Los Angeles Injury Lawyer Blog

In a recent Ninth Circuit case, the court determined that under California law, an insured's auto insurance policy did not cover a person's injury from a dog bite. In Oregon Mut. Ins. Co. v. National General Ins. Co., an individual approached a dog in the back of the insured's pickup truck to pet the animal. The dog then bit the person. The court determined that the injuries were not covered by auto insurance because the bite did not occur as the result of the use of the pickup truck but rather, it just provided the location where the accident occurred.

Animal attacks are frightening and can result in both long lasting physical and emotional injuries. Often the animal attacking is a beloved pet and many times it is a child that sustains an injury. In many cases the attack comes out of the blue - an individual approaches the animal to pet or to greet it, only to be met with a fierce attack. If you have been injured from a dog bite or animal attack, contacting a Los Angeles dog bite lawyer should be your first step.

A knowledgeable dog bite/animal attack lawyer can help answer your dog bite questions and determine your right to compensation. Dog bite and animal attack victims may be able to recover emotional damages, past and future lost wages, and medical costs associated with treating an injury.

Statistics reveal that each year more than 800,000 people in the United States suffer injuries from dog bites and other animal attacks, ranging from minor flesh wounds to serious injuries. Generally, owners are strictly liable for dog bites. This means that they are responsible for injuries that occur. These injuries may be covered by homeowners insurance, but as is determined in Oregon Mut. Ins. Co., not by auto insurance. However, some exceptions may exist. An experienced animal attack attorney can help review insurance policies to determine whether adequate coverage exists. If no - or inadequate - insurance exists, then the owner of the pet may be required to pay out of pocket for any injuries.

Continue reading "Oregon Mut. Ins. Co. v. National General Ins. Co. Determines California Dog Bites Not Covered By Auto Insurance Policy" »

This past Friday a Los Angeles jury awarded $17 million to the family of a blind passenger - Cameron Cuthbertson - who died in a Metro Blue Line accident. The wrongful death lawsuit was filed by Cuthbertson's mother after the Compton man accidentally mistook a gap between trains as a door. The lawsuit alleged that the MTA was negligent and failed to have adequate barriers on the train platforms as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Since the 2009 accident, the MTA has installed barriers to prevent more accidents from occurring.

Representatives of the family note, "The evidence was overwhelming that for 19 years, the MTA failed to protect the disabled and the visually impaired."

Wrongful death cases can arise in virtually any situation where a person, entity or company acts carelessly or recklessly. Here - the failure to take action to protect against a known danger lead to Cuthbertson's tragic death. Where negligent conduct results in a serious personal injury or wrongful death, the survivors may be able to recover compensation. Survivors may include spouses, parents, children or siblings depending on each case.

If your family has been affected by a wrongful death, it is important to contact an experienced wrongful death lawyer who understands the devastation impact a tragic accident can have on a family and has the experience to successfully resolve these claims.

Continue reading "$17 Million Wrongful Death Verdict Against MTA " »

This past week the Los Angeles City Council approved a landmark ordinance - the "Prohibition Against Harassment of Bicyclists" providing bicyclists much greater protection from harassment and assault. Harassing bicyclists is now illegal and victims of harassing behavior can sue aggressive drivers in court.

If you have been subject to harassing behavior by drivers - or passengers - contact an experienced Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyer to learn about how this new law affects you.

According to LA City Councilman Bill Rosendahl, one of the bill's sponsors, "The car culture is over." NBC new reports that bicyclists have been increasingly worried about their safety ever since a Brentwood doctor was convicted of intentionally causing a bicycle accident involving two cyclists with his car, resulting in serious injuries. Just last week a Los Angeles bicyclist was killed in a case of road rage. Another bicyclist told the council that while biking on La Brea Avenue, a passenger leaned out the car window to push him over.

