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Family Involved in Highway 101 Big-Rig Accident Files Lawsuit
It’s been a year since a family was rescued from a BMW that was left dangling precariously from a bridge on Highway 101 near Buellton after it was struck by a gravel truck. Now, the family is suing the estate of the truck driver, who died in the fiery crash, and the trucking company that he worked for, seeking damages for personal injuries and emotional distress.
The incident occurred on Jan. 12, 2012, when the tractor-trailer rear-ended the sedan while they were both heading north on Highway 101. A mother and two children, ages 10 and 10 weeks were in the BMW sedan at the time.
After the collision, the truck plummeted some 100 feet into a creek bed. It burst into flames and the driver was killed. It was later determined the 48-year-old truck driver had been under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the accident.
Rescue workers — aided by Navy Seabees who used a forklift to keep the teetering sedan from falling off the bridge and into the creek bed below — were able to extricate the family. They were all transported to Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara. The mother and the oldest daughter spent eight days in the hospital before they were released. The infant was uninjured.
The family’s attorney claims the trucking company, R&R Auto Wrecking, was negligent for hiring the truck driver, alleging the driver had a long criminal record of drug abuse. He says that his clients are still suffering from the emotional and physical ramifications of the accident.
“Their Injuries are permanent,” he told Noozhawk.com.
If you’ve been injured in an accident involving a negligent truck driver, the truck accident attorneys in Santa Barbara at the Law Offices of Renée J. Nordstrand will aggressively work for you to see that any negligent parties are held accountable for their actions. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, hospitalization, emotional distress and other damages.
For a free, no-obligation review of your case, call our Santa Barbara office at (805) 962-2022 or contact us online to discuss what we can do to protect your legal rights.
Families Sue Encino-Based Company of Singing Star Killed in Plane Crash
Fans of singing star Jenni Rivera were shocked when they heard the news that the Lear Jet she and her entourage was traveling in plunged 28,000 feet to the ground in Mexico, killing all aboard. Now, the wrongful death attorneys at the Law Office of Renee J. Nordstrand have learned that four families of members of the entourage killed in the tragic accident are suing Rivera’s Encino-based company and the owners of the jet.
The lawsuit claims that the owners of the Lear Jet 25, Starwood Management Group and Rodatz, “negligently and carelessly” leased a plane that was in a defective and dangerous condition. The suit claims that the jet that Rivera and her entourage had been traveling in had been damaged in a previous 2005 accident.
The attorney for the four families contends that the pilot of the chartered jet was not qualified to fly over 18,000 feet and that the co-pilot was not qualified to fly a Lear Jet 25 at all. The suit goes on to allege that neither of the pilots was permitted to fly passengers for hire. Both pilots died in the crash.
Rivera Enterprises, was also named in the lawsuit because it is believed that the company played a role in chartering the jet.
The attorney for the four families told the Daily News, “The plane literally fell out of the sky in a nose dive. This is intended to punish the actors for what occurred here.”
Rivera was an extremely popular banda singer in Mexico and the United States. She had sold more than 15 million albums before her death. Members of the Rivera family have not commented on the lawsuit.
If you believe you have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another party or parties, you have a legal right to file a wrongful death suit. These kinds of suits can be complicated, so having an experienced law firm like the The Law Office of Renée J. Nordstrand in your corner is a wise move when you are seeking fair and full compensation for your family.
If you believe you have a case, call our office in Encino at (818) 981-3530 or contact us online to discuss your legal options.
Two injured in Downtown Santa Barbara Collision
The Santa Barbara automobile accident attorneys at the Law Office of Renée J. Nordstrand have learned that a sedan and a taxi cab full of tourists from Florida collided in downtown Santa Barbara, leaving two injured and some questions as to who was at fault.
The accident happened at Haley and Santa Barbara Streets when one of the vehicles allegedly ran a red light. What is definitively known is that a sedan plowed into the driver side door of the taxicab, leaving the taxi driver trapped until firefighters using extricating tools were able to free him from the wreckage.
