Pasadena Wrongful Death Attorneys Blog

Car accident during chase leaves three wounded and one dead

2013-06-12T03:12:05Z

A traffic stop for alleged reckless driving by the Los Angeles Police Department in El Sereno resulted in a chase that ended in multiple injuries and one death. The multiple car accidents occurred at the intersection of Huntington Drive and Poplar Boulevard on a Saturday just before 1 p.m. The suspected driver fled the scene on foot and was later apprehended by police.

The driver was in a Suburban, and his identity was not released to the public. The Suburban struck a total of three cars, which included a Toyota 4Runner and two sedans. The collision overturned both the Toyota and the Suburban. The Toyota driver and an unspecified passenger were injured. A sedan was badly mangled, which resulted in another passenger's injury and the death of the driver. Fire department responders provided transport for the three injured victims to a nearby hospital. One victim was listed in serious condition, and the others were reportedly in fair condition.

]]> Following the fatal car accident, a local shop owner said that families of the victims were gathered nearby, awaiting news of the victims' statuses and identities. The body of the dead driver was trapped in the sedan and not identified at the scene. The alleged suspect was treated for a bite caused by a police dog in the chase. There was no word on the status of the police investigation or criminal charges.

Each family of a potential victim in a fatal car crash faces a harrowing experience. The emotional pain and suffering associated with the loss of a loved one is overwhelming to even think about. The family of the deceased will likely have the compounding problems of funeral expenses, loss of income and final arrangements. Amidst this grief, a wrongful death attorney may be able to help the family with worries over financial matters.

Source: LA Times, "Driver slams into 3 cars in El Sereno; man dies", Ruben Vives and Abby Sewell, June 02, 2013

California party bus crash kills one and injures 10

2013-06-06T20:12:02Z

A chain reaction crash on California's Highway 101 left one person dead and 10 injured. The party bus crash took place on the morning of May 26 at approximately 2:00 a.m. According to officials, a man was driving a red Honda coupe in the southbound lanes on Highway 101 near the Broadway exit in Burlingame. His car went out of control and hit the center divider. The Honda came to rest in the two left lanes facing north. Also headed southbound was a party bus carrying 18 passengers. The bus struck the car starting a chain reaction that involved two more cars.

Eight of the passengers on the party bus were transported to nearby hospitals. Two were reported to have moderate injuries and six had minor injuries. The bus driver also had moderate injuries, but did not wish to be treated at the scene and went to the hospital on his own.

]]> The man driving the Honda was brought to the hospital where he was listed in critical condition. His wife, a passenger in the Honda, was pronounced dead at the scene. According to officials, she had not been wearing a seat belt. Both occupants of the Honda had been drinking that day. However, their level of impairment has not been determined. The accident is still under investigation.

The family members of the woman who died in this accident may choose to seek compensation. If a settlement is reached, it could be used to pay for funeral expenses. The people who were injured in the accident may also be entitled to compensation for their injuries. A personal injury attorney may be able to help the victims and their families to file a lawsuit. In the event that a settlement is awarded, an attorney might be able to negotiate with a judge for a favorable settlement amount.

Source: Examiner, "Party bus crash: Chain reaction crash on 101 kills ‘Sparkly Devil,’ injures 10", Tina Burgess, June 27, 2013

California hild struck and killed in local bike accident

2013-05-31T18:07:02Z

A boy of 12 years old was struck and killed in an accident in Simi Valley. The bicycle accident happened at approximately 8 p.m. Police responded to the call regarding the accident on Alamo Street and Tapo Street.

The accident was believed to have involved a Fresh & Easy truck. According to police, the vehicle was believed to be leaving a parking lot of a nearby store when it struck the child. The boy was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. He was riding his bike alongside an 8-year-old friend. That boy did not sustain any injuries.

]]> Although negligence claims may still arise when a private party causes a bike accident, commercial truck drivers are expected to exert even more reasonable care. Commercial trucks are typically much larger and heavier than passenger vehicles. They are also responsible for transporting heavy goods across the state or nation. Trucking companies are required to comply with a variety of state and federal laws regarding safety protocols. For example, truckers can only drive for a certain number of hours each day. Additionally, truckers must take mandated breaks after a certain amount of time or miles traveled. When a commercial truck company or driver fails to act with a reasonable duty of care and causes a fatal bike accident, the driver and/or the trucking company may be found liable for the damages that ensue.

