The man riding the motorcycle was sent to the hospital with both of his legs broken, but he is expected to survive. His fiancée, however, did not survive the accident. She was declared dead at a nearby hospital.
]]> The woman had recently graduated from Cal State Long Beach and was planning on becoming a teacher, just like both of her parents, who taught for years at Huntington Beach High School.The man driving the Lexus, a 68-year-old man also from Huntington Beach, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. He posted bail of $100,000 and was released the following morning.
The family of the woman may now retain counsel to explore compensation for their loss. The driver of the motorcycle could do so as well; he not only lost his fiancée but also faces a long and difficult recovery.
While not every accident shares this kind of tragic story related to the happenings of that day, everyone involved in an accident should have access to active and vigorous representation by experienced attorneys familiar with all of the laws and the ways of the judicial system and the insurance companies.
Source: Los Angeles Times, "Woman killed in motorcycle accident got engaged that day,” Anthony Clark Carpio, June 4, 2013
]]>However, riding a bicycle on roads and streets is not without risk. A Pomona college student was struck and killed by a motorist recently when he was hit by a car while he rode his bike on campus. The driver is facing a charge of vehicular manslaughter, and time in jail if he is convicted.
]]> The causes behind these bike accidents are often the result of negligent drivers. A driver can easily take his or her attention off of the road by adjusting the radio, texting, or looking for a dropped item. A distracted driver might not see a bicyclist veer into the car’s path.When a vehicle strikes a person on a bike, it's rare for the bicyclist to be the one to come out unscathed. Injuries from car-bicycle accidents can be very serious for riders; even if a bicyclist is wearing a helmet, injuries can be traumatic, sometimes even fatal.
Bicycle proponents said that the charges for such an accident should be more serious. The founder of the Pomona Valley Bicycle Coalition said the charge should be something stronger than a misdemeanor.
Drivers must remain alert and respectfully share the road with bicyclists. Those riding bikes must be alert to vehicles around them as well.
Source: Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, "Bicyclist's death results in misdemeanor charge for Cal Poly Pomona student," Beau Yarbrough, May 30, 2013
]]>One family is grieving the loss of a 12-year-old boy who was involved in a fatal truck accident while riding his bike in Simi Valley, California. The boy was riding bikes with an 8-year-old friend. The younger boy was not hurt, but the older boy was struck by the big rig and died at the scene.
]]> When authorities made it to the intersection where the accident took place, they determined that alcohol intoxication was not the cause of the crash. In fact, the truck driver was very cooperative with police officers, and he was neither arrested nor cited for his role in the crash. Authorities are still trying to find out what caused the accident to take place.It's tragic that this family must suffer through the loss of a loved one in an accident that might have been prevented. There are many costs associated with these types of accidents, including medical expenses as well as funeral expenses. These are not expenses that a family would ever anticipate having to cover.
In cases like this one, it's vital for the family to consult with a professional and experienced attorney who can work with them to gather information and provide representation. Hopefully , the family will be able to receive the compensation they deserve following such a tragic loss.
Source: CBS Los Angeles, "Semi Truck Fatally Strikes 12-Year-Old Boy On Bicycle In Simi Valley," May 25, 2013
]]>The fact is that bicyclists have the same right to be safe on the road as motor vehicle drivers. Unfortunately, bike accidents occur more often than most people realize. Knowing this information likely wouldn't have prevented a 44-year-old Van Nuys man from riding his bike. But it might have helped the motorist who hit him to understand his obligation to pay more attention while driving.
]]> As it is, the bike rider was killed in a hit-and-run accident when the driver of a white pickup truck struck him and then fled the scene of the collision. Authorities pronounced the bicyclist dead at a nearby medical center.While the Valley Traffic Division continues to investigate this fatal bike accident, friends and family are likely feeling a bit stunned. Too often motorists fail to notice bicyclists. Drivers are too focused on the other vehicles around them. It's not until someone is seriously injured or killed that they realize they paid attention a little too late. At this point, the victim's family may wish to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to determine their next steps.
Source: Los Angeles Daily News, "Van Nuys man on bicycle killed in hit-and-run crash in Northridge," May 16, 2013
]]>Fatal drunk driving accidents make up one-third of all traffic deaths. Officials at the NTSB believe that the reason for this is that individuals who have blood-alcohol contents of .05 percent are still too impaired to get behind the wheel of a vehicle The recommendation is to lower the limit even further, to .05 percent.
