Attorney Blog

Santa Fe Springs: 605 Freeway Semi Crash Seriously Injured Child

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)74476 — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST

Shortly before 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 31^st, a crash on the 605 Freeway involving a semi seriously injured a child. The collision between the Honda Civic, Toyota Avalon, Nissan Altima, and semi occurred in the northbound lanes near Telegraph Road and left a 4-year-old boy in critical condition. The truck driver fled the scene of the crash. Authorities are investigating the incident and have asked that witnesses contact Officer Destiny Tafoya at 562-868-0503, explains a California truck accident lawyer.

Santa Fe Springs accounted for 2 of the 390 fatalities and 420 of the 64,178 injuries suffered by motor vehicle occupants in traffic accidents in Los Angeles County in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. The California Office of Traffic Safety compares the accident statistics of counties with similar populations, giving those with the poorest records the highest rankings, with 1^st place considered the worst. That year, Los Angeles ranked 18^th out of 58 similarly sized counties.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the child who was seriously injured on the 605 Freeway last Tuesday a full recovery.

The San Gabriel Valley Tribune originally reported this Santa Fe Springs semi crash.

Resources for accident victims, such as books and articles on the process of pursuing an injury claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California truck accident lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Anaheim: Kyung Namgoong Killed, Three Injured in Crashes with Wrong-Way Driver

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)74142 — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST

In a span of about 15 minutes early last Sunday morning, 53-year-old Kyung Namgoong was killed and three people were injured in two freeway crashes involving a wrong-way driver. Kyung was a passenger in the vehicle involved in the first head-on collision, which occurred on the westbound 91 Freeway near Coal Canyon at about 1:47 a.m. The second collision occurred on the eastbound 241 Toll Road near Weir Canyon Road at 2:02 a.m. She was pronounced dead at 2:52 a.m.; the condition of the three people who were injured has not been released to the public. Authorities are investigating whether drugs or alcohol contributed to these crashes, explains an auto accident attorney in Orange County.

Anaheim accounted for 13 of the 101 fatalities and 2,769 of the 16,620 injuries suffered by motor vehicle occupants throughout Orange County in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. The California Office of Traffic Safety compares the accident statistics of cities with similarly sized populations, ranking those with the poorest records the highest, with 1^st place being the worst. That year, Anaheim ranked 4^th out of 13 cities for fatal and injury accidents.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of Kyung Namgoong, the woman who was killed in the crash with the wrong-way driver. We would also like to wish the three people who were injured a full recovery.

The Orange County Register originally reported these two Anaheim accidents.

Resources for accident victims and their families, including books and articles on the process of pursuing an injury or a wrongful death claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with an auto accident attorney in Orange County, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Garden Grove: Pedestrian Augustine Choi Struck, Seriously Injured

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)73650 — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST

At around 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 21^st, 97-year-old pedestrian Augustine Choi was struck and seriously injured in a Garden Grove crosswalk. The accident occurred at the intersection of Brookhurst Street and Stanford Avenue, and the driver remained at the scene to administer aid, explains an Orange County injury lawyer. Choi sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital.

Garden Grove accounted for 4 of the 41 fatalities and 47 of the 914 injuries suffered by pedestrians in traffic accidents throughout Orange County in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. The California Office of Traffic Safety compares the accident statistics of cities with similar populations. Those with the poorest records receive the highest rankings, with 1^st place being the worst. That year, Garden Grove ranked 16^th out of 56 cities for pedestrian accidents involving adults aged 65 and older.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish Augustine Choi, the pedestrian who was struck and seriously injured last Saturday, a full recovery.

The Orange County Register originally reported this accident.

Resources for accident victims and their families, including articles on pedestrian rights and the process of pursuing an injury claim, are available to the public free of charge.

To request one of these free resources, or to speak with an Orange County injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Anaheim: Several Injured in 57 Freeway Crash

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)72518 — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST

Shortly after 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 4^th, several people were injured in a multiple-vehicle crash on the 57 Freeway in Anaheim. The collision, which occurred near Wagner Avenue and involved at least five vehicles, sent 12 people to the hospital. The accident snarled traffic to Bastanchury Road, with the carpool and fast lane reopened around 11:20 a.m., explains an auto accident lawyer in Orange County.

Anaheim accounted for 13 of the 101 fatalities and 2,769 of the 16,620 injuries suffered by motor vehicle occupants in traffic accidents throughout Orange County, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. The California Office of Traffic Safety compares the accident statistics of counties with similar populations, giving those with the poorest records the highest rankings, with 1^st place considered the worst. That year, Orange County ranked 32^nd out of 58 counties with similar populations.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the 12 people who were injured in the 57 Freeway crash this morning a full recovery.

The Orange County Register originally reported this Anaheim collision.

Resources for auto accident victims and their families, including books and articles on the process of pursuing an injury or a wrongful death claim, are available to the public free of charge.

To request one of these free resources, or to speak with an auto accident lawyer in Orange County, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Paramount: Student Calvin Charles Killed in Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)71810 — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST

At about 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 13^th, 14-year-old Calvin Charles was killed in a hit-and-run pedestrian accident in Paramount. The Dominguez High School student was crossing at the intersection of Alondra Boulevard and Hunsacker Avenue when he was struck by a small, white pickup truck. The driver did not stop to administer aid to the teenager. Authorities are investigating and have asked that anyone with information concerning the accident call 562-623-3500. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call 800-222-8477, explains a California personal injury lawyer.

Paramount accounted for none of the 177 fatalities and 17 of the 5,215 injuries suffered by pedestrians in traffic accidents throughout Los Angeles County in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. The California Office of Traffic Safety compares the accident statistics of counties with similar populations, ranking those with the poorest records the highest, with 1^st place being the worst. That year, Los Angeles County placed 3^rd out of 58 counties for pedestrian safety.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of Calvin Charles, the student who was killed by the hit-and-run driver.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this Paramount pedestrian accident.

Resources for accident victims and their families, such as links to pedestrian advocacy groups and articles on pedestrian rights and the injury and wrongful death claims process are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to discuss a specific legal matter with a California personal injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Westminster: 6 Injured in Crash on 22 Freeway

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)71140 — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST

Shortly after 7:30 p.m. on Monday, December 12^th, 6 people were injured in a crash on the 22 Freeway near Beach Boulevard in Westminster. According to one witness, a sport utility vehicle spun out of control, crashed into the center divider, and was struck by two other vehicles. Paramedics transported three of the occupants to trauma centers and the other three to nearby hospitals. Authorities are investigating the multiple-vehicle collision, explains an auto accident lawyer in Orange County.

Westminster accounted for 2 of the 101 fatalities and 529 of the 16,620 injuries suffered by motor vehicle occupants in traffic accidents in Orange County in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. That year, traffic fatalities in the state decreased by 10.3 percent, from 3,434 to 3,081.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish a full recovery to the 6 people who were injured in the crash on the 22 Freeway yesterday.

The Orange County Register originally reported this Westminster accident.

Resources for accident victims and their families, including books and articles on the process of pursuing an injury claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with an auto accident lawyer in Orange County, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

La Mesa: Drunk Driver Caused Multiple-Vehicle Accident that Killed Celia Torres and David Gonzalez

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)71007 — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST

Shortly after 5:30 p.m. on Friday, December 9^th, a drunk driver caused the multiple-vehicle accident on California Highway 125 near La Mesa that killed 73-year-old Celia Torres and 16-year-old David Gonzalez. While traveling in a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado, 39-year-old Justin Foulds failed to decelerate for slowing traffic and rear-ended a Nissan Pathfinder, the impact sending it into a Lincoln, causing that vehicle to crash into a Ford truck. The Silverado and the Pathfinder became engulfed in flames. Foulds was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter, explains a California personal injury lawyer.

La Mesa accounted for 3 of the 163 fatalities and 333 of the 16,242 injuries suffered by motor vehicle occupants in traffic accidents throughout San Diego County in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. That year, alcohol contributed to 103 of the fatal and 1,754 of the injury accidents that occurred in the county.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the families of Celia Torres and David Gonzalez, occupants of the vehicle that was struck by the drunk driver last Friday.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this multiple-vehicle accident.

Resources for accident victims and their families, including articles on the process of pursuing an injury or a wrongful death claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California personal injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Newport Beach: DUI Driver Struck, Seriously Injured Student Crystal Morales

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)70713 — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST

Shortly before 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 7^th, a DUI driver struck and seriously injured 17-year-old Newport Harbor High School student Crystal Morales. The accident occurred at the intersection of Margaret Drive and Irvine Avenue when 38-year-old Costa Mesa resident Marnie J. Lippincott struck Morales as she traversed a crosswalk. She sustained major head trauma and internal bleeding and was transported to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana, where she remains in a medically induced coma. Police arrested Lippincott on suspicion of driving under the influence and causing injury, explains an Orange County injury lawyer.

Newport Beach accounted for none of the 41 fatalities and 41 of the 914 injuries suffered by pedestrians in Orange County in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. The California Office of Traffic Safety compares the accident statistics of cities with similar populations, giving those with the poorest records the highest rankings, with 1^st place considered the worst. That year, Newport Beach ranked 15^th out of 104 cities for pedestrian safety.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish Crystal Morales, the student who was struck by the DUI driver and seriously injured, a full recovery.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this Newport Beach pedestrian accident.

Resources for accident victims and their families, such as links to pedestrian advocacy groups and articles on pedestrian rights and the injury claims process, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with an Orange County injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Los Angeles: Drunk Driver Struck, Killed Motorcyclist David Mack

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)69404 — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST

At about 1:45 a.m. on Monday, November 21^st, a drunk driver struck and killed 25-year-old motorcyclist David Mack in downtown Los Angeles. The collision occurred near the intersection of Seventh and Olive streets. Mack was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. An occupant of the driver’s vehicle was injured and transported to a local hospital. After obtaining a warrant to draw blood from the driver, 30-year-old Patrick Benton Traylor, police arrested him on suspicion of murder, explains a California personal injury attorney.

Los Angeles County accounted for 80 of the 383 fatalities and 2,709 of the 10,479 injuries suffered by motorcyclists in traffic accidents throughout the state in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. That year, motorcyclist fatalities decreased by 29.6 percent, the first decline since 1998, marking the end to an 11-year, 175 percent increase.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of David Mack, the motorcyclist who was struck and killed by the drunk driver on Monday.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this collision.

Resources for accident victims and their families, such as books and articles on motorcyclist accidents and on the process of pursuing an injury or a wrongful death claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California personal injury attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Santa Ana: Five Injured in Car Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)69012 — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST

Shortly before noon on Tuesday, November 15^th, five people were injured in a car accident in Santa Ana. The collision between the Nissan Altima and the Diamond Environmental Services septic truck occurred at the intersection of First Street and Euclid Street after one of the vehicles failed to stop for a red light. All four occupants of the Altima were injured, a 2-month-old girl critically. The driver of the truck also suffered trauma. Authorities are investigating the crash, explains an Orange County car accident lawyer.

Santa Ana accounted for 2 of the 101 fatalities and 1,625 of the 16,620 injuries suffered by motor vehicle occupants in traffic accidents in Orange County in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. That year, the number of traffic fatalities in the state decreased by 10.3 percent, from 3,434 in 2008 to 3,081 in 2009, the lowest level recorded since 1975.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the five people who were injured in the car accident yesterday a full recovery.