One of the people in the cab told a Keyt.com reporter that the oncoming vehicle hit the taxi hard. “I saw it coming, “ she said, “but I thought we were not going to get hit.”
While the trapped driver first told rescue workers that he wasn’t injured, he complained of pain after he was extricated and firefighters put him in a c-spine brace as a precaution. He was then taken to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for treatment. The driver of the other vehicle suffered only minor injuries.
The kinds of automobile accidents on Santa Barbara’s roads and highways are as diverse as the vehicles involved in them. That’s why it’s important to seek legal representation from a law firm that understands that each kind of accident is unique, and each may involve a different type of negligence and cause a different degree of harm.
The Law Office of Renée J. Nordstrand has the legal team with the resources and knowledge you will need to recover fair compensation for your injuries after an automobile accident. To learn more about your legal rights, contact our office in Santa Barbara at (805) 962-2022 or fill out our online contact form today.
Unlicensed Drivers in California Have High Fatality Rates
A newly released study by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) shows that unlicensed drivers are three times more likely to cause a fatal traffic accident as those who drive legally. Although there is no hard and fast numbers as to how many unlicensed drivers there are in California, the DMV estimates that the tally runs in the millions.
Researchers for the DMV looked at fatal accident statistics for the years 1987 and 2009. They then divided those drivers into three categories: those who were licensed; those who were driving with suspended or revoked licenses; and those who never received a license.
One percent of licensed drivers were found to be the cause of fatal accidents in California, whereas about three percent of drivers who were unlicensed or driving with revoked or suspended licenses were found to be responsible for fatalities.
According to the study, there are nearly two million Californians at any given time who will have their licenses revoked or suspended. There are no reliable statistics on how many of those drivers continue to drive thereafter.
This data adds fuel to the fire of an already potent debate as to whether those driving without licenses should have their vehicles impounded by police if they are stopped for motor vehicle infractions. The DMV researchers concluded that impounding vehicles was “strongly justified … to control (illegal) drivers and to reduce crashes caused by those drivers.”
Whether driving illegally or legally, negligent, inattentive, and reckless motorists can cause automobile accidents, which lead to serious injuries and deaths on Southern California’s roads and highways. If you believe you have a wrongful death case, contact the attorneys at the Law Offices of Renée J. Nordstrand for a free, no-obligation review of your case. Let our experienced team explain what your legal option might be.
Contact our Southern California Offices in Santa Barbara (805) 962-2022 or in Encino (818) 981-3530 today.
Driver Sentenced in Deadly Oxnard Hit-and-Run Motorcycle Accident
The Oxnard wrongful death motorcycle accident attorneys at the Law Office of Renée J. Nordstrand have learned that a judge has sentenced a man to more than 12 years in prison in connection with a 2011 hit-and-run accident on highway 101 in Oxnard that left a motorcyclist dead.
The 24-year-old Oregon man had pleaded guilty to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated; evading an officer; resisting police; and assault with a deadly weapon.
Witnesses told police officers that the driver had been driving recklessly in his pickup truck and had been drifting in and out of lanes before he clipped a motorcycle that was heading north on Highway 101 near Del Norte Boulevard in Oxnard. The prosecutor for the case said that the victim “never had a chance when he was struck.”
A spokesman for the California Highway Patrol (CHP) said the driver was high on marijuana when he struck and killed the motorcyclist. He tried to evade officers, and even pointed a handgun at his own head and then toward a pursuing officer, before throwing it out of the pickup’s driver-side window.
After stopping his vehicle and leading officers on a pursuit across three southbound lanes of Highway 101, he was caught, but had to be stunned with a Taser before he surrendered.
Have you lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident caused by a negligent or reckless driver? The legal team at the Law Office of Renée J. Nordstrand will fight for your family’s legal rights to see that the parties responsible for your loss are held liable for their actions. Our knowledgeable and experienced Oxnard personal injury attorneys can help your family during a trying and difficult transition.
For a free consultation and review of your case, contact our Southern California Offices in Santa Barbara by dialing (805) 962-2022 or in Encino at (818) 981-3530.