Pasadena wrongful death lawyers may be able to help the family of a bike accident victim seek compensation from the negligent driver who caused the accident. The family may be able to receive monetary damages for medical expenses, funeral expenses, burial expenses and pain and suffering. Punitive damages or damages for loss of companionship may be available under certain circumstances.

Source: Los Angeles Times, "12-year-old boy on bike dies in collision with Fresh & Easy truck", May 26, 2013

Proposed referendum would mandate physician drug testing

2013-05-28T18:50:05Z

Supporters of a proposed referendum to mandate physician drug testing in California believe that requiring doctors to submit to random testing would ultimately help patients. They believe that the measure would reduce incidents of error and medical malpractice and ultimately save patient lives. Drugs and alcohol can cause a physician to make deadly errors in diagnosis and treatment of patients, so the supporters believe that random drug testing may prevent a tragic mistake.

The supporters of the proposal claim that doctors should be subject to the same minimum drug testing requirements imposed on bus drivers and others. One proponent lost two children to a drunk driver and is working with a consumer advocate to garner support for the measure. A recent poll shows that 85 percent of California voters would support random drug testing for physicians, making it likely the referendum would pass if placed on the ballot.

]]> A second objective of the plan is to lift the limit on medical malpractice lawsuits. The overall proposal aims to allow those who are injured by physician error to sue not only for medical costs and compensatory damages but other types of compensation as well, including punitive damages. The California Medical Association has called the proposal a 'publicity stunt" and may oppose the measure.

Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor or other healthcare professional fails to use requisite care in treating a patient and an injury or death results. Victims of medical malpractice may have the right to recover damages from the doctor who injured them, including payment of additional medical costs, lost wages and sums for their pain and suffering. A medical malpractice attorney may represent the victim and attempt to help him or her collect these damages.

Source: Cal Coast News, "Drug testing for doctors proposed", May 20, 2013

Medicare fails to monitor safety

2013-05-17T21:11:02Z

Despite the fact that Congress has poured billions of dollars in the Medicare program and expanded it to serve 35 million people, the organization has failed in one of its basic tasks: safety monitoring. Especially in prescribing drugs, many incidents of medical malpractice occur every year in California and throughout the nation, according to a new analysis of Medicare records.

Because doctors receive a flat fee for Medicare patients, they are often tempted to push out 'cure all" drugs rather than spend time analyzing a patient's condition. Doctors are also prescribing the wrong drugs for certain illnesses. In some cases, physicians are prescribing drugs that have been marked as dangerous for use and 'black boxed" by the FDA, an indication that the drug should only be prescribed under carefully controlled circumstances.

]]> Experts point to several flaws in the system. For example, doctors that are banned from treating Medicaid patients due to improper prescribing methods can still serve Medicare patients, as well as those who have been convicted for problem prescriptions. Medicare records indicate that about 340 doctors provided more than 1,000 antipsychotics for patients age 65 or older, suggesting that certain doctors may be overprescribing these drugs.

A medical malpractice attorney may be able to assist a patient or family victimized by poor prescribing practices. When a doctor mistakenly gives a patient the wrong medication, the doctor may be held liable for negligence. If so, a patient who has been the victim of malpractice may be able to recover damages for his or her injuries including medical bills, living costs, lost wages and a sum for pain and suffering.

Source: Pasadena Star News, "Medicare drug program lacks oversight; seniors, disabled at risk ", Tracy Weber, Charles Ornstein and Jennifer LaFleur, May 13, 2013

California car crash kills one man

2013-05-09T15:50:01Z

A collision on Interstate 680 in Fremont took the life of a 65-year-old San Jose man according to California Highway Patrol sources. The car accident involved four vehicles and shut down all the southbound lanes of the Interstate for some time.

The crash occurred when one car, a Toyota Corolla, stalled in traffic and was struck by several vehicles near the Vargas Road exit. The driver of the Corolla was transported to a local hospital with injuries, and the passenger in that vehicle died at the scene.

]]> Interstate driving can pose serious risks to the safety of those in cars or trucks due to the high volumes of traffic on these roads and the average high speeds of vehicles. When an incident occurs such as the one in this case in which a driver loses control or stalls and is unable to get off the road, the probability of a serious accident is high. Most drivers on the interstate are traveling much too fast to stop quickly if a car suddenly becomes incapacitated. This can lead to serious injury or death for the driver and passengers of the stalled car as well as others on the road.

