As an added resource for all our users, a few attorneys from our law firm have answered some frequently asked car accident questions below:
Archive for September, 2009
Ortega Highway Re-Opened after a Car Fire that Injured 3 People
An Ortega Highway car crash resulted in three serious injuries, with one hurt motorist being airlifted via helicopter to a local area hospital. The motorist and passengers were the apparent victims of a solo car accident that ended in a car fire. Although the car fire itself was doused quickly, all three passengers inside the car reported personal injury but only one was airlifted to a medical center. The collision occurred 11 miles east of the I-5 and was reported around 12:05 p.m. Traffic on Ortega was shut down until 1:40 P.M.
As with all solo automobile wrecks the assumption will be that the driver did something to cause the accident themselves. While this is certainly true a good portion of the time, there are other issues, like faulty car parts, that can cause a solo car wreck as well. A thorough investigation can pinpoint the the cause. If the collision turns out to be due to an auto defect, injuries parties can sue the automaker via a product liability claim.
If you were involved in a solo car accident and find that defective auto parts is the cause, contact Slaughter and Slaughter for a free consultation. Our product liability attorneys understand the finer points of product litigation and can make sure you receive the money you deserve for your injury, pain and suffering. Call today and learn what your rights are after a debilitating accident caused by an auto defect.
Motor Home and Van Collide, 2 Injured
Anaheim authorities responded to an automobile accident on Harbor Boulevard near the I-5 northbound ramp this week. The crash involved a motorhome and van and resulted in two women being injured and taken to the hospital. Policemen and firefighters were called to the scene and arrived at 11:27 a.m. where they found that a Dodge van had collided with a massive Ford mobile home that was towing a Jeep Rubicon. The Dodge had major damage on the driver side although the motor home appeared unharmed. The women in the Dodge Van were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
While the circumstances of the above motor vehicle crash were a bit unique, the outcome wasn’t. Everyday, countless motorist are injured, even killed on the nations highways. In 98 percent of the cases, driver error is the cause. When fault is determined, those who seriously injured can recoup financial compensation by filing a personal injury claim. This compensation will pay for any medical bills and lost wages related to the accident.
If you have been injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault we can help. Contact our law offices today for a free case evaluation. When someone hurts you in an automobile wreck, you have the right to obtain financial compensation. Call our personal injury lawyers today and learn how.
What to Expect from your Personal Injury Trial
You have been injured in a devastating motor vehicle accident and the insurance company is playing hardball. Meanwhile, your life savings and economic future is at risk. You decide to call a personal injury attorney but are not quite sure what to expect. Well, needless to say, taking the legal steps to protect you and your family’s best is one of the smartest things you can do. Insurance companies count on consumer ignorance and reticent to litigate to walk all over their policy holders.
When you show them you mean business, they are often times willing to at least take your injury claim a bit seriously.
The Settlement Offer
Contrary to what an insurance adjuster tells you, it may in the best interest of you to reach a reasonable settlement agreement. An experienced personal injury lawyer would be able to tell you what a fair and reasonable settlement amount is. That said, an injury victim shouldn’t accept just any offer laid in front of them. Often times insurance companies will attempt to toss out what seems to be a fair figure that will not, in the end, cover related medical expenses or any lost earnings accrued while you were recuperating.
If the insurance company fails to provide a fair settlement offer, your personal injury lawyer may advise you to take your case to court.
The Civil Court Experience
Once you have taken the steps to litigate, you may feel as if the wheels of justice are turning a bit slowly. Hang in there. A large portion of the process will involve filing of motions, interviewing potential witnesses and talking with experts. This will all help in building the kind of solid personal injury case where the judge or jury finds in your favor.
Your personal injury attorney will also spend a large portion of his or her time:
- Obtaining depositions from said witnesses
- Speaking with forensic experts in regards to the scientific aspects of your case
- Ferreting out medical files and records that strengthen your case
- Filing motions and complaints on your behalf
Complaints and Pleas
One of the biggest first steps of your personal injury case will be to file your initial complaint. Your complaint will outline the particulars of your case, what you are seeking in damages and why. The defendant has to answer your complaint with a “plea” or response, within a specified time period.
