Los Angeles Injury Lawyer Blog

Last week's horrific Amtrak train accident that left six people dead and several more with serious injuries raises several issues of fault. The train/truck collision occurred after a big rig crashed into the train just outside of Reno.

If you have sustained any serious injuries or lost a loved one in a wrongful death accident, it is critical to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights and begin an investigation into the accident.

Here both the conductor of the train and the driver of the truck were killed, making the investigation more difficult. However, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) continues to look into the crash. Many of the initial reports have focused on the potential fault of the truck driver and the trucking company. Reports indicate that the trucking company had 17 violations of faulty equipments and two crashes since 2009. One accident involved bald tires and in another the springs were defective.

Continue reading "Fatal Amtrak Train/Truck Accident Raises Questions of Fault" »

The L.A. Times reports that the California Supreme Court has voted 5-2 in favor of upholding arson charges against two juveniles. The boys had set off a firecracker - a cherry bomb - in the Pasadena area foothills. A spark from the cherry bomb caused a fire in the Angeles National Forest, destroying five acres of brush.

If you have been charged with arson, it is important to speak with an experienced Los Angeles arson defense attorney at once to protect your rights and begin preparing your defense.

Here, in In re V.V., the case focused on the "intent" behind lighting the cherry bomb and the "intent" to cause a fire. Under California law, arson is defined as the act of willfully and maliciously setting fire to any structure, whether residential or commercial, forestland or property.

The juvenile court determined that although the teens did not mean to set a fire, they knew that lighting a cherry bomb might ignite one and as a result had the necessary intent to be found guilty of arson. The California Supreme Court agreed, finding that the teenagers were "willful and malicious" when they threw a firecracker onto a brush-covered hillside, and that because the act of lighting the firecracker was not accidental or unintentional, the boys were guilty of arson.

Although the dissent argued that the boys should have been convicted of recklessly causing a fire, a lesser charge, the majority was not swayed.

Continue reading "California Supreme Court Rules Juveniles Playing With Firecrackers Can Be Guilty of Arson " »

L.A. Now reports that a 21-year-old Pasadena man was killed in a Los Angles car accident when he lost control of his vehicle while driving on the Angeles Crest Highway between La Canada Flintridge and Angeles Forest Highway. The portion of the highway where the accident occurred had recently been reopened after being closed for nearly one and one-half years to repair extensive road damage.

If you have lost a loved one or have suffered serious injuries from a car accident, it is important to speak to an experienced Los Angeles car accident lawyer immediately to begin an investigation into the cause of the accident and preserve your right to obtain compensation.

Here, the man was injured when he lost control of his car, driving up and embankment and crashing into a tree. While sources indicate that an investigation will be conducted to determine whether alcohol was involved, many other factors may have played a role as well. For example, an investigation into the condition of the roadway is important. This dangerous stretch had just been re-opened, leading to questions of whether the highway repairs and maintenance were adequate. Even where driving errors may be a factor in a crash, if the road wasn't properly designed, containing unmarked hazards or other dangerous characteristics, the entity responsible for designed or maintaining the road may be held responsible for an ensuing car crash.

Continue reading "Pasadena Man Killed In La Canada Flintridge Car Accident" »

According to the Los Angeles Times the family of Bryan Stow - the man beaten during the Dodgers/Giants opening game has filed a lawsuit against the Dodgers. Bryan Stow, a San Francisco Giants fan, remains in a coma after he was attacked on March 31st while attending the game. The family has filed a lawsuit against the team and owner including premises liability, negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent hiring.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in any type of accident, it is important to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer to protect your rights and help your family recover the compensation you deserve.

Whenever some one attends a sporting game, concert or other large spectator event, some risk is involved. This is called "assumption of risk," and generally covers such foreseeable injuries like going to a baseball game and potentially being hit by a foul ball. In these situations, the spectator will most likely not be able to bring a lawsuit. However, where the injury is not the typical injury you would expect at a sporting event or if the injuries occur because of the negligence of the owner, then the owner or operator of a facility may be responsible and required to compensate you for your injuries. Compensation may include medical costs, lost wages and pain and suffering.

Continue reading "Family Of Brian Stow Files Negligence Suit Against Dodgers" »