Wrongful Death Claims

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.

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Traffic Fatalities and Wrongful Death

Annually, there are some 50, 000 motor vehicle accidents that result in fatalities.  Of these wrecks, a whopping 41 percent are DUI related. With these kinds of numbers, it is easy to see why the leading cause of death for Americans aged 3-33 since 2002 has been  injuries sustained in auto wrecks.

These disturbing statistics also  indicate that you or someone you know will most likely be injured in a car crash, but the chilling facts don’t end there.  Your loved one could succumb to their injuries and die, either at the scene or after lingering for some time in the hospital.

The most troubling aspect of these numbers however, is that the accident would have occurred due to driver negligence, in fact, 98% of car accidents  are caused by driver error on one or both of the motorist’s part.

Faulty car parts dangerous road design, bad lighting and hard to read hazard signs can also contribute to an accident and could be a likely culprit in a solo car wreck.

Why Determining Legal Liability is Important

After a fatal car accident, investigators will try to ascertain what transpired and why.    This investigation will lead to the answers that surviving family members most likely have been waiting for.  Should the investigation reveal that someone else was negligent, i.e., at fault for thier loved ones demise, they could pursue wrongful death litigation against the guilty party.

Wrongful death lawsuits

Wrongful death cases often involve a clear cut scenario that leads to the victim’s death.  For example, the case could center around distracted or intoxicated driver who was criminally negligent and is thus accountable for your family member’s death.  In the case of automotive failure due to faulty vehicle parts, a product liability case could be filed against the car manufacturer under a wrongful death heading.

Indeed, there are a number of situations that could fall under wrongful death. That is why those who have lost valued family members in a car accident should investigate the cause of the wreck.  If fault outside of the deceased  is determined, they could then look into the prospect of filing a wrongful death claim.

We can help

At Slaughter and Slaughter we know the emotional upheaval a sudden death can cause within a family.  Our compassionate and understanding lawyers will guide you though the legal process, explaining your rights and keeping you abreast of what is happening with your case.

We will also fight diligently to make sure you get the financial reparation you deserve.

Call the law offices of Slaughter and Slaughter today at 310.882.6810 or 888.222.8286 now and obtain a free legal consultation.  Protect your family and your rights.  Visit our wrongful death lawsuit center.

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Eastbound 91 Freeway Ends in Traffic Fatality

A car crash involving a Santa Ana resident occurred in Anaheim and ended in a fatality shortly after 8 p.m. The incident transpired on the eastbound 91 freeway just West of Imperial Highway after a 1999 Ford Explorer suddenly swerved from the No. 2 lane, veered across traffic and crashed into several trees.  Victim Phillip Lee Leffert, 49, was pronounced dead at the scene.  Police are investigating the incident and trying to determining the catalyst of the fatal collision.

Indeed, there is a mystery surrounding the death of the gentleman in question.  Did he have a stroke?  A heart attack?  Were faulty auto parts to blame?  If the SUV crashed for the latter reason, surviving family may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the auto maker.

When a loved one is injured or killed in a solo car accident do not take the incident at face value.  Investigate and if an auto part is the cause, consider filing a wrongful death product liability lawsuit. Contact our law offices today to for a free consultation and get the information you need to obtain the compensation you deserve after a loved one is wrongfully killed.

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Imperial Highway Crash Results in Fatality

A fatal car collision in Anaheim occurred after a vehicle veered into the No.1 lane of the 91 freeway at approximately  8:12 p.m. Thursday evening. According to onlookers, the car crept all the way across the freeway into the slow lane before crashing.  The individual in the vehicle was killed  shortly after the crash. No further details regarding the accident were forthcoming at press time

Life is unpredictable, especially when one considers the fact that  an evening drive can end up being your last moment spent on earth. Indeed, the  prospect can be a bit frightening.  What is even more terrifying is that the odds could be stacked against you in this regard since auto accidents are reaching an all time national high.  Thankfully actual fatalities are down. Still, family members are receiving a call everyday that a loved one has passed during an auto collision.

If a loved one has been  injured and or died in an recent auto accident you do have recourse.  Contact the law office of Slaughter and Slaughter right away for a free consultation.  We can evaluate your wrongful death lawsuit and make sure the responsible party is held accountable for their actions. Call now and fight for you and your loved ones legal rights today!

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Riverside Car Accident Kills Woman on the 60 Freeway

Twenty-seven-year-old Shari Martinez was killed on August 25, in a car accident in Riverside. She was struck after her car broke down – as she was getting out, a pickup truck collided with her, and she was later pronounced dead at the scene. The accident occured on the 60 Freeway. The man driving the pickup stopped at the scene, but is not being charged, though an investigation is still pending.

If you have been injured in a car accident of any type, finding help can be a huge step towards recovery. If you or a loved one are in need of representation after a traffic accident, please don’t hesitate to contact our offices and speak with a car accident lawyer for a free consultation.

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Workplace Injury – Obtaining Compensation

Workplace accidents occur on a daily basis and adversely affect not only victims but their families as well.  Interestingly enough, the amount of worker accidents and fatalities can also affect the United States as a whole.  This is because  workplace injuries amass $125 billion to $155 billion dollars  in medical costs and lost labor estimates.  In regards to fatal injury, 2008 recorded 5,071 accidents where a worker was killed while on the job.

It is for these very reasons that business owners and companies adopt a no-nonsense approach to  safety in the work place, especially since there is link between employee safety and company productivity.  Indeed, any company can observe safety ordinances by learning and strictly adhering to government outlined procedures.