Continue reading "New Los Angeles Bicycle Law To Protect Bikers From Harassment And Assault" »

KTLA New reports that one driver has died during Carmageddon. Reports indicate that his vehicle crossed over the center divider and had a head-on car accident with another vehicle. According to a statement released by the Los Angeles Police Department, the car accident occurred after a 28-year-old Los Angeles resident crossed over the center divider into oncoming traffic. He slammed head-on into a 2001 Porsche Carrera on North Sepulveda Boulevard.

If you have been injured in a head-on car accident, or a loved one has suffered a wrongful death, it is important to contact an experienced Los Angeles head-on car accident lawyer to protect your rights and determine your next steps.

Head-on collisions are one of the deadliest types of car accidents. They may happen for a variety of reasons including failing to stay in your lane and crossing the center-divider, swerving to avoid oncoming traffic and not yielding to another vehicle in an intersection. In addition to fatalities, serious injuries may occur from head-on collisions including brain and spinal cord injuries.

Continue reading "Head-On Collision Kills One In First Crash of "Carmageddon"" »

The L.A. Times reports that a 2-month-old boy has died after a car veered onto a sidewalk in downtown Los Angeles, running into the infant and his mother. The Los Angeles pedestrian accident occurred Thursday night on Spring Street, shortly after an Art Walk let out.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a pedestrian accident, it is crucial to contact a Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights and determine your next steps.

Here, initial reports indicate that a man accidentally hit the gas rather than the brake while trying to parallel park. The car then jumped onto the sidewalk, hitting the mother and child. The mother sustained serious injuries while the boy died after being placed on life support. Police indicate that the driver of the vehicle was not wearing shoes while he was trying to park and note that drugs and alcohol do not appear to be a factor in the accident.

Unfortunately even when pedestrians take precautions and do exactly what they should be doing - walk on sidewalks rather than streets, crossing within crosswalks and following general safety rules - accidents can and do happen. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) nearly 100,000 pedestrians are seriously injured or killed each year as the result of car/pedestrian collisions. Statistically, children and the elderly are the most likely to sustain serious injuries.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Causes Kills Infant And Seriously Injures Mother " »

A suspected drunk driving hit a 23-yearold Los Angeles resident this past weekend. The Los Angeles pedestrian was walking along Aliso Beach. As a result of the accident, the victim was found with blood coming from his head. He was taken to Mission Hospital Mission Viejo with serious injuries.

If you have been injured in a drunk driving accident it is important to contact a Los Angeles drunk driving accident attorney to discuss your rights and help you obtain the compensation you deserve.

In drunk driving accidents, drivers may face two separate legal proceedings - one in the criminal court system and one in the civil court. Here, the driver will face criminal charges - he was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving with bodily injury. He has one prior DUI conviction in 2005.

He may also be sued for civil damages as a result of the injuries occurred by the victim. Not only may DUI victims suffer serious physical injuries but their families may also incur significant economic losses as the result of time of work to heal from their injuries and a potentially diminished future earning capacity. It may be possible to recover compensation for these losses including medical bills, economic losses, physical pain and suffering, as well as mental anguish.

Continue reading "Suspected Drunk Driving Accident Injures Los Angeles Man In Pedestrian Accident " »

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" »

An inmate bus crash on the Southbound 5 ended in serious injuries for eight people. Officials believe the accident occurred after a car in front of the bus suddenly slowed down, causing the bus-driver to slam on his brakes. A bus following close behind, as well as two other close-following busses crashed.

If you have been injured in any type of motor vehicle accident, it is important to seek medical attention if injured and speak to an experienced Los Angeles accident attorney to protect your right to compensation.

When you are injured in an accident in a motor vehicle for hire - such as a chartered bus - additional considerations may impact liability. Besides driver fault, questions exist such as whether the company or entity who provides the driver or vehicle did a thorough background check on the driver, whether the driver had a history of accidents and whether the vehicle carrying the passenger complied with all safety requirements.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Inmate Bus Crash Leads To Injuries " »

A Long Beach woman was killed in a Los Angeles DUI car accident early Monday morning after the car she was riding in slammed into a wall. She was one of three passengers in the car. The driver of the vehicle was critically injured. News reports indicate that police believe the driver was drunk and are considering filing DUI and vehicular manslaughter charges once the driver's condition improves.

