Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyers Blog

Rollover Accident Kills One, Injures Three Others

Rollover accidents have already ended the lives of many people in the United States over the years. In fact, statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that more than 10,000 people die each year due to them.

A recent rollover accident on the northbound Highway 99, near the central Galt exit, ended the life of one man and injured three others, including two children.

According to reports, witnesses stated that a white Toyota Corolla suddenly drove off the road, went over an embankment, struck a bridge abutment, and overturned on its roof.

Several motorists tried to help the vehicle’s occupants. One person even used a fire extinguisher just to put out a small fire underneath the car.

Reports said the male driver was brought to Kaiser Permanente South Medical Center, where he was announced dead.

Meanwhile, the two girls were extricated from the car by emergency crews. One of them suffered from minor injuries while the other one sustained possible major injuries. Both of them were taken to a hospital.

A female passenger also sustained possible major injuries. She was brought to a hospital to receive immediate medical treatment.

Young Driver Dies in Ventura 101 Freeway Crash

Young drivers are more prone to fatal crashes because of their lack of experience. In fact, statistics show that in 2008 alone, at least 2,739 drivers aged 15-20 were killed in motor vehicle accidents.

A 20-year-old driver who was identified as Steven Everett Seery, from Thousand Oaks, recently died in a vehicle accident along the Ventura (101) Freeway in Westlake Village.

According to reports, the incident occurred along the westbound side of the freeway, near the Lindero Canyon Road.

Police said the driver was announced dead at the accident area.

A SigAlert was issued after the accident occurred. It was lifted when the roadway was cleared after a few hours.

Authorities are still investigating the fatal accident, said reports.

Even if a driver is still inexperienced, he can lessen his chances of being involved in an accident if he refrains from doing unlawful acts like speeding and drunk driving. If he is still unsure of his driving capabilities, he should ask an older driver to accompany him while he is driving.

Two Killed when Hay Baler Crashes into Honda

A hay baler became an instrument of death after it crashed into a Honda in southwest of Visalia.

According to reports, two male Honda passengers were killed after the vehicle was struck by the hay baler along the intersection of Road 36 and Avenue 232.

Meanwhile, the driver was rushed to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno to be treated for major injuries.

The three were extricated from the vehicle with the use of a hydraulic prying tool. Authorities have not yet determined whether they were wearing their seatbelt at the time of the accident.

Reports said the driver of the hay baler left the accident area without a scratch.

The hay baler driver will be held liable for the death of the two passengers, injuries of the driver, and damages sustained by the Honda if it was proven that his or her negligence had caused the fatal accident.

Monetary damages that may be required from the liable party will likely cover pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and medical expenses.

Toddler Dies When Hit by Mother’s Truck in Pomona

Parents must take care of their children and make sure that they are safe and protected from all kinds of dangers.

An unlicensed 16-year-old mother has failed to fulfill this duty when she recently struck and killed her 1-year-old son.

According to reports, the boy was fatally hit by a 2000 Dodge Ram truck that his mother was driving along the 600 block of Muir Street in Pomona.

It was not yet revealed if the toddler unexpectedly stepped in front of the truck or if his mother backed over him.

Reports stated that the boy was announced dead at the Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center.

Police said the accident was not likely caused by drugs or alcohol.

Toddlers are not yet aware of potential dangers that they might be involved in so they should be supervised at all times. In addition, they should never be allowed to play or be in areas where they can be hurt by other people, even by their parents.

Child Nearly Drowns in Pool

Recently, two young boys died as the adult who was asked to watch over them failed to keep his eyes on the boys. Their deaths could have been avoided if only their mother’s friends were more cautious in letting them play near the pool.

Parents should make sure that children would not go near uncovered pools unsupervised as this can cause serious accidents, such as drowning and slip and fall that may even end their life.

A four-year-old girl from Merced County was recently rushed to a hospital after her family discovered her to have fallen into the pool.

Reports indicate that the girl was riding her tricycle near the pool when she suddenly fell into it. Rescuers were able to perform CPR and brought the child to Children's Hospital Central California in Madera where she is being treated.

Good thing someone noticed the child in time and was able to ask for help. The child could have sustained more serious, and possibly fatal, injuries if she wasn’t given medical attention immediately.

Suspected Speeding SUV Driver Remains in Critical Condition after Accident

Speeding is strictly prohibited by the law as excessive speed causes drivers to lose control of their vehicles. In fact, this negligent action might have caused an accident that left a female SUV driver with critical injuries.