]]> Of course, opposition is forthcoming from organizations such as the American Beverage Institute. Their representatives say that by targeting those whose blood-alcohol levels are less than the current limit, law enforcement officerswould only be punishing responsible adults and ignoring drunk drivers who were truly a danger to the public as a whole. They believe making a change to decrease the limit would only add to the number of accident victims in the United States.The fact remains that drunk driving is a criminal act of negligence. While no complete solution has yet been found, the people behind this proposal continue to work toward a way to save lives in every state. They believe law enforcement officials possess the tools to create change -- they only need to have greater authority to use them.
Source: Los Angeles Times, "Alarmed by deaths, regulators urge states to lower drunk driving limit," Richard Simon, May 14, 2013
]]>One family in the Chatsworth area of the San Fernando Valley knows this feeling all too well. They lost a loved one recently in a fatal car accident near the intersection of Winnetka Avenue and Devonshire Street. The 27-year-old had served two tours of duty in Afghanistan as a Marine.
]]> The young man was riding his motorcycle in the early afternoon when a Honda Civic heading toward him made a left turn in front of him. The motorcyclist slammed into the car, killing him and seriously injuring the passenger in the front seat of the Honda. The driver and two other passengers were uninjured.To prevent future needless accidents and make local streets safer, the motorcyclist's family began lobbying to have left-turn arrows installed throughout the San Fernando Valley. Now a local council member has stepped up and introduced a motion that would install several in the young man's memory.
In the meantime, the Valley Traffic Division of the Los Angeles Police Department continues to investigate the fatal crash.
No one should ever die so tragically, especially not someone who already has given so much to his country. Whatever the outcome, the young man's family deserves closure and the peace of mind in knowing they did everything they could to honor their fallen hero.
Source: CBS Los Angeles, "Family of Marine Killed In Motorcycle Accident Lobbies To Have Turn Arrows Installed," May 1, 2013
]]>The accident happened at about 9 p.m., when two vehicles reportedly came racing down the avenue. An LAPD investigator said the driver now in custody tried to maneuver around the pedestrian but ended up striking the man, along with some parked cars and a pole.
]]> According to police, the driver admitted that he was speeding, so he was arrested for vehicular manslaughter. Police are still looking for the other car believed to have been racing.Relatives and friends of the deceased man described him as loving and caring. A neighbor said the man was just a "very, very good guy," and friends and family members expressed dismay that their loved one is now gone.
Street racing, along with distracted and drunk driving, is a form of negligence that destroys lives. Family members of accident victims have the option of filing a wrongful death lawsuit to hold a negligent party accountable. Such a lawsuit can do nothing to bring back a loved one, but a wrongful death claim can provide some measure of solace to grieving family members.
Source: KABC-TV, "Street racing likely behind fatal South Los Angeles crash," Sid Garcia and Q McCray, April 29, 2013
]]>From the perspective of a video, viewers can see a red motorcycle making a left turn before colliding into the back of one biker. At that moment, the cyclist and biker fall to the ground, but the passengerless motorcycle continues on, colliding with a second cyclist.
]]> Immediately after the incident, authorities rushed to the scene. Fortunately, one cyclist is in fine condition after being discharged from a local medical center without broken bones. Nevertheless, the actual bicycles were totaled in the crash.The victims of the accident are fortunate to be alive. The footage of the videos suggests that they were against all odds. While the bikers may have recovery rights associated with accident, had they passed, their families may have been entitled to wrongful death rights.
In the meantime, the cyclists might take the time to assess their injuries associated with the incident. If they experienced serious harm, those negligently responsible for the injuries could be held liable for personal injury damages.
Two cyclists will be able to ride their bicycles again in the future after escaping death. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. If your loved one lost his or her life in a serious accident, you may be entitled to recovery. While no monetary amount of money can bring that person back or relieve the emotions associated with the loss, a suit could help family members seek some form or restitution or closure.
Source: Heart 96-107, "California Crash: Biker Skittles Two Cyclists," April 30, 2013
]]>Consider the tragic death of a University of California research assistant. In 2008, the 23-year-old was working with t-butyl lithium when a plastic syringe dismantled and a highly flammable chemical compound ignited when it came in contact with air. The assistant was badly burned on almost half of her body, and she died of her injuries 18 days after the accident.
