Southern California Car Accident Lawyer Blog

An elderly female driver was fatally injured in a Los Angeles car accident after a Metrolink train struck the car she was driving the afternoon of July 29, 2009. According to a news report in the Los Angeles Daily News, the woman, who was the sole occupant of the car was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision in the Pacoima area near San Fernando Road and Pierce Street, Los Angeles fire officials said. The 22 passengers in the Metrolink train were not injured. It's not clear how or why this car collision occurred. This death is apparently the second Metrolink-related fatality in Pacoima in the last month. On July 14, 2009, a man was struck and killed by a Metrolink train near San Fernando Road and Van Nuys Boulevard.

I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of this woman for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your prayers.

Based on the information we presently have, it's tough to tell exactly what might have caused this train accident. Was the woman not aware of the railroad tracks? Was she not paying attention? Did the railroad crossing in question have warning signs, mechanical arms or flashing lights? At this point, we don't know.

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A 38-year-old man was killed in a Los Angeles car accident the evening of July 29, 2009 after his pickup truck jumped off a bridge in Long Beach, California and onto the 710 Freeway. According to a news report in the Long Beach Press-Telegram, the man died at the scene of the crash from major head and chest trauma. Officials who responded found the vehicle had plunged off the bridge and over the flood control channel and landed about 45 feet below on the 710 Freeway. The pickup truck apparently narrowly missed two cars traveling below. Both the truck's occupants were trapped. A 28-year-old female passenger was taken to an area hospital with moderate injuries.

I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of this deceased victim for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your prayers. It's indeed fortunate that the passenger survived this 45-foot drop and escaped with moderate injuries. I wish her the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Continue reading " Los Angeles Car Accident Kills Man, Injures Passenger " »

William Wigfall, 25, died in a Huntington Beach car accident after he was struck by a car on Beach Boulevard. The car accident occurred early morning on July 25, 2009. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, Wigfall was hit by a 2006 BMW sport utility vehicle going north on Beach Boulevard, Huntington Beach police said. The driver of the SUV was 37-year-old Jinmei Jiang of Temple City. Wigfall was transported to a local hospital where he died about two days after the car accident. Charges haven't been filed pending an investigation. If you witnessed this pedestrian-car accident, please call Huntington Beach police at 714-536-5666.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of William Wigfall. I offer my deepest sympathies to them for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your prayers.

Continue reading " Orange County Fatal Pedestrian Accident " »

Victor Lizarraga, 35, was killed in a Los Angeles motorcycle accident after he collided with a small pickup truck the night of July 25, 2009 in Pomona, California. According to a news report in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, the fatal motorcycle accident occurred near Holt Avenue and Reservoir Street. Police say Lizarraga was riding his motorcycle east on Holt. The pickup truck, driven by Gerardo Alanis, 24, was traveling west on Holt before attempting a left turn onto southbound Reservoir. Lizarraga apparently could not stop in time to avoid the collision and ended up striking the right side of the truck. Lizarraga was pronounced dead at the scene. Alanis was uninjured.

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Daryl David Benefiel was killed in an Orange County bicycle accident the evening of July 23, 2009, The Orange County Register reports. Benefiel was riding his bike south on Ridge Park Road in Newport Beach, California, when he collided with a car making a left turn from Tesoro, Newport Beach police officials said. The driver of the car, Nathan Tsuchiya, was uninjured. It's not clear whether Benefiel was wearing a helmet. No citations or arrests were made as a police investigation into this fatal bicycle accident is still in progress.

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One man was killed and four others were hurt in a fiery truck accident the night of July 23, 2009, the San Gabriel Valley Tribune reports. A big rig truck was headed south on the 57 Freeway near Fullerton, California, when it struck a smaller vehicle. The impact of the car crash caused both vehicles to flip and burst into flames. The truck then, hit the center divider and ended up on its side, partially on the northbound lanes. The truck driver was pronounced dead at the scene and four people in the smaller vehicle were injured. The extent of their injuries is not known.