Reseda Woman Dies after Suspected Drunk Driver Hits Parked Cars
The wrongful death automobile accident attorneys at the Law Office of Renee J. Nordstrand have learned that a suspected drunk driver lost control of his car in Reseda on New Year’s Eve and hit a row of parked cars, pinning a 56-year-old woman between two of the cars.
The accident occurred on Reseda Boulevard in the early evening. According to Los Angeles Police, a vehicle driven by a 22-year-old man was heading northbound near Saticoy Street when he veered across the roadway, smashing into two parked cars on the west side of the street.
The victim, who had been loading items into the trunk of her Mini Cooper, was pinned between her car and another vehicle and sustained severe leg injuries. She was rushed to a nearby hospital, but died of her injuries the next day.
The driver was arrested and jailed on suspicion of felony drunk driving. Bond was set at $100,000 and a Los Angeles Police spokeswoman stated that charges against the driver would be amended in wake of the woman’s death.
The wrongful death of a loved one due to the negligent actions of another leaves surviving family members devastated and needing answers. The attorneys at the Law Office of Renée J. Nordstrand can provide the answers you may have about your legal options following the tragic loss of a family member. Although no amount of money can bring back a loved one, if we accept your wrongful death case, we will aggressively pursue your legal rights to see that justice is served for your family and that your family receives the compensation that they are entitled to for their loss.
Contact our Southern California Offices in Santa Barbara (805) 962-2022 or in Encino (818) 981-3530 for a free, no-obligation review of your case today. We’re here to help during a difficult time.
CPSC Files Complaint to Force Distributor to Cease Selling Magnets
The product liability attorneys at the Law Offices of Renee J. Nordstrand have been following the ongoing story of dangerous high-powered rare-earth magnet sets that have been the focus of serious injuries to children and teens. If swallowed, these magnets can attract one another and cause the puncture, damage, and obstruction of the digestive system.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has received thousands of reports since 2009 involving children and teens swallowing the magnets. Some of these children had to undergo emergency surgery to extract the magnets and repair severe intestinal damage.
After conferring with the various manufacturers and distributors of these dangerous magnet toys, the commission initially got 11 of them to voluntarily agree to stop selling the magnet sets; however, a few holdouts remained, and the CPSC lodged administrative complaints to force them to stop selling these defective products.
The latest complaint was filed against Star Networks USA, LLC, the distributor of Magnicube Magnet Balls and Magnet Cubes. The manufacturer had previously agreed to voluntarily recall the magnets, but later reneged on that agreement, according to the CPSC. This is the third company the commission has lodged an extremely rare administrative complaint against. The two other toy magnet companies targeted by CPSC administrative complaints have agreed to recall the products and to cease selling them.
Manufacturers have a duty to make products that are safe for consumers. Unfortunately, sometimes the bottom-line takes precedence over safety. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury from a defective or defectively designed product, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Renée J. Nordstrand can explain your legal options and will work tirelessly to see that you get the compensation you deserve.
Contact our Southern California Offices in Santa Barbara (805) 962-2022 for a free review of your case. We’re here to help.
Pedestrian Struck, Killed in Van Nuys a Day After Mayor Announces More Crosswalks for L.A.
Los Angeles police report that a pedestrian was struck and killed near the intersection of Vanoween Street and Noble Avenue in Van Nuys at about 4:50 a.m. Reportedly, he had been walking in a crosswalk at the time of the deadly pedestrian accident.
The driver claims he never saw the pedestrian before striking him.
Sadly, the pedestrian was killed the day after Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced at a press conference that 53 new crosswalks would be added throughout the Los Angeles area, with the aim of reducing the number of pedestrians hit by vehicles.
The crosswalk campaign is being funded by Measure R, which was passed in 2008. According to the Daily News, the mayor announced an education campaign to accompany the rollout of the new crosswalks, stating that, “this focus on pedestrian safety is part of our efforts to create a 21st century transportation network that works for everyone.”
