California Personal Injury Lawyers Blog

Nevada Truck Accident with Amtrak Train – Update

June 28, 2011 | by Robert Walch

Although previous reports said four people died in the Amtrak train accident with the big rig truck in Nevada, that number has been revised to six deaths, including the truck driver and the train conductor. The number of missing people, however, has been reduced from 28 to five.

The Amtrak train crash, which happened 70 miles east of Reno, Nevada, appears to have been caused by the either the truck driver or problems with the truck. The trucking company, John Davis Trucking Company Incorporated, based in Battle Mountain, Nevada, has been cited 17 times for having faulty equipment and has had two other crashes since 2009. Those cases involved a truck operating with bald tires and another truck with defective or missing springs.

San Dimas Freeway Accident Kills 3 Women

June 27, 2011 | by Robert Walch

Three women were killed this morning in a tragic freeway accident in San Dimas, California. According to the Los Angeles Times, the three women were inside a vehicle that collided with a big rig truck on the 57 freeway, at about 2:45 a.m. The vehicle was overturned as a result of the San Dimas truck accident and the women were pinned inside and died at the scene.

As a result of the San Dimas accident, all of the lanes on the southbound 57 freeway were closed, as well as the east and westbound transitions for the 210 freeway. After 7:00 a.m. this morning, all lanes were reopened to vehicle traffic.

The California Highway Patrol, which is investigating the deadly accident, has not yet determined the cause of the San Dimas wrongful death accident.

Amtrak Truck Accident in Nevada Kills 4, Injures Scores

June 25, 2011 | by Robert Walch

An Amtrak Train, headed to Emeryville, California from Chicago, Illinois, was struck last night by a semitrailer truck near Reno, Nevada in a tragic truck versus train accident. According to the Los Angeles Times, the Amtrak train accident in Nevada killed four people, including the driver of the truck, and over 20 people had to be taken to hospitals.

According to witnesses, the driver of the truck apparently tried to stop before colliding with the side of the train, but was unable to do so in time. Witnesses also reported that the warning gates and lights at the crossing were working at the time of the Nevada Amtrak train accident.

It is unknown at this time why the big rig truck driver was unable to stop before colliding with the Amtrak train, but possible reasons could be malfunctioning brakes, inattentive driving, lack of visibility, or speeds that were just unsafe for conditions.

10 Freeway Baldwin Park Big Rig Truck and Car Accident

June 24, 2011 | by Robert Walch

This morning, there was a serious big rig truck and car accident in Baldwin Park on the 10 Freeway. According to the Los Angeles Times, although ambulances responded to the scene of the three vehicle accident on the 10 Freeway, there were no immediate indications of any serious injuries.

The Baldwin Park accident involved three vehicles, including a big rig which was overturned as a result of the collisions. Due to the freeway collision, all of the lanes except one had to be shut, a major problem for commuters during morning rush hour.

8 Car Collision on 101 Freeway Leaves Truck Driver Dead

June 17, 2011 | by Robert Walch

Jose Antonio Avelar, a 48 year old dump truck driver from Sylmar, California, died in a multi-vehicle accident on the 101 freeway on Wednesday, near Camarillo Springs Road. According to witnesses, the 101 freeway accident was caused by Avelar, who allegedly was speeding and was unable to stop before colliding with another dump truck, which caused the 8 car accident in Camarillo, California.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the dump truck that Avelar was driving was loaded with asphalt, which may have contributed to his inability to stop in time. The Los Angeles Times is reporting that, besides Avelar, there were no other major injuries in the Camarillo car accident.

Accident investigators will likely look into whether Avelar had appropriate licenses and training to operate the cement truck and determine who owned the vehicle. Any people injured in the Camarillo truck accident may make a personal injury claim against the owner of the vehicle that caused the accident, which will likely have a commercial insurance policy. Fortunately for any injured parties, commercial policies are usually larger than private person policies, so they should be able to seek and recover the full amount of their damages from this truck accident on the 101 freeway.