The Orange County Register originally reported this Santa Ana crash.

Resources for accident victims and their families, including books and articles on the injury claims process, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with an Orange County car accident lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Costa Mesa: James McClain Killed in Pedestrian Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)68816 — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST

At about 8 p.m. on Friday, November 11^th, 56-year-old James McClain was killed in a pedestrian accident in Costa Mesa. A vehicle struck him near the intersection of Irvine Avenue and Anniversary Lane. He was pronounced dead hours later at a local hospital. Authorities are investigating the accident, explains an Orange County injury attorney.

Costa Mesa accounted for 2 of the 41 fatalities and 62 of the 914 injuries suffered by pedestrians in traffic accidents in Orange County in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. The California Office of Traffic Safety compares the accident statistics of cities with similar populations. Cities with the poorest records receive the highest rankings, with first place being the worst. That year, Costa Mesa ranked 4^th out of 56 cities for pedestrian safety.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of James McClain, the pedestrian who was killed last Friday.

The Orange County Register originally reported this Costa Mesa accident.

Resources for accident victims and their families, including books and articles on the process of pursuing an injury or a wrongful death claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with an Orange County injury attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Covina: Car Struck, Seriously Injured Two Students in Crosswalk

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)68320 — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST

Shortly before 7 a.m. on Monday, November 7^th, a car struck and seriously injured two students in a crosswalk near Gladstone High School in Covina. The two 14-year-olds suffered blunt-force injuries and were airlifted to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center. The driver of the Honda Civic involved in the crash told investigators that she did not see the teenagers. Authorities are investigating the accident, explains a California personal injury lawyer.

Covina accounted for none of the 177 fatalities and 16 of the 5,215 injuries suffered by pedestrians in traffic accidents in Los Angeles County in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. The California Office of Traffic Safety compares the accident statistics of cities with similar populations, ranking those with the poorest records the highest. First place is considered the worst. That year, Covina ranked 22^nd out of 98 cities for pedestrian safety.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the two students who were struck and seriously injured in the crosswalk yesterday a full recovery.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this pedestrian accident.

Resources for accident victims and their families, including links to pedestrian advocacy groups and books and articles on the process of pursuing an injury claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California personal injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Santa Ana: Four Seriously Injured in Pedestrian Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)68094 — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST

Shortly before 5 p.m. on Thursday, November 3^rd, four people were seriously injured in a pedestrian accident in Santa Ana. While crossing Civic Center Drive near Spurgeon Street, two women and two children, ages 1 and 3 years, were struck by a Volvo sedan. The 3-year-old was pinned under the right front tire of the vehicle until the driver moved it off of her. A 5-year-old child who had been walking with the group was not struck. The pedestrians were taken to a local hospital for treatment, as was the driver, who reportedly suffered from a medical condition. Police believe the accident was caught on surveillance video and are investigating, explains an Orange County injury lawyer.

Santa Ana accounted for 7 of the 41 fatalities and 160 of the 914 injuries suffered by pedestrians in traffic accidents in Orange County in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. The California Office of Traffic Safety compares the accident statistics of counties with similar populations, ranking those with the poorest records the highest, with 1^st place considered the worst. That year, Orange County ranked 13^th out of 58 counties for pedestrian safety.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the four pedestrians who were seriously injured in Santa Ana yesterday a full recovery.

The Orange County Register originally reported this pedestrian accident.

Resources for accident victims and their families, including books and articles on the process of pursuing an injury claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with an Orange County injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

San Fernando Valley: Two Killed, Two Injured in Separate Motorcycle Accidents

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)67329 — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST

Within the span of an hour, two people were killed and two were injured in separate motorcycle accidents in the same San Fernando Valley location on Sunday, October 23. The incidents occurred in the northbound lanes of the 5 Freeway near Branford Street, the first involving a collision between two motorcyclists shortly before 10:30 a.m. that resulted in injuries to both riders. They were transported to a local hospital for treatment. About an hour later, while splitting lanes in heavy traffic, a motorcyclist and his passenger were fatally struck by a semi truck. Authorities believe the riders may have been participating in a charity event for Autism Speaks organized by the Love Ride Foundation and are investigating the accidents, explains a California personal injury lawyer.

Los Angeles County accounted for 80 of the 383 fatalities and 2,709 of the 10,479 injuries suffered by motorcyclists in traffic collisions throughout California in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Record’s System. That year, motorcycle fatalities decreased by 29.6 percent, marking the end of an 11-year, 175 percent increase in the state. While the CHP does not track the incidence of motorcycle crashes involving lane splitting, it acknowledges that the practice is legal as long as done in a “safe and prudent manner.”

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the families of the two motorcyclists who were killed in the crash with the semi last Sunday. We would also like to wish the two riders who were injured a full recovery.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this San Fernando Valley accident.

Resources for accident victims and their families, including books and articles on the process of pursuing an injury or a wrongful death claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California personal injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Anaheim: Disneyland Employee Fatally Struck While Cycling Home

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)66699 — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST

At approximately 12:30 a.m. this morning, an SUV fatally struck an employee of Disneyland while she was cycling home from work in Anaheim. The collision occurred on the 1-5 over pass in an eastbound lane of Ball Road. Paramedics transported the cyclist to a local trauma center, where she was pronounced dead. The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene for questioning. Authorities are investigating the accident, explains an Orange County injury lawyer.

Anaheim accounted for 3 of the 12 fatalities and 94 of the 1,201 injuries suffered by bicyclists in traffic accidents in Orange County in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. That year, 99 bicyclists lost their lives in collisions, a decrease of 9.2 percent from 2008, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of the woman who was fatally struck while cycling home from Disneyland.

The Orange County Register originally reported this Anaheim accident.

Resources for accident victims and their families, including books and articles on the process of pursuing an injury or a wrongful death claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with an Orange County injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Wilmington: Motorcyclist Edward Wayne Myricks II Killed in Crash with Semi

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)66387 — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST

Shortly before 6 a.m. on Friday, October 7^th, 39-year-old motorcyclist Edward Wayne Myricks II, of Carson, was killed in a crash with a semi in Wilmington. While riding south on Alameda Street at Pacific Coast Highway, Myricks collided with the truck, which was in the midst of making an illegal U-turn. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities are investigating the crash, explains a California personal injury attorney.

Los Angeles County accounted for 80 of the 394 fatalities and 2,709 of the 10,479 injuries suffered by motorcyclists in traffic accidents in California in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. That year, the number of motorcyclists killed in crashes decreased by 29.6 percent—the first decline recorded by the California Office of Traffic Safety since 1998.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of Edward Wayne Myricks II, the motorcyclist who was killed in the collision with the semi truck last Friday.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this Wilmington collision.

Resources for accident victims and their families, including books and articles on the process of pursuing an injury or a wrongful death claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to discuss a specific legal matter with a California personal injury attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Santa Ana: Alvaro Flores Struck Twice, Killed in Pedestrian Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)66126 — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST

Shortly before 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 4^th, 33-year-old Alvaro Flores, of Tustin, was struck twice and killed in a pedestrian accident in Santa Ana. While traveling in the 100 block of South Newhope Street near First Street, a driver noticed Flores lying in the road and stopped to administer aid. However, before she could, a dark sedan struck him, dragging him between 40 and 50 feet. When the car finally stopped, two of its occupants exited to check the condition of the victim and then returned to the vehicle, which promptly drove away. Shortly thereafter, a silver Honda Civic dragged the victim another 30 to 40 feet. The driver failed to stop but was later apprehended. Authorities are searching for the occupants of the first vehicle and have requested that witnesses call 714-245-8214, explains an Orange County injury attorney.

Santa Ana accounted for 7 of the 41 fatalities and 160 of the 914 injuries suffered by pedestrians in traffic accidents that occurred throughout Orange County in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. That year, the number of pedestrians killed in crashes in the state declined by 9.2 percent, from 620 in 2008 to 563 in 2009, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of Alvaro Flores, the pedestrian who was fatally struck on Tuesday.

The Orange County Register originally reported this Santa Ana hit-and-run accident.

Resources for accident victims and their families, including links to pedestrian advocacy groups and articles on the process of pursuing an injury or a wrongful death claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to discuss a specific legal matter with an Orange County injury attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Burbank: Man Killed While Helping Driver of Disabled Vehicle on 101 Freeway

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)65909 — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST

Shortly before 11 p.m. on Saturday, October 1^st, a man was killed while helping the driver of a disabled vehicle on the 101 Freeway in Burbank. After changing a tire on the vehicle, the 55-year-old Long Beach man was returning to his car when a 2008 Pontiac G6 swerved from its lane and struck him. He died at the scene of the crash. The driver who had just received help with his tire was hit with debris from the collision and suffered moderate trauma. Paramedics transported him to a nearby hospital for treatment. The driver of the Pontiac was not hurt. Authorities are investigating the accident, according to a California personal injury lawyer.

Burbank accounted for 543 of the 73,561 fatalities and injuries suffered in motor vehicle traffic collisions in Los Angeles County in 2009, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety’s most current data. The OTS compares the accident statistics of cities with similar populations, ranking those with the poorest records the highest. Placing in 1^st is considered the worst. That year, Burbank ranked 18^th out of 56 cities.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of the man who was killed while helping the driver of the disabled vehicle on the 101 Freeway. We would also like to wish the man who was injured a full recovery.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this Burbank accident.

Resources for accident victims and their families, such as books and articles on the process of pursuing an injury or a wrongful death claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to discuss a specific legal matter with a California personal injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Huntington Beach: Father and Two Children Injured in Pedestrian Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)65524 — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST

Shortly before 4:30 p.m. on Monday, September 26^th, a father and his two children were struck and injured while crossing a Huntington Beach street. The pedestrian accident occurred at the intersection of Edwards Street and Central Park Drive when a driver turning left failed to stop for the group. The father, who was holding his 1-year-old infant, rolled over the vehicle’s hood, both sustaining minor injuries. The vehicle also collided with the man’s three-year-old, who was on a tricycle. They were transported to a local hospital for treatment. Authorities are investigating the accident, explains an Orange County injury attorney.

Huntington Beach accounted for 3 of the 41 fatalities and 60 of the 914 injuries suffered by pedestrians in Orange County in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. That year, there were 596 fatalities and 13,083 injuries suffered by pedestrians throughout the state.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the father and his two children who were injured yesterday a full recovery.

The Orange County Register originally reported this Huntington Beach accident.

Resources for accident victims, such as links to pedestrian advocacy groups and articles on the injury claims process, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with an Orange County injury attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Camarillo: Four Men Killed and Two Others Injured in Car Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)65056 — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST

At about 6 a.m. on Monday, September 19^th, four men were killed and two others suffered serious injury in a car accident in Camarillo, explains a California personal injury lawyer. The crash occurred on Pleasant Valley Road when 78-year-old William Thomas Kimbell broadsided a 1997 Toyota Camry with his 2002 Cadillac sedan, the impact killing three of the occupants immediately. The other two occupants were transported to a local hospital in critical condition, where one of them later died. Kimbell broke several bones and sustained internal injuries. Authorities are investigating the collision and have asked witnesses to call 805-662-6755.