The 53 crosswalks will be put mostly near transit lines or schools. These intersections were selected because of the high reports of vehicle-pedestrian collisions in those areas. The city’s newly hired pedestrian coordinator told the press conference, “The new crosswalks make a clear statement that our streets belong to everyone and that we should be safe when sharing the road.”
The San Fernando Valley pedestrian accident lawyers at Renee J. Nordstrand have helped hundreds of accident victims over the past 25 years, so we understand your needs and concerns. If you’ve been injured, or if you have lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident, we can help you and your family understand your legal rights and will aggressively work to hold those who are responsible liable for their actions.
If you have any questions, contact our Southern California Offices in Encino at (818) 981-3530 to see if you have a case.
DePuy Pinnacle Hip Implant Lawsuits Piling Up
DePuy Orthopaedics, a subsidiary of health care giant Johnson & Johnson, has been facing its fair share of problems over its defective ASR XL Acetabular System total hip replacement and it ASR Hip resurfacing system. Now, Drugwatch .com has revealed that as of November of this year, DePuy is facing nearly 2,700 lawsuits over its Pinnacle Hip Implants.
Unlike the ASR and ASR XL hip implant systems, the Pinnacle implant has yet to be recalled by Johnson & Johnson. DePuy currently is facing some 6,200 hip implant lawsuits for injuries from recalled ASR devices.
The burgeoning number of Pinnacle lawsuits, which have been filed in federal court, may be consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL). An MDL consolidates cases that are similar in claims and scope to streamline the discovery phase. The first trial in the Pinnacle MDL is scheduled for May 2014.
Many of the lawsuits filed over the Pinnacle hip implants claim that the devices are defective and can cause serious adverse complications. Litigants claim that the metal-on-metal components rub against each other, which make the implants prone to early failure. This can lead to painful and potentially dangerous revision surgeries. There are also concerns about metallosis, a blood poisoning caused by microscopic bits of chromium and cobalt being released into the blood stream.
If you’ve been the victim of a Pinnacle hip implant failure that requires corrective surgery or have suffered adverse effects due to a defective DePuy hip implant device, a California hip implant failure lawyer at the Law Offices of Renée J. Nordstrand can help you hold the company liable for the losses and damages you’ve experienced. We are dedicated to obtaining maximum compensation for our clients
Contact our Southern California Offices in Encino (818) 981-3530 if you have a question about your legal rights. Your consultation is free.
CPSC Files Complaint Against Infant Recliner Manufacturer
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has filed a complaint against Baby Matters LLC, claiming that the Nap Nanny and Nap Nanny Chill infant recliners the company produces are dangerous and pose a substantial risk of injury and death to infants.
The product liability attorneys in California at the Law Offices of Renee J. Nordstrand have learned that the CPSC voted 3-0 to issue the complaint after talks with the company failed to result in an acceptable voluntary recall plan.
The complaint contends that the Nap Nanny Generation One and Two and Chill model infant recliners have defective designs and inadequate instructions and warnings. The complaint seeks to obtain an order that would require Baby Matters to recall those models and offer full refunds to consumers.
The Pennsylvania-based manufacturer and the CPSC issued a joint recall of Nap Nanny recliners in July of 2010 after the Commission received reports that one infant had died and 22 others had either fallen out or were found hanging over the sides of the product — even though most had been strapped in.
Despite a coupon incentive to upgrade to the next generation of recliner and “improved” warnings and instructions for the second generation of recliners the company offered after the 2010 recall, the CPSC continued to receive reports of death and injuries associated with the products. To date, four infant deaths involving Nap Nanny recliners and one involving the Chill model have been reported.
About 155,000 of the affected models were sold between 2009 and 2012.
Product safety, especially when it comes to items marketed for infants and children, should be a manufacturer’s top priority. The Law Offices of Renée J. Nordstrand help our clients by aggressively pursuing their legal rights. If a defective product has injured you or a loved one, call our Santa Barbara office at (805) 962-2022. We can also be contacted via our online Contact Form.