Wrongful Death

Celebrity Bruce Jenner Involved in Fatal Malibu Car Accident

February 7, 2015 | by Robert Walch

About 2 hours ago, TMZ is reporting that Bruce Jenner was involved in a fatal rear end car accident in Malibu. According to TMZ, Jenner apparently told police that the Malibu wrongful death car accident occurred when he was fleeing from paparazzi who were chasing him. Jenner’s vehicle apparently rear ended another vehicle. That white car apparently was pushed into oncoming traffic, where it was struck by a Hummer. The driver of the white vehicle tragically perished in this multi car accident in Malibu.

Bruce Jenner is a well known United States olympian who won the gold medal in the decathlon at the 1976 Summer Olympics. He later gained additional fame as the step father to the Kardashian sisters, in the well-known reality television show “Keeping Up With the Kardashians.” Jenner is also the father of Brandon, Brody, Kendall and Kylie Jenner. Bruce Jenner has gained additional fame recently as reports have suggested that he has been undergoing the process of having a sex change. The Kardashian family has a home in Calabasas, California.

According to TMZ, Bruce Jenner was subjected to a field sobriety test at the scene of the Malibu accident, which he reportedly passed. A total of eight people were apparently involved in the crash and might have sustained injuries, including the one fatality.

NO SURPRISE: Bigger, Newer Cars Found Safer

February 2, 2015 | by Robert Walch

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), an independent educational and scientific nonprofit organization dedicated to reduce losses due to deaths, injuries and property damage from car accidents on our highways and roads, reported that there was a huge improvement from its last study in 2008 from 48 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years to just 28 for 2011 model year vehicles (registered vehicle year means one car registered for one year).

Drivers in the United States are now less likely to be killed in car and other vehicle accidents due to better car safety systems coupled with the increasing use of restraining systems – that is seat belts and shoulder straps.

Further, mid-size and large autos had much fewer driver fatalities than small and mini-sized vehicles, according to the IIHS.

3 Girls Killed in Halloween Santa Ana Pedestrian Wrongful Death Accident

November 2, 2014 | by Robert Walch

Three girls were tragically killed on Friday night when they were struck by a speeding vehicle while trick or treating. According to cnn.com, the Santa Ana accident occurred when the three girls, all aged thirteen years old, were hit by a vehicle that was speeding. Two male occupants of the vehicle apparently fled the scene, but were followed by a witness. Eventually, the two men left the Honda CRV and fled the scene by foot.

The speed limit at the location of this Santa Ana wrongful death was 25 miles per hour, but apparently the vehicle might have been going approximately 50 miles per hour when it struck the girls. The Santa Ana Police Department is investigating this case and searching for the men responsible. We can only hope that the registration on the vehicle matches up with the driver, so that the driver can be brought to justice.

In many of these types of incidents, the driver of the vehicle is intoxicated, with alcohol and/or drugs, and decides that it would be better to flea the scene than to be found intoxicated at the scene. Hopefully the driver and other occupant of the vehicle will see the error in their ways and turn themselves in immediately.

Young Girl Tragically Killed in El Monte Milk Truck Accident

August 14, 2014 | by Robert Walch

According to the Los Angeles Times, a milk tanker truck apparently caused a serious accident on the 60 freeway today in El Monte. The big rig truck accident, which involved eight cars and three big rig trucks, killed a five year old girl. In addition, at least 12 other people suffered injuries in the El Monte truck accident.

The milk truck crash occurred early this morning, before 6am, when the milk tanker truck collided with other vehicles and then landed on the center divider of the freeway. The resulting damage and milk leak caused authorities to have to shut down both sides of the 60 freeway. The closures caused massive traffic delays for commuters.

In addition to the crashed vehicles and massive spill, two cars caught on fire and had to be extinguished by firefighters. A hazardous materials team from Los Angeles County was also called in to help with the milk spill.

We offer our sincerest condolences to the family of the young girl who was tragically killed in this tanker truck accident and wish a speedy recovery to those who suffered injuries.

Actor Tracy Morgan Suffers Critical Injuries in Wal-Mart Truck Accident

June 7, 2014 | by Robert Walch

Tracy Morgan, a well known comedian and actor, who often performs in Los Angeles, suffered very serious injuries in a Walmart truck accident this morning. The accident happened in New Jersey, when a Wal-Mart truck driver apparently lost control of the truck and struck a limousine that was transporting Tracy Morgan, as well as others. Tragically, another comedian, James McNair, knows as Jimmy Mack, who was with Morgan in the limousine, was killed by the Wal-Mart truck.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the driver of the big rig truck, Kevin Roper, may have been dozing while driving, which allegedly caused this tragic big rig truck accident. Bill Simon, the President and CEO of Wal-Mart, expressed his condolences and said that if it is determined that the Wal-Mart truck driver caused the accident, WalMart would take full responsibility.

Morgan and the rest of the passengers were apparently riding in a chauffeured sports utility vehicle limousine that was hit by the WalMart big rig truck. The full extent of Morgan’s injuries is not yet known, but it is reported that his family is with him at the hospital.

