Recent Posts in Car Accidents Category

Last week Thursday in South Pasadena, it is reported that a vehicle hit a curb, went airborne and then landed on the roof of a residence located on Orange Grove Avenue.  The car accident occurred following a high-speed police chase.

Reports indicate that the Los Angeles Police Department chased the car from Panorama City to Pasadena as they believed the car was carrying a murder suspect.  During the chase, the car hit a curb and flew into the air.  Then, it landed on the roof of a nearby home at around midnight.

The driver of the vehicle, who was in fact a felon with an arrest warrant, sustained a spinal cord injury.  He was taken to Huntington Memorial Hospital for treatment.

If you were involved in a car accident in Pasadena that left you with serious injuries, contact us to discuss your injuries and case with a Pasadena personal injury lawyer

This Sunday, a man was killed during a traffic accident in Canyon Country.  Now, the police say that the man has been identified as 15 year old Eric Michael Gilhooley.

Police say that the accident occurred at approximately 10:22 AM.  Prior to the collision, a vehicle had been traveling westbound on Soledad Canyon Road when it struck the curb, hitting and killing Gilhooley.  The pedestrian accident took place near the intersection of Soledad Canyon Road and Gailxy Avenue.

Following the collision, police officers had to close roads for numerous hours to conduct investigations.  Detectives later determined that Gilhooley was standing on the curb when he was hit by a car that was driven by a 47 year old man.  The driver of the vehicle suffered minor injuries and it is reported that alcohol did not play a role in the crash.

At this time, no arrests have been made.

If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident in Santa Clarita, it is important that you get help from a Santa Clarita personal injury lawyer immediately.  Don't hesitate to contact the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus.

In South Los Angeles, it is reported that police are looking into a hit and run accident that occurred on Thursday.  Police say that the car accident resulted in the tragic death of an 11 year old boy by the name of Natanael Garcia.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Garcia was hit at approximately 2:30 PM at Hoover and 76^th Streets, which are part of the Vermont Knolls neighborhood.

On Thursday evening, police described the suspect's vehicle as being a black or dark blue sports utility vehicle (SUV).  The say the vehicle had tan trim and stock wheels and are asking for the public's help in locating the driver.

If someone you love was killed during a car accident, such as a hit and run accident, it is in your best interests to speak with a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer.  To discuss your situation with an attorney, contact the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus now!

In California, a recent tour bus accident led to 10 people suffering injuries.  Police say that the accident involved a bus and a car and led to 3 people suffering injuries that are considered critical.

On Thursday at 10:00 AM, the accident occurred on a boulevard in suburban Rosemead, which is located east of Los Angeles.  According to County fire Inspector Matt Levesque, there was a rear-end collision that led to one of the vehicles being pushed into oncoming traffic.  The vehicle then collided head-on with the tour bus, which was transporting passengers to a nearby casino.

At first, investigators thought that 22 people had sustained injuries, but that number was later reduced to 10.  The bus driver and a person inside the car that crashed into the bus were reported as being in critical condition.  Another person suffered critical injuries as well and 7 people had to be taken to the hospital to receive treatment for minor injuries.

If you have been involved in a serious bus accident in Los Angeles, contact the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus and set up a consultation with a Los Angeles personal injury attorney today.

This past Saturday, it was reported that a man died during a car accident.  The man had been driving a SUV on Interstate Highway 80 when he was hit by a Dodge Caravan and flipped over.

Authorities say that the accident occurred around 2:00 AM on Buchanan Avenue, which is near the Golden Gate Fields horse track.  According to Officer Sam Morgan with the California Highway Patrol, the SUV flipped and then came to rest on its hills.  He said the man driving the Caravan had been traveling in the same direction as the SUV at 65 MPH.

Sadly, due to the impact of the accident, the driver of the SUV was pronounced dead at the scene.  The driver of the other vehicle did not sustain any injuries.  At this time, police are not sure if alcohol played a role in the collision and they plan to continue investigations.

If you were harmed during a car accident in the city of Los Angeles, contact the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus to set up a consultation with a Los Angeles personal injury attorney!

On Thursday morning, reports came in that a motorcyclist who was traveling on the 5 Freeway was involved in an accident.  During the motorcycle accident, the biker was hit by three separate motor vehicles.  Traffic had to be stopped for three hours by law enforcement.

According to California Highway Patrol Officer Al Perez, the motorcyclist was traveling north when he crashed and was thrown off of his bike.  The accident took place around 4:25 AM near Pioneer Boulevard. 

After he was thrown from his bike, he was struck by three vehicles.  He had been traveling with a group of bikers, but he sped away from them and then crashed.  CHP says that the victim died at the scene of the accident.  The victim's name has not been released at this time.

Were you involved in a serious motorcycle accident?  Do you think negligence was involved?  Contact the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus to learn more about your legal rights.  A Los Angeles personal injury attorney from our office will take the time to meet with you in person and will provide you with legal insight.