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Angel Guadalupe Galvez, 37, was killed in a San Diego bicycle accident after he was struck from behind by a pickup truck, 10news reports. Galvez was traveling south on Cole Grade Road in Valley Center the morning of July 21, 2009 when a 1992 Chevrolet pickup truck approached from behind. The truck's driver, 50-year-old Gregory Pile, tried to pass Galvez near Fruitvale Road and ended up hitting the bicycle. Galvez was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. Pile was not injured. Officials have not yet filed any charges against Pile pending an investigation.

I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Angel Guadalupe Galvez for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were four fatalities and 392 injuries involving bicycle accidents in the city of San Diego. In San Diego County as a whole, 11 fatalities and 797 injuries were reported in 2007 as a result of bicycle accidents.

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Three members of a family traveling home to Colorado from California, were killed in a rollover car accident on July 13, 2009 in Wyoming, according to a news report in the Littleton Independent. Dodi Arnold, 45, and her two daughters--24-year-old Kinni and 15-year-old Bailey--were killed. Jonathan Arnold, 43, the father and daughter, 16-year-old Dellen Arnold, suffered injuries but are recovering.

Wyoming State Patrol officials say this is one of the worst rollover car accidents they have seen in those parts. They say the fatal car accident occurred when a semi-truck caused Dellen, an inexperienced driver, to overcorrect the vehicle just east of Rock Springs, Wyoming. Dellen was driving the family's 2009 Chevy Suburban when a big rig began to change lanes. The Suburban may have been in the trucker's blind spot, officials say. Once the semi changed lanes, the Suburban's right tires were pushed into the inside of the rumble strip. Apparently an experienced driver may have been able to maneuver the SUV away from the semi, but the teen had problems controlling the vehicle. Police say drugs, alcohol or speed were not factors in this car crash.

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Honda has issued a defective product recall for its 2001 Civic and Accord models for possible airbag defects. According to a report in Consumeraffairs.com, the driver's side airbag could produce excessive internal pressure and cause the inflator to burst. If this happens, the metal fragments could pass through the airbag cushion material possibly injuring occupants of the car due to the airbag failure. When this auto product safety recall begins, Honda dealers will replace the airbag inflator free of charge. Honda issued an identical defective product recall in November 2008 for 4,000 of its 2001 Accord and Civic models for similar airbag defects.

In our more than three decades experience representing clients who are injured by defective auto products, the products liability attorneys at Bisnar | Chase has observed a history of airbag problems with Honda vehicles as well as several other brands of cars, both domestic and foreign. Automobiles are equipped with airbags to make it safer for vehicle occupants in the event of a car crash. Although there have been several technological advancements in the way these airbags are being produced and installed in vehicles, that does not mean that they are free of flaws and defects. We've seen several serious problems with airbags that have caused severe injuries and even fatalities. The most common types of issues with defective airbags include failure to deploy during a car collision; deployment at a time when it should not have deployed; and deployment with too much or not enough force.

Continue reading " Honda Issues Product Recall for Airbag Defects " »

A woman was killed in a Los Angeles County pedestrian accident the morning of July 17, 2009 after she was struck by a pickup truck while attempting to cross the road in Whittier. According to the Whittier Daily News, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred on Beaty Avenue near Laurel Avenue in the unincorporated Los Angeles County area of Whittier. California Highway Patrol officials said that the woman was struck by the eastbound pickup truck when she was crossing Beaty Avenue. She was taken to an area hospital but later died from her injuries. The man, who was driving the pickup truck, was uninjured.

I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of this woman for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved this woman. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were three fatalities and 24 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Whittier. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 210 deaths and 5,095 injuries were reported in 2007 as a result of pedestrian accidents.