4 Dead and Many Injured in Riverside, California Bus Accident

May 21, 2014 | by Robert Walch

A Riverside bus accident today, involving a big rig truck and other vehicles, has resulted in the deaths of four bus passengers. The bus was operated by El Paso-Los Angeles Limousine Express Inc. In addition to the bus accident wrongful death victims, the 30 other people on the bus were taken to local hospitals for their bus accident injuries. According to the LA Times, the accident occurred early this morning on Interstate 10 in Riverside, California.

It appears that this chain reaction bus accident in Riverside may have been initiated by a big rig truck that lost control on the freeway, hitting the center divider and spilling the pipes that it was carrying. Eventually, the bus, on the other side of the freeway, crashed and rolled off of the freeway.

Whenever there is a big rig truck accident in the early hours of the morning, there is always a possible issue as to whether the truck driver was taking appropriate rest stops and had slept enough prior the collision. This information should be obtainable by a California truck accident lawyer, including through depositions, subpoenas and written discovery. Fortunately, big rig trucks normally are covered by a commercial insurance policy, which we hope will have enough coverage for the wrongful death damages and to cover the injuries suffered by the other passengers.

Update: 10 Killed in Orland, California Bus Accident

April 11, 2014 | by Robert Walch

CNN is reporting that a total of 10 people have passed away due to the Fed-Ex big rig truck crash with the bus in Orland, California yesterday. The fatalities from the Northern California bus crash include the drivers of both the FedEx truck and the bus that was carrying students to visit Humboldt State University.

In addition to the drivers, five high school students were killed in this tragic accident, as well as three people who were chaperones for the students. Reports indicate that the students were in a program designed for disadvantaged high school students, from families with low incomes or would be first generation college attendees. Some of the students on the bus were from the Los Angeles Unified School District.

The California Highway Patrol has not yet determined what caused the Fed-Ex big rig truck to cross over the highway median on I-5 and crash head on into the passenger bus. In addition to the fatalities from this California bus crash, over 30 people were taken to hospitals with truck crash injuries.

Northern California Bus Accident With Fed-Ex Truck Kills 9

April 10, 2014 | by Robert Walch

A tragic California bus accident today, in which a bus was struck by a Fed-Ex big rig truck, has resulted in at least nine deaths and numerous injuries. According to the Los Angeles Times, the Northern California bus crash occurred when the FedEx truck, traveling southbound, crossed into the opposite direction of Interstate 5, when it crashed into the bus. The bus may have been carrying Los Angeles school students who were in Northern California to visit Humboldt State University, during spring break.

After this terrible bus accident, the bus caught on fire and ended up completely burnt out. It is not clear if the students who were injured escaped the bus before the fire, or if they suffered fire, burn and smoke inhalation injuries as well.
Whether the students on the bus were in fact from Los Angeles has not yet been confirmed. Initial reports suggest that they are high school seniors from a school in South Los Angeles. Our hearts go out to the injured students and the families of the injured and deceased.

Lyft Offers Additional Coverage in Case of a California Car Accident – Is it Enough?

February 11, 2014 | by Robert Walch

Lyft, a popular ride-sharing application, has announced that it is increasing the auto insurance coverage for its drivers. Currently, the law in California only requires ride-sharing companies, like Lyft, Uber and Sidecar, to carry one-million dollars in car accident liability insurance. This is the insurance coverage that covers people who are injured in an accident caused by a driver working for one of these companies.

The law does not, however, require that the companies provide collision coverage, which is used to repair the vehicle damaged in a car accident, or uninsured motorist coverage, which would cover the driver and passengers of the vehicle, if the other driver causes the car accident and does not have coverage or does not have adequate coverage for the serious injuries suffered.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Uber has said that they have been providing collision and uninsured motorist coverage since December. Lyft is now offering its drivers the option of carrying collision coverage and uninsured motorist coverage. If covered, it is unknown how much uninsured motorist coverage these companies will provide for their drivers and customers.

Uber Wrongful Death Lawsuit Should Clear Unsettled Law on Ride-Sharing

February 6, 2014 | by Robert Walch

As many of you know, a tragic pedestrian accident occurred on New Year’s Eve, when a driver, who was allegedly logged into Uber’s system, struck a family crossing a street. According to the Los Angeles Times, Sofia Liu’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Uber, alleging that although the driver of the car was not carrying any passengers for Uber at the time of the accident, Uber is still responsible, as the driver was working for Uber.

The California wrongful death suit alleges that because the driver was available for Uber application users to reserve him for a ride, this is Uber’s business and Uber should be held responsible. Uber, however, like most corporations and insurance companies, are looking for ways to deflect liability away from themselves, to avoid paying wrongful death damages.

Unfortunately, the law is still very unsettled when it comes to ride-sharing applications and companies, as this is a rather new service available to people in California. These companies operate by paying people to use their own vehicles to give rides, then sharing the revenue from the consumer. The California Public Utilities Commission requires that the companies, such as Uber, carry one million dollars of liability insurance coverage. However, it is not clear if that coverage kicks in only when the driver is carrying passengers, responding to calls to pick up passengers, or simply available to pick up passengers and logged into the Uber system