Jury Selection and Trial
Many personal injury plaintiffs have the option to put the trial before a judge or in front of a jury of their peers when applicable. Once this aspect is settled, the case goes to trial and both sides present their arguments. Unlike a criminal trial, the plaintiff only has to prove the case based on the preponderance of the evidence. This means “more likely than not.” Even so, the burden of proof lies with the complainant and their attorney.
Reliable Legal Representation Counts
The legal aspects of personal injury law can be very complicated, which is why it pays to have the best legal team possible on your side. It is important to hire a lawyer or law firm that has experience in personal injury law; rather than someone who has no experience in this area.
Don’t take chances when it comes to you and your loved ones financial future–contact the law firm of Slaughter and Slaughter today for a free case review and learn what your legal options are after you sustain a serious personal injury. We will take your case on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win your case. We are also on hand to answer any legal questions you may have.
Call us today and see what Slaughter and Slaughter can do to help when an accident changes you and your loved ones lives and threatens your financial security.
Deadly SoCal Crash Prompts Toyota Inspections
A fiery crash that killed four family members in San Diego County prompted Toyota to look into the possibility that mismatched floor mats were the culprit. A memorandum sent to 1400 Toyota and Lexus auto dealerships this past Tuesday, Toyota told employees to inspect their vehicles for mats which may have snagged the gas pedal on a runaway Lexus. They also warned concerned customers to check their floor mats to make sure they were properly secured.
Tragic Results from Unlikely Malfunction
Mark Saylor, 45, Mark Saylor his wife, Cleofe, 45; their daughter, Mahala, 13; and Saylor’s brother-in-law, Chris Lastrella, 38 were all killed Aug. 28 on State Route 125 in Santee, a town near San Diego. The vehicle was doing more than 120 mph when it hit a sport utility vehicle, launched off an embankment, rolled several times and burst into flames. The SUV driver was relatively unharmed and treated for moderate injuries.
Lastrella was able to place a 911 call a minute or so before the crash to say the vehicle had no brakes and the accelerator was stuck. The family was in a 2009 Lexus ES 350 that was loaned by a dealer, Bob Baker Lexus El Cajon, while their auto was being serviced.
Determining Fault in a Horrific Scenario
Investigators were able to determine that a rubber all-weather floor mat wreckage was a couple of inches longer than the mat that originally belonged in the vehicle. They believed it snared or covered the accelerator pedal so that it was unable to function properly.
In 2007, the company did recall all-weather mats from a few of its Lexus ES 350s and Toyota Camrys after complaints that they could slip and trap the accelerator.
Product Liability Litigation and Accountability
Toyota and other automakers have to make sure that their automobiles are safe for people to drive. This means more than checking to see if the tires are inflated or that the car does not rollover. Every element of the design has to be put into consideration.
As they have had a similar issue in the past they should be more than well aware of the hazards of mismatched floors. Because they failed to protect the consumer they could be open for a legitimate product liability lawsuit from surviving loved ones.
Slaughter and Slaughter can help
No one should lose a loved on in such a horrific manner. If you have lost a relative in a similar accident you have the right as well as the ability to pursue wrongful death litigation.
Contact the law office of Slaughter and Slaughter for a free consultation and find out more about product liability and other related legal options today.
Little Known Fact—Bicycle Accidents Can Kill
With so much concentration on car, truck and motorcycle accidents, people could well forget that riding an innocuous bicycle may also result in serious and even fatal injury.
Although not as prevalent as car or commercial vehicle collisions, bicycle accidents can and do happen with a frequency that may astound some.
What Bike Statistics Indicate
National bicycle accident statistics show that an alarming amount of injuries are incurred annually from bicycle related accidents, in fact:
- 1 million children, many under the age of 16 are seriously hurt each year in bicycle related accidents;
- Head injuries account for about 75% of all serious injuries and fatalities from bicycle accidents
- Additionally, cyclist can be fatally injured in auto to bicycle collisions. In 2008 alone, 716 bicyclists were killed in traffic accidents. Such collisions account for only 1/3rd of all bicycle accidents but produce the majority of bike related deaths and crippling injury.