]]> Now the UCLA professor who was in charge of the laboratory is facing felony charges that he violated California's safety and health codes. In particular, prosecutors say the 43-year-old professor neglected to give the assistant proper training, failed to require safety clothing and failed to repair unsafe working conditions. The assistant was not wearing a lab coat at the time of the accident.For his part, the man's attorneys (not affiliated with this firm) have argued that it was assumed that the assistant received adequate training from a senior researcher at UCLA and from her previous employer. Five months before she was injured, the young woman had received her bachelor's degree in chemistry at Pomona College.
Prosecutors, however, say that she was never trained to handle the dangerous compound that burned her. If convicted, the professor could have to serve more than four years in prison.
When work equipment of any kind breaks and causes injuries, the victims or their families need to be aware of their legal options. A criminal conviction isn't necessary for an injured party to file a claim of negligence in civil court.
Source: Los Angeles Times, "UCLA chemistry professor ordered to stand trial in fatal lab fire," Kim Christensen, April 26, 2013
]]>The Automobile Club of Southern California recently offered a handy list of rules in the Los Angeles Times. Bicyclists in the city have probably come across debris in the bike lanes. Watch out for that stuff. It could be car parts or loose material just swept off of the sidewalk. Either way, a bicyclist running into debris could wind up in the path of an automobile.
]]> Trash collection days are also a concern. Dumpsters might be left in a bike lane, and riders might have to maneuver into traffic to get by. And you definitely don't want to hit a dumpster.For drivers and riders, slowing down in construction zones is always a proper course of action. There, too, bicyclists usually have to move into automobile lanes.
As always, car drivers are required to use their blinkers to signal turning or parallel parking. When drivers fail to signal while turning into a bike lane, bicyclists too often pay the price. It's also important for drivers to give bicyclists a wide berth when driving around them. At least three feet is the recommended safety space.
Motorists should also check their mirrors and look out for approaching riders when getting out of a vehicle. Car doors suddenly swinging into bike lanes can cause serious injuries as well.
Bicyclists who have been injured because of motorist's negligence should be aware of their right to pursue compensation for damages.
Source: Los Angeles Times, "Auto Club offers rules of the road for harmony between bikes, cars," Ronald D. White, April 24, 2013
]]>That appears to have been the case in a recent Pomona drunk driving accident that took the life of a 19-year-old woman. She was a passenger in a vehicle driven by a 20-year-old woman from Ontario, California. According to police, the driver was seen tossing beer cans out of the vehicle prior to the fatal accident.
]]> The driver reportedly lost control of her car, which slammed into a number of parked vehicles before rolling over. Including the driver, there were four occupants in the 1995 Toyota Camry at the time of the crash. One young woman died at the scene, and the driver and the other three occupants were taken to hospitals for treatment. The survivors' injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.The single-vehicle crash happened a little after 1:30 a.m. on April 7, and at the time of a local report, police were investigating the possibility that racing was a factor in the accident.
The driver is charged with manslaughter, and she was taken into custody on suspicion of DUI.
Police in Pomona have asked the community to come forward with any information regarding the accident.
For the families of passengers lost to car accidents in which the driver was drunk or otherwise negligent, there is legal recourse in criminal court as well as civil court. California residents who are grappling with a tragedy such as this one should be aware of their option of pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit.
Source: ABC 7, "Pomona fatal crash: Driver arrested for DUI, manslaughter," April 7, 2013
]]>Their injuries were described in a news report as "relatively minor." However, most of the injuries were back injuries, which often turn out to be considerably worse than minor. Back injuries, especially in auto or train accidents, can worsen significantly over time. In fact, five of the accident victims were reportedly taken to hospitals. The dump truck driver was also among the injured.
]]> The collision happened not far from the Sylmar/San Fernando station on the Antelope Valley line, and the exact cause of the crash was still under investigation as of April 6. The truck was reportedly on the tracks when the train struck it. A news report doesn't indicate whether a crossing gate is set up where the collision occurred.About 130 people were on the train, and emergency response crews had quite a job recording passengers' names and checking for injuries. Since the passengers were told to stay on the train until everyone was accounted for, there was some concern over the passengers' not having water, air conditioning and fresh air. For some people, those conditions could lead to medical problems.