Camarillo accounted for 3 of the 50 fatalities and 432 of the 4,259 injuries suffered by motor vehicle occupants in traffic crashes in Ventura County in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. The California Office of Traffic Safety compares the accident statistics of cities with similar populations. Those with poor records place higher in the OTS’s ranking system, with 1^st place being the worst. That year, Camarillo ranked 15^th out of 104 cities.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the families of the four men who died in the car accident on Monday. We would also like to wish a full recovery to the two men who were injured.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this crash.

Resources for accident victims and their families, such as books and articles on the process of pursuing an injury or a wrongful death claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California personal injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Pacific Palisades: Basil Max Price III Killed in Ferrari Crash on PCH

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)64965 — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST

Shortly before 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 18^th, 23-year-old Basil Max Price III, of Pomona, was killed in a crash involving a Ferrari on PCH in Pacific Palisades. While traveling at speeds as high as 90 to 100 mph, 24-year-old Vladimir Skvortsov, of Upland, lost control of the vehicle and struck a power pole, the impact shearing the vehicle into two pieces before it fell more than 30-feet to the beach. Both men were ejected from the sports car. Authorities pronounced Price dead at the scene, while Skvortsov was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Court records from San Bernardino County indicate that in addition to DUI convictions in 2007 and 2009, Skvortsov was also cited for driving under the influence last January. Police are investigating if alcohol was a factor in this accident, explains a California personal injury lawyer.

Alcohol contributed to 7,171 of the 73,561 fatalities and injuries suffered by motor vehicle occupants in traffic accidents in 2009, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety. Statewide, alcohol-involved traffic fatalities decreased by 7.6 percent that year, from 1,025 in 2008 to 950 in 2009. Throughout the nation, such accidents claimed 10,839 lives, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of Basil Max Price III, the man who was killed in the Ferrari crash on PCH last Sunday morning.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this Pacific Palisades accident.

Resources for accident victims and their families, including books and articles on the process of pursuing an injury or a wrongful death claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California personal injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Rialto: Skateboarder Jonathan Olagues Killed in Hit-and-Run Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)64129 — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST

On the evening of Sunday, September 4^th, 12-year-old skateboarder Jonathan Olagues was killed in a hit-and-run accident in Rialto. While riding along a residential street, Olagues was struck by a speeding Chevrolet Camaro. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Camaro, 21-year-old Matthew Cory Hudson, did not stop to administer aid. Police later located the vehicle, and a chase ensued; however, they were unable to apprehend Hudson at the time, as he was driving recklessly through crowded streets. Fortunately, the Camaro’s license plate was found at the scene, linking Hudson to the crash. After conducting an interview, police arrested him on suspicion of vehicular homicide and gross negligence, explains a California personal injury attorney.

Rialto accounted for 3 of the 39 fatalities and 33 of the 472 injuries suffered by pedestrians in motor vehicle traffic accidents throughout San Bernardino County in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. That year, 596 pedestrians were killed and another 13,083 were injured in traffic collisions statewide.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of Jonathan Olagues, the skateboarder who was killed in the hit-and-run crash last Sunday.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this Rialto accident.

Resources for accident victims and their families, including links to pedestrian advocacy groups and articles on the injury and wrongful death claims process, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to discuss a specific legal matter with a California personal injury attorney , feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Los Angeles: Impaired Teen Driver Caused Fatal 110 Freeway Crash

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)64016 — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST

At about 2:40 a.m. on Sunday, September 4^th, an impaired teen driver caused a fatal crash on the 110 Freeway in South Los Angeles. While attempting to avoid a rear-end collision, an 18-year-old driving a Smart car swerved onto the right shoulder of the southbound lanes, striking a disabled 1971 Chevy Monte Carlo. Upon impact, both vehicles burst into flames, and the Monte Carlo rolled over, killing one of the three men who had exited the car. The other two men sustained serious injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital. The teen was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and second-degree murder, explains a California personal injury lawyer.

Los Angeles County accounted for 73,561 of the fatal and injury motor vehicle traffic accidents suffered in 2009, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety’s most current data. That year, 6,959 of the collisions occurred between 9 p.m. and 2:59 a.m. Young drivers are more prone than adults to dangerous driving behaviors, such as neglecting to wear a seat belt, speeding, and driving under the influence. Not only are motor vehicle collisions the leading cause of death for drivers between 16 and 19 years old but this age group is also four times more likely than older drivers to crash, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of the man who was killed in the accident caused by the impaired teen driver. We would also like to wish a full recovery to the two men who were seriously injured.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this fatal crash.

Resources for accident victims and their families, including books and articles on the process of pursuing an injury or a wrongful death claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California personal injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Lancaster: Van Struck, Critically Injured Two Bicyclists

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)63410 — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

At about 8 p.m. on Saturday, August 27^th, a minivan struck and critically injured two bicyclists in Lancaster. While crossing the intersection of Avenue L and 4^th Street West, the van was struck by another vehicle, the impact sending it into a group twenty cyclists. Although the riders were all wearing helmets, one of them sustained major head trauma and another was seriously injured. Authorities are investigating the accident and have asked that witnesses call 661-948-8466, explains a California personal injury lawyer.

Lancaster accounted for 1 of the 22 traffic-related fatalities and 36 of the 3,714 injuries suffered by bicyclists in Los Angeles County in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). Nationwide, 630 bicyclists were killed and 51,000 injured in crashes in 2009, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the two people who were struck and critically injured last Saturday a full recovery.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this bicycle accident.

Resources for accident victims and their families, including books and articles on the process of pursuing an injury claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California personal injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Garden Grove: Rollover Crash Trapped Two People

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)63070 — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

Shortly after 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 23^rd, a rollover crash left two people trapped in their vehicle in Garden Grove. While turning left at Cypress Street, a Ford Taurus collided with a Nissan Murano that was traveling east on Garden Grove Boulevard, the impact sending the Murano into the center divider before it rolled over twice. Firefighters extricated the two occupants, one of whom was transported to a local hospital. The driver of the Taurus was not injured, explains an Orange County car accident attorney.

Garden Grove accounted for 8 of the 101 fatalities and 778 of the 16,620 injuries suffered by motor vehicle occupants in traffic accidents in Orange County in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). That year, the number of traffic-related fatalities decreased by 10.3 percent in the state, the lowest level recorded since 1975, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the person who was injured in the rollover crash yesterday a full recovery.

The Orange County Register originally reported this Garden Grove collision.

Resources for accident victims and their families, such as articles and books on the process of pursuing an injury claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with an Orange County car accident attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Two Injured in Semi Crash on 57 Freeway

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)63075 — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

Shortly before 5:00 a.m. this morning, two people were injured in a semi crash on the 57 Freeway near Diamond Bar Boulevard. The collision, involving two big rigs, left diesel fuel in the southbound lanes, which Caltrans crews were still cleaning up at 8 a.m. Both drivers were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Authorities are investigating the incident, explains a California truck accident lawyer.

California accounted for 236 of the 3,380 fatalities and 4,874 of the 74,000 injuries suffered in large truck accidents that occurred throughout the country in 2009, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and California Highway Patrol statistics. That year, large trucks accounted for 7 percent of the vehicles in fatal crashes, 2 percent of the vehicles involved in injury crashes, and 3 percent of the vehicles involved in property-damage-only crashes.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the two drivers injured in the semi crash on the 57 Freeway a full recovery.

The Orange County Register originally reported this truck crash.

Additional information, including books and articles on the process of pursuing an injury claim, is available to the public free of charge.

To request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California truck accident lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

California Workplace Dog Bite Injuries: Who Is Responsible?

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)62864 — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

We've all seen cartoon depictions of mailmen being chased by angry dogs, but these cartoons reflect reality. Each year, than 3,000 U.S. Postal Service mail carriers are attacked by dogs. And postal workers aren't the only ones at risk: delivery persons, newspaper carriers, utility workers, repairmen and landscapers are also at risk of on-the-job dog bites.

Who pays for your injuries if you are attacked by a dog while at work?

California Worker's Compensation - If you were on the dog owner's property because of your job duties, you may file a California worker's compensation claim. Your employer will be responsible for your medical bills and a portion of your lost wages.

California Dog Bite Lawsuit - You may also be able to file a lawsuit against the owner of the dog or the owner of the property. In many cases, the owner can be held accountable for any injury his dog inflicts. The laws vary from city to city, so speak to an Orange County dog bite attorney about your claim.

A dog bite lawsuit may include compensation for your medical costs, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, disfigurement, lost wages and more.

If you were attacked by a dog while at work in Orange County, contact the California dog bite injury attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie at 866-981-5596 to learn about your options. The initial consultation is free.

Man Dies In Garden Grove Workplace Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)62865 — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

A 49-year-old machine operator died after he was crushed by a circular knitting machine.

The Orange County industrial accident occurred at American Apparel in Garden Grove at about 2:39 p.m. on Friday, August 19. Tuan Phan was operating the circular knitting machine when he became stuck in the device. He died thirty minutes after the accident.

When you say goodbye to your loved one in the morning, you expect to see them after work. But, every year, almost 6,000 American workers don't make it home.

Workplace deaths may be caused by:

Motor vehicle crashes
Machinery malfunctions
Toxic exposure
Slips and falls
On-the-job violence
Falling objects
Electrical accidents
Fire and explosions
Safety violations and improper training
Building code violations

Worker's compensation provides benefits to families who have lost a loved one to a workplace death. These benefits include: compensation for medical costs, payment of funeral costs, and a portion of the loved one's salary. However, these benefits cannot make up for the loss of the loved one.

By law, you cannot sue your loved one's employer for his death. However, in many cases, there is a third party who shares blame for the death. For example, if a loved one dies because a piece of workplace machinery malfunctions, the manufacturer of the defective machine may held liable.

A California wrongful death lawsuit can help your family financially and emotionally. For more information contact the Orange County wrongful death attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie, 866-981-5596.

Victorville: Hit-and-Run Driver Who Struck and Killed Pedestrian Damisha Ford Arrested

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)62560 — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

At about 5 p.m. on Monday, August 15^th, San Bernardino police arrested the hit-and-run driver who struck and killed 29-year-old pedestrian Damisha Ford on Friday, August 12^th in Victorville. On the night of the accident, a group of Teazers Night Club patrons chased 28-year-old Broderick Lee Allen from the venue, throwing bottles at the 2009 Dodge Charger in which he attempted to leave. When two vehicles blocked his path, Allen accelerated quickly in reverse, fatally hitting Ford. He fled the scene, abandoning the Charger, of which he was not the registered owner, in a nearby area. He faces charges of hit-and-run driving resulting in death and vehicular manslaughter, explains a California personal injury lawyer.

Victorville accounted for 2 of the 39 traffic-related fatalities and 21 of the 472 injuries suffered by pedestrians in San Bernardino in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). The Washington DC-based coalition for reform, Transportation for America, recently ranked the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metro area as the fifth most dangerous in the nation for pedestrians.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of Damisha Ford, the pedestrian who was struck and killed by the hit-and-run driver last Friday night.

The Press Enterprise originally reported this accident.