A personal injury attorney may be able to represent the victims of such an accident and assist them in collecting damages. Victims who have been injured in a car accident may find that they can collect payments for their medical expenses as well as other costs such as lost wages. They may also be entitled to compensation for their pain and suffering. Family members of those killed in these accidents may be able to file a wrongful death suit and collect damages as well.

Source: Patch, "65-Year-Old Man Killed in Fatal I-680 Collision", May 07, 2013

Band member faces charges of vehicular homicide

2013-05-03T20:31:29Z

Residents of California may be interested to learn that 41-year-old Todd Harrell, the bass guitarist for the band 3 Doors Down, faces charges of vehicular homicide by intoxication after he was accused of driving under the influence when he got into a fatal car accident in Nashville, Tennessee. A 47-year-old man died in the car accident.

A police report indicated that the driver was speeding when he bumped into the other driver's truck. This caused the truck to lose control, hit a guardrail, go down an embankment and flip. The 47-year-old was thrown from the vehicle. He was not wearing a seat belt. He was rushed to a medical facility where personnel pronounced him dead.

]]> The driver's car rammed into a retaining wall and stopped about 1,600 yards away. Harrell admitted that he drank hard cider and ingested two different prescription medications. He submitted to field sobriety tests, which indicated an unknown level of intoxication.

When he was taken into custody at the jail, he allegedly brought prescription drugs hidden in a sock. Deputies discovered the drugs during a routine search. He was held pending the payment of a $100,000 bond. The band expressed their sympathy at the death of the man. They did not make additional comments related to the incident.

After losing loved ones to car accidents that were caused by negligent parties, the family members may wish to file wrongful death lawsuits. Personal injury attorneys in California may explain family members' rights and options and recommend courses of action.

Source: Commercial Appeal, "Police: 3 Doors Down member charged in fatal crash," April 21, 2013

Man pleads guilty to fatal hit-and-run

2013-04-26T08:31:43Z

A motorist pleaded guilty April 12 to a fatal hit-and-run accident in Newport Beach. The bike accident resulted in the death of a Newport Beach doctor who was riding her bike with her husband along the Newport Coast area. In the Orange County Superior Court, the 40-year-old motorist was sentenced to four years in prison and one year in county jail for vehicular manslaughter.

At the time of the bike accident, the man was driving a large, black pickup truck when he struck the 57-year-old doctor. Three days later, he was arrested. The doctor, who was once president of the Greater Newport Physicians, was pronounced dead at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo.

]]> At the hearing, the doctor's husband spoke openly about the devastating loss and impact it had on the medical community. He spoke of her contributions to her community and her involvement in the church. Her mother also spoke in court about the impact of losing her daughter.

In California, families can bring a wrongful death claim for bicycle accidents. The family of the person killed in a bike accident can sue the negligent driver for pain and suffering, medical expenses and funeral expenses. A family in California must be aware of the statute of limitations for bringing such a claim is two years from the date of the victim's death. If the family is suing because of medical malpractice, they may have less than a year to file.

California permits the domestic partner, children, parents, stepchildren or surviving spouse to bring this type of claim. If the family is considering filing a wrongful death claim, they may want to consider using the services of a personal injury attorney.

Source: Los Angeles Times, "Driver pleads guilty for killing doctor riding bike near beach," Lauren Williams, April 14, 2013

Multi-vehicle collision results in 2 deaths in CA

2013-04-19T20:17:07Z

According to California Highway Patrol, a collision involved a big rig truck and two cars caused two deaths and close a major freeway for hours. The incident occurred in the early morning on State Route 188 in Granada Hills close to the Reseda Boulevard exit. One car ran into the big rig. A second vehicle then ran into the first car.

As a result of this car accident, the first car involved in the collision ignited in flames, and the two occupants in this car passed away at the scene. Law enforcement officials closed a portion of the highway for several hours to conduct an investigation. While the highway has reopened, it is not yet clear what caused the wrongful death of these two individuals.

]]> A car accident that results in wrongful death can be difficult for the victims' families to endure. In addition to coping with their loss, families could also be burdened by expenses related to the car accident. Because these two individuals died at the scene of the accident, there may not be medical bills associated with the accident. However, the family could be burdened by funeral expenses, vehicle repair costs and lost wages. By pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit in civil court, the families of the victims could seek punitive damages for their expenses.

Wrongful death lawsuits filed after a car accident such as this one will not erase the events that have occurred. However, lawsuits may provide loved ones with a sense of closure and may ease the financial stress a family may feel after the accident. Those who would like to learn more could contact a Pasadena personal injury lawyer for additional information.

