Auto Accidents

The Beverly Hills Courier reports that a man was killed early Friday morning, May 20, after an alleged drunk driver hit his vehicle, which was stalled on the side of the 91 Freeway in Buena Park.

According to the article, a man in his 20s had pulled off to the side of the freeway near Knott Avenue and was sitting in his silver Toyota Camry with the hazard lights on. Then, at approximately 1:10 a.m., a woman, also in her 20s, struck his vehicle with her black Volkswagen Jetta at what police have stated as a high rate of speed. KTLA reports another vehicle swerved to avoid the stalled vehicle and hit the freeway’s center divider shortly before the fatal collision. It was not reported whether the driver sustained injuries.

The man in the stalled vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene of the fatal California car accident. Pending notification of his relatives, the man’s name has not yet been released. According to police, the woman and her male passenger had been drinking at bars in Fullerton. She was arrested for driving under the influence.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 10,839 people were killed in accidents that involved an alcohol-impaired driver in the United States in 2009, accounting for 32 percent of the total motor vehicle accident-related fatalities that occurred that year (33,808). Of the vehicle accident deaths that were alcohol-related, 67 percent, or 7,281, of the decedents were the impaired motorists themselves. Twenty-seven percent, or 2,891, of the deaths were occupants in motor vehicles, with the remaining six percent, or 667, being nonoccupants.

When someone is killed due to an impaired or otherwise negligent motorist, it is important for the victim’s family to understand that there are legal options available to them. If you have lost a family member in a car crash caused by a negligent motorist, contact the Los Angeles car accident lawyers at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP to learn more about your legal rights. Call 1-877-800-1700 today.

ABC 7 News reports that a man is facing multiple charges after being involved in three separate hit-and-run accidents in Ventura that killed one and injured five others.

According to the article, the first incident occurred shortly before 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11. A 49-year-old man, driving a Hummer, was traveling westbound on Telegraph Road, close to La Jolla Street, when he crashed into a mother and her 16-year-old daughter on their bicycles. Both victims sustained several broken bones. The man continued driving and then struck a pickup truck that was stopped at a red light at Petit Avenue, injuring three people in the truck. Their injuries are reported to be minor. Again, the man continued driving, and then struck and killed a 20-year-old man who was riding a bicycle in the bike lane close to Mara Avenue.

A witness to the fatal bicycle crash followed the man and called 911. Eventually, the man stopped driving and parked in a driveway that was reported to be his home. When police arrived, the man refused to get out of the Hummer. Policed used a police dog to distract the man as they entered the vehicle through the rear hatch. The man was taken to Ventura County Medical Center for treatment of his injuries, which are reported to be minor. Following treatment, he was arrested for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, felony hit-and-run, and felony DUI. The man remains in police custody.

When someone is killed as a result of a motorist’s negligence, such as driving while intoxicated, the victim’s family is left to cope with many financial challenges while they grieve. The Los Angeles car accident lawyers at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP have the skills and experience needed to help families hold negligent parties legally responsible for their loss, in addition to other accident-related damages. To learn more about how our highly attorneys can help your family, call 1-877-800-1700 to schedule a free consultation today.

Early Sunday morning, May 8, an accident involving an ambulance on the 10 Freeway in Ontario left a paramedic dead and the ambulance driver injured, according to KTLA.

The ambulance accident occurred shortly after 6 a.m. in the westbound lanes of the freeway, east of Fourth Street. California Highway Patrol (CHP) officials report that the driver of the ambulance swerved for unknown reasons and crashed into a utility pole traveling at speeds estimated to be around 65 to 75 mph. A 23-year-old male paramedic was sitting in the back of the vehicle and was not wearing a seat belt. He suffered major injuries in the accident and was taken to a local hospital, where he later died. The driver, a 25-year-old male, suffered injuries that were reported to be moderate. There were no patients inside the ambulance at the time of the collision. The cause of the California ambulance accident is under investigation by the CHP.