Resources for accident victims and their families, such as books and articles on the injury and wrongful death claims process, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California personal injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Fountain Valley: Two People Injured in Car Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)62367 — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

At around 5:20 p.m. on Monday, August 15^th, two people were injured in a car accident in Fountain Valley. The crash occurred when a 91-year-old Santa Ana woman traveling northbound on Brookhurst Street veered her Buick Le Sabre into oncoming traffic, striking a southbound Ford F150 pickup truck. The impact caused the Buick to rollover, seriously injuring the woman. The 21-year-old Santa Ana man who was driving the truck also suffered trauma. They were both taken to local hospitals. Investigators have requested that anyone with information about this crash contact the Fountain Valley Traffic Bureau at 714-593-4481, explains an Orange County car accident attorney.

Fountain Valley accounted for 511 of the 18,867 fatalities and injuries that were suffered in motor vehicle collisions throughout Orange County in 2009, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety’s most current data. The OTS compares the traffic statistics of cities with similarly sized populations. Those with the poorest records rank the highest, with 1^st place being the worst. That year, Fountain Valley ranked 1^st out of 104 cities.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the two people who were injured yesterday a full recovery.

The Orange County Register originally reported this car accident.

Resources for accidents victims and their families, such as books and articles on the process of pursuing a personal injury or a wrongful death claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with an Orange County car accident attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Huntington Beach: Drunk Driver Struck, Seriously Injured Motorcyclist

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)62224 — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

At about 4:30 p.m. on Friday, August 12^th, a drunk driver struck and seriously injured a motorcyclist in Huntington Beach. The accident occurred when the driver of a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck attempted to merge back into the northbound lane of Pacific Coast Highway after using the bicycle lane to bypass traffic and collided with the motorcycle rider, the impact sending him into a Honda Civic sedan. Paramedics transported him to a local hospital in critical condition. The driver of the truck fled the scene but was later apprehended and arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence causing injury, hit and run causing injury, reckless driving causing injury, and possession of marijuana, explains an Orange County injury lawyer. Police have requested that witnesses contact the department’s traffic bureau at 714-536-5666.

Huntington Beach accounted for 3 of the 17 fatalities and 67 of the 759 injuries suffered by motorcyclists in Orange County in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). That year, traffic accidents claimed the lives of 383 motorcycle riders and injured another 10,479 throughout the state.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the motorcyclist who was struck and seriously injured by the drunk driver a full recovery.

The Orange County Register originally reported this accident.

Resources for accident victims and their families, including books and articles on the process of pursuing a personal injury claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to discuss a specific legal matter with an Orange County injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Victorville: Hit-and-Run Driver Who Struck and Killed Dejaun Rene Smith Arrested

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)61667 — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

On Thursday, August 4^th, police arrested the hit-and-run driver who struck and killed a pregnant woman in Victorville on July 29^th. While traveling northbound along Balsam Road in a Ford F-250 pickup truck, 36-year-old Brandon Lee McCollough hit 20-year-old Dejaun Rene Smith, who was pushing her 14-month-old daughter in a stroller along the right shoulder. The impact of the crash killed Smith, who was 5 months pregnant, and injured the baby girl. Although McCollough fled the scene, investigators were able to link him to the vehicle involved in the accident. He faces charges of manslaughter and hit-and-run resulting in a death, explains a California personal injury attorney.

Victorville accounted for 31 of the 590 fatal and injury motor vehicle traffic accidents involving pedestrians in 2009, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety. In a study of pedestrian safety in the nation’s metropolitan areas, the group Transportation for America ranked the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario area as the 5^th most dangerous in 2011.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of Dejaun Rene Smith, the woman who was struck and killed by the hit-and-run driver.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this pedestrian accident.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California personal injury attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Pomona: Driver of Stolen Car Caused Fatal Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)61228 — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

At about 1:45 a.m. on Monday, August 1^st, a woman driving a stolen car caused a fatal accident in Pomona. The incident occurred when 26-year-old Lorraine Martinez crashed into a Nissan Maxima while turning left on Holt Avenue, the impact sending the vehicle into a light pole. It subsequently burst into flames. Neither of the two occupants survived. Martinez, who is unlicensed, was arrested on suspicion of auto theft, explains a California personal injury lawyer.

Pomona accounted for 758 of the 73,561 fatal and injury motor vehicle traffic collisions that occurred in Los Angeles County in 2009, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety. The OTS compares the traffic safety statistics of cities and counties with similar populations, with a ranking of 1^st indicating the worst traffic record. That year, Pomona placed 22^nd out of 56 cities.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the families of the two people who were killed in the crash caused by the driver of the stolen car.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this fatal accident.

Resources for accident victims and their families, such as books and articles on the process of pursuing an injury or a wrongful death claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California personal injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Koreatown: Truck Accident at Yoshinoya Injured Six

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)60870 — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST

Yesterday morning, six people were injured in a truck accident at a Yoshinoya restaurant in Koreatown. The incident occurred at the intersection of Normandie Avenue and Beverly Boulevard when a flatbed tow truck crashed into the front of the restaurant, the impact sending one woman across the room and injuring some of the employees. A witness reported that she heard the driver tell occupants of the eatery that his brakes had failed, according to a California truck accident attorney.

Los Angeles County accounted for 46 of the 236 fatal and 1,464 of the 4,874 injury motor vehicle traffic collisions involving trucks in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s most current statistics. Nationwide, such accidents claimed 3,380 lives and injured 74,000 people, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the six people who were injured in Yoshinoya yesterday a full recovery.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this Koreatown crash.

Resources for accident victims and their families, such as articles and books on the process of pursuing an injury claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California truck accident attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Riverside: Barry Robert Steele, Worker Struck on 91 Freeway, Died

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)60540 — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST

On Sunday, July 24^th, 51-year-old Barry Robert Steele, of Beaumont, died from the injuries he sustained when a drunk driver struck him while he was doing roadwork on the 91 Freeway in Riverside. 21-year-old Brandi Holmes was driving on a suspended license when she hit Steele and then attempted to flee the scene of the accident. She was subsequently arrested and charged for multiple traffic violations, including reckless driving and driving under the influence, explains a California personal injury attorney.

The risk of suffering serious or fatal injuries in an accident is especially high for road construction and repair workers: not only do many of them operate heavy equipment but they all must share the road with motorists. Over the years, crashes involving reckless, distracted, or intoxicated drivers have claimed the lives of several road workers. The California Department of Transportation reports that 178 employees have been killed on the job since 1924.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of Barry Robert Steele, the worker who died last Sunday due to the injuries he sustained when he was struck on the 91 Freeway.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this Riverside accident.

Resources for accident victims and their families, including articles and books on the injury and wrongful death claims process, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California personal injury attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Huntington Beach: Oriana Millan Killed in Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)60403 — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST

On Friday, July 22^nd, 24-year-old Oriana Millan was killed in a hit-and-run pedestrian accident in Huntington Beach. Shortly before 2:00 a.m. that morning, 32-year-old Jason Roberts struck Millan and 25-year-old Harlan Coffman while they were crossing Brookhurst Street. Millan was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, and Coffman sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Roberts proceeded to drive to Laguna Beach, where he called police to report that his car had become disabled due to striking an animal on Pacific Coast Highway. Upon their arrival at the market where Roberts parked the vehicle, police believed that he struck a person and arrested him on suspicion of felony hit-and-run, explains a California personal injury lawyer. Anyone who witnessed the crash has been asked to call the Huntington Beach Police Department at 714-536-5666.

Huntington Beach accounted for 77 of the 1,299 fatal and injury pedestrian accidents that occurred in Orange County in 2009, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety. That year, the number of pedestrians killed in traffic accidents in the state decreased by 9.2 percent, from 620 in 2008 to 563 in 2009. Nationwide, pedestrian fatalities decreased by 7 percent, from 4,414 in 2008 to 4,092 in 2009.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of Oriana Millan, the woman who was killed in Huntington Beach last Friday. We would also like to wish a full recovery to Harlan Coffman.

The Orange County Register originally reported this hit-and-run pedestrian accident.

Resources for accident victims and their families, such as links to pedestrian advocacy groups and articles on the process of pursuing an injury or wrongful death claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California personal injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Eight Things To Do After An Orange County Motorcycle Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)60450 — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST

The unfortunate truth is that juries are biased against motorcyclists. Motorcyclists are seen as reckless and irresponsible. If you have been injured in an Orange County motorcycle-car crash, you may be blamed for the accident even if the other driver is clearly at fault.

If you have been injured in a California motorcycle accident, you need to protect your injury claim. Our Orange County motorcycle lawyer suggest the following:

1. Stay at the scene of the accident until the police and emergency personnel arrive.

2. File a police report

3. Get contact information for the other driver and for any witnesses to the accident. Contact information should include: name, phone number, insurance company, and driver's license number.

4. If you are able to, take pictures of the accident scene, your injuries, and the damage to the vehicles.

5. Seek immediate medical attention for your injuries.

6. Don't discuss the accident with the other driver or the insurance adjustor.

7. Keep records of your property damage, medical care, and anything related to the crash.

8. Contact an Orange County motorcycle accident attorney.

An Orange County motorcycle accident attorney will be able to determine if your injuries were the result of negligence on the part of the other driver. He will help you file your claim and get the evidence you need to support your case.

Want to know more? Contact the Orange County motorcycle accident attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie at 866-981-5596.

Downtown Los Angeles: Road Rage to Blame for Fatal Bicycle Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)60033 — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST

Last night, a 62-year-old bicyclist was killed in an accident involving two vehicles, for which authorities believe road rage may be to blame. While traveling north on Figueroa Street, the driver of a Chevrolet Avalanche and the driver of a Kia were reportedly involved in a dispute. After turning left onto 8^th Street, the driver of the Avalanche struck the bicycle rider while attempting to pass the Kia near Francisco Street. Police detained the driver of the Avalanche for questioning and may file criminal charges against him, explains a California personal injury lawyer.

Los Angeles County accounted for 4,268 of the fatal and injury bicycle accidents that occurred throughout the state in 2009, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety. The OTS compares the accident statistics of cities and counties with similarly sized populations, giving those with the poorest records the highest scores, with a ranking of 1 being the worst. That year, Los Angeles ranked 15 out of 58 counties for bicycle safety.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of the man who was killed in downtown last night.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this fatal bicycle accident involving road rage.

Resources for accident victims and their families, including articles and books on the process of pursuing an injury or a wrongful death claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California personal injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Downtown LA: Driver Struck, Seriously Injured Mother and Baby during Art Event

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)59652 — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST

Last night, the driver of a Cadillac struck and seriously injured a mother and her baby during an art event in downtown LA. The accident occurred when the driver attempted to parallel park the vehicle and applied the accelerator instead of the brake, causing the vehicle to jump onto the sidewalk on which the mother was pushing her baby in a stroller. Both were transported to a local hospital, where the 2-month-old was placed on life support. Authorities are investigating the accident, explains a California personal injury attorney.

Los Angeles County accounted for 7,008 of the fatal and injury motor vehicle traffic accidents involving pedestrians that occurred throughout the state in 2009, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety. In the United States, traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for children aged 3 to 14, with those under 14 accounting for 1,314 of the 33,808 fatal pedestrian accidents suffered in 2009, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the mother and the baby who were seriously injured in downtown LA last night a full recovery.

The Los Angles Times originally reported this pedestrian accident.