In many of these scenarios, riders were not at fault.
The injured cyclist or surviving family members should consult with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer who can properly study and examine the case and determine what causes of action may be available to you. In bicycle accident cases, product liability litigation against the company that made the defective bicycle or gear may be a possibility.
Recent Bicycle Accident Case in Point
A recent fatal bike accident in Huntington Beach stymied investigators and left a community reeling. It involved 67-year old Kevin Petrimoulx, who was killed just after 1 p.m. Sunday, a day after he fell of his bike while riding through his neighborhood.
Petrimoulx suffered from head injuries after crashing his bike at Greentree Lane south of Warner Avenue.
Although not wearing a helmet, the exact cause of the bike accident are unclear as no one had witnessed the actual event. Petrimoulx was found by passerby who noticed he was lying unconscious on the ground.
Unclear Circumstances
In such a situation it can be very difficult to ascertain what occurred. Did a car brush by him causing him to lose control? Did the brakes on the bicycle lock up suddenly and inexplicably, making the man fall and hit his head on the ground?
Investigators will slowly begin to piece the puzzle together and when they do they could just as likely find that faulty bike parts caused the calamity. Even though he was not wearing helmet, grieving family members may be able to pursue a product liability lawsuit against the bike manufacturer if this is the case.
Why Litigation in a Bicycle Accident Case?
The bike itself should function properly no matter what and there is no guarantee that a helmet would have saved the man’s life. Persuing litigation will give you the ability to find out exactly what happened, how it happened, the past and future harms and allow you to present your case in a manner so that it is being prepared for trial. An experience bicycle accident law firm will hire expert witnesses, doctors, engineers, accident reconstructionist, vocational rehabilitation counselors who will testify in your case.
An Experienced Personal Injury Attorney can help
At Slaughter and Slaughter we understand the complex nature of bicycle accident cases. What could look and feel as if it is cut and dry can often times be the very opposite. We have successfully handled numerous contested liability and serious injury bicycle accident cases.
Call us today toll free at 888.222.8286 or 310.882.6810 for a free case review. Our personal injury attorneys will go over your personal injury claim and answer any questions or concerns you may have.
When a loved one is injured seriously or dies needlessly there are ways to obtain justice. Contact our law office today and receive the financial reparation and emotional satisfaction you need after a loved one is senselessly take away from you.
Lexus SUV and Chrysler Van Accident Results in Injury
A car wreck in Anaheim culminated in serious injury after a silver Lexus RX300 SUV and a gold Chrysler Town & Country van collided. The accident itself occurred at approximately 11:30 a,m. at Orange and Ninth streets and blocked the area. The male driver of the Town and Country car was attended to at he scene by paramedics and was later taken to the hospital by an ambulance. Although the man is listed in serious condition, the Lexus occupants were unharmed. Investigators report that the airbags in both vehicles deployed. The cause of the accident is still undergoing investigation.
Although the motorist that were delayed by the van and SUV wreck, were probably more than a little upset, the drivers and their passengers were shaken and in one guy’s case, seriously hurt. The investigation is ongoing but as more information comes to light, they may find that the Lexus driver was at fault for the collision. If this is the case, the injured man in the Chrysler Town and Country Van could pursue the other motorist in court for financial compensation.
If you have been hurt in a car accident, contact the personal injury lawyers at Slaughter and Slaughter right away for a free consultation. Civil court litigation was created so you would have the right to be paid for your injuries. Don’t delay, call now and obtain the justice you require after your crippling auto wreck.
3-year-old Fullerton Girl Mauled By Family’s Pit Bull
A girl who was injured by her own family’s dog was still in the hospital on Tuesday, one day following the pit bull dog bite. On the day of the accident, Monday, the 3-year-old girl went outside with her mother with intentions of feeding the dog, a pit bull. Before 7:45, after she and her mother took food outside to the do, the girl remained in the backyard of their home, alone with the dog. The pit bull was considered a pet and was chained, but somehow became angered and bit the girl, causing her extensive injuries. At the time, the girl’s older brother and father sat in the house watching TV, and came running outside after spotting the dog standing overtop of the 3-year-old girl. The 4-year-old pit bull, aged 4 and named “Fly,” has been handed over to animal services for euthanization.