Possible Murder Charges in Reseda Motorcycle Accident Wrongful Death

June 15, 2011 | by Robert Walch

A car versus motorcycle accident in Reseda has resulted in the arrest and possible murder charges for Roberto Casillas, after his car hit a motorcycle on Monday. The victim of the Reseda car accident, Steve Josue Campos, was struck when Casillas allegedly made a left turn in front of Campos’ motorcycle.

Campos was transported to a hospital from the scene of the Reseda motorcycle accident, where he was later pronounced dead. The Reseda accident occurred near the intersection of Vanowen and Etiwanda, in Reseda, California.

It is unclear from the Los Angeles Times report why Casillas, who was taken to Van Nuys jail, is being held on suspicion of murder. Possible causes could include driving while under the influence or reckless driving.

Metrolink Train Kills Pedestrian in Palmdale Wrongful Death Accident

June 14, 2011 | by Robert Walch

This morning, a Metrolink train accident in Palmdale caused the possible wrongful death of a pedestrian. The Palmdale train accident occurred shortly after 11:00 am. The Metrolink train was en route from Union Station to Lancaster, California and the train accident happened near East Avenue O-8.

The victim of the train accident in Palmdale has not been identified. Fortunately, according to the Los Angeles Times, there were no reported injuries to any of the 114 passengers on the train at the time of the California train accident.

Red Light Cameras Allegedly Cause Los Angeles Rear End Accidents

June 8, 2011 | by Robert Walch

The Los Angeles Police Commission has voted to end the controversial red light camera program, for many reasons, possibly including the claim that they contribute to Los Angeles rear end car accidents. Police officials had proposed to renew the program for an additional three or four years, but the police commission has doubts as to the usefulness of the program.

According to the Los Angeles Times, there are 32 red light cameras posted throughout Los Angeles. Critics argue that the cameras actually increase Los Angeles car accident injuries, are not cost effective and do not make the public any safer. One of the reasons the cameras are not cost effective is because the Los Angeles Courts are not actively seeking out payment on the tickets, with the LAPD instead sending the $400 tickets to a collection agency.

One of the many problems with this practice is that under normal circumstances, the accused can confront the police officer in court and the judge can decide who to believe. With this program, the only evidence is some pictures, which may be taken out of context. One particular type of instance is when a person stops, then makes a right turn on a red light, which can lead to a red light camera ticket.

18 Years in Prison for Long Beach Drag Race Wrongful Death Accident

June 4, 2011 | by Robert Walch

Denis Alberto Reyes has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for causing a Long Beach Wrongful Death Accident that killed four people. Reyes, who was driving a stolen car, was apparently involved in a drag race with a Mustang, when the two vehicles collided.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the Long Beach accident caused the ejection from the vehicle of the driver of the Mustang and two passengers. All three died from the Long Beach car accident, as well as another passenger who died later at a hospital.

Reyes, who was 17 at the time, and fled the scene of the car accident in Long Beach, was later arrested. He pled no contest to four counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, one count of car theft and hit and run causing death.

David Beckham Accused of Speeding in Los Angeles Rear End Car Accident

June 2, 2011 | by Robert Walch

International soccer star, David Beckham, who currently plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer team, has been accused of driving recklessly and speeding when he rear ended a stopped car in Los Angeles, California. The rear end car accident occurred on the 405 freeway, also known as the San Diego freeway.

The driver of the vehicle rear ended in Los Angeles by Beckham’s Cadillac was taken to a local hospital, while Beckham, and his son Brooklyn, 12 years old, who was a passenger with Beckham, did not report any injuries. The extent of the injuries to the rear ended driver is not currently known.

According to British tabloid, The Sun, witnesses are said to have told police that Beckham was speeding, driving recklessly and speeding in and out of lanes in his Cadillac before causing the car accident in Los Angeles. While it does not appear that Beckham has been charged with any crime, the Traffic Collision Report (also known as the Police Report) should indicate if Beckham was cited for any violations of the law.