Resources for accident victims and their families, including books and articles on the process of pursing an injury or a wrongful death claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California personal injury attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Hilmar: Modesto Woman Critically Injured in Crash Involving Two Semi Trucks

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)59538 — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST

Shortly before 3:00 p.m. yesterday, a Modesto woman was critically injured in a crash involving two semi trucks on Highway 165 and Johnson Avenue in Hilmar. The accident was triggered when the driver of a semi failed to notice that traffic had stopped due to an incident in the northbound lanes of the highway and continued to travel 45 miles per hour, rear-ending a Dodge Ram pickup truck. The impact sent the Dodge into the Mazda Tribute the woman was driving, which, in turn, crashed into the back of the semi that was stopped in front of it. The woman suffered major trauma and was airlifted to a Modesto hospital for treatment. The driver of the pickup sustained minor injuries, while neither of the semi drivers was harmed. Authorities are investigating the collision, explains a California truck accident lawyer.

Merced County accounted for 1,720 of the fatal and injury motor vehicle traffic accidents that occurred throughout the state in 2009, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety. Due to the size and weight of large trucks, accidents involving them tend to result in serious and fatal injuries, especially for the occupants of passenger vehicles. In 2009, 70 percent of the 3,163 people killed in traffic collisions with large trucks where passenger vehicle occupants, while 14 percent were truck occupants, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the woman critically injured in the crash involving two semi trucks yesterday a full recovery.

The Merced Sun-Star originally reported this Hilmar accident.

Resources for accident victims, such as books and articles on the injury claims process, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California truck accident lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

El Dorado: Semi's Brakes Fail, Causing Fatal Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)59434 — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST

Last night, a semi truck’s brakes failed while the vehicle was hauling limestone on Highway 50 in El Dorado, causing a fatal accident. The driver, a 40-year-old Missouri man, proceeded to swerve into and out of the westbound and eastbound lanes to pass vehicles, which is when he struck a pickup truck, the impact sending the two vehicles into an embankment. The cab of the semi rolled over, while the trailer separated from the tractor. The semi driver was pronounced dead at the scene, and the driver of the pickup, a woman in her 70s from Placerville, was airlifted to a hospital in Roseville to receive treatment for the major injuries she sustained, explains a California truck accident attorney.

El Dorado County accounted for 1,148 of the fatal and injury motor vehicle collisions that occurred throughout the state in 2009, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety’s most current statistics. Nationwide, large truck accidents accounted for 3,380 of the 33,808 fatalities and 74,000 of the 2,217,000 injuries suffered in traffic accidents that year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of the truck driver who was killed in the semi accident resulting from brake failure. We would also like to wish the woman who was injured in the crash a full recovery.

The Sacramento Bee originally reported this El Dorado collision.

Resources for accident victims and their families, such as books and articles on the process of pursuing an injury or a wrongful death claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California truck accident attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Swim Safe: Seven Tips To Prevent Drowning Deaths in Orange County

mmazal@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)59218 — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST

Every year, more than 3,000 people drown in the U.S. According to the Orange County Fire Authority, sixteen people in Orange County have drowned so far this year. However, the swimming season has just started.
Most drowning deaths are preventable. The OCFA and the Orange County wrongful death attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie offer these drowning prevention tips.

These tips should be used in built-in pools, spas, inflatable pools and at the beach or lake.

1. Pools should be fenced and have a pool alarm. They should be kept covered when not in use.
2. Always assign an adult to watch the children. The adult should avoid distractions, especially cell phone use or texting.
3. When swimming, have a swimming buddy and look out for each other.
4. Never combine drinking and swimming.
5. Never dive into unfamiliar water. Always jump feet first.
6. Wear a life jacket when boating.
7. Be prepared for an emergency.

We hope these tips will help you and your loved ones enjoy the water and have a safe and happy summer.

For information about drowning and wrongful death lawsuits, contact Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie at 866-981-5596.

Santa Monica: Police Investigate Pedestrian Accident That Killed UCLA Student Melissa Del-Aguila

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)57880 — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST

Santa Monica police are investigating the pedestrian accident that killed UCLA student Melissa Del-Aguila early last Saturday morning. Specifically, they are trying to determine how she traveled from a sports bar in Brentwood, where witnesses reported seeing her at about 1 a.m., to the 2400 block of Wilshire Boulevard, where she was struck and killed by a taxi while running across the street at about 2:30 a.m. Given the 1.3 miles between the locations and the fact that Aguila was wearing 5-inch heels, investigators believe someone drove her and are trying to determine if she was fleeing that vehicle when she was hit by the cab, explains a California personal injury attorney. The Santa Monica Police Department has asked that anyone with information about this accident contact Detective Chris Dawson at 310-458-8954 or Sergeant Jeff Wiles at 310-458-8950.

Santa Monica accounted for 114 of the 7,008 traffic accidents that killed or injured pedestrians in Los Angeles County in 2009, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety’s most current data. OTS compares the traffic safety statistics of counties in the state with similar populations, giving a higher ranking to those with the greatest number of victims or collisions per 1000 residents, with a ranking of 1 being the highest or worst. That year, Los Angeles County placed 3^rd out of 58 similarly sized counties.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of Melissa Del-Aguila, the UCLA student who was struck and killed last Saturday morning.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this pedestrian accident.

Resources for victims and their families, such as links to pedestrian advocacy groups and books and articles on the injury and wrongful death claims process, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to discuss a specific legal matter with a California personal injury attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Anaheim: SUV Struck and Injured Motorcyclist

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)57703 — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST

Shortly before 10:30 yesterday morning, an SUV struck and injured a motorcyclist in Anaheim. The collision occurred on Ball Road when the driver of a Toyota RAV4 hit a Harley Davidson motorcycle while changing lanes, the impact sending its rider into the driveway of the North Orange County ROP Career & Technical campus. Paramedics transported the rider to a local hospital for treatment, explains an Orange County injury attorney.

Anaheim accounted for 52 of the 140 fatal and injury motorcycle accidents suffered in Orange County in 2009, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety’s most current data. That year, the number of fatalities suffered by motorcyclists across the state decreased by 29.6 percent, from 560 in 2008 to 394 in 2009—marking the end of an 11-year, 175 percent increase.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the motorcyclist who was struck and injured by the SUV yesterday a full recovery.

The Orange County Register originally reported this Anaheim crash.

Resources for accident victims and their families, including articles and books on the process of pursuing an injury claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with an Orange County injury attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Culver City: Suspected Drunk, Distracted Driver Injured Several Cyclists

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)57362 — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST

Shortly before 2 a.m. this morning, a suspected drunk, distracted driver struck and injured several cyclists in Culver City. Members of a group called Midnight Ridazz, the cyclists who were hit had been waiting in the bike path that runs along Jefferson Boulevard for fellow riders to catch up to them after visiting a scenic outlook in Baldwin Hills. Eleven cyclists were transported to local hospitals to receive treatment for their injuries, one in critical condition. Police arrested the 27-year-old driver and are investigating the accident, explains a California personal injury lawyer.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration classifies bicyclists and other cyclists, such as the riders of two-wheel nonmotorized vehicles, tricycles, and unicycles powered solely by pedals, as pedalcyclists. According to NHTSA’s most current accident statistics, 630 pedalcyclists were killed and 51,000 injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2009, a decrease of 12 percent in fatalities since 2008. The majority of fatal accidents occurred in urban areas, at non-intersection locations, and between the hours of 4 a.m. and 8 p.m.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish a full recovery to the cyclists who were struck and injured by the suspected drunk, distracted driver last night.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this Culver City accident.

Resources for the victims of cycling accidents, including books and articles on the injury claims process, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California personal injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

CA Dog Bite Lawyer: Most Dog Bite Attacks Involve Dogs With No History Of Biting

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)57372 — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST

On May 28, a 4-year-old boy in Brooklyn, New York was fatally mauled by a Cane Corso mastiff. The dog belonged to the boy's mother's boyfriend. Jayelin Graham, his mother, and three siblings had just returned to the appointment when the dog attacked young Jayelin and bit him on his head, neck and body. Family and neighbors struggled to remove the dog, but it was too late. The boy was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The dog's owner describes the dog as a "large Scooby Doo", but neighbors said the dog was vicious and had killed a pet rabbit. How do parents know if a dog is likely to attack their child?

A 2007 study published in the journal Injury Prevention found that 80 percent of dogs that bite children have not bitten before, but most dogs that bite suffer from anxiety or medical problems. More than half the dogs involved in the study had medical conditions.

Most bites occurred because the dog felt his food or territory was threatened. Children are much more likely to become California dog bite victims if a dog feels that food, toys or other belongings are threatened.

The California dog bite attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie would like to remind parents that children should be supervised when interacting with dogs. Even the most loving family dog can attack if sick or injured.

For more information, read our article, "What should you do if your child has been bitten by a dog?"

Bell Recalls More Than 30,000 Bicycle Helmets. Are You At Risk?

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)57373 — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST

A properly fitted bicycle helmet is the best protection against head injury in an Orange County bicycle accident. To learn more about helmets, read our article "Preventing Orange County Bicycle-Car Accidents".

However, to offer protection, the helmet must be on a rider's head. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a voluntary recall of the Bell Sports full-face bicycle helmets. The plastic buckle that connects the chin straps can fail and cause the helmet to come off the wearer's head.   If the bicyclist is in an accident, he may lose the protection of the helmet and sustain serious injury.

Models affected:

The recall involves Bell Exodus in youth sizes. These full-face helmets have a plastic buckle on the chinstrap and an angled visor. Only the following model numbers are affected:

Color: Orange/Grey/Black   Part/Model Number: 1003825/035011898025

Color: Blue/Grey/Gold/White/Black   Part/Model Number: 1006714/035011917719

The model and part number can be found on a removable sticker located on the side of the helmet

The recall comes after one report of a buckle failing during a bicycle accident. The bicyclist sustained an injury that required stitches below the wearer's eye. If you or your child owns a recalled Bell Exodus bicycle helmet, you should stop using it immediately and contact Bell Sports at (866) 892-6059 for a replacement or refund.

If your helmet has malfunctioned during a California bike accident, contact the Orange County bicycle injury attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie at 866-981-5596.

Jefferson Park: Pregnant Woman and Several Others Injured in Bus Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)57264 — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST

Last night, a pregnant woman and several others were injured in an accident involving a Metropolitan Transportation Authority bus and another vehicle in the Jefferson Park district of Los Angeles. The collision occurred near West Adams Boulevard and 6^th Avenue. While most passengers suffered minor injuries, the 25-year-old pregnant woman was listed in serious condition. The vehicle was damaged to the extent that firefighters had to use specialized hydraulic equipment to free its driver, who was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the crash, explains a California personal injury attorney.

Throughout the country, 24,474 vehicle occupants were killed and 2,011,000 injured in motor vehicle traffic accidents in 2009, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s most current crash data. That year, there were a total of 221 fatal and 10,000 injury traffic accidents involving buses. The deadliest times to drive were midnight to 3 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, with 1,024 and 1,072 fatal crashes, respectively.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish a full recovery to the passengers and the driver who were injured in Jefferson Park last night.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this bus accident.

Resources for accident victims, including books and articles on the injury claims process, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to discuss a specific legal matter with a California personal injury attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Anaheim: Three Injured in Semi Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)57038 — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST

Shortly before 1 p.m. on Monday, June 6^th, three people were injured in a semi accident in Anaheim. The crash was triggered when the driver of a Honda Ridgeline ran a red light at the intersection of Miraloma Avenue and Miller Street and crashed into a Fresh Foods Concepts truck, the impact sending it into several parked vehicles and a pedestrian. Both drivers and the pedestrian suffered moderate to serious injuries and were transported to local hospitals, explains an Orange County truck accident attorney.

