Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyers Blog

Single Car Crash in Sonoma County kills one Person

A single-car crash in Sonoma County claimed the life of a 23-year-old man the other day.

According to CHP, James Ortega was one of the passengers in a 2006 Mazda 3 being driven by 24-year-old Donald Arrodondo.

As they were traveling north on Frei road, Arrodondo failed to safely negotiate a curve and their vehicle went off the road then struck a tree and a fence.

Ortega did not survive and was pronounced dead on the scene. Arrodondo and another passenger were brought to a hospital after sustaining injuries.

Arrodondo was also arrested for suspicion of DUI.

The family of Ortega may file a wrongful death claim against Arrodondo.

Under the law, passengers are never liable in a car accident unless they intentionally distracted the driver to cause the crash. It did not say whether Ortega was wearing a seatbelt, but if he isn’t, it will somewhat reduce the damages he will receive.

It is called comparative negligence or the level of fault the victim contributed to his own injuries.

SUV Crash Injures LAPD Officers

Residents count on Los Angeles Police Department to aid them in case they get into mishaps. However, in a recent vehicle accident, two LAPD officers themselves had to be rescued after their patrol car hit an SUV.

Paramedics rescued the unidentified officers in the Jefferson Park area who both sustained minor injuries. The officers were said to be responding to a crime and had their emergency lights and sirens on when the accident took place. Their patrol car came to a rest on an unused railroad tracks. The extent of the damages on both vehicles was not immediately stated.

The occupant of the SUV was unhurt and it is unclear how things happened but authorities are conducting a thorough investigation on the accident.

Motorists should be cautious of sirens and emergency lights as it indicates that officers and rescuers are responding to an accident or an accident where someone needs their assistance.

Inexperienced Motorcyclist Fractures Skull

A 25-year-old unidentified man from Reno suffered skull fractures after he crashed his newly-bought motorcycle near his home. The man was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

No one else was reportedly injured in the motorcycle accident in Northwest Reno but it clearly shows the importance of wearing a helmet especially to inexperienced riders.

Helmets and protective pads are the only protection of a motorcyclist to avoid or lessen injuries if in case he loses balance or crashes his motorcycle. Because of this, it is very important to wear them especially by inexperienced riders who are not equipped with the knowledge of what to do in cases of accidents.

Motorcycle riders should be careful not to hit their heads and back as brain and spinal injuries will have a permanent effect on them. Some victims of motorcycle crashes live with paralysis and some has brain damage that compromises their way of living.

Pedestrian Struck and Killed on 101 Freeway

The presence of pedestrians along the freeways poses great danger because they can become sudden distraction to drivers, thus triggering the occurrence of a fatal accident.

A pedestrian was recently struck and killed by a car along the northbound 101 Freeway.

According to authorities, it remains unclear whether the pedestrian got out of a stopped vehicle or was just walking along the freeway.

At least three lanes in the area were closed for hours following the accident.

Overturned Garbage Truck Closes Highway 180 Ramps

Not all accidents that cause extreme stress to people involve severe injuries or deaths. The mere presence of broken or damaged vehicles on the roads can cause enough problems especially when it results to road closures.

People who often pass by the Fulton Street ramps along westbound Highway 180 experienced traffic problems after an overturned garbage truck triggered the area’s closure.

According to reports, the ramps were closed for hours so that emergency crews can remove the mess from the roadway.

Police said the driver involved only sustained minor injuries.

Three Vehicles Crash Because of Slippery Roads

A big-rig, a FedEx truck, and a Dodge Durango collided at Lincoln Road possibly because of rain-drenched roads.

The accident knocked down power lines and nearly sent the FedEx truck to the next building. The drivers were unable to immediately get off their vehicles because of the power lines.

Motorists should be aware of the road conditions especially after the rain as it may affect their brakes and their control over their vehicles especially if they are going at a high speed.

Luckily, no one suffered serious injuries in this accident and the damages inflicted on property will surely be shouldered by the party who will eventually be proven negligent.