When a company fails to do its job

Some occupations like construction, electrical or off shore oil rig work can be inherently deadly in and of itself.  Even so, there are numerous safety practices that are supposed to be put into place to protect such employees.  Sadly, some companies care more about their bottom line and cut costs in places that may affect their ability to protect workers.

This short sighted response to a financial issue most often than not can result in disaster.  An example of this would be not purchasing protective items like ventilators and goggle for employees who have to handle asbestos.  This can result in the development of a deadly cancer called mesothelioma.  What’s more, a worker’s family members can be placed in danger, as asbestos can attach to clothing and cause illness to anyone who touches them.

The aftermath of injury and death

In the wake of a workplace injury or fatality, associated costs can threaten the financial security of victims and in some instances, leave them without a source of income.  In situations where debilitating injury occurred, medical bills can swallow up saved nest eggs and college funds as family members scramble to adjust both economically and mentally.  When a death occurs, funeral cost can also be tremendously draining as well.  If the individual who died was a primary wage earner,  a family could  become destitute in a very short time and may potentially lose everything.

What families can do

When a loved one dies due to company negligence, surviving relatives can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the company.   If crippling injury occurs, the victim and or their loved ones may also be able to file a personal injury claim.  By taking the matter to civil court, victims and/or their families could recover financial damages that would aid  them in paying for medical related costs as well as any lost earnings.

If you have lost a valued family member or were personally injured in an accident, contact one of our knowledgeable accident attorneys today.  You and your loved one deserve the secure future you worked hard to build.  Call now to set up a free consultation and get the compensation you need to keep your life together after a debilitating accident or tragic loss.

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Pedestrian Struck and Killed While Crossing El Cajon Street

A pedestrian crossing El Cajon  street was struck and killed by a sports car this past Wednesday evening.  She was attempting to get across six lanes of traffic when she was hit by the automobile, which was traveling southbound.  The Mazda Rx- 7 collided with the 57-year-old woman around 6:30 a.m. at the 300 block of North Second Street. The victim died at the scene.  The sports car driver was not arrested although an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

This tragedy may seem open and shut, but many times investigations can reveal a shocking chain of events that turn the case around.  Authorities could learn for example, that the driver had been recklessly speeding and may have had time to stop and avoid killing the woman.  If this is the case, surviving family members could  file a wrongful death lawsuit against the motorist.

When someone else’s negligence results in the death of a loved one, you have legal recourse. Call us today for a free case assessment and learn what steps you can take to obtain financial reparation as well as justice after a wrongful death related car accident.

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San Bernadino Car Accident Kills Elderly Woman

Maria Sanchez, eighty-four, was tragically killed in a car accident in San Bernadino, after another driver tried to perform a U-turn and struck the passenger side of the car she was riding in. The other car was driven by Michael V. Santos, 23, who was heading east on Highway 138 in Hesperia, California, on the night of August 23, 2009. Upon making the U-turn, Santos’s car struck forty-three-year-old Maria Santana’s car, causing it to roll over and eject Sanchez. Santana, Sanchez, and Sanchez’s passenger (twenty-two-year-old Sandra Alcantar) were all taken to a nearby hospital and treated for minor injuries. Sanchez was taken to a hospital and treated, but later died.

If you or a loved one have been in a car accident, finding a personal injury lawyer is an important step in getting your life back to normal. For more information about personal injury law, contact our offices in Los Angeles.  Don’t go through this alone.  Protect yourself and your family.  Call now 888.222.8286

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Ten-year-old boy killed in LA accident

A ten-year-old boy, Ricardo Mercado, was killed after being struck by an SUV in Los Angeles, on the morning of August 22, 2009. While walking across Tweedy Boulevard in South Gate with his family, a woman whose name has not yet been release made a left turn onto Tweedy and struck the family with her Volkswagen SUV. Witnesses told the police that the driver of the Volkswagen had been using a cell phone before the accident happened. Ricardo is survived by his family members, including his mother, Ana, and his two sisters, Anita, 12, and Leticia, 6.

The South Gate police say that there was little or no indication that the driver made any attempt to stop her vehicle before the accident. Her speed at the time of the accident was not clear. Mrs. Mercado and her daughters Anita and Leticia were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. If you or a loved one have been the victim of a traffic accident, getting the help you need is very important. For help when you need it, contact us at our offices in Los Angeles.

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Honda Hits Wall Injuring 2 and Killing 3

A solo car accident resulted in two major injuries and three fatalities when a Honda crashed into a wall in Irvine Thursday evening.  The tragedy happened at 11:30 p.m. on Shady Canyon east of Sunny Hill near a gated community.  Authorities arrived at the scene and found a 1993 Honda had collided into a brick wall bear the neighborhood’s guard shack.  One passenger was pronounced dead at the scene, while another died shortly after being delivered the hospital.
Three others remain hospitalized at local medial centers.  The names of the victims have not been released and investigators are still trying to establish a cause for the wreck.

As with any  solo accident there could be a number of reasons why the crash occurred.  The fact that DUI wasn’t mentioned is significant, possibly because it was already ruled out.  In any case,  factors involved in the wreck could  include automotive part malfunction.  If an auto manufacturer is the cause of the car accident, the relatives of the deceased as well as the injured victims can pursue them in court for financial compensation.

Do you need to learn more about product liability and wrongful death litigation as it relates to a vehicular accident?  Contact the law offices of Slaughter and Slaughter today for a free case review.  We will happily explain what your rights are in this regard and potentially aid you in receiving compensation for your injury or loss.

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