Anaheim accounted for 2,129 of the 18,867 fatal and injury motor vehicle traffic accidents that occurred in Orange County in 2009, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety. That year, Anaheim placed 4^th out of 13 cities with similar populations for traffic safety. OTS calculates its rankings according to the number of victims or collisions per 1000 residents in a city; the higher the number of either, the higher the ranking, with a ranking of 1 being the highest, or worse.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish a full recovery to the three people who were injured in the semi accident last Monday.

The Orange County Register originally reported this collision.

Additional information, including articles and books on the injury claims process, is available to the public free of charge.

To request one of these free resources, or to speak with an Orange County truck accident attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

San Diego: Bicyclist Killed in Rollover Accident Involving SUV

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)56191 — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST

Shortly before 6:30 p.m. yesterday, a bicyclist was killed and two other people injured in a rollover accident involving an SUV in San Diego. The SUV careened off of state Route 56 in Rancho Penasquitos, tumbling down an embankment before landing on the bike path on which two cyclists were riding. One of the cyclists died at the scene, and the other was taken to a nearby hospital, as was the driver of the SUV, explains a California personal injury lawyer.

When collecting accident statistics, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration classifies bicyclists and other cyclists, including the riders of two-wheel nonmotorized vehicles, tricycles, and unicycles powered solely by pedals, as pedalcyclists. In 2009, NHTSA recorded 630 traffic-related pedalcyclist fatalities and 51,000 injuries. That year, 99 bicyclists were killed in traffic accidents in California, a 9.2 percent decrease from 2008.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of the bicyclist killed in the rollover accident involving the SUV. We would also like to wish a full recovery to the two people who were injured.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this San Diego crash.

Resources for accident victims and their families, such as books and articles on the injury and wrongful death claims process, are available to the public free of charge.

To request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California personal injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Thousand Oaks: Owner of Costa Mesa's Eat Chow, Eric Doran, Killed in Car Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)56106 — Tue, 31 May 2011 08:00:00 EST

Shortly after 5 a.m. last Friday morning, 36-year-old Eric Doran was killed and his wife critically injured in a car accident on the 101 Freeway in Thousand Oaks. Doran, the owner of the Costa Mesa restaurant Eat Chow, was traveling in a classic Model A roadster when a 1998 Dodge Ram pickup truck rear-ended his vehicle, the impact forcing it into the back of a Honda Accord. His wife remains in serious condition at a local hospital, explains a California personal injury attorney.

Nationwide, fatal and injury traffic accidents tend to peak over long holiday weekends. In 2009, 473 motorists lost their lives in crashes throughout Memorial Day Weekend, 42 percent of which involved alcohol, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In Los Angeles County, there were three traffic-related deaths from 6:01 p.m. on Friday, May 27^th through Monday, May 30^th at 6 a.m., and the California Highway Patrol arrested 298 people on suspicion of driving under the influence.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of Eric Doran, the man who was killed in a car accident in Thousand Oaks last Friday. We would also like to wish his wife a full recovery.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this collision.

Resources for accident victims and their families, including books and articles on the injury and wrongful death claims process, are available to the public free of charge.

To request one of these free resources, or to discuss a specific legal matter with a California personal injury attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Fountain Valley: Teenage Driver Seriously Injured in Car Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)55736 — Wed, 25 May 2011 08:00:00 EST

Shortly before 12:30 p.m. yesterday, a teenage driver was seriously injured in a car accident in Fountain Valley. The 18-year-old was traveling along Rose Avenue when her Ford Focus collided with a Mazda SUV at Bushard Street, the impact causing her to suffer severe head injuries. She was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. The 17-year-old driver of the SUV remained at the scene for questioning. Authorities are investigating this crash and have requested that anyone who witnessed it call the Fountain Valley Police Department at 714-593-4481, according to an Orange County car accident attorney.

Fountain Valley accounted for 511 of the 18,867 fatal and injury motor vehicle traffic collisions suffered in Orange County in 2009, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety’s most current accident statistics. That year, the city received an OTS ranking of 1, meaning that out of 104 cities with similar populations, it placed the worst for traffic accidents.

The Orange County Register originally reported this car accident.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the teenage driver who was seriously injured in Fountain Valley yesterday a full recovery.

Additional information, including books and articles on the injury claims process, is available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with an Orange County car accident attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Car Seat Safety: Child Sustains Fatal Injuries In Tustin Car Crash

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)55579 — Mon, 23 May 2011 08:00:00 EST

A three-year-old girl has died from injuries sustained in a Tustin car accident.

The two-vehicle crash occurred on Sunday, May 15 at 4:40 p.m. on eastbound Edinger Avenue at Kensington Park Drive in Tustin. A male driver broadsided another car that was carrying a man, a woman and the child, 3-year-old Milena Avila.

The side impact hit the car near Milena who was sitting in her car seat. She was critically injured and was taken to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana. She died of her injuries about three hours after the Orange County accident.

Three others were injured in the crash. Their conditions are not known.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

While reading an article about the accident, I noticed a comment that said "car seats could not be trusted." It is true that the little girl died despite being buckled up. When a car crashes into the side of a vehicle, anyone sitting near the point of impact is likely to suffer serious injury or death. While the car seat could not save Malina's life, car seats do offer the best protection for children in almost every type of accident. Please buckle your child up when in the car.

For more information about car seats, read our article, "How can be sure your car seat is safely installed?"

The Tustin car accident injury lawyers at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to Milena's family. We are very sorry for your loss.

San Bernardino: Chase Scarbough Died After Johnson Valley Off-Road Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)55328 — Wed, 18 May 2011 08:00:00 EST

On Monday morning, 10-year-old Chase Scarbough, of San Bernardino, lost control of his off-road vehicle while riding in the Johnson Valley Off Road Recreation area near Victorville. After being thrown to the ground, he complained of minor pain. The following morning, drinking water caused him to vomit. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he died from internal injuries he had sustained in the crash. The California Highway Patrol is investigating the accident, explains a California truck accident attorney.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission defines recreational off-road vehicles, or ROVs, as motorized vehicles having four or more low-pressure tires designed for off-road use and intended by the manufacturer primarily for recreational use by one or more persons. From January 2003 to August 2009, the CPSC received reports of 116 fatalities and 152 injuries suffered in accidents involving ROVs. Just last August, eight spectators were killed at the California 200 off-road race in Johnson Valley when a racer lost control of his vehicle and plowed into the crowd.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of Chase Scarbough, the San Bernardino boy who died yesterday.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this Johnson Valley off-road accident.

Additional information, including books and articles on the injury and wrongful death claims process, is available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to discuss a specific legal matter with a California truck accident attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Tustin: 3-Year-Old Girl, Milena Avila, Killed in Car Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)55268 — Tue, 17 May 2011 08:00:00 EST

Shortly after 4:40 p.m. on Sunday, May 15^th, a motorist broadsided a car carrying a man, a woman, and a 3-year-old girl at the intersection of Edinger Avenue and Kensington Park Drive in Tustin. The girl, Milena Avila, suffered critical injuries and died about three hours later at Western Medical Center in Santa Ana. Three other vehicle occupants were also injured in the crash. Authorities are investigating the car accident, explains an Orange County auto accident attorney.

In 2009, Tustin accounted for 294 of the 18,867 fatal and injury traffic collisions that occurred in Orange County, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety. That year, the number of traffic fatalities in the state decreased by 10.3 percent, from 3,434 in 2008 to 3,081 in 2009. Nationwide, midnight to 3 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays was the deadliest time to drive, with 1,024 and 1,072 fatal crashes, respectively, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of Milena Avila, the 3-year-old girl killed in the car accident on Sunday. We would also like to wish a full recovery to the vehicle occupants who were injured.

The Orange County Register originally reported this Tustin crash.

Resources for accident victims and their families, including books and articles on the injury and wrongful death claims process, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to discuss a specific legal matter with an Orange County auto accident attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Orange County Accident Attorneys | California Commuter Car Crashes

mmazal@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)55158 — Mon, 16 May 2011 08:00:00 EST

In Southern California, we have traffic. Over 12 million cars travel our freeways and most of them do so during commute hours. Congested highways mean that everyone on the road has a higher risk of being involved in an Orange County car crash, and it doesn't matter how carefully they drive.

Statistically, every driver in Southern California will be involved in a car accident at least once in their life!

As highways become overloaded with vehicles, drivers have less room to maneuver through traffic. When there is an open spot, everyone hurries to fill it. An accident can happen in just seconds. With so much going on, you may not see the other driver coming.

Because determining liability is difficult in California congested traffic accidents, you may need an Orange County auto accident attorney. You can learn more in our article: "More Cars, More Accidents: What You Need To Know About California Congested Traffic Car Crashes."

If you are involved in an Orange County congested traffic accident, you may have medical bills, car repairs and increased insurance premiums. Make sure you protect your accident claim; download our guide: 7 Mistakes That Could Sabotage Your Accident Claim. If you have any questions, our Orange County accident attorneys can help. Contact Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie at 866-981-5596.

Learn how to avoid accidents; read our article: "Orange County Accident Attorney's Top Eight Tips For Avoiding Commuter Traffic Accidents."

Distracted Biking? New Legislation Seeks To Prevent Orange County Bicycle Crashes

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)54034 — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Many people are aware of the dangers of distracted driving; what they don't realize is that distracted bicyclists may also cause accidents. A bicyclist using a hand-held cell phone is less stable on his bike and less likely to pay attention to surrounding traffic. This can put the bicyclist and others in danger from an Orange County bicycle crash.

Senator Joe Simitian, a Democrat from Palo Alto has authored a bill that he believes will reduce cell-phone related accidents in California. The bill increases fines for motorists caught using a hand-held cell phone to talk or text while driving. The bill also makes it illegal for bicyclists to talk on a hand-held cell phone while riding. The first offense ticket would cost a bicyclist $20; the fine would be increased to $50 for additional offenses.

Some bicyclists and bicycling advocates see the bill as an obstacle for those who use their bikes as transportation. They believe that bicyclists need more rights, not less.

The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 24-12. It must now pass an Assembly vote in order to become law.

The Orange County bicycle accident attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie represent victims of bicycle-car accidents in Orange County and throughout California. While we support the rights of bicyclists, we also suggest pulling into a safe place before using your cell phone. We have seen too many bicyclists become victims of distracted driving crashes.

Distracted Driving Awareness Month: How Much Of A Problem Is CA Distracted Driving?

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)54036 — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving was the main factor in 16 percent of fatal crashes and 20 percent of injury crashes in 2009. This makes distracted driving just as dangerous as speeding or drunk driving; 116 Californians lost their lives in distracted driving crashes that year.

Many distracted driving crashes are attributed to cell phone use. In California, drivers may not text or use a cell phone without a hands-free device. Bus drivers and drivers under age 18 may not text or use a cell phone of any type.

Despite the law, drivers continue to text and talk on hand-held cell phones. According to preliminary statistics, CHP officers issued more than 11,000 cell-phone-use and 397 texting-while-driving citations to Orange County drivers last year.

