Personal Injury Litigation Blog

A bus accident outside of Phoenix, Arizona has claimed the lives of six (6) individuals, while injuring the remaining sixteen (16) occupants, according to an Associated Press article. The crash occurred approximately 25 miles south of downtown Phoenix on the Gila River Indian Reservation near the community of Sacaton at 5:30am on the morning of March 5th 2010.

Authorities stated that six people were ejected from the bus after it hit a pickup truck and rolled over, causing the roof of the bus to be crushed and all of the windows to be knocked out. Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesman Bart Graves said two men and four women were killed in the Phoenix bus crash. The bus, traveling from the central Mexican state of Zacatecas to Los Angeles was operated by Tierra Santa Inc., a Van Nuys, California bus company.

In addition to the 6 deceased passengers, 9 individuals were listed in critical condition at Phoenix-area hospitals. The driver of the bus was listed in critical condition and the disposition of the remaining passengers was not immediately known.

While details of the accident have yet to be confirmed, authorities have stated that the bus hit a pickup traveling westbound on Highway 10 in the pre-dawn hours of March 5th, veered onto the left shoulder of the road, then overcorrected in the opposite direction and rolled once before landing on its wheels.

The bus accident attorneys at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP have long maintained that buses, especially tour and long distance commuter buses, which travel on our highways, are ill-equipped to protect their passengers. Despite vast knowledge in the bus industry that bus accidents like the one that happened in Phoenix occur, these buses do not have seatbelts. The U.S. National Highway Safety Bureau made seat belts mandatory equipment in passenger vehicles in the United States in 1968.Additionally, bus roof structures are not designed in such a way to protect the occupant survival space in foreseeable rollover accidents.

Details regarding this horrible Phoenix bus accident are still being uncovered and the bus accident attorneys at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP will continue to monitor new information regarding the crash as it becomes available.

According to a Los Angeles Times article, a new federal safety regulation announcement reveals that at least 34 people have been killed within the last decade in Toyota auto accidents involving vehicles that allegedly accelerated out of control. Since the initial reports of 13 fatalities connected to the gas pedal issue were made public and the Toyota recall list was announced, the number of official motorist complaints’ filed has dramatically increased. These additional complaints of unintended acceleration have been pouring in to federal regulators and it is uncertain how many more incidents will be reported when all is said and done.

The new fatality report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) includes 13 deaths reported since January 27, 2010, which was the day after Toyota put a hold on the sale and production of eight of its auto models in the United States. This was done in order to fix gas pedals that the automaker said can stick and cause unintended acceleration. Most of the reported incidents of fatal acceleration took place between 2003 and 2009, according to an analysis of the data by The Times. In addition, The Times found that all but one of the fatalities reported to NHTSA by motorists in 2010 actually took place in previous years. Some incidents even go back as far as 1992.

The complaints filed with NHTSA display accounts of Toyota and Lexus vehicles suddenly accelerating forward, colliding with other vehicles, buildings and pedestrians. Federal regulators reported that 22 people have been injured from Toyota unintended acceleration accidents, with injuries ranging from bruises and lacerations to a woman who was left in a coma due to a crash. A spokeswoman for the NHTSA stated, “It is normal for NHTSA to receive an increase in consumer complaints after a recall is announced…The agency is quickly gathering more data on all of these additional complaints to help guide our examination of sudden acceleration…as well as other safety issues.”

Toyota has resumed sale and production of the eight models that were previously put on hold to fix the gas pedal issue. Dealers are in the process of installing shims on gas pedals to fix what is being called a defect that could make the accelerator pedal stick.

The experienced Toyota gas pedal recall attorneys at the reputed personal injury law firm of Panish Shea & Boyle LLP are currently representing severely injured people in unintended acceleration accidents involving Toyota and Lexus vehicles. If you or someone you care about has been injured in a car accident with one of the recalled Toyota autos, our skilled auto product liability lawyers can help. Call Panish Shea & Boyle LLP today at 800-591-8116 to schedule a free case evaluation.

Source:http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-toyota-deaths16-2010feb16,0,481821.story?track=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+latimes%2Fmostviewed+%28L.A.+Times+-+Most+Viewed+Stories%29

The only two people aboard a Royal Air cargo jet, tail number N720RA, have been killed in a Des Plaines plane crash on January 5, 2010. According to a Chicago Breaking News Center article, the tragic collision took place south of the Chicago Executive Airport in northwest suburban Wheeling. The bodies of the pilot and co-pilot of the Learjet were thought to be found amongst the debris, but they have yet to be identified. The plane is believed to have been empty and on its way to pick up cargo.

Apparently, the plane was cleared to land along runway 34 and was making a normal approach when it went down. The aircraft had departed from the Detroit area. The director of central services for Oakland County, Michigan stated that according to Royal Air, both men aboard the plane were experienced pilots. He said, “I understand they were both commercially rated, which means they were professional pilots, rated in that type of airplane and qualified to take that kind of flight.”