Continue reading " Los Angeles County Fatal Pedestrian Accident " »

Vallee Marion, 15, suffered traumatic brain injury in a Fountain Valley car accident the afternoon of July 16, 2009, The Orange County Register reports. Vallee was a passenger in a Chevrolet Trailblazer that crashed at the intersection of Magnolia Street and La Stella Avenue, Fountain Valley police officials said. Vallee was ejected from the SUV and sustained severe brain injuries. Her father, Albert Marion, says Vallee has bleeding in her brain and still remains in serious condition in an area hospital.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Vallee Marion. I hope and pray that she survives this horrible incident and makes a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep the Marion family in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) four fatalities and 476 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents in Fountain Valley. In Orange County as a whole, 178 fatalities and 14,185 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents in 2007.

Continue reading " Orange County Teen Suffers Brain Injury in Car Accident " »

Frank Hendricks, 54, was seriously injured in a Ventura motorcycle accident the evening of July 14, 2009 when a car ran over him after it was rear-ended, the Ventura County Star reports. The motorcycle crash occurred near Thompson Boulevard and Santa Cruz Street. Hendricks was stopped on eastbound Thompson waiting to turn his motorcycle left onto Santa Cruz when a motorist failed to stop for traffic and hit the car stopped behind Hendricks. The stopped car was then pushed forward into Hendricks, who fell off his motorcycle and onto the car's hood and was then run over by the car.

Hendricks was trapped under the car, but soon rescued by a group of witnesses who lifted the car off him, Ventura police officials said. Hendricks was transported to an area hospital where he is said to be in stable condition. Police say the 48-year-old man who struck the car behind Hendricks and caused the chain reaction collision was traveling too fast for road conditions. The man was not cited or arrested pending the ongoing investigation.

My heart goes out to the injured motorcyclist, Frank Hendricks, who was clearly the victim in this case. I'm relieved that he did not suffer critical injuries in this car crash. It could have been a lot worse but for the Good Samaritans who lifted the car off Hendricks right away. I hope and pray Hendricks makes a quick and complete recovery.

Continue reading " Ventura Motorcycle Accident Seriously Injures Man " »

Rosemary Webb, 76, and Toni Webb, 43, died in a Riverside car accident involving a suspected drunk driver, City News Service reports. Steven Samuel Chavez, 23, was driving a Toyota sedan the night of July 12, 2009 when he hit a Dodge pickup truck carrying five people on the 10 Freeway near Coachella, California Highway Patrol officials said. Both cars spun out of control and rolled over in the center median.

Toni Webb, who officials say was not buckled up, was ejected onto the roadway and died at the scene. Rosemary Webb was apparently wearing a seatbelt, but died from the impact of the car crash. Elaina Tomlin, 45, was hospitalized with major injuries while 53-year-old Kenneth Webb, the driver of the Dodge, and a 12-year-old girl sustained minor injuries. Chavez was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Rosemary and Toni Webb for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. I offer my heartfelt sympathies to them. I also wish the injured victims the very best for a quick and complete recovery. Please keep this family in your prayers.

Continue reading " Fatal DUI Car Accident Kills Two Los Angeles County Women " »

Two people suffered injuries in a car versus motorcycle accident in San Luis Obispo. According to a news report on KSBY, the motorcycle accident occurred the afternoon of July 11, 2009 near Orcutt Road and Avocado Lane. California Highway Patrol officials say a woman driving a Mazda Miata attempted to pass a motorcycle when her car fishtailed and hit the motorcycle. The woman then drove the car into the fence of a local vineyard. Both the woman and the motorcyclist were taken to the hospital with injuries.

I'm relieved that neither the motorcyclist nor the car's driver suffered life-threatening injuries. I wish them both the very best for a quick and complete recovery.

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), in the city of San Luis Obispo there were no fatalities, but 24 injuries involving motorcycle accidents. In San Luis Obispo County as a whole, six fatalities and 102 injuries were reported as a result of motorcycle accidents that year.

Continue reading " California Motorcycle Accident Causes Injuries " »

Four people were hospitalized with injuries they sustained in an Orange County car accident involving nine cars on the 5 Freeway near Bake Parkway on July 11, 2009, The Orange County Register reports. Three of the injured victims--a 27-year-old woman, a 24-year-old woman and a 23-year-old male--were all riding in the same vehicle and were transported to trauma centers. The fourth victim, a woman, was taken to an area hospital as well. California Highway Patrol officials said the accident involved three separate car collisions. Officials are still investigating what caused this multi-car crash.