Why are cell phones so dangerous? A driver who is travelling at 60 M.P.H. can travel the length of a football field in five seconds, about the time it takes to send a text message. The delay in reaction time is the same of that of a drunk driver with a .08 blood alcohol level.

Hands-free cell phones are legal in California, but they may not be safe. Researchers have found drivers who use hands-free cell phones also show delayed reaction times. Learn more in our article, "Can Hands-Free Devices Prevent Orange County Distracted Driving Accidents?"

The Orange County accident attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie urge you to put away your cell phone this month. We wish you safe driving.

Walnut Park: Pedestrian Killed by Suspected Drunk Driver

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)53339 — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST

At around 1 a.m. this morning, a suspected drunk driver killed a pedestrian in Walnut Park. The driver, 23, ran a stop sign at the intersection of California Street and Pacific Boulevard, losing control of his vehicle and striking a 42-year-old man who was walking on the sidewalk nearby. His vehicle overturned when he crashed into a brick wall further down the street. Paramedics transported him to a local hospital for the treatment of minor injuries, where he was arrested upon his release, explains a California injury lawyer.

Statewide, the number of pedestrian fatalities recorded by the California Office of Traffic Safety decreased by 9.2 percent from 620 in 2008 to 563 in 2009, the lowest annual tally since the federal government began recording fatality statistics in 1975. That year, a total of 7,008 pedestrians were injured or killed in traffic accidents in Los Angeles County.

Pedestrians have rights, whether walking inside or outside of a crosswalk. If a driver’s negligence causes injury to a pedestrian, the driver may be held responsible for any medical bills and other injury-related expenses the pedestrian incurs. If the pedestrian dies as a result of the injuries, his or her family may pursue a wrongful death claim against the driver.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of the pedestrian who was killed by the suspected drunk driver in Walnut Park.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this pedestrian accident.

Resources for accident victims and their families, such as books and articles on the injury and wrongful death claims process, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Speeding Motorcyclists Sentenced for Fatal Newport Beach Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)51908 — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST

In 2008, 46-year-old Andrew Parker was killed when two speeding motorcyclists crashed into the back of his car. Recently, the motorcyclists pled guilty to felony vehicular manslaughter and were sentenced for their role in the fatal Lake Forest motor vehicle crash.

On April 25, 2008, two young men bragged about plans to speed. They raced down the 241 toll road in Lake Forest at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour and crashed into the back of an Alfa Romero driven by Mr. Parker. The force of the crash knocked the car off the road and into a light pole. It then flipped and landed upside down. Mr. Parker had to be cut free of his vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The motorcyclists survived. Blaise Aaron Meadows was thrown off his motorcycle and sustained several fractures. Daniel Cody Burkett left the scene. At the time of the crash, Burkett was on probation for a 2007 misdemeanor conviction for evading police.

Most motorcyclists are aware of the dangers that face them as they share the highway with larger vehicles. They drive defensively in order to avoid deadly crashes. However, the few motorcyclists who behave recklessly get media attention. These stories can bias a jury when deciding a CA motorcycle accident claim.

If you have been injured in an Orange County motorcycle crash, you need an attorney who can overcome these biases. Contact the Newport Beach motorcycle accident attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie: 866-981-5596.

Preventing Orange County Car Crashes: What To Do If Your Car Has A Safety Defect?

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)51909 — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST

There have been 69 vehicle recalls since March 1. With all the car recalls that are going on, you may wonder what you can do if your vehicle has a safety defect. If there is something wrong with your vehicle and you believe that it is a safety concern, you can do the following:

1. Check the manufacturer's web site to check for recalls.

2. If there is no recall, contact your dealer. Let the dealer know of your safety issue. If your car is still under warranty, the dealer should fix the problem at no charge. If your car is not under warranty, keep the receipt. If a recall is issued later, the manufacturer should reimburse you for the fix.

3. Report your concern to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). You can either call the toll free number, 888-327-4236, or go to the website. The NHTSA follows up on car safety complaints and the more reports it gets, the more likely that there will be an official investigation.

If a safety defect in your car causes an accident or injury, you may have an Orange County accident claim against the vehicle's manufacturer. To learn more, contact the Newport Beach personal injury attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie: 866-981-5596.

Newport Beach: Suspected Drunk Driver Struck and Killed Bicyclist

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)49495 — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST

At around 6 p.m. last night, a suspected drunk driver struck and killed a bicyclist in Newport Beach. The bicycle accident occurred on San Joaquin Hills Road near Spyglass Road when 22-year-old Danae Marie Miller, of Newport Coast, collided with the bicycle rider. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police arrested her on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and are investigating the accident, explains an Orange County injury attorney.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA, classifies bicyclists and other cyclists, including the riders of two-wheel nonmotorized vehicles, tricycles, and unicycles powered solely by pedals as pedalcyclists. In 2009, the year for which the most recent accident statistics are available, pedalcyclists accounted for 630 of the 33,808 fatalities and 51,000 of the 2,217,000 injuries suffered in traffic accidents. Alcohol, drugs, or medication were a factor 10.6% of the fatal accidents involving pedalcyclists.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of the bicyclist who was struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver in Newport Beach last night.

The Orange County Register originally reported this bicycle accident.

Resources for accident victims, such as books and articles on the process of pursuing an injury or wrongful death claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to discuss a specific legal matter with an Orange County injury attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Orange: Pedestrian Fatally Struck While Walking Dog

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)49440 — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST

At around 11 p.m. last night, a car fatally struck a pedestrian while she was walking her dog in Orange. The woman was traversing a crosswalk with her boyfriend and dog at the intersection of Chapman Avenue and Citrus Street when a Toyota Matrix struck her. Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene. Her boyfriend sustained minor injuries, and the dog was unharmed. Authorities are investigating the accident, explains an Orange County injury lawyer.

In 2009, the most recent year for which the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA, has released accident statistics, 4,092 pedestrians were killed and 59,000 injured in traffic accidents. The majority of the fatalities, 74.8%, were suffered in nonintersection locations. Moreover, nonintersection locations accounted for 82.9% of the fatal accidents suffered by pedestrians between the ages of 25 and 34. 918 of the fatal accidents that year occurred between the hours of 9 p.m. and midnight.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of the pedestrian who was fatally struck while walking her dog in Orange last night.

The Orange County Register originally reported this pedestrian accident.

Resources for accident victims and their families, such as books and articles on the process of pursuing an injury or wrongful death claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with an Orange County injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Lake Gregory: One Person Killed and Twenty-Four Injured in Bus Crash

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)49447 — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST

Shortly before noon, a bus carrying more than twenty-four teenagers collided with a car on Highway 189 near Lake Gregory, the impact sending it down a snowy embankment and into several trees. One person was killed and twenty-four were injured in the bus crash. Authorities have set up a triage area near the accident scene, while seriously injured passengers are being air lifted to nearby hospitals, explains a California personal injury lawyer.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s most recently released accident statistics, 24,474 vehicle occupants were killed and 2,011,000 injured in traffic accidents in 2009. Bus crashes accounted for 221 of the fatalities and 10,000 of the injuries, with 139 of the fatal and 9,000 of the injury accidents attributable to a collision between a bus and another motor vehicle.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of the person who was killed in the bus crash near Lake Gregory today. We would also like to wish a full recovery to the twenty-four people who were injured.

This accident was originally reported by KCAL-TV, Channel 9.

Additional information, including books and articles on the process of pursuing an injury or wrongful death claim, is available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these resources, or to discuss a specific legal matter with a California personal injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Aliso Viejo: Woman Critically Injured in Car Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)49197 — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST

At around 6:30 last night, firefighters arrived at the scene of an accident involving two vehicles on the 73 Toll Road near the Aliso Creek Road exit in Aliso Viejo. One of the vehicles, a Ford Explorer, had rolled over, ejecting a female occupant. The woman was critically injured and transported to a nearby hospital, as was a child who was also injured in the accident, explains an Orange County auto accident attorney.

In 2009, rollover accidents claimed 8,267 lives, accounting for approximately 35% of the fatalities suffered in passenger cars and light trucks, according to the most recent accident data released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA. As of 2007, the agency has required all passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 4,536 kg (10,000) or less to be equipped with electronic stability control systems, providing drivers with greater vehicle control in situations conducive to rollover.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the woman critically injured in Aliso Viejo last night a full recovery. We would also like to wish a full recovery to the child who was injured.

The Orange County Register originally reported this car accident.

Resources for accident victims, such as articles and books on the injury claims process, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request an article or a book, or to speak with an Orange County auto accident attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Bicycle Safety Enforcement Operation kicks off in Orange County

mmazal@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)49053 — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST

On average, one cyclist a month is killed in an Orange County bicycle car crash. Newport Chief of Police Jay Johnson believes many of these deaths can be prevented. So, he created the Bicycle Safety Enforcement Operation, a cooperative effort to educate drivers and bicyclists about the traffic violations that cause fatal California bicycle accidents.

On Saturday, February 19 and on Thursday, February 24, extra police officers from Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and Laguna Beach will be on duty in areas frequented by both bicyclists and motor vehicles. These officers will be looking for traffic violations by both motorists and bicyclists.

Police expect some resistance to the program. Some drivers believe bicyclists have no place on the road. Bicyclists may believe that being cited for traffic violations is a form of harassment. But, police believe that education of both bicyclists and drivers and traffic rule enforcement are the best way to prevent Orange County bicycle accident fatalities.

The Newport Beach bicycle accident attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie fight for the rights of bicycle accident victims. Every day, we help the individuals and families whose lives are forever changed by bicycle-car crashes. We support these efforts to reduce Orange County bicycle crash deaths.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an Orange County bicycle accident, we’d like to help. Contact Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie at 866-981-5596 to schedule a free legal consultation with a personal injury lawyer.

Laguna Niguel: Mara Steves Struck and Killed While Rescuing Dog

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)48963 — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST

Shortly after 11:00 last Sunday morning, 48-year-old Mara Steves was struck and killed while rescuing a stray dog in Laguna Niguel. The accident occurred near the intersection of Moulton Parkway and Nueva Vista Drive: a Toyota 4Runner and a Ford Explorer collided, one or both of the vehicles crashing into the sidewalk where Steves was standing with the dog. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The occupants of the vehicles suffered minor to moderate injuries, explains an Orange County injury lawyer.

In 2009, the most recent year for which the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA, has released accident statistics, 33,808 people were killed and 2,217,000 injured in traffic accidents. Pedestrians accounted for 4,092 of the fatalities and 59,000 of the injuries. According to the California Highway Patrol’s most recent accident statistics, Laguna Niguel accounted for none of the 31 pedestrian fatalities and 4 of the 785 injuries that occurred in Orange County in 2008.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of Mara Steves, the woman struck and killed while rescuing a dog in Laguna Niguel last Sunday.

The Orange County Register originally reported this pedestrian accident.

Additional information, including books and articles on the injury and wrongful death claims process, is available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with an Orange County injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Santa Clarita: Pedestrian Killed on Set of "NCIS: Los Angeles"

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)48622 — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST

Yesterday morning a pedestrian was killed on the set of CBS’s crime drama “NCIS: Los Angeles” in Santa Clarita. The victim, a 52-year-old security guard, sustained fatal injuries when he was struck by a production van that sped through a parking lot on set and struck a tent he was standing near. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. Production of the show has been suspended while state regulators investigate the fatal accident, explains a California personal injury attorney.

