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Thirteen Year old Pedestrian Struck and Killed By Car on the PCH
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/04/fatal-malibu-pedestrian-accident.html
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s officials are continuing to search for witnesses to a fatal car to pedestrian accident on the Pacific Coast Highway on Saturday. According to an article in the Los Angeles Times, 13-year-old Emily Rose Shane was walking northbound on the right side of the Pacific Coast Highway near Kanan Dume Road when she was struck and killed by a car driven by Sina Khankhanian, 26.
Authorities believe Khankhanian may have purposefully crashed his vehicle, although he did not intend to strike the victim. Anyone who witnessed the accident or has information may call the investigating Sheriff’s Department at (323) 890-5500.
This article does not give many details on how the accident occurred. Many questions arise from the lack of information, such as whether the driver was distracted, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or facing road conditions that may have caused him to swerve suddenly. As the Sheriff’s Department continues their investigation, some of these details may come to light and help piece together why this terrible accident occurred.
If you have lost a loved one in a car to pedestrian accident, please contact wrongful death and car accident attorneys who can answer your questions and explain your legal rights.
Apellate Panel Overturns Ruling in Fatal Los Angeles Car Accident
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-trucker7-2010apr07,0,6659360.story
An appellate panel from the 2nd District Court of Appeal overturned a ruling by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge regarding second degree murder charges in a 2009 big rig to car accident on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Marcos Barbosa Costa, 44, of Everett, Massachusetts, drove a big rig on the Angeles Crest Highway into La Cañada Flintridge on April 1, 2009 despite the fact that his brakes were not working properly. Costa passed two truck turnouts, where he could have safely stopped his truck, before his brakes eventually gave out and his truck struck a compact car, instantly killing its driver and passenger.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Lisa Lench dismissed second-degree murder counts against Costa in October, however the prosecution appealed her ruling and the three justice appellate panel found there was sufficient evidence that Costa was aware of the condition of his brakes and continued to operate his vehicle despite the risk it presented to himself and others.
This tragic car accident could have been prevented. Each day, there are hundreds of car accidents in Los Angeles that could be averted by taking basic safety precautions. When someone else’s negligence or lack of precaution causes you to be the victim in a car accident, contact experienced personal injury attorneys to learn more about your legal options and how we will fight for you to recover compensation for medical bills, lost earnings, and future care and treatment.
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.