County Star, a July 26th, 2011 collision between two vehicles left one pedestrian injured. The crash took place at the corner of Pleasant Valley and Bard roads in Oxnard at approximately 5:24 p.m. The pedestrian, who was not identified by police, was taken to Ventura County Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. Oxnard police are investigating the cause of the collision, in which one of the vehicles fled the scene of the accident.

If you or a loved one were injured in an accident caused by the negligent or careless actions of another person, contact a skilled Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorney for a free case consultation.

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VENTURA - A 12-year-old girl was hit by a school bus Thursday afternoon in front of Balboa Middle School on Woodland Street, KEYT News reported. The bus vs. pedestrian accident was reported shortly after 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 24, 2011. According to news reports, the 12-year-old was running across the street when she was struck by a westbound bus operated by the Ventura Unified School District. The student, who was not identified, was taken to Ventura County Medical Center where she was listed in stable condition. The cause of the accident remains under investigation by the Ventura Police Department.

Bus Accident Personal Injury Liability

While police are working to determine who was ultimately responsible for this incident, the parents of the injured girl may benefit from speaking with a California personal injury attorney knowledgeable in the unique legal issues of school zone pedestrian accidents. If the driver of the bus was operating the bus negligently, the family may be entitled to compensation for the young girl's medical care and other damages in a personal injury claim against the school district. A skilled personal injury lawyer can help the victim's family protect their and preserve their rights and understand their legal options following this incident.

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An 11-year-old boy was hospitalized with critical injuries after he was struck by a car while crossing the street in Oxnard, the Ventura County Star reported. The accident occurred at about 7 p.m. on Wednesday when the boy ran across North Marquita Avenue, near Felicia Court. The boy, who was not identified, suffered a head injury when he was struck by a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck going northbound on Marquita Avenue. He was taken to St. John's Regional Medical Cetner in Oxnard. Drugs or alcohol were not suspected to play a role in the crash, which is still under investigation.

Child Pedestrian Accident Liability Issues

"Dart out" accidents such as this one are tragic for all parties involved. Police will look at the speed of the pickup truck and other factors in determining exactly what happened. If the driver was speeding or otherwise driving negligently, he could be cited for this accident. Pending the investigation, he may also be liable for the serious injuries sustained by the 11-year-old Oxnard boy. In situations such as this one, while the cause of the accident is under investigation, the family members of the victim may benefit from speaking to an experienced and knowledgeable Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyer about the incident and the potential liability issues involved. If negligence was a factor, an attorney can help the family understand their legal rights and advise them of their best course of action to protect them.

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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.

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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 " »

The Ventura California Highway Patrol is asking for the public's help in finding the driver of a vehicle that struck and critically injured a cyclist Monday afternoon in Saticoy. The accident occurred at the intersection of Nardo Street and Wells Road (California State Route 118) at about 2:50 p.m. on Monday, April 26th.

The cyclist, Jesus Esparza Delgado, who is about 65 years old, according to the Ventura County Star, was riding his bike south on Nardo Street when a vehicle heading north on Nardo turned left and strick him in the crosswalk at Wells Road. The impact forced Delgado into the car's window and then into the road. Delgado was not wearing a helmet and suffered very serious injuries. He was taken to Ventura County Medical Center, where he was reported to be in critical condition.

The vehicle was described by witnesses as a dark gray compact, possibly a Nissan Sentra from the late 80's or early 90's. A partial license plate of 2GW997 was provided. The car was reportedly last seen heading west on Wells Road toward Highway 126. One witness said two men who appeared to be in their 20s were in the vehicle. Authorities are asking anyone with information about the collision or the people in the car to call the Ventura CHP office at (805)477-4100.

We sincerely hope that the man hurt in this accident makes a full recovery. We also hope that the driver will come forward and turn himself in to authorities soon, or that he is located by law enforcement. Leaving the scene of any accident, regardless of who causes it, is against the law, not to mention heartless. Under the California Vehicle Code § 20001, "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."

In this case, even though the driver has not been located yet, the family of Jesus Delgado would still be well-advised to talk to a California bicycle accident lawyer about their legal rights following this hit-and-run accident. In the event the driver is not located, an attorney can explain how the victim may be entitled to compensation from his own insurance policy, if he has one.

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