Recent Blog Posts in May 2010

Today, the California Highway Patrol reported that a tanker truck burst into flames on the 91 Freeway.  The CHP had to close both directions of the freeway to the intense explosion.

The truck accident occurred at around 10:39 AM after two vehicles crashed into one another.  TV cameras arrived at the scene and showed a huge fire burning on the freeway,

Prior to the tanker truck explosion, the CHP had to close the eastbound Riverside Freeway and the westbound 91 at the 71 freeway.  They said they shut down the freeways for safety reasons.  When CHP officer arrived at the scene, they tried to locate the driver of the large truck, but were initially unsuccessful.

After time elapsed, they were finally able to find the driver.  He managed to escape the truck before it burst into flames that were reported to be over 100 feet high.

Have you been harmed during a truck accident in the city of Los Angeles?  Now may be the right time to contact a Los Angeles personal injury attorney from the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus.  We can review your case and help you understand your legal options.

In Oceanside, California, a sailor that was riding a bicycle while in Camp Pendleton died this past Tuesday evening.  Officials say that he died from injuries during a bicycle accident that occurred when a motor vehicle crashed into him.

The sailor, who was 27 years old, was riding his bike on Vandergrift Boulevard near the Wire Mountain housing area.  At 5:00 PM, he was struck by a driver in a Honda Odyssey SUV.  Immediately following the collision, he was flown to Scripps La Jolla Hospital via a medical helicopter.  Reports indicate that he died from his blunt force injuries at 11:20 PM. 

At this time, the accident is being looked into by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.  The sailor's name has not been made public.

Were you involved in a bicycle accident that led to you suffering painful injuries?  If so, you may wish to discuss your legal options with a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer.  Contact the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus to learn how we can advise you today!

In the state of California, car accidents occur quite frequently, especially on congested roadways and highways where traffic is congested.  However, what many people do not know is that by law, anytime you are involved in an auto accident you are required to give reasonable assistance to anyone that is injured.  For example, if you notice people have injuries or are bleeding, you are required to call for help.  

Additionally, if you know first aid, you may be required to give first aid treatment.  However, if you do not know first aid procedures, you should not touch or move any person that appears to have injuries. If you move an injured person, you may make their physical wounds worse.  The only time you should take the chance of moving an injured person is if you notice they are in the way of danger.  For instance, if a person is near a vehicle that is on fire, you should try to move them away from the dangerous condition.

Another thing that you should do is try to warn other drivers that a car accident has occurred.  You can do this by turning on your car's hazards.

If you were involved in a serious car accident in Los Angeles, you should contact the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus today.  We can arrange for you to speak with a Los Angeles personal injury attorney from our team who can advise you of your legal options.

In Glendale, Arizona, a tragic story recently unfolded.  News sources report that a 3 year old boy drowned in an apartment complex swimming pool.  The incident took place this past weekend and left the boy's parents devastated.

Fire crews were called to an apartment complex near 61^st Avenue and Northern after the boy's family called for help.  According to a Fire Department spokes person, the 3 year old had been swimming with his family at the complex's pool when the family lost track of him for a short period of time. 

Police and fire crews took the boy to a nearby hospital for treatment where he was initially listed in serious condition.  However, the boy died shortly after arriving at the hospital from his drowning injuries.

At this time, police are unsure what led up to the swimming pool accident, but they plan to continue investigations.

Contact the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus if you or someone you know has been a victim of a swimming pool accident in Southern California.  A Los Angeles personal injury attorney from our firm can help you get the compensation you deserve.

On Wednesday, a 19 year old man by the name of Jorge Luis Perez died during a fatal car accident.  The young man was killed when his vehicle crashed on Highway 101 in San Luis Obispo County.

Police say that Perez lost control of his 2002 Saturn which led to it entering a right hand curve on the highway.  Perez suffered catastrophic injuries and died at the scene of the accident.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) said that the car crashed broadside into a tree near the edge of Highway 101.  The collision caused Perez's vehicle to stop rather suddenly.  Perez was the only person in the Saturn.

At this time, police are trying to determine if speeding played a role in the accident and Perez's death.  They are interviewing witnesses to get a sense of how fast Perez was driving before the collision occurred.

If you or someone you car for has been involved in a car accident that was caused by someone else's reckless driving behaviors, such as speeding, now is the time to discuss your legal options with a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer at the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus.  Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation!

According to several news outlets, a four year old boy was killed during a serious motorcycle accident in Fresno.  Now, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is reporting that the bike the motorcyclist was driving was in fact stolen.  The accident occurred this past Monday at 4:15 PM.

The wrongful death victim was identified as Paul Martinez, a four year old child and Tulare County resident.

Police say the child died from injuries he suffered while riding as a passenger on the motorcycle.  The bike struck a cable that was strung across a road, causing an accident.  The driver of the motorcycle, 20 year old Eduardo Martinez, was also thrown from the bike along with the boy.

If you or someone you love has been a tragic victim of a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles County, now is the time to schedule a consultation with a Los Angeles personal injury attorney at the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus.  When you contact us, we will discuss your case and provide you with legal guidance so you can better handle your motorcycle accident.

A family that lost a close loved one has decided to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).  The family lost 25 year old Devin Leigh Petelski after she was hit by a police cruiser on October 15.