Eventually everyone was allowed to exit the train and either get a ride in a car or board another train. The people injured in the accident will undoubtedly want to be aware of their legal rights and responsibilities.
Los Angeles residents with personal injury questions are encouraged to visit our California truck accident page. Our firm handles cases involving injurious auto accidents.
Source: SWRNN, "Los Angeles: Seven injured in crash between Metrolink train and dump truck in Pacoima," April 6, 2013
]]>One such tragic construction accident happened recently in Los Angeles. A man operating a backhoe in Pacific Palisades was killed when a trench caved in, burying him up to his chest. He and another worker were trapped in a 15-foot pit on the site of a public works project aimed at cleaning up Santa Monica Bay.
]]> Emergency responders were able to extricate the second worker in about an hour and a half, but the other man, whose daughter described him as "one of those persons who made an impact on everyone's lives," died after suffering traumatic injuries.A report in the Los Angeles Times emphasizes the fact that he died while working to improve public health. Currently, runoff containing fecal bacteria pours into the water at Will Rogers State Beach, resulting in beach closures and an array of public health problems.
The now deceased man was working to divert that nasty runoff, which will eventually be sent to a treatment tank or to a treatment plant.
Without the resilience and courage of construction workers, public projects like the one described here simply wouldn't get done. Too often, though, construction workers or their families have to confront financial and legal challenges in the wake of a work-related accident. Los Angeles residents faced with this kind of situation need to be aware of their legal options.
Source: Los Angeles Times, "Gilbert Vargas died in the line of duty," Gale Holland, March 25, 2013
]]>Every year, Los Angeles police respond to roughly 20,000 hit-and-run collisions. About a fifth of those accidents result in injury or death.
]]> In Gardena, police deal with more than 30 cases annually, and a news report indicates that most of those cases are still being investigated.In the death six months ago in Gardena, the driver fled after hitting a man so hard that, after his death, his face had to be reconstructed. The process reportedly took weeks.
That kind of negligent violence is hard for most people to fathom, but it is a reality. Six months after the accident, the deceased man's stepdaughter and other family members take part in an hours-long bike ride in support of their loved one and other cyclists. The rides are scheduled for the second Saturday each month.
Family supporters and other bike riders hung posters at the scene of the collision, but in the ensuing months, those posters have faded. A "ghost bike" has also been placed at the site. The 30-member group of riders stops there in remembrance of the Gardena man.
Judging from red paint and a headlamp found at the scene, a police officer investigating the hit and run believes the offending vehicle is either a Mercury Mountaineer or a Ford Explorer. But there isn't much else, in terms of evidence.
Family members who want justice served should be aware of their rights to file a claim in civil court. Defendants have to be identified in these cases, and sometimes investigations can take a long time. Still, wrongful death laws are in place to help grieving families, and there is always a chance that new evidence will emerge.
Source: neontommy.com, "Six Months After Fatal Hit-And-Run, Family Still Hopes For Arrest," Meng Meng, March 20, 2013
]]>Although crash rates among teen drivers is lower than it was a decade ago, this year has seen an alarming trend, and last week's events only highlight the problem. Twenty teenagers died in five separate crashes in different states last week. In one, an SUV filled with teens flipped over a guard rail and into a pond. Six people between the ages of 14 and 19 died in that crash.
]]> Studies have shown that when vehicles have multiple teens riding in them, the risk of a crash increases dramatically. Graduated driver licensing (GDL) laws in many states have aimed to curb this type of problem. While such programs have been viewed as successful to some, these recent events have left many parents worried.Their fears aren't unfounded, says a spokesperson for the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, who notes that some parents might be naïve in thinking that their own children are not at risk at being in a serious crash.
That needs to change, and parents can take a big step forward by being good role models. That means not texting while driving, and not picking up the cellphone when it rings, as tempting as it may be.
Los Angeles roadways can be dangerous as it is, and distracted drivers only make the risk of accidents worse. When teens see good behavior, on the other hand, they might just emulate it.
Source: USA Today, "Rash of fatal teen wrecks puts focus on parents," Larry Copeland, March 15, 2013
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