My heart goes out to all the victims of this horrific car accident. I wish the injured victims the very best for a quick and complete recovery. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there was one fatality and 211 injuries involving car accidents in Lake Forest. In Orange County in 2007, 178 deaths and 14,185 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents

Continue reading " Orange County Multiple Car Accident Injures Four " »

A woman in her 40s was struck and killed in a pedestrian accident in Lennox the afternoon of July 8, 2009, the Daily Breeze reports. The woman, who has not yet been identified, was walking at Lennox and La Cienega boulevards when she was struck by a white Toyota van, California Highway Patrol officials said.

I offer my deepest condolences to this deceased victim's family and friends. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 210 fatalities and 5,095 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Los Angeles County. Lennox is a census designated place (CDP) in Los Angeles County.

Based on this newspaper report, the woman was walking near the intersection of Lennox and La Cienega boulevards. It's not clear whether she was trying to cross the street in a crosswalk or intersection or whether she was walking on the shoulder or sidewalk of the street. There are many unanswered questions in this Los Angeles car accident case. If she was trying to cross the street in a crosswalk or intersection and had a green light, then the driver of the Toyota van could be held liable for the woman's fatal injuries.

Continue reading " Fatal Los Angeles County Pedestrian Accident " »

At least three people were injured in a head-on car accident in San Bernardino County, the Victorville Daily Press reports. The car crash occurred on Palmdale Road near Eaby Road in Phelan the afternoon of July 6, 2009, California Highway Patrol officials said. A Toyota Sienna that was traveling east on Palmdale Road slowed to avoid hitting a loose dog on the street. A pickup truck, unable to stop in time, rear-ended the van and pushed it into oncoming traffic causing a Hyundai to crash head-on into the van. The Hyundai then hit an embankment and rolled over on its roof. Two adults from the Sienna were taken to the hospital. The driver of the Hyundai was also injured. Good Samaritans helped the accident victims get out of the car before help arrived.

I'm relieved that none of the victims in this rollover car crash suffered any life threatening injuries. I know a car accident can be physically as well as psychologically and emotionally traumatic. I wish all the injured victims the best for a quick and complete recovery. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 308 deaths and 9,920 injuries reported in San Bernardino County as a result of car accidents.

Continue reading " San Bernardino County Car Accident Injures Three " »

Arion Seay, 16, died in a San Bernardino County car accident after his seatbelt reportedly failed ejecting him from a Ford Focus sedan in which he was a passenger. According to a news report in the San Bernardino Sun, eyewitnesses told officials that 27-year-old Dione Davis, the driver of the 2007 Ford Focus, was driving south on Oak Glen Road in Yucaipa when she lost control. The Focus then crossed into oncoming traffic and slammed into a Toyota 4Runner.

The Toyota's driver, 32-year-old Steve Parr, was not injured. Seay was apparently wearing his seatbelt and sitting in the backseat behind Davis, but was still ejected from the car. Police suspect Davis was under the influence and speeding at the time of the fatal car crash. Both Davis and another 17-year-old teen were injured as well. Police say Davis is likely to face vehicular manslaughter charges.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of young Arion Seay for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved this young man. Please keep them as well as the injured teenager in your prayers. I hope the injured teen makes a quick and complete recovery.

Continue reading " San Bernardino County Fatal Car Accident " »

One woman was injured in a Riverside County car accident the night of July 4, 2009, according to a KESQ News report. The car crash occurred when a suspected drunk driver hit two cars on Golf Club Drive, just north of Highway 111 in Palm Springs. The female driver then took her 8-year-old daughter and fled the scene. Another passenger was trapped in the car and suffered injuries. It is not clear whether the occupants of the other cars suffered any serious injuries. The suspected drunk driver was apprehended by officials a couple of blocks away from the accident scene. She was charged with drunk driving, hit-and-run and child abuse.