If you have been injured or a loved one has been injured or even killed in a drunk driving accident, it is critical to contact a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer to evaluate your options and protect your right to obtain compensation.

Despite substantial public awareness concerning the dangers of drunk driving, DUI accidents happen far too frequently. Statistics show that in California, more than 3000 people die each year due to drunk driving accidents. When a drunk driver causes an accident or fatality, DUI victims and their families may incur significant economic losses as the result of time of work and diminished working capacity. Victims and their families may also be entitled to compensation for physical and emotional pain and suffering.

Continue reading "Long Beach Woman Dies In Single Car Accident - DUI Suspected" »

The LA Times reports that a car containing ammunition exploded after a multi-car collision on the 60 Freeway near Monterey Park. Several vehicles were involved in the crash that caused the ammunition to go off in several rounds, creating a fire and increased threat to passersby.

If you have been injured in a car accident, it is important to speak to an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer immediately to protect your rights and determine your next steps.

Often, unforeseen circumstances affect the extent of harm and the determination of who's at fault. If an injury had occurred as the result of the explosion, it would be significant to determine whether the person who caused the car accident should be held liable for harm or whether instead, the person carrying ammunition in an unsafe manner is to blame.

Several factors are involved in even the most straightforward car accidents. Contacting a knowledgeable Los Angeles personal injury lawyer at once to begin an investigation ensures you are on the right track to recover the compensation you deserve.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Car Accident Causes Ammunition Explosion" »

A South Los Angeles head-on collision killed a man and injured two others in the early morning hours of this past Sunday. The accident occurred after one motorist was going west and made a left turn onto Figueroa Street. The motorist then struck a car going east.

The driver of the car was taken to the hospital and was pronounced dead. A passenger in that vehicle suffered serious injuries as did the driver of the car that turned left.

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a car accident it is important to contact an experienced Los Angeles car accident attorney to begin an investigation and determine your right to compensation.

Continue reading "South Los Angeles Car Accident Kills One And Injures Two " »

A 26-year-old Los Angeles man was killed early Friday morning in a motorcycle accident on the 110 freeway. The man lost control of his motorcycle and collided with a sport utility vehicle on the Arroyo Seco Parkway. The driver of the SUV was hospitalized with serious injuries.

The cause behind the accident is unknown, but initial reports suggest that speed was a factor.

Motorcycle accidents remain one of California's most dangerous roadway accidents. Even with safety precautions - when something goes wrong, the potential for serious injuries and fatalities is significant.

If you have lost a loved one in a motorcycle crash or have been seriously injured in an motorcycle collision, contact an experienced California motorcycle accident lawyer immediately to evaluate your next steps and determine if you are entitled to compensation. In many cases, victims may be able to recovery medical costs, lost income, and physical and emotional pain and suffering.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Kills One" »

In an effort to avoid a Santa Monica pedestrian accident at the Farmers Market, the city is planning to install new signs, barricades and heavy duty nets strong enough to stop a runaway vehicle.

Eight years ago, an elderly driver lost control of his vehicle and sped into the Santa Monica Farmers Market, killing 10 and seriously injuring many more. The driver was later convicted of vehicular manslaughter and negligence.

If you have been harmed in a pedestrian accident or other serious accident, it is important to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer to explore every avenue of recovery and discuss your options.

Here, even though the driver was found responsible, the City of Santa Monica was also to blame. A federal investigation found that the City's plan was inadequate, warning signs were too small, posted too close to the market and the barrier system insufficient. The City, along with other defendants settled dozens of civil lawsuits arising out of the accident for $21 million.

Often - it is the totality of circumstances surrounding an accident that play a bigger role in causing harm than the ultimate act. Finding who or what is responsible for creating conditions that may lead to an accident is critical to ensuring injured parties receive all the compensation they are entitled to.

Continue reading "Santa Monica Farmers Market Safety Nets Installed To Prevent Pedestrian Accidents" »