Catastrophic Injuries

Wrong Way Driver Kills 2 In Anaheim Car Accident

January 21, 2011 | by Robert Walch

According to the Los Angeles Times, early Wednesday morning, on the 91 Freeway, in Anaheim, California, a man, traveling westbound on the eastbound lanes, crashed into another vehicle. The Anaheim car accident killed both the driver and passenger of the other vehicle.

The man who allegedly caused this collision by traveling on the wrong side of the freeway, was a 21 year old man from South Gate, California. He was in a Mercedes-Benz when he collided with the Toyota Scion. The occupants of the Scion were a 26 year old man from Diamond Bar, California and a 24 year old woman from Long Beach, California. The man was ejected from the vehicle but the passenger was not ejected.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the driver of the Mercedez was in grave condition and was taken to the University of California at Irvine Medical Center where he was placed under arrest.

It is not presently known why the man was traveling the wrong way on the freeway, causing this Anaheim wrongful death accident. Possible explanations could include confusion, intoxication, a suicide attempt or an attempt to wreak havoc and cause harm to others.

Newport Beach Crash Kills 3 – New Details

January 18, 2011 | by Robert Walch

Some new information has come in as to potential causes for the Newport Beach car accident that killed 3 people, and injured many more, this past weekend. It has emerged that the driver of the vehicle that allegedly caused the collision, Julie Allen, a 27 year old former high school track star, had possibly taken medication in the past for a possible mental health problem. Much detail is not currently available, but there are reports of a “serious episode” when Allen was in high school.

Friends and family have described Allen as a very cautious, religious person, who would not speed. At the time of the , since her car was allegedly traveling at such high speeds that it was airborne, possibly for more than 50 feet, before it crashed into other cars and a motorcycle.

The driver of the motorcycle was reportedly critically injured in the car accident. Two other motorists, Linda Burnett, who was from Santa Ana, California, and Christopher De La Cruz, from Laguna Niguel, California, were killed in the accident and their families will likely make Newport Beach wrongful death claims.

It has also emerged that another possible cause for the Newport Beach multi-vehicle collision could be a stuck accelerator, after investigators saw a web posting from Allen’s mom, regarding a prior incident in which her daughter’s vehicle had a stuck accelerator and could not control the speed. That incident ended safely and it is unclear if the web post was referring to Julie Allen or another sibling.

High Winds Cause Fallen Power Lines and 3 Deaths in San Bernardino

January 14, 2011 | by Robert Walch

In a tragic San Bernardino electrical accident, high winds, which went up to 40 miles per hour, caused power lines to fall in a family’s yard. Apparently, family members tried to put out the small fires that the downed power lines caused.

In what may have been a chain reaction electrocution, three family members were killed. Apparently, Sharon Vego, who was in the front yard when she heard an explosion in the back, came to the back to try to help. When she got to the back, she tried to help her son and husband, when she was also electrocuted. All three members of the family were killed by the electrocution.

After firefighters arrived at the scene, they had to wait approximately 15 minutes before the crews from Southern California Edison were able to arrive and shut off power to the line that had fallen, so firefighters could safely reach the victims.

It is advised that if you see a power line that has fallen to the ground, never touch, move or go near it, even if it looks harmless. Also, if you see a person being shocked, attempts to pull the person away may cause you to become a victim, which is apparently what happened in San Bernardino today. If you see a downed line, it is best to get as far away as safely possible and call 911 for emergency help, and call the emergency number for the local utility company.

Los Angeles Gas Explosion Injures Two

January 12, 2011 | by Robert Walch

Two men inside a garage in Whittier, a city in Los Angeles County, were severely injured when a high pressure gas tank exploded. The gas explosion in Los Angeles, which occurred at 2:40 a.m., caused one of the men to have the lower part of his leg severed and caused burn injuries to the other man. The two injured men, who have not yet been identified, were taken to University of California Irving Medical Center.

Lieutenant Carlos Solorza, of the Whittier Police Department, stated that the cause of the Los Angeles gas explosion was unknown. He also did not know the type of gas that was being used in the tank.

Los Angeles explosion injury cases can be very difficult and complicated. First, it will be necessary to determine the cause of the explosion. It is currently unknown if it was human error, a defect in a product, or both, that caused these gas explosion injuries.

West Los Angeles Car Accident Kills Pedestrian, Severely Injures Motorist

January 11, 2011 | by Robert Walch

A multi-vehicle collision in Los Angeles on Sunday killed a pedestrian and critically injured the driver who apparently caused the collision. The Los Angeles car accident, which happened on Federal Avenue, near Santa Monica Boulevard, was apparently caused when a vehicle went out of control and hit a pedestrian who was standing on the corner at the intersection.

The pedestrian, a man in his 40s, was killed as a result of this impact. The car continued out of control and hit a vehicle stopped at a gas station. That vehicle had two occupants, who were apparently not injured by this collision. However, oftentimes police may not note an injury in their report, but occupants of a vehicle will often feel the effects of their injuries after a day or two.

