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Family Files $75 Million Claim Against City of Westminster
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/adam-wilhite-accident-2627369-intersection-street
Kurt Wilhite, the father of a Westminster teen who remains in a coma after being struck by a car over one year ago, has filed a $75 million claim against the city, the Orange County Register reports. The claim alleges that the intersection where Adam Wilhite, 17, crossed illegally and was struck by a car did not have proper signage or lighting and was thereby a dangerous road condition and safety hazard to pedestrians.
Adam, who once aspired to be a Navy Seal, remains in a level three coma and will require constant care for the rest of his life.The City of Westminster has denied the claim. The woman who hit Adam has not been cited or criminally charged. The police report indicates that the street was well lit at the time of the incident, and that Adam caused the accident by crossing illegally and failing to yield to oncoming traffic.
However, supporters of the Wilhites argue that the intersection where Adam crossed was very close to a local high school where many Westminster students cross the street illegally on a daily basis just to get to school. Because there are no nearby crosswalks, the road conditions are dangerous and pedestrians do not have a safe way to cross the street.
The City is responsible for maintaining safe road conditions that protect both pedestrians and drivers. Failure to install proper safety measures, including “Don’t Walk” signs in areas where it is unsafe for pedestrians to cross, are indicators of dangerous road conditions that can lead to traffic accidents, and terrible tragedies such as this.
Experienced personal injury attorneys can help you determine who is liable when situations involving unsafe road conditions arise. Please contact a Southern California law office if you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident for a free consultation.
High Speed Crash Leads to Toyota Recall
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/oct/26/bn26saylor13229/?metro&zIndex=189353
A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report released on the San Diego car crash that killed four people this summer has revealed that the accelerator and gas pedal design were significant factors in causing the crash. The family was driving a loaner Lexus vehicle from Bob Baker El Cajon at the time. Investigators believe that the floor mat may have been incorrectly installed and stuck to the pedal, causing acceleration of speeds of up to 120 m.p.h.
The crash, which occurred on August 28, killed a veteran CHP officer and his wife, daughter, and brother-in-law. Just seconds before crashing, one of the passengers called 9-1-1, stating that their gas pedal was stuck and they were traveling at 120 m.p.h. Witnesses reported seeing flames coming from the front and back tires, indicating significant amounts of breaking.
Shortly after the crash, Toyota, which manufactures Lexus, recalled 3.8 million vehicles, citing floor mats that could cause uncontrollable acceleration.
In this situation, both the manufacturing company, Toyota, and the dealership, Bob Baker El Cajon, could potentially be held liable for the unwanted acceleration that caused this terrible tragedy. In continuing the investigation, it is important to determine whether the floor mat was installed by the manufacturer or at the dealership, as well as to uncover any other factors that could have led to the crash, such as a technological problems or a system malfunction. The surviving family members can contact expert wrongful death attorneys, who have the knowledge, experience, and skill to fight for and achieve monetary compensation for medical and funeral expenses.
Wrong Way Driver Causes Deadly Crash in Anaheim
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/freeway-early-crash-2623541-eastbound-way
An unidentified woman who was traveling the wrong way on an Anaheim freeway struck another vehicle early this morning, the Orange County Register reports. The driver and front-seat passenger of the other vehicle were killed. Two back-seat passengers, who have been identified as minors, were hospitalized with serious injuries.
The crash occurred at about 3 a.m. this morning when the suspected drunken driver was traveling westbound in the eastbound FasTrack lane of the 91 freeway near the 55 freeway.
In 2007 alone, there were 3,669 injuries and 106 fatalities due to drunken driving accidents in Los Angeles County according to the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. If, after investigation, police determine that the woman who caused this accident was driving while intoxicated, she can be held both criminally and civilly responsible for her negligence.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a drunken driving accident, please contact an experienced personal injury attorney who has your best interest in mind and will help you recover damages from the accident. We firmly believe that drunk drivers should be held liable for their actions and will fight to ensure this until you are fully compensated.
Elderly Bicyclist Hit and Killed by Pick Up Truck
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/smyser-woman-bicyclist-2618890-yorba-linda
An 80-year-old Placentia resident was struck and killed by a pick up truck while riding her bicycle in a Yorba Linda crosswalk Wednesday evening, the Orange County Register reports.