Although the cause of this fatal plane crash was not mentioned at the time the article was published, the senior safety investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board stated, “We will look at the systems, the structure, the engine.” The model 35A plane was manufactured by Gates Learjet Corp. and is a fixed-wing, two-engine craft with seating for 8 passengers and 2 crew members. It is also widely used by cargo companies after the passenger seats are removed. Considered to be one of the safest planes in the sky, a detailed investigation will establish whether a plane component failed, or if pilot error or poor maintenance contributed to the accident.

Family members of aviation wrongful death victims may be able to seek compensation for damages associated with the loss of a loved one. At Panish, Shea & Boyle, our aviation disaster attorneys have a successful track record of holding negligent parties legally responsible for causing wrongful death and catastrophic injury. To learn more about Panish, Shea, & Boyle’s many accomplishments in aviation and wrongful death litigation, please visit www.aviation-disaster-lawyers.com or call 1-800-591-8116 for a free consultation of your plane accident case.

Source:http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/01/plane-reported-down-in-forest-preserve-near-wheeling-airport.html

The LA Times has reported that three biologists from the California Department of Fish and Game have been killed in a helicopter crash in the Sierra National Forest. The crash which occurred on January 5, 2010 also appears to have claimed the life of the pilot. The biologists were conducting deer surveys in a wooded, remote area near Fresno and the Madera county line.

Authorities stated that the crash took place south of Redinger Lake, California and the explosion following the crash has resulted in a fire. A Madera County Sheriff’s spokeswoman said that the site of the fire is inaccessible, but moisture and light winds have prevented it from spreading rapidly.

At the time of the article’s release, information regarding what specifically caused the helicopter to crash was not provided. Our hearts go out to the families of these biologists and the helicopter pilot.

Helicopter crashes can be devastating and present life-altering consequences for injured victims and their families. Due to the nature of helicopters, many collision victims are either catastrophically injured or killed. A helicopter crash, like the one in the Sierra National Forest, can happen for a variety of reasons, some which can be attributed to negligence. The National Transportation Safety Board may determine that poor helicopter maintenance, human error, or flying with an unsafe load contributed to this helicopter accident in California. If this is the case, then qualifying family members of the deceased victims may be able to file a wrongful death claim. Other factors investigators may consider is whether the helicopter’s gearboxes, engines, or main rotor heads failed and why.

The trial attorneys at the law firm of Panish, Shea & Boyle have extensive experience holding potentially liable parties accountable in helicopter and aviation accidents. Our track record of success in wrongful death and aviation accident cases is unmatched and our helicopter crash attorneys have the knowledge and experience to help helicopter injury victims and their families throughout the state of California and beyond. We understand the many tragic affects a helicopter crash may impose upon a family, which is why we are dedicated to helping our clients receive full and just compensation for their loss and financial difficulties. To learn more about Panish, Shea & Boyle’s many achievements in aviation law, please visit www.aviation-disaster-lawyers.com or call 1-800-591-8116 for a free consultation of your case.

Source:http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-sierra-crash6-2010jan06,0,1206170.story

The SF Gate website reported in a story that a 19-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of murder after purposely running over his 46 year old female neighbor. Police Sgt. Mike Sullivan said that the young man had been involved in an argument with his neighbors in the 3800 block of Thainwood Way after he had collided with a fence. At approximately 11pm, shortly after the argument began, the man got behind the wheel of a car and drove onto the grass killing the woman.  Sullivan stated that neighbors told the police that the young man had a history of driving recklessly in the neighborhood.

The name of the woman was not released and her death was just one of three tragic pedestrian auto accidents in California that ended in fatalities in the bay area on the same day.

A wrongful death — one that was caused by someone else’s unlawful actions — is especially hard for the families who must carry on. Losing a loved one has consequences beyond the emotional impact; families must also contend with loss of income, loss of support, and costs related to the death.

If you are considering legal action related to a wrongful death due to a pedestrian accident, consider the experienced attorneys at Panish, Shea & Boyle who can help you navigate the legal system and get the best results during a most difficult time.  Please call 1-866-992-1700 for a free consultation with our experienced California wrongful death attorneys.

An article by the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development reported that seven valley hospitals had considerably higher death rates than other state averages, particularly for specialized surgeries or treatments. Receiving the poorest marks were Sierra View District Hospital in Porterville and Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno.

The report surveyed 384 hospitals in 2006 and 2007. Procedure death rates were compared to average death rates from brain surgery to acute stroke treatment. Receiving “worse” than average death ratings was Sierra View Hospital for patients suffering from hip fractures, acute stroke, and a procedure for clearing carotid artery blockages.

Sierra View received “worse” than average death ratings — four total — for patients suffering from acute stroke, hip fractures and a procedure for clearing blockage from the carotid artery (carotid endarterectomy). The other hospitals receiving poor marks for higher than average death rates, are Saint Agnes Medical Center in Fresno (pancreatic resection), Corcoran District Hospital, Hanford Community Medical Center, Kaweah Delta Hospital in Visalia (acute stroke) and the currently closed University Medical Center for Brain Surgery.