My heart goes out to the victims who were injured in this car accident as a result of the drunk driver's negligent and reckless behavior. I wish all the injured victims the very best for a quick and complete recovery. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were five fatalities and 66 injuries involving alcohol-related car accidents in Palm Springs. In Riverside County as a whole, 129 deaths and 1,279 injuries, in 2007, were attributed to alcohol-related car accidents.

Continue reading " Riverside County DUI Car Accident " »

An elderly woman was injured in a car accident in Whittier the morning of July 2, 2009, the Whittier Daily News reports. The car accident occurred at the intersection of Whittier Boulevard and Broadway Avenue. Officials said a car traveling east made a left turn in front of a car heading the opposite direction. The injured woman was a passenger in one of the cars. There is no information on who specifically was at fault for this car crash.

My heart goes out to the elderly woman who sustained injuries in this Los Angeles County car collision. I wish her the very best for a quick and complete recovery.

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were nine fatalities and 411 injuries involving car accidents in Whittier. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 712 fatalities and 56,475 injuries were reported in 2007.

Continue reading " Los Angeles County Car Accident Injures One " »

Travis Lee, 27, was killed in a Ventura motorcycle accidentmotorcycle accident after he lost control and crashed into a car at the intersection of Victoria Avenue and Avocet Drive. According to a news report in the Ventura County Star, the fatal motorcycle accident occurred June 21, 2009. Eyewitnesses told Ventura police that Lee was southbound on Victoria Avenue, racing with a red Corvette between intersections. At Avocet Drive, Lee was facing a red light and tried to stop. But he lost control of the motorcycle and slid to the side of a sport utility vehicle headed westbound through the intersection. Lee was pronounced dead at an area hospital. The driver of the Corvette was cited and released for being involved in a speed contest, which is a misdemeanor.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Travis Lee for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. I offer my deepest condolences to them. I'm also relieved that no one else was injured in this unfortunate incident, which occurred because two people were behaving irresponsibly and with callous disregard for public safety.

In California, racing on a public street or a highway is illegal. California Vehicle Code section 23109 (a) states: "A person shall not engage in a motor vehicle speed contest on a highway. As used in this section, a motor vehicle speed contest includes a motor vehicle race against another vehicle, a clock, or other timing device. For purposes of this section, an event in which the time to cover a prescribed route of more than 20 miles is measured, but where the vehicle does not exceed the speed limits, is not a speed contest."

Continue reading " Street Racing Causes Fatal Ventura County Motorcycle Accident " »

Edgar Hernandez-Uribe, 18, died in a fatal San Bernardino motorcycle accident the morning of July 1, 2009 on the 10 Freeway in Colton. According to the San Bernardino Sun, Edgar Hernandez-Uribe was riding a 2007 Yamaha motorcycle when he veered off the freeway and crash. The impact threw him off the bike, California Highway Patrol officials said. Hernandez-Uribe was pronounced dead at the scene.

I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of young Edgar Hernandez-Uribe for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved this man. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there was one fatality and 23 injuries involving motorcycle accidents in Colton. In San Bernardino County as a whole, 28 deaths and 627 injuries were reported as a result of motorcycle accidents.

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Seven people were hurt, two critically, in a Los Angeles car accident after a car sped onto to a sidewalk and slammed into another vehicle, the Associated Press reports. The car apparently ran a red light in southeast Los Angeles the morning of June 30, 2009 and drove onto the sidewalk, striking two people before hitting a second car, Los Angeles police officials said. A woman in her 50s and a man in his 40s who were struck on the sidewalk suffered critical injuries. Five others were also reportedly injured in the car crash, but their condition was not serious or life-threatening.

My heart goes out to all victims who were injured in this Los Angeles county pedestrian accident especially the two pedestrians who were critically injured. Unfortunately, they were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, there were 90 fatalities and 2,690 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in the city of Los Angeles. In Los Angeles County, 210 deaths and 5,095 injuries were reported in 2007 as a result of pedestrian accidents.

Continue reading " Los Angeles County Car Accident Injures Seven " »