Edelgard Owens was attempting to cross Propsect Avenue’s crosswalk on bike at about 5:40 p.m., when a Chevrolet pick up truck turning left onto Prospect struck the bicyclist, who was later pronounced dead at Placentia-Linda Community Hospital.
The driver, initially suspected for driving under the influence of alcohol, was released from police custody after police determined she was not drunk.
Many questions remain about this accident as police continue their investigation. Why did the driver not see the bicyclist? Was she distracted by a phone call, text message, or conversation with a passenger? Investigators are seeking to answer these questions so that Ms. Owen’s family can take the next appropriate steps.
In situations such as this, the legal expertise and knowledge of wrongful death attorneys will help families of deceased victims receive monetary compensation. We will hold the responsible parties fully liable and ensure that your concerns and needs are met effectively.
Orange County Authorities Remember Adenhart, Urge Fans Not to Drink and Drive
Following the tragic April death of 22 year old Anaheim Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart to a drunk driver, Orange County officials are warning Angels fans not to drink and drive after today’s playoff game versus the New York Yankees.
Adenhart, a promising young pitcher for the Angels, was killed when a drunken driver with a suspended license and previous drunken driving conviction ran a red light and struck the car Adenhart was riding in. Earlier that night, he had pitched six scoreless innings of one of his first major league games.
As of October 10, the trial for the drunken driver, Andrew Thomas Gallo, accused of three counts of second degree murder for the deaths of Adenhart and two of his friends who were also killed in the collision, has been postponed to April 19. If convicted, Gallo could face up to 55 years in prison.
With baseball playoffs in full swing, the Orange County Police Department seeks to prevent drunken driving accidents that are typically caused when celebratory fans leave the baseball stadium after consuming large quantities of alcohol over the course of a 9 inning game.
According to the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) website, on average someone is killed by a drunken driver every 45 minutes.
At Law Office of Renee J. Nordstrand, we provide experienced representation and hold drunken drivers completely accountable for their actions. If you’ve been the victim of a drunken driving accident, please call our offices today to learn more about how we can help you receive the compensation your deserve.
University Researchers Study Motorcycle Crash Deaths in Los Angeles
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-motorcycle-safety18-2009oct18,0,6000706.story
Oklahoma State University researchers have undertaken the largest comprehensive study of fatal motorcycle crashes since USC’s 1981 Hurt study, the LA Times reports. The $3.1 million dollar study is funded by the highway reauthorization bill, the National Traffic and Highway Safety Administration, the American Motorcyclists Association, and various individual states. Researchers aim to explain the growing number of motorcycle crash fatalities in the past decade.
The study, which commenced last December in Los Angeles, will examine a sample size of 300 crashes to decipher the determining factors of the growing number of crashes. Initial theories include the repeal of helmet laws in many states, and the increasing average age of the motorcycle rider (41 years).
According to the LA Times article, there are about 100,000 motorcycle crashes annually in the United States. In 2008, 5,290 of these crashes resulted in death. In 2007, there were 85 fatalities resulting from motorcycle crashes in Los Angeles County alone, according to the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System.
Hopefully, this study will shed light on the causes of motorcycle crashes and allow motorcyclists as well as other drivers on the road to develop an awareness of the major risk factors involved in riding in order to prevent future accidents.
If you or a loved one is injured in a motorcycle crash, contact a California motorcycle injury attorney, to find out how you can receive compensation for medical expenses, lost time from work, and pain and suffering.
Victim of Dog Attack to Sue Laguna Hills and Orange County Animal Care Services
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/dogs-christian-county-2609339-suit-one
The Orange County Register reports that a 62-year-old Laguna Hills ophthalmologist, who was attacked by three bull mastiffs in Laguna Hills last December, is suing the city of Laguna Hills as well as Orange County’s Animal Care Services for negligence, claiming city and county officials knew that the dogs were dangerous due to complaints previously filed about the trio of vicious dogs.