John Zelezny, spokesman for Community Medical Centers, said, “We do a lot more benchmarking and we do like to get results of these kinds of studies and go back and look at them and figure out exactly why the results show the way they do. So we do welcome these kinds of studies.”

Victims seeking to hold property owners and occupiers responsible for the resulting tragedies may file premises liability lawsuits. The extremely experienced and knowledgeable wrongful death lawyers in Los Angeles at Panish, Shea, & Boyle have a proven success record defending personal injury victims and consumers. They have won many major cases on behalf of their clients. Please do not hesitate to call them at 1-866-992-1700 for a free consultation.

On January 11, 2009 it was reported that a 39 year old woman was hit and killed by a Metrolink train in Burbank. According to Armen Dermenjian, a Burbank police lieutenant, the woman was struck sometime around 6:25pm at the Buena Vista and San Fernando Boulevard crossing. Police are investigating the tragic California Metrolink train accident and urge the public to call Burbank police at 818-238-3000 with any information regarding this incident.

Be it an Amtrak or Metrolink train, there is one thing certain- we stand no chance against them. It is nearly impossible to stop a loaded rolling train traveling at a moderate speed in time to avoid an accident. The public needs to take every necessary precaution at all times when crossing an intersection. This also includes the city and train company taking all proper steps to ensure a safe crossing.

Times are changing fast and what used to be country land is now turning into city blocks with many of these dangerous train crossings. With a population of more than 4 million, and growing, in Los Angeles, the likelihood of railroad accidents greatly increases.

Fortunately railroad accidents happen only rarely, but when they do occur, they usually result in grave injuries or death. If you or a loved one has been involved in a train accident, you will need the services of a skilled Los Angeles train accident attorney from Panish, Shea & Boyle. We are a very aggressive and experienced plaintiff’s law firm devoted to representing victims throughout the nation. We represent those that have been catastrophically injured, be it physically or financially. Please call 1-866-992-1700 for a free consultation.

The sanluisobispo.com website reported on November 9, 2008 that Michael Knodel, 24 from the town of Chowchilla was killed in an ATV accident while he was riding in the Oceano Dunes.  Knodel was struck as he was riding his all-terrain vehicle by a truck according to the supervising park ranger.  It appears that this is a case of being at the wrong place at the wrong time.  As Knodel was heading east he was cresting a steep dune; when at that precise moment Robert Peterson, 22 was behind the wheel of the truck heading west colliding with Knodel just as he reached the summit of the dune.

When the first aid responders arrived they found Knodel unresponsive.  Knodel was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene by a nurse who was flown in according to supervising ranger Mike Lack.  The crash occurred at 1:30 p.m.. Knodel’s ATV was equipped with a “whip” antenna with a bright flag, a measure that was supposed to indicate his approach.

Peterson had no trace of alcohol use and was riding with two passengers but no one was hurt inside the truck. He was not cited by the police.

“If either one had been four seconds ahead or four seconds behind, they probably would not have collided,” Ranger  Lack said. “All reports we got was that it was just an unfortunate accident.”  This is the second death on the dunes this year, there were four last year.  The Oceano Dunes are the only ones in California that permit off-road vehicles.

What was probably billed as a day of fun with friends and family turned into a tragic and sad day.  It is hard to say whether or not this fatal ATV accident could have been prevented.  An experienced ATV accident attorney might be able to re-create the specifics of the incident and help offer some sort of explanation for what has happened here. The wrongful death attorneys in Los Angeles at Panish, Shea, & Boyle specialize in dealing with tragic incidents such as this one. We know the questions to ask, and have the resources to investigate matters to a conclusion. If you or someone you love has been injured in a tragic accident, contact our offices at 1-866-992-1700 today for a free consultation of your case.

Los Angeles Times reporter James Wagner and Kenneth R. Weiss reported that on October 27, 2008 a five car pile up took place on Western Ave. near 50th Street in the South Los Angeles area.  According to the Los Angles police department eight people were injured; four of which were children ranging in ages between 2 and 13.  Fortunately no one involved was critically injured.  The auto accident took place just before 8pm.

Spokeswoman for the Los Angles police department Sara Faden stated that a Ford Mustang and a Ford Explorer were the first two vehicles to strike each other. The force of the collision propelled one of those vehicles to strike three parked cars.

Car crashes leading to pedestrian accidents can cause serious injuries lasting a lifetime.  In the aforementioned accident there could be a myriad of causes leading up to the accident.  Was it simply driver negligence, or negligence on the part of the pedestrians, or has the city not taken the necessary actions to construct a safe street or intersection?

These are questions that an experienced personal injury law firm will have the resources to answer. At Panish, Shea, & Boyle L.L.P., our track record of proven success in wrongful death accident cases speaks for itself.  We specialize in holding the negligent accountable for their actions. Contact us today at 1-866-992-1700 for a free consultation of your case.