According to a 2003 report conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most recent study available, between 1991 and 2000 there were 300 fatal ambulance accidents, which resulted in the deaths of 82 ambulance occupants and 275 occupants in other vehicles and pedestrians. Under most state laws, ambulance drivers are able to drive past red lights or stop signs after slowing down, exceed speed limits, park in restricted areas, and drive or turn in a manner that disregards traffic laws as long as they are not endangering the lives of other people. If an ambulance is involved in an accident and it is determined the ambulance driver was operating the vehicle recklessly, the driver and the ambulance company may be held liable for any injuries, deaths, and other losses that result.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a vehicle collision in California in which you believe another motorist acted carelessly or in another reckless manner, contact Panish Shea & Boyle LLP. Our California car accident lawyers will work diligently to hold negligent parties accountable for their actions in order for you to receive the compensation you need and deserve. Call 1-877-800-1700 today.

On Tuesday, May 3, The Los Angeles Times reports that police in south LA were searching for a hit-and-run driver who struck and killed a 6-year-old girl who had run across the street to chase a ball.

According to the article, the fatal Los Angeles pedestrian accident occurred at approximately 9:20 p.m. The vehicle, which is reported by witnesses to be a black, older-model SUV with tinted windows, hit the girl as she crossed the street close to West 49th Place and Hoover Street. The motorist then left the scene of the accident. By the time emergency personnel arrived, the girl was lying on the ground, unresponsive. Soon after, she was declared dead at a local hospital.

Police believe the right headlight of the SUV was damaged in the collision, and are asking anyone with information to contact the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) at 1-877-275-5273.

Sgt. Samuel Mark of the LAPD noted that if the hit-and-run driver had stayed at the accident scene, the incident would likely not be considered to be a crime. Under California Vehicle Code Section 20001, it is illegal for a motorist to leave the scene of an accident in which someone has been injured or killed. If a motorist flees the scene of a fatal accident, they will be charged with a felony hit-and-run. When someone is killed in a hit-and-run, the motorist may face fines of up to $10,000; and jail time, in addition to paying restitution to the victim’s family.

If your loved one has been killed in a pedestrian or car accident in California that was caused by another motorist’s negligence, contact Panish Shea & Boyle LLP. Our Los Angeles car accident attorneys can help your family obtain the full and just compensation you need and deserve to help cover such costs as hospital bills, lost income, funeral expenses, and more. Call 1-877-800-1700 to learn how our lawyers can be the strength by your side during this difficult time.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) recently announced that the number and rate of traffic fatalities in 2010 dropped to the lowest levels since 1949. This decrease in deaths caused by auto accidents reportedly occurred even though there was an increase in the number of miles Americans drove during 2010.

In reflecting on 2010 preliminary statistics, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood stated, “We will continue doing everything possible to make cars safer, increase seat belt use, put a stop to drunk driving and distracted driving and encourage drivers to put safety first.” He noted that while the decrease in fatalities is definitely an achievement, there is still much that needs to be done to prevent motor vehicle collisions.

When looking at the 2010 statistics on a regional level, the greatest decrease in fatalities was by 12 percent and took place in the region of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska. The next greatest decline at almost 11 percent occurred in Arizona, California, and Hawaii. Based on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) projections, the number of traffic fatalities dropped three percent between 2009 and 2010, from 33,808 to 32,788.

A few of the ways in which the DOT has helped lower traffic fatalities is through the promotion of strong traffic safety laws, high-visibility enforcement, vehicle safety programs, and public awareness campaigns. In addition, the NHTSA launched an updated five-star rating system in 2010 that created stricter crash-test standards and started giving consumers improved data about which cars perform best in crashes.

Even with the NHTSA creating and introducing safety initiatives to help make our roads safer, every motorist has a responsibility to drive safely and attentively to help prevent accidents. Car accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. If you or someone you care about has suffered injuries in a vehicle collision that was caused by a negligent driver, you have certain legal rights. The Los Angeles car accident attorneys at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP will work diligently to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve from negligent parties. Call 1-877-800-1700 today.

A 17-year-old boy was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver while riding his bicycle in Canoga Park on Wednesday evening, April 13, reports KTLA.

According to the article, the teen was riding his bicycle with a friend along De Soto Avenue close to Valerio Street at about 9 p.m. when he was hit from behind by a vehicle. The driver fled the scene of the California bicycle crash. When emergency personnel and police arrived at the scene, the victim was discovered dead on a sidewalk. The other bicyclist was not injured in the collision.