The lawsuit was filed on Thursday and it alleges that the officer that was operating the police patrol car was negligent.  The family claims that the officer did not have its flashing lights or sirens on when it sped up to answer a burglary call and crashed into Petelski.  After being hit, Petelski was rushed to UCLA Medical Center and died two days after the accident.  

Many residents were outraged when they heard of the car accident and Petelski's death.  They gathered together to hold a candlelight vigil and even created a Facebook page to seek out witnesses who may have seen the accident.

The lawsuit mentions officers Ramon Vasquez and James Eldridge.  Investigators told news sources that neither officer notified dispatch that they were answering the burglary-in-progress call and that the officers were driving above the 40 mph speed limit.

If you lost a loved one due to another person's negligence or recklessness in Los Angeles County, contact the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus to set up an initial consultation.  During your consultation, you will have the opportunity to speak with a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer who can advise you of your rights and help you understand your legal options.

News sources are reporting that a Lansing man was recently injured during a construction accident.  According to reports, 22 year old Juan Blancas-Lopez was partaking in a city highway construction project when a car struck him.

The accident took place in a construction zone on eastbound M-6, near Gaines Township.  Blancas-Lopez was working when a car entered the two-lane construction zone, hitting him.  Immediately following the accident, Blancas-Lopez was taken to a local hospital for treatment. 

At this time, police have revealed that negligence may have played in a role in the accident as they believe the driver was operating under the influence of alcohol.  More details are expected to be released later as police are still investigating the accident.

If you have been involved in a construction accident that was caused by another person's negligence in Los Angeles, contact the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus now to speak with a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer from our team!

In Ohio, police report that one of their dogs bit and captured a suspect that was trying to evade arrest.  The man allegedly ran from police after he was caught driving a pickup truck that had been reported stolen.

After suffering the dog bite, the man had to be treated by paramedics and was later taken to a local jail.  At this time, police are refusing to release his name and the charges he is facing.  They also refuse to reveal where the man was injured or how serious his dog bit injuries were.

While police commonly use canines to apprehend suspects, dogs that attack may inflict serious injuries that leave people suffering for many years to come.  Additionally, when people are attacked by dogs, they can be traumatized and emotionally scarred.

If you are a victim of a dog bite in Los Angeles, now is the time to speak with a Los Angeles personal injury attorney from the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus.  Contact our firm today to discuss your dog bite case!

If you have been involved in an accident, whether it be a car accident, a motorcycle accident, or a truck accident, the following are some important steps to take that can save you potential heartache and trouble down the line.

1. Contact the police: First of all, you or your passengers’ physical safety comes first so if you think you or someone is injured, call 911 if at all possible.  If no injuries are apparent, then call the police. Police should be called after any accident.
2. Wait at the scene of the accident for the police : Do not speak to anyone except the police about the accident and do not admit guilt, even to the police. Do not apologize for any of your actions regarding the accident as this can be taken as an admission of guilt and the accident may not have been your fault.
3. Gather all necessary information: Be sure to gather the names, addresses, license and plate numbers as well as insurance policy numbers of all other drivers who were in the accident. Also take down the names, phone numbers and addresses of  any witnesses to the accident. Taking pictures of the accident scene is an excellent idea, you can even use your cell phone camera if you happen to have one. This way you can document damages, etc.
4. Ask for a copy of the police report : Within a day or two, the police report should be available and you should request a copy to ensure accuracy of what happened during the accident.
5. Get Medical Care :  See a doctor, even if you think you only have minor injuries. Be aware that sometimes injuries do not always show up immediately. It's better to get checked to be on the safe side.
6. Call Your Insurance Company : report the accident to your insurance company. Do be wary of accepting any settlement offers before consulting with an attorney.
7. Get in touch with a personal injury attorney : Your attorney can give you specific and important advice as to your legal rights.

If you have been involved in an accident in or around the San Fernando Valley , don’t wait to get help. You need someone who can protect your rights and interests and help you pursue your claim for maximum compensation. Contact the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus today to speak with an experienced  San Fernando Valley personal injury attorney about your claim. Call us today at 888-203-7246 to set up a consultation.

A partner who has knowledge (or should have knowledge) that they’re infected with a sexually transmitted disease is increasingly being held liable for transmitting the disease to an unwitting or unknowing partner. Diseases included would be herpes, aids, gonorrhea, crabs, genital warts and syphilis. Many states have passed laws which require a person to either refrain from sex or inform their partners prior to any sexual activity if they are HIV positive or have an STD.

A majority of states will allow a person who contracted an STD to bring a court action against the responsible party, but there is no nationwide rule about sexually transmitted diseases. Numerous states have criminal statutes that cover the specifics of negligent or intentional transmission of HIV, but only a few states have statutes specifically listing STDs themselves. A lawsuit brought about due to the contraction of herpes, Chlamydia, syphilis or gonorrhea is typically brought as a personal injury action. Damages are available in most states but these cases can get somewhat complicated.

If you have contracted a sexually transmitted disease and feel your partner knew or should have knew about their infection but failed to tell you, you should take a moment to contact the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus and ask to speak with a Los Angeles personal injury attorney at the firm. We can review your claim, determine if you have grounds to pursue an injury lawsuit, and then help you take action.

For more information about our services, please contact the office today at 888-203-7246 today.