Source: KPCC, "UPDATE: 2 dead in fiery crash on 118 Freeway in Los Angeles," April 1, 2013

Reduced shifts causes increase in risk of medical malpractice

2013-04-10T06:04:47Z

An effort to reduce the number of mistakes made by hospital residents was shown to actually have the reverse effect, according to two studies published by the Journal of the American Association. The change, which was initiated in 2011 by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, involved reducing the number of hours a resident could work on a single shift from 30 to 16. The hope was that well-rested doctors would be less likely to misdiagnose patients, prescribe improper medication and make other errors that could lead to medical malpractice lawsuits.

Instead of enhancing safety, the change resulted in a 15 to 20 percent increase in self-reported errors by medical residents. The studies also found that shorter shifts had no effect on the number of hours of sleep or rate of depression. Twenty percent of medical residents at teaching hospitals were found to suffer from depression.

]]> Reasons for a lack of benefits from the shorter shifts were suggested by the lead author of one study. Though neither study looked at reasons for the failure specifically, one hypothesis was that patients have much less consistency in personnel with shorter shifts. A resident is already less familiar with a patient than their primary care physician, and a faster rotation means doctors have even less time to spend on learning their patients' medical histories and methods of communication.

Physician negligence is problem underlying many medical malpractice complaints in California. Failure to diagnose, prescription errors and failure to monitor patients properly may cause irrevocable harm. Doctors are not always solely responsible for these problems as is shown by the studies. However, patients may want to speak with an attorney and seek compensation for their injuries.

Source: USA Today, "Studies: Residents make more errors on shorter shifts," Janice Lloyd, March 25, 2013

Man on bicycle struck and severely injured by van

2013-04-05T20:22:34Z

In February, a bicyclist was riding on Zoo Drive near the Griffith Park area of Los Angeles with his wife when he was struck by a minivan. He fell and got stuck under the van, which accelerated, dragging him about 600 feet onto a freeway on-ramp. The van driver then fled the scene, and the California Highway Patrol is still searching for it.

Although the bicycle rider was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, he sustained multiple injuries, including many broken bones, serious road rash and the loss of his left leg below the knee. The rider, who is currently hospitalized at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, said he thought was going to die from the accident. As a result of his bicycle accident, he has already undergone seven surgeries and is scheduled for an eighth, which will last around eight hours. Speaking out, he called for the driver of the vehicle to turn themselves in.

]]> Bicycle accidents are common in high-populated areas, but the actions of the drivers who cause them can make them even more severe. In addition to leaving riders with severely debilitating injuries that may impede their abilities to work, accidents like this can result in immense medical fees that the victims cannot pay.

The victim's friends have created a fund to help him pay his medical bills. However, even if they reach their donation goal of $10,000, it may be insufficient to cover the costs of extensive treatment. Because the driver fled, it may become difficult for the rider to seek compensation. Many victims injured in such accidents seek legal advisement to learn about their options, particularly if the driver is later identified.

Source: LAist, "Bicyclist who lost leg in hit-and-run speaks out," Lauren Lloyd, March 20, 2013

SUV and sedan collide on California highway

2013-03-28T03:10:39Z

A sedan collided with an SUV on March 12 when the two vehicles were traveling opposite directions on Highway 65 in Exeter. The two occupants of the sedan were taken to Sierra View District Hospital for minor to moderate pain and injuries. The 24-year-old driver and only occupant of the SUV stated that he was not injured.

The car accident happened in the morning while the sedan traveled northbound on Highway 65, approaching Avenue 200. The SUV was traveling southbound and also approached Avenue 200 on the same highway but had attempted to make a left-hand turn.

]]> Without seeing the sedan, the driver of the SUV proceeded to turn in front of the sedan. It was reported that the driver of the sedan could not avoid impact and the two vehicles collided. Both the sedan and the SUV came to a halt at the corner of Avenue 200 and Highway 65.

Other vehicles stopped to help, and traffic was slowed briefly. Witnesses claim that neither vehicle had been speeding and an officer at the scene stated that drugs and alcohol were not a factor of the crash. The cause of the accident was due to the SUV occupant not seeing the sedan approaching.

Accidents can happen because of one's negligence, mistake, intoxication and several other reasons. An attorney can help to investigate the matters in an automobile accident to determine the cause and seek compensation when possible. Compensation can be sought for various reasons pertinent to the matter, such as lost wages, medical expenses, injuries and car expenses, to name a few.

