California Personal Injury Lawyers Blog

10 Year Anniversary Commemoration for Victims of 2008 Los Angeles Metrolink Crash

September 13, 2018 | by Robert Walch

This week Los Angeles citizens commemorated the 10-year anniversary of the worst ever commuter rail disaster that occurred when a Metrolink train collided head on with a freight train.

On September 12, 2008 at 4:22 p.m. the Metrolink commuter train hit the freight train. The collision pushed the first car of the Metrolink train into the passenger car behind it. Several rail cars from both trains derailed, resulting in personal injuries of 135 people and the wrongful deaths of 25 passengers. It took over 24 hours for emergency responders to reach all of the deceased. Continue Reading

2 Dead, 1 in Critical Condition After Oxnard Car Accident

September 12, 2018 | by Robert Walch

An Oxnard car accident resulted in the deaths of two people and left another in critical condition. The accident occurred after 11:30 p.m. Monday night, near Victoria Avenue and Wooley Road. The Ventura Star reports that the accident occurred when a Pontiac Fire Bird travelling at high speeds collided with a Lexus GS 430.

After the Pontiac struck the Lexus, it left the roadway coming to rest by smashing into a palm tree. The Pontiac contained a driver and two passengers. The 19 year-old driver, Oxnard resident Juan Cruz, died at the scene. 20-year-old passenger Karisa Serrato was ejected from the car and died from her injuries after she was transported to the hospital. The other passenger, a 19-year-old from Oxnard, was also transported to the hospital in critical condition, but is now in stable condition. The Lexus driver was uninjured and stayed at the scene to speak with police. Continue Reading

7 Killed in Los Angeles-Bound Greyhound Wrongful Death Accident

September 8, 2018 | by Robert Walch

A Los Angeles-bound bus accident, involving a big rig truck, has resulted in the deaths of seven bus passengers. The bus was a Greyhound bus coming from St. Louis and headed to Los Angeles. In addition to the bus accident wrongful death victims, 42 other passengers were taken to local hospitals for their bus accident injuries. According to ABC News 7, the accident occurred on Interstate 40 near Thoreau, New Mexico.

Initial reports by investigators show that a big rig was traveling eastbound when a front tire blew, causing the truck to lose control. The big rig smashed through the center median and went into oncoming traffic, hitting the bus. The truck turned on its side while the bus was severely damaged, and luggage was strewn across the freeway.

Four Killed in Moreno Valley Wrongful Death Accident

September 4, 2018 | by Robert Walch

Friday evening, an apparent street race led to a violent crash that killed four people. The Moreno Valley car accident allegedly occurred when three vehicles were racing and one of the vehicles, a white car, lost control and hit a dirt median.

CBS News reported that the white car ultimately hit the concrete median and guardrail, causing the car to flip. Firefighters at the scene attempted to get the trapped passengers out of the overturned car, but the four passengers died at the scene. Another person at the scene was taken to the hospital with injuries. Continue Reading

Good Samaritans Catch Hit-and-Run Driver That Caused Personal Injury Accident

August 31, 2018 | by Robert Walch

According to ABC 7 News, a driver of a white Izusu Rodeo caused a hit-and-run accident after hitting a motorcyclist in Costa Mesa. The motorcyclist was taken to the hospital for personal injuries sustained in the accident, but the Izusu Rodeo fled the scene.

Luckily for this motorcyclist, a father and daughter who witnessed the accident, followed the Izusu Rodeo while calling police. The father and daughter duo followed the driver to an apartment complex, where the driver parked and ran inside. The police then arrived at the complex to take over the situation. Continue Reading

9 People Injured in Lake Balboa Car Accident

August 24, 2018 | by Robert Walch

On Wednesday evening, a car accident in Lake Balboa, a suburb of Los Angeles, resulted in injuries to nine people. The crash occurred at the intersection of Hayvenhurst Avenue and Victory Boulevard around 8 p.m.

According to KTLA News, a car collided with an SUV attempting to make a left-hand turn, which caused the SUV to roll. After the cars collided, they struck a Los Angeles Police car that was waiting at the red light. Pictures of the crash showed the cars involved were completely mangled. Officers say it is miraculous all 9 people survived. Continue Reading

Man Killed in Los Angeles Hit and Run Pedestrian Accident

August 20, 2018 | by Robert Walch

Around 5:30 a.m. at a crosswalk in downtown Los Angeles, a 67-year-old man was killed when he was hit by a white SUV in a tragic Los Angeles wrongful death hit and run accident. According to ABC 7 News, after hitting the man while he crossed the street, the driver drove off.

The driver of the white SUV has not yet been located, but police believe the car may have some damage to the front hood. They ask anyone with information about the fatal accident to contact them immediately. It is not yet known if speed or DUI were factors in causing the accident. Investigators are searching surveillance video in the area in an attempt to get more information about this Los Angeles wrongful death accident. Continue Reading

3 Things to Do if a Dog Bites You

August 15, 2018 | by Robert Walch

We love dogs and all animals. Many people certainly love their dogs. It is important to remember that any dog can bite, and our dog bite lawyers have seen serious dog bite injuries caused by all types and sizes of dogs.

Under California law, dog owners are strictly liable if their dog bites someone. This means if a dog bites another person, the owner is liable for that person’s injuries even if the owner did nothing wrong and the dog has never bitten anyone before. There are two limits to this liability: first, you can’t provoke the dog, and second, you must either be in a public place or lawfully on private land. For example, if you are trespassing and a dog bites you, you may not be protected. Continue Reading

Stray Bullet Causes East Los Angeles Wrongful Death

August 11, 2018 | by Robert Walch

According to ABC 7 News, a woman killed in a Los Angeles wrongful death accident when the Uber car she was riding in was hit by what is believed to have been a bullet from a gang-related shooting.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s officials responded to the shooting around 10:15 p.m. Three people, including the driver, were in the Uber. They heard gunshots, and then the vehicle was hit. The victim, a woman in her 30s, was sitting in the passenger seat when she was shot in the head. She was immediately transported to a nearby hospital, buy died shortly thereafter. Continue Reading

Man Faces Arson Charges for Allegedly Starting 18,000-acre Southern California Fire

August 9, 2018 | by Robert Walch

California is currently in a state of emergency because of fires burning throughout the state. On the morning of August 8, 2018, a 51-year-old man, Forrest Gordon Clark, was arrested at his home in connection with the large forest fire in the Cleveland National forest, that has burned over 18,000 acres. According to ABC 7 News, the Orange County fire authority became suspicious of Clark when they discovered the origin of the fire was near the cabin he owns. So far, no one has been injured but many cabins and homes have burned, and firefighters fear more structures could be in harm’s way.

Currently, investigators believe the fire was an intentional act. They have been gathering evidence to support this claim. For example, the fire originated near Clark’s cabin, and of the 14 cabins in the area, Clark’s is the only one still standing. Clark also sent an email to the volunteer fire chief last week warning, “This place will burn” after a dispute with his neighbors.