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.

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!

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!

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.

Texting while driving has claimed the life of yet another motorist, this time a 51-year-old woman from Wisconsin.

According to the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, an 18-wheeler truck was making a lawful turn onto a road when a driver in a passenger vehicle collided with the truck. Investigators were later able to determine that the driver, Kathy A. Endsley, was texting when the accident took place. Endsley suffered severe injuries in the collision, which ultimately proved to be fatal. She died at the scene. The truck driver was uninjured.

This is just another example of a life tragically cut short due to texting while driving. Distracted driving, which includes texting while driving, sadly leads to thousands of deaths every year. In fact, the U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that 6,000 lives were lost in accidents involving distracted drivers in 2008.

If you have lost a loved one in an accident caused by a distracted driver, or if you yourself were injured in an accident involving a distracted driver, you should take a moment to consult a Pasadena personal injury attorney at the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus. Texting while driving in particular is one of the most egregious forms of negligence, and any driver who injuries or kills an innocent person because they weren’t paying attention must be held accountable for their negligence. Let an attorney at our office advocate your rights to compensation by helping you file an auto accident lawsuit against the negligent driver.

For more information about our services, please call (888) 203-PAIN!

Drivers and passengers are at risk of injury any time they are involved in a car accident. While some car accidents are minor fenders benders, others are serious collisions than leave the occupants in the car severely injured.  

Types of injuries a driver or passenger may sustain during an accident can range from minor bruising to brain damage, permanent disability, and even death. One of the most common types of injury is whiplash. Whiplash occurs when the neck is snapped backed and forth due to excessive force. This type of injury is particularly common in rear-end collisions. 

Other types of car accident injuries include:

• Broken or fractured bones
• Internal bleeding or bruising
• Brain & spinal cord injuries
• Back and neck injuries
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Soft tissue injuries
• Paralysis (quadriplegia or paraplegia)
• Permanent disability

An experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorney at the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus can help you take advantage of all your legal options following a car accident injury. Under California personal injury law, you are entitled to be compensated for your pain and suffering, property damage, lost wages, and medical bills if you can prove your injuries stemmed from an accident caused by a negligent or reckless driver. To learn more about your rights to recovery, feel free to contact the office today at (888) 203-PAIN to arrange a consultation to discuss your case.

National statistics prove that Super Bowl Sunday is a dangerous day to be driving.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly half of the fatal accidents that occurred from kickoff through early Monday morning involved a drunk or intoxicated driver. This same data also found that drivers or motorcyclists involved in these fatal accidents had a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or more. The NHTSA also found that men were more likely to drive while intoxicated and not wear their seatbelts than women.

These statistics are based on the figures for the 2008 Super Bowl weekend, but you can be sure that plenty of people drove while intoxicated this year as well. If you or someone you love was injured or killed in a  car accident caused by an alcohol-impaired driver this Super Bowl weekend, you should speak with a knowledgeable  Santa Clarita personal injury attorney about your legal options. As a victim of a drunk driving accident, you stand to recover compensation for your pain and suffering, mental anguish, medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and decreased quality of life.

To learn more about filing an accident claim against the responsible party, contact the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus today by calling (888) 203-PAIN!

A Northern California woman has filed a lawsuit against Caltrans and Monterey County after sustaining multiple catastrophic injuries in a car accident.

The accident occurred about a year ago at the intersection of Highway 101 and San Juan Road. Anna Reznik, 66, was driving south on the 101 when another driver pulled out in front of her from San Juan Road in an attempt to turn onto the northbound side of the freeway. 

As a result of the collision, Reznik broke most of the bones from her toes all the way to her pelvis. She also suffered a massive head injury, was bedridden for six months, and now remains in a wheelchair. She now also requires around-the-clock care, and until very recently hasn’t been able to return home. Her passenger, Olga Tarcher, perished in the accident.

In her lawsuit, Reznik claims that both the county and Caltrans were negligent in maintaining public property in a dangerous condition.  According to Reznik’s attorney, Boris Efron, that intersection is highly dangerous.

Reznik is also suing the driver of the vehicle for negligence.

Both lawsuits are seeking an unspecified amount in general and special damages.

A driver responsible for a three-car collision on the 10 Freeway last week is suspected of driving under the influence.

The accident occurred around 9:50 a.m. on the 10 Freeway in San Bernardino.  Two California Highway Patrol officers were responding to the scene of an accident after a Cathedral City woman lost control of her vehicle in the rain and spun out.  Luckily there were no injuries.

The woman and the two officers were waiting in the center divider, out of traffic’s way, for a tow truck to arrive when the police cruiser was rear-ended by 45-year-old Gordon Wilson. Wilson’s car hit the officers’ cruiser, which then hit the woman’s car.

The woman suffered no injuries, the officers reported only minor injuries, but Wilson suffered major injuries.

Wilson was taken to the hospital and later arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.  Police are still investigating the accident.