The driver of the vehicle who allegedly caused this car accident in Los Angeles was critically injured in this series of collisions. Although it is unclear why the vehicle lost control, the driver, if he recovers, will likely face a wrongful death suit against him, from the family of the pedestrian who was killed. If the driver does not recover, and dies as a result of his injuries, his insurance coverage and, potentially, his estate, could be used to pay for the damages he has allegedly caused.

5 People Injured In Woodland Hills Car Accident

January 10, 2011 | by Robert Walch

On Sunday morning, a car accident in Woodland Hills, a suburb of Los Angeles, resulted in injuries to five people, including one serious injury. The crash occurred on De Soto Avenue, north of the 101 freeway.

The seriously injured occupant to one of the vehicles involved in this collision had to be extricated from the vehicle, most likely by the Los Angeles Fire Department and paramedics. The other four injured in this two car Woodland Hills car collision were taken to local hospitals. Although it is not mentioned in the article, it can be assumed they were taken to the Kaiser Permanente Emergency Room, as it is just down the street from the accident location, on De Soto Avenue.

At time of writing, facts of the Woodland Hills vehicle collision are unknown. Once it is determined who is at fault, which will likely be aided by the Traffic Collision Report, the injured parties may have a personal injury claim against the at fault driver and/or owner(s) of the at fault vehicle. Passengers in the at fault vehicle may be able to make a claim against the driver, depending on certain issues, including familiar relationships, which affect insurance coverage.

California Truck Crash Causes Serious Injury on Interstate 5

January 7, 2011 | by Robert Walch

On Thursday afternoon, a California truck collision on Interstate 5, near the Grapevine, seriously injured at least one person and caused a traffic backlog.

The person who suffered major injuries in this big rig truck crash in California was transported by air to a Bakersfield hospital. Investigators with the California Highway Patrol said the truck accident occurred when two big rig trucks collided with each other. It is unclear if any other vehicles were involved.

The investigators added that they suspect the California truck accident may have been caused by a mechanical problem with one of the trucks.

If a mechanical problem caused this California truck collision injury, the victim may be able to make a products liability claim against the makers of the big rig truck that had the problem. Additionally, if the driver of one of the trucks acted negligently, there would potentially be a more standard personal injury claim against that driver and the company he/she works for. Because of the reports of a possible serious or catastrophic injury involved, the fact that the big rig truck company should carry a larger commercial insurance policy should aid in recovering damages to any injured parties.

In addition, because the big rig truck drivers are likely working while they are driving, they may have a California workers compensation claim against their employers.

North Hollywood Drunk Driving Accident Injures 2

December 27, 2010 | by Robert Walch

In what could have been a much worse disaster, two people survived a head on collision from a North Hollywood man driving on the wrong side of the road. Ezekial Rodriguez was allegedly driving on the wrong side of the road when he caused a drunk driving accident in North Hollywood. The drunk driving collision happened on San Fernando Boulevard, under the I-5 freeway.

Mr. Rodriguez was taken into custody by Burbank police after he fled the scene of the North Hollywood car accident to a nearby McDonald’s. He was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, contributing to an injury collision and fleeing the scene. Mr. Rodriguez is being held on $10,000 bail.

The victims, a driver and passenger of a Toyota Corolla, whose names have not yet been released, had to be extricated from their car by Burbank firefighters responding to the North Hollywood auto accident. Their vehicle was demolished by the drunk driver and will be considered a total loss. We can only hope that the injuries to these innocent commuters are not life threatening or permanent.

Drunk Driver Who Killed Los Angeles Angels Pitcher Gets 51 Years to Life

December 23, 2010 | by Robert Walch

On April 9, 2009, Andrew Gallo, who was on parole for a felony DUI conviction, ran a red light and T-boned a car carrying Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart, and three friends, in a horrific California drunk driving collision.

Adenhart, as well as Courtney Stewart and Henry Pearson, were killed in the collision. Another passenger, Jon Wilhite, sustained catastrophic injuries as a result of this impact.

According to ESPN.com, Mr. Gallo, who had a blood alcohol level nearly three times the California legal limit of .08%, had been drinking beer and shots at three different bars with his stepbrother before causing this collision. Mr. Gallo’s Criminal defense attorney requested one sentence of 15 years to life for her client, with the argument being that he did not intend to hurt anyone.

Tragedy: Two Killed in Palmdale Automobile Accident

December 19, 2010 | by Robert Walch

The details are unclear at this time, but it can probably be assumed that the weather can at least partly be to blame for a two car collision in Palmdale that left two people dead and another three people injured, according to the Los Angeles Times. Two of the injured are in critical condition at Antelope Valley Hospital.

The California Highway Patrol reports that the Palmdale car accident, involving a Mercedes-Benz and a sport utility vehicle occurred on Pearblossom Highway at Sierra Highway.