The victim claims that she was walking around her mother’s neighborhood when the three dogs, each weighing between 95 and 130 pounds, attacked her for approximately ten minutes while neighbors attempted to halt the attack by kicking the dogs and hitting them over the head with a shovel. The dogs, which were euthanized later that day, caused severe physical injuries which prevented the woman from working and led to great emotional distress, the lawsuit contends.
City and county attorneys argue they are not liable for the attack due to state law, despite the several previous complaints regarding the dogs’ violent propensities.
According to the Center for Disease Control, 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year, and one in five dog bites results in injuries that require medical attention. A startling 31,000 Americans underwent reconstructive surgery due to dog bites in 2006 alone. Dog bite attacks are often serious and require intensive medical treatment. They can leave both physical and emotional scars that are difficult to surmount. Experienced dog bite attorneys will fight aggressively to get victims compensation for the damages – both economic and non-economic – associated with a dog bite injury.
El Cajon Hit and Run Critically Injures Bicyclist
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/oct/15/el-cajon-8212-hit-and-run-driver-struck/?metro&zIndex=183284
An El Cajon driver struck and critically injured a bicyclist before fleeing the scene late last night, the San Diego Tribune reports. The 47 year old bicyclist was near death on the sidewalk before being taken to the hospital, where he is currently in critical condition. The man’s name has not been released.
Police continue to search for the driver of the dark, possibly maroon, 1990s model General Motors car similar to a Pontiac Grand Am or a Buick.
I wish the injured bicyclist well as recovers from his serious injuries and offer my support to the police department and investigators as they seek out the driver who caused this incident.
In 2007 alone, there were 10,521 bicycle collisions resulting in injuries, according to the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System.
At Law Office of Renee J. Nordstrand, we aggressively pursue hit and run drivers so that you can recover compensation for medical expenses as well as lost earnings from work. If you or someone you know has been a victim of a hit and run driver, consult with an experienced attorney who will give you the answers you need.
Repeat Drunken Driver Sentenced for 15 years to Life for Killing Friend
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/gandarilla-county-prosecutors-2601141-passenger-orange
A Long Beach man was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison after causing a fatal accident that killed his passenger and friend on February 16, 2008. The man had a blood-alcohol level of 0.17 (more than twice the legal limit) when he made an illegal left turn into oncoming traffic. A Chevrolet Tahoe crossing legally through the intersection struck the passenger side door, instantly killing the passenger.
The driver had two previous drunken driving convictions on his record, in one of which he had a blood-alcohol level of 0.33.
Los Alamitos City Council members are considering a new proposal in which drunk drivers that cause a car accident may have to pay the city for police and fire department costs. The costs for offenders would vary according to the accident’s severity and the injuries (if any) sustained. This program has already been enacted in Anaheim, Huntington Beach and Costa Mesa.
Drunken driving accident victims not only need experienced legal representation, they absolutely deserve it. As a client of our firm, you will be working with an experienced attorney from the very beginning of your case through its conclusion. Your questions and concerns will not go unanswered.
Anaheim Bicyclist Struck by Semi-Truck
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/truck-bicyclist-alexander-2598159-kraemer-ramp
An unidentified Anaheim biker was struck and pinned underneath the front bumper of a semi-truck early this morning, the Orange County Register reports.
The incident occurred at Kraemer Boulevard and the 91 freeway off-ramp, according to police. As the bicyclist approached the eastbound off-ramp of the 91 freeway, the semi-truck turned right onto Kraemer, striking the biker. The biker was taken to UCI Medical Center after suffering serious injuries.
The incident occurred just one day after a trial began in the Huntington Beach case of a 14 year old boy who was struck and killed by a motorist while riding his bicycle. In this case, the defendant faces felony charges of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence while intoxicated and driving under the influence and causing bodily injury. The defense counsel has argued that the defendant suffered a seizure at the time of the accident and could not control his vehicle as it struck the young bicyclist.
In 2007, there were 124 bikers killed and 10,590 bikers injured in collisions in California, according to the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of a vehicle to bicycle accident, veteran personal injury attorneys can help you recover compensation for you medical bills as well as pain and suffering. We understand the trauma and difficulty of going through a bicycle accident, and will provide the kind of experience and resources that make a difference.