ABC 7 News reports it is believed the vehicle was a silver or gray Toyota Corolla or a Camry hatchback, and it is likely the vehicle sustained significant front-end damage on its right side. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) at 1-877-LAPD-24-7. Anyone who wishes to remain anonymous may contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 630 pedalcyclists lost their lives and an additional 51,000 were injured in motor vehicle accidents in 2009. Overall, pedalcyclist fatalities accounted for about two percent of all motor vehicle accident deaths and also made up two percent of all people injured in motor vehicle accidents during 2009. Approximately 70 percent of pedalcyclist deaths in 2009 occurred in urban areas.

All too often, the wrongful actions of a negligent motorist cause an innocent victim to suffer injury or even death. At Panish Shea & Boyle LLP, our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys have successfully litigated a wide variety of personal injury accident cases in California and across the United States. We know how crucial it is to act quickly to preserve evidence in order to build a strong and effective case on your behalf. To learn how we can help you obtain the full and just compensation you need, call 1-877-800-1700.

Channel 10 News reports an update on the case of a man whose drunk driving led to a car crash in Rancho Bernardo that killed a 65-year-old man and injured five others on August 20, 2010.

The crash occurred at about 9 p.m. at the intersection of Camino del Norte and Paseo Lucido. According to police, the 57-year-old man was driving between 50-60 mph in a BMW when he struck the victim’s Toyota Corolla. The collision caused a chain reaction involving four other vehicles, and resulted in five people being injured, including an 8-year-old boy who sustained neck and back injuries.

Approximately two and a half hours after the accident, the man’s blood-alcohol level (BAC) was measured at .15 percent, well above the legal limit of .08 percent. Prosecutors in the case estimate the man’s BAC at the time of the crash would have been between .17 and .20 percent. When questioned by investigators as well as doctors at the emergency room, the man admitted he had been drinking whiskey at a bar. However, according to the man’s attorney, the man suffers from sleep apnea and believes he lost consciousness and blacked out before the fatal accident.  However, the man never mentioned this condition when police asked him if he was being treated for any medical problems. The man has been charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated as well as with DUI causing injury. If he is convicted, he faces up to 13 years in prison.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 33,808 people lost their lives in motor vehicle accidents in the U.S. in 2009. Another 2.2 million people were injured in these crashes. Of these fatalities, 10,839 were alcohol-impaired driving deaths, which is roughly 32 percent of total traffic accident-related fatalities for 2009. In California, there were 3,081 traffic accident-related deaths in 2009, and of these deaths, 950 were alcohol-impaired driving fatalities. This is about 31 percent of the total traffic crash-related deaths for the year in the state.

When someone dies as a result of a driver’s negligence, such as drinking and driving, their family is left to cope with immense grief and many financial challenges. The California wrongful death accident attorneys at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP have dedicated their practice to helping those who have been injured or families who have lost a loved one because of another’s negligence. Our lawyers have the skills and experience necessary to help your family hold negligent parties legally responsible for your loss and related damages. Contact our law office today at 1-877-800-1700 to schedule a free consultation.

On Wednesday, January 12, a Ventura County Superior Court jury found a man negligent in causing a December 19, 2007 auto accident on Highway 101 north of Ventura that killed one motorist and left a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer paralyzed . In 2008, the man was sentenced to 15 years in prison  for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, as well as for selling and transporting marijuana.

The Ventura County Star reports the accident occurred when the man was driving a pickup truck and crashed into an SUV that was stopped on the shoulder of the highway. The SUV had been pulled over by the CHP officer for a traffic violation, and the officer was conversing with the driver on the passenger’s side when the pickup truck collided into the vehicle. The SUV driver was killed and the accident rendered the CHP officer quadriplegic.

The jury also found that a mall was negligent in causing the fatal California car crash. They were sued because two mall employees loaded motorcycles onto the back of the man’s pickup in an “improper and unsafe backwards-facing manner,” in addition to not being strapped to the truck properly. The man’s percentage of  liability  for the accident was assessed by the jury at 67 percent and the mall at 33 percent. Now, the damages phase of the trial begins, where witnesses will testify regarding the economical, emotional, and mental losses the plaintiffs—the CHP officer and the family of the deceased SUV driver—have suffered. The plaintiffs are asking for $35 million.