Each year, more than 4.5 million Americans suffer dog bites. Regardless of the cause, if you have been bitten by a dog you should seek legal advice. Although dog’s arent human, and therefore have no liability for their own actions, someone is. To receive help through a free consultation with our Los Angeles personal injury lawyers, call now at 310.882.6180 or contact us by submitting your case online.
Bus Accidents – Who to Sue and Why
While many of us are aware and even consider car and motorcycle accident occupant safety, we rarely think about the numbers in regards to bus accidents and passenger safety. We should. Studies indicate that the total number of bus accidents have climbed from 9,788 to 28,678 in a four year span ( 2003-2007). That is a tremendous statistical leap—even car accident cycles do not grow that fast in a few years time.
The FTA (Federal Transit Authority) also indicated that total injuries of bus accidents in the same time period went from 10,998 to 16,388 with kids ranging from 11-14 being among the group most frequently injured.
42 percent of these accidents result from a collision with a car and over half result in severe head injury.
Victims Deserve Financial Compensation
Since bus passengers are not driving they are seldom responsible for their incurred injuries. This means that in many cases, they deserve reparation for the damage done to their bodies as well as their lives.
The problem that can arise however is who to fault for the crash. This can be tricky in some cases, especially if the lines are blurred after an investigation where a clear negligent driver cannot be proven. Insurance companies will often use this fact to haggle and delay payment to the victims.
This of course is unacceptable since the injured will soon find themselves financially challenged as they struggle to pay the mounting medical costs associated with their tragedy.
Determining Liability
This is why it pays to retain the services of a personal injury lawyer as soon as you recognize the fact that the insurance company is not going to play fair. When your life is unraveling delay tactics will only add insult to injury.
On the other hand, a reputable, seasoned bus accident attorney knows how to play hard ball and get the results you need to make the insurance companies sit up and take notice.
Utilizing their own forensic investigators and reconstructionists they will be able to sort out the details of the collision to see who the responsible party is. In some cases you may find that both have a shared culpability, at which point you may be able to pursue dual defendants. This increases the likelihood of getting what you need to pay for accrued medical costs and lost wages.
Contact Slaughter and Slaughter today
The bus accident lawyers at Slaughter and Slaughter understand the unique challenges that you and your family are facing after your wreck and will try their best to ensure that you and your loved ones receive a fair day in court.
They will also legally pursue the guilty party so they are held accountable for the careless actions that caused harm to you and your loved ones.
Whether it is the car or bus driver who is at fault, your and your family need financial compensation for your injuries ASAP. Slaughter and Slaughter will fight to make sure you receive comparable compensation in a reasonable amount of time and won’t give up until the job is done.
Call to make an appointment for your free case review today and protect you and your family’s future after a crippling bus accident threatens to destroy it.
Visit our bus accident lawyers information page for additional information.
Girl’s Injuries End Fatal In Los Angeles Crash
A head-on car accident in Mount Washington has ended with two fatalities, that of a five-year-old girl and a 41-year-old woman. On Friday night at around 10 pm, a pickup truck crashed into a minivan where the girl, woman, and 4 others were driving. The deadly car accident took place near Avenue 41 off Figueroa Street. The truck was proceeding on Figueroa, opposite the minivan, when it unexpectedly crossed the middle of the road into the path of the van. The two vehicles crashed head on, according to reports. Authorities arrived at the scene to find the 41-year-old woman already dead, and the five-year-old girl was escorted to the hospital, where she died later. Five others were injured in the Los Angeles crash, including the pickup truck’s driver, who was reportedly being checked out for the possibility that he or she was under the influence.
After being injured in an accident of any severity, you are advised to at least receive the advice of a professional. By consulting with a lawyer, you can be sure to remain informed of the legalities present in your case. To receive a free consultation from our car accident lawyers, call us at 310.882.6810.