Reports stated that Lizeth Pimentel, 24, from Long Beach, may have been speeding when her vehicle suddenly crashed through the Seventh Street bridge’s guardrail, right into the Los Angeles River last March 11.

She sustained serious brain damage when the SUV sunk into the water, said reports.

Pimentel was brought to St. Mary’s Medical Center where she remains under critical condition. She is still under medical sedation because tests are being administered by the doctors.

Authorities are trying to know how fast the woman was driving to establish if speeding is a contributing factor in the accident.

Speeding is often done by drivers who want to arrive at their target destination as soon as possible. Accidents involving it can be avoided if only drivers would allot more time in traveling.

Man on Scooter Attempted to Cross Street, Dies

Pedestrians must always keep in mind the dangers of crossing streets on unmarked crosswalks as it is understandable that motorists wouldn’t notice them and will fail to slow down and stop.

A 58-year-old man on his electric mobility scooter was killed after he was hit by a northbound vehicle on Watt Avenue at around 7 pm.

Reginaldo E. Rios from Antelope reportedly died at the scene after being thrown from his three-wheeled scooter. The driver was questioned by authorities and he stated that he failed to notice Rios who was wearing dark clothes.

The scooter also had no reflectors or lights that should have warned approaching motorists.

To prevent pedestrian accidents, both motorists and pedestrians should exercise caution. Pedestrians should avoid crossing streets without crosswalks and drivers at the same time should slow down when nearing crosswalks and stop once pedestrians have the right of way.  

Toddler Ran Over by Grandfather

Because they are young, children, especially toddlers, cannot be left alone to look after their own safety and grasp the seriousness of accidents involving vehicles. It could leave them with life-long injuries such as paralysis and brain damage.

An 18-month-old boy was recently rushed to a hospital in San Diego after he was run over by a car driven by his grandfather.

The vehicle accident left the child with injuries to his face, a possible broken am, and a broken shoulder. Internal injuries are also not yet ruled out by authorities. 

It was not immediately reported how the accident occurred but the grandfather may have unknowingly risked the child’s life. It is very possible that he didn’t saw the child playing on his path and ran over him by accident.

To prevent these scenarios, parents and guardians should always keep children within their eyesight and never let them play in areas where a vehicle may pass. Also, motorists should look out when driving in areas where children may be at play.

Police Investigates Fatal Hemet House Fire Accident

Homeowners usually ignore fire dangers because they think that they are completely safe in the comfort of their own homes. Many fail to realize that they are the ones who are at the highest risk of being involved in fire accidents. In fact, statistics show that around 85% of all reported fires happen in personal residences.

Authorities are now investigating another house fire accident in Hemet that ended the life of one person and caused injury to another.

According to reports, the incident occurred along Val Deane Way near Stetson Avenue.

At least 20 firefighters were summoned to the area and they immediately went inside the house because of reports that a person may be inside it.

Firefighters said one person was announced dead at the accident area while another one was brought to a hospital to receive treatment for moderate burn injuries. 

House fires can result to injuries or deaths so people should always make sure that they take necessary precautionary measures to prevent their occurrence. 

Killed Santee Deputy was to be Married in Months

A 39-year-old Santee Sherriff’s deputy who was recently killed in a vehicular accident along state Route 52 early Sunday morning was engaged to be married in June. He is survived by his siblings and loved ones.

Deputy Ken Collier was riding with a sheriff’s dispatcher when he made a U-turn to overtake a wrong-way driver who appeared to be intoxicated. Unfortunately, Collier hit a concrete abutment and went down an embankment. The unmarked Ford Explorer rolled over several times as it plunged hundreds of feet below.

Collier was ejected from the SUV but was able to radio in the accident. He and his passenger were able to exit the vehicle before it was engulfed by fire.

The passenger was treated for injuries and is expected to survive. Collier died at the hospital with his family and friends around him.

As for the negligent driver, he was arrested several miles from the crash as he was still driving the wrong way. He is likely to face various charges in relation with the fatal accident.

Many lives are destroyed by this accident caused by negligence; that of Collier’s, his family’s, his fiancé’s, and that of the negligent driver’s as well.

Officers put their lives at risk each time they pursue a suspect. But Collier’s death could have been prevented if only all drivers will be aware of the consequences their negligence can cause.