Source: The Porterville Recorder, "Crash sends two to hospital," Denise Madrid, March 13, 2013

Bike accident results in teacher's deaths

2013-03-22T13:39:22Z

On March 5, a teacher from Sunnyside High School was killed in a bicycle accident. The incident took place before sunrise near the intersection of Copper and Auberry Road in Fresno County, California. The victim, who was identified as a 55-year-old male, was riding with a group of cyclists at the time of the collision.

As a 2001 Jeep Wrangler approached the group of cyclists in the northbound lane of Auberry, it slowed its speed to about 50 miles per hour. The victim's bike drifted into the road, and the Wrangler struck the bike. As a result of this bike accident, the victim was taken to a local medical center for treatment where he passed away. The investigation into this accident is ongoing, and no charges against the driver of the Wrangler have been filed.

]]> The family members of the deceased man may now be mourning their loss and could be experiencing the financial effects of this event. The man's injuries and death may have caused a financial burden associated with lost income, medical expenses and funeral costs. Even though criminal charges have not been filed in this case, the family may seek punitive damages against the driver responsible for the accident by filing a civil lawsuit.

Victims of bike accidents in the Pasadena, CA area as well as their families may face financial hardship after a serious event such as this one. By pursuing justice through a civil lawsuit against the responsible party, they may obtain compensation for their medical expenses and lost wages. Those who would like to learn more about their legal options after a bike accident may contact a Pasadena personal injury lawyer.

Source: KMJ Now, "Sunnyside Teacher Killed in Crash," Brianna Phillips, March 5, 2013

Suspect booked after California hit-and-run claims man's life

2013-03-14T16:53:52Z

The 44-year-old suspect in a February hit-and-run in Malibu that claimed the life of a 45-year old Newbury Park man was recently booked into jail for a brief time. An eyewitness report placed her in the Audi that struck the 45-year-old tow truck driver as she sped down Pacific Coast Highway on Feb. 11. He was reportedly attempting to hook up a car onto his tow truck on the coastal highway when he was struck by the Audi.

The suspect then continued down the highway and careened into a parked car located close to the Malibu Pier. She was treated for non-life threatening injuries after the hit-and-run accident and subsequent car crash. The tow truck operator died as a result of his injuries.

]]> The suspect was held briefly on Feb. 28 for suspicion of hitting and killing the man, and her bail was posted for $75,000. It is believed that alcohol or drugs may have been involved in the hit and run.

Personal injury attorneys can assist individuals such as spouses, partners or family members in cases of felony hit and runs where loved ones are killed. A loved one can never be replaced, and suffering financially on top of trying to cope with loss can be all the more difficult.

Fortunately, an experienced attorney may help in a case involving negligent drivers that cause injuries or death to others. A wrongful death action may be brought against a party that caused the loss of a loved one, regardless of whether or not the party was convicted of criminal charges, in order to recover compensation.

Source: Santa Monica Patch, "Driver Arrested in Fatal Tow Truck Crash," Jenna Chandler and Jessica E. Davis, March 1, 2013

CHP investigates fatal hit and run accident

2013-03-07T23:21:37Z

A hit and run accident on Tierra Rejada Road has resulted in the death of a 78-year-old bicyclist. The bicycle accident occurred on Thursday, Feb. 21, east of the 23 Freeway at approximately 1:20 p.m. Both the bicyclist and the car driver were traveling eastbound. As a result of the collision, eastbound Tierra Rejada Road was closed for approximately three and a half hours.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the elderly man was riding his bicycle when he was struck by a 20-year-old driver. Ventura County Fire Department personnel responded at the site of the accident and pronounced the bicyclist dead on the scene.

]]> The driver of the car, a resident of Ridgecrest, initially fled from the accident; however, after driving for approximately a mile and a half, he returned to the scene. California Highway Patrol arrested him on suspicion of felony hit and run; they stated that alcohol was probably not a factor in the collision. The accident remains under investigation.

The driver of the car may face serious charges, and if he is convicted of a felony hit and run, he faces serious penalties. In cases like these, the death of a loved one can cause harm and inflict extreme pain and suffering on family and friends. A Pasadena personal injury lawyer may be able to determine if the driver was negligent and if he is liable for damages. If he is liable for damages, a skilled attorney may be able to help the bicyclist's family recover damages.

Source: Moorpark Patch, "Bicyclist Dies in Hit and Run Accident," Rebecca Whitnall, Feb. 21, 2013