In car accident cases in California, sometimes multiple parties are found to be partially liable for an accident, which means they are, to a degree, at fault for a car collision and any resulting damages or injuries. When it is concluded that multiple persons or parties contributed to a car accident, the negligence is apportioned using percentages.

The California auto accident attorneys at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP have many years of experience handling car crash cases in California. We understand the complexity of the laws surrounding accidents where multiple parties may be at fault and will work hard to protect your legal rights as an injury victim. Our lawyers will aggressively pursue compensation you deserve if you have been injured in an accident caused by a negligent driver or other parties. Please call 1-877-800-1700 to schedule your free consultation today.

The Orange County Register reports two people were killed in a car crash in Anaheim after colliding with a vehicle that was going the wrong way.

According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), a 21-year-old was traveling westbound in a Mercedes-Benz on the eastbound 91 Freeway carpool lane at approximately 1 a.m. on Wednesday, January 19 when he collided into a Toyota Scion near the Harbor Boulevard exit. The driver of the Scion was a 26-year-old man, who was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene of the car accident. The 24-year-old woman who was a passenger in the Scion also died at the scene.

The CHP are still investigating the accident. It is unclear how long the man had been driving the wrong way on the freeway. The man suffered major injuries in the Orange County car accident and was taken to a local hospital, where he is listed in critical condition. The CHP suspect the man was driving under the influence of alcohol and arrested him for DUI at the hospital.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, distracted driving can be classified into three categories:

• Visual distractions; which occurs when a driver takes their eyes away from the road;
• Manual distractions; which are instances when drivers take their hands away from the vehicle’s steering wheel; and
• Cognitive distractions; which occurs when drivers take their minds off of what they’re doing (driving).

Many things can distract a driver while they are behind the wheel, such as conversing with passengers, changing the radio, drinking or eating while driving, talking or texting on a cell phone, and more. Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is also a form of distracted driving, as a driver’s cognitive functions are inhibited and causes their judgment and driving skills to be impaired.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that in 2009, 33,808 people lost their lives in motor vehicle traffic accidents in the U.S. Another 2.2 million were injured in these crashes. Of the fatalities for that year, 10,839 were alcohol-impaired driving deaths, which is roughly 32 percent of total traffic accident fatalities. In 2009 in California, there were 3,081 traffic accident-related deaths, which is the highest of all the states in the U.S. Of those fatalities, 950 were alcohol-impaired driving deaths, which is about 31 percent of the total traffic crash fatalities.

At Panish Shea & Boyle LLP, our California distracted driving lawyers help families who have lost a loved one in a car accident caused by a negligent driver. We can help a victim’s family navigate the complexities of the legal system to successfully obtain compensation for your losses. It is understood that no amount of money can possibly replace a lost loved one, but compensation can help ease the strain of costly hospital bills, vehicle damage, pain and suffering, and other damages. Call us today at 1-877-800-1700 to learn how we can help your family during this difficult time.

The Los Angeles Times reports that a fatal accident involving 10 vehicles occurred in Newport Beach on Saturday, January 15 at about 2:40 p.m. The crash claimed the lives of three people, including a former Stanford University female track star.

The fatal crash began when a Ford Taurus, driven by the former track star, swerved into the opposing lanes of traffic on the Pacific Coast Highway, struck a Toyota Prius and a Taurus, then a Nissan Titan pickup truck and sideswiped a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck. The driver of the Tacoma as well as his passenger died in the fatal crash. After hitting the Tacoma, the woman’s vehicle flipped into the air and landed in a turn lane, hitting several other vehicles, including a motorcycle. The motorcyclist was taken to a local hospital with critical injuries but is expected to recover. Two other people involved in the car accident suffered minor injuries and were treated at another nearby hospital.

According to a preliminary investigation by Newport Beach police, the female driver of the Ford Taurus is believed to have been “excessively speeding” at the time of the crash. However, police have yet to determine whether alcohol or drugs were a factor in the accident, or whether the woman became distracted before swerving into traffic.

Multiple-vehicle accidents are complex, and can leave injured victims or family members of those killed in these kinds of collisions unsure of the next course of action. A Newport Beach car accident attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options. At Panish Shea & Boyle LLP, our California personal injury lawyers have dedicated our practice to helping those who have been injured or lost a loved one in an accident caused by another person’s negligence. Call 1-877-800-1700 today for a free consultation.