In California, occupational injuries claimed 301 lives in 2009, the most recent year for which the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has released accident information. Transportation incidents accounted for 95 of the fatalities, 17 of which were attributed to a vehicle striking an employee. Protective service occupations accounted for 25 of the deaths. That year, 4,092 pedestrians were killed and 59,000 injured in traffic crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of the pedestrian who was killed on the set of “NCIS: Los Angeles” in Santa Clarita yesterday.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this pedestrian accident.

Resources for accident victims and their families, such as books and articles on the injury and wrongful death claims process, are available to the public free of charge.

For more information, or to discuss a specific legal matter with a California personal injury attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Huntington Beach Ranks Number One For Drunk Driving Accidents

mmazal@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)48495 — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST

Huntington Beach may have more drunk drivers than any other similar-sized city in California.

A report released by the Office of Traffic and Safety lists Huntington Beach as having more drunk driving crashes than the 56 other California cities with populations between 100,000 and 250,000.

In 2009, there were 195 alcohol-related collisions for 2009 in which the victims were killed or injured. In 2010, alcohol was a factor in five of nine fatal Huntington Beach accidents.

Other Orange County cities included in the top ten were Costa Mesa and Orange. Fullerton, Mission Viejo, Irvine and Garden Grove were also on the list, but had lower rankings.

Huntington Beach has been consistently ranked in the top 10 cities with the alcohol-related collisions since 2005. However, police also work hard to prevent Huntington Beach drunk driving crashes. The DUI arrest rate for Huntington Beach is 1.28 percent ; the California average is .9 percent.

The Office of Traffic and Safety OTS has also compiled a list of the top 50 DUI cities in California in 2010. were listed in its annual performance report. On that list, which includes cities of all sizes, Huntington Beach is ranked No. 16 and Santa Ana is ranked at No. 8. Orange, Newport Beach and Fullerton are also on the list.

If you have lost a loved one to a Huntington Beach drunk driving car accident, you have rights. Learn more about your right to file a wrongful death claim in our article: “Every Orange County DUI Death is a Wrongful Death: Families Who Lose a Loved One to Drunk Driver Have Rights.”

For more information, contact the Orange County accident attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie at 866-981-5596.

Studio City: One Seriously Injured in Semi Accident on 101 Freeway

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)47947 — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST

Early this morning, a semi accident on the 101 Freeway near the 134 Freeway in Studio City left one person seriously injured. A semi truck hauling two trailers filled with sand was traveling in the eastbound lanes when it swerved into the center divider, striking several vehicles in the westbound lanes before returning to the eastbound lanes and crushing an SUV. The SUV driver sustained major injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital, explains a California truck accident attorney.

In 2009, the most recent year for which the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has released accident statistics, drivers accounted for 17,640 of the vehicle occupants killed in traffic accidents and 1,395,000 of those injured. That year, there were a total of 3,380 fatalities and 74,000 injuries resulting from collisions involving large trucks.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the driver who was seriously injured on the 101 Freeway in Studio City this morning a full recovery.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this semi accident.

Resources for accident victims, such as books and articles to assist with the injury claims process, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request a book or an article, or to speak with a California truck accident attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Lake Forest: Car Accident Claims the Life of Gregg Wiles

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)47842 — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST

Shortly before 12:30 p.m. yesterday, a car accident claimed the life of Gregg Wiles in Lake Forest. The two-vehicle collision occurred on Portola Parkway when Wiles’ Chrysler sedan collided with a Nissan Altima. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Authorities believe one of the drivers may have run a red light and are continuing to investigate the accident, explains an Orange County auto accident attorney.

In 2009, traffic accidents claimed a total of 33,808 lives and injured 2,217,000 people, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA. Vehicle occupants accounted for 24,474 of the fatalities and 2,011,000 of the injuries. Over 95% of the 9.6 million vehicles involved in crashes that year were passenger cars or light trucks.

Everyone at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer their condolences to the family of Gregg Wiles.

The Orange County Register originally reported this Lake Forest car accident.

Additional information, including articles and books on the injury or wrongful death claims process, is available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these resources, or to speak with an Orange County auto accident attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Pasadena: Woman in Wheelchair Killed in Hit-and-Run Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)47720 — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST

A woman in a wheelchair was killed in a hit-and-run accident last night in Pasadena. 28-year-old DeShaun Chapman was traveling north at a high rate of speed on Fair Oaks Avenue at around 6:30 p.m. when a dark sedan backed out of a private driveway, causing Chapman to swerve into oncoming traffic; he then over-corrected, losing control of the vehicle and crashing into the 52-year-old convalescent hospital resident, pinning her to the ground. While Chapman initially fled the scene, he later returned and was charged with vehicular manslaughter. Authorities are still searching for the driver of the dark sedan and have asked anyone with information about this accident to call 626-744-4241, explains a California personal injury lawyer.

In 2009, traffic accidents claimed the lives of 4,092 pedestrians and injured another 59,000, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA. That year, the majority of pedestrians were killed between the hours of 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., followed by 9 p.m. and midnight. The highest percentage of injuries also occurred between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., followed by 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. While the majority of fatal accidents occurred at nonintersection locations (74.8%), most of the injuries were sustained in intersections (49.1%).

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of the woman in the wheelchair who was killed last night.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this hit-and-run accident.

Additional information, including links to pedestrian advocacy groups and articles on pedestrian rights, is available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these resources, or to speak with a California personal injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Placentia: Prius Struck Four Children Near a School

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)47442 — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST

At approximately 2:30 p.m. yesterday, a Prius struck four children near a Placentia school. The accident was triggered when a Toyota Sienna traveling south on Valencia Avenue turned left in front of a northbound Prius, the impact sending the Prius onto the sidewalk where the children were standing, striking three of them and pinning the fourth under the vehicle. Firefighters released the 12-year-old boy from under the car with airbags; he was taken to UCI Medical Center in critical condition. Another 12-year-old also sustained serious injuries and was taken to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana, as was the driver of the Prius. A 7-year-old was taken to Placentia-Linda Hospital in Placentia, and an 11-year-old left with his parents. The intersection of Valencia Avenue and Golden Avenue was closed until 6 p.m. while police conducted an investigation of the accident, explains an Orange County injury lawyer.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s latest accident statistics indicate that a total of 33,808 people died and 2,217,000 were injured in traffic accidents in 2009. 4,092 of the fatalities and 59,000 of the injuries were attributed to accidents involving pedestrians. Moreover, the 14-and-younger age group accounted for 244 of the fatalities and 13,000 of the injuries. The majority of individuals in this age group killed or injured were males.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the children struck and injured by the Prius yesterday near the Placentia school a full recovery.

The Orange County Register originally reported this accident.

Additional resources, including links to pedestrian advocacy groups and articles on pedestrian rights, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these resources, or to discuss a specific legal matter with an Orange County injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Distracted Driver Charged In Fatal Huntington Beach Pedestrian Accident

mmazal@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)47350 — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST

In September, we posted a news article about a Huntington Beach pedestrian accident that killed a 4-month-old baby girl. This week, the driver who caused the accident was charged with one misdemeanor count of vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence.

The Orange County car crash occurred on September 7, 2010. The driver, 50-year-old Robert Anthony Casares of Huntington Beach, was distracted by a laptop sliding off his passenger seat. Casares says that he briefly looked down to secure the bag, and did not notice that the traffic in front of him had stopped at the intersection. Casares slammed on his brakes but was unable to prevent his car from crashing into a pickup truck. The truck spun into a crosswalk where a mother from Australia was walking with her baby in a stroller and her 11-year-old niece and 7-year-old nephew beside her.

The group was hit by the truck. The baby was ejected from her stroller and landed 70 feet away. She was pronounced dead due to blunt force trauma to the head. The mother suffered a dislocated shoulder and fractured vertebrae and the niece sustained a broken leg.

The computer started to slide after the vehicle crossed a train track. The driver probably gave little thought to the fact that he was taking eyes off the road, but just a moment of distraction can cost a life and shatter a family’s dreams.

You can learn more about distracted driving in our library article: “Can Hands-Free Devices Prevent Orange County Distracted Driving Accidents?”

If you or someone you love has been injured by a distracted driver, you have rights. The Newport Beach pedestrian accident attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie are dedicated to helping Orange County injury victims. We help those who are injured in Orange County car accidents to recover fair insurance compensation for their injuries, property damage, medical costs, and other losses. To learn more, contact our Orange County car crash lawyers at 866-981-5596.

Fullerton High School Teacher Jeff Rupp Critically Injured in Motorcycle Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)47131 — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST

Last night, Jeff Rupp, a government and philosophy teacher at Fullerton Union High School, was critically injured in a motorcycle accident. While riding his 2003 Harley-Davidson motorcycle in the northbound lanes of Euclid Street he was struck by a 2004 Hyundai sedan making a left turn from the southbound lane onto Malvern Avenue. He sustained head injuries and broken bones and was transported to UCI Medical Center. An investigation is underway and authorities have asked witnesses to contact Investigator Brandon Clyde at 714-738-6812 or the front desk of the Fullerton Police Station at 714-738-6715, explains an Orange County injury attorney.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA, recently released its 2009 Traffic Safety Facts. That year, motorcycle accidents accounted for 4,462 of the 33,808 traffic crash fatalities and 90,000 of the 2,217,000 injuries—a decrease from 2008, when there were 5,290 fatalities and 96,000 injuries. In 2009, 45.4% of the collisions were between a motorcyclist and another motor vehicle in transport.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish Jeff Rupp, the motorcyclist critically injured in Fullerton last night, a full recovery.

The Orange County Register originally reported this motorcycle accident.

Additional information, including articles and books on protecting an injury claim, is available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these resources, or to speak with an Orange County injury attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Garden Grove: Elderly Bicyclist Struck and Killed

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)47048 — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST

Yesterday morning an elderly bicyclist was struck and killed in Garden Grove. Shortly before noon, the driver of a Ford F250 was turning right onto Brookhurst Street from a parking lot when he hit the bicycle rider. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, a 36-year-old man from Huntington Beach, claimed he did not see the bicyclist. Authorities are investigating the accident and have asked witnesses to call the traffic accident investigation unit at 714-741-5704, explains an Orange County injury lawyer.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA, categorizes bicyclists and other cyclists, including the riders of two-wheel nonmotorized vehicles, tricycles, and unicycles powered solely by pedals, as pedalcyclists. The agency’s 2009 Traffic Safety Facts indicate that 630 pedalcyclists were killed and 51,000 injured throughout the country. 5.4% of the fatalities were attributed to the bicyclist not being visible, compared to 18.6% that were caused by a failure to yield the right of way. That year, 99 of the fatal accidents occurred in California.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of the elderly bicyclist who was struck and killed in Garden Grove yesterday.

The Orange County Register originally reported this bicycle accident.

Additional information, including articles on injury and wrongful death claims and links to bicycle advocacy groups, is available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these resources, or to discuss a specific legal matter with an Orange County injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Anaheim: Drunk Driver Traveled Wrong Way on 91, Killed Two

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)47055 — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST

Shortly before 1 a.m. this morning, a drunk driver traveled the wrong way on the 91 freeway in Anaheim, causing the crash that killed two people. 21-year-old South Gate resident Anthony Louis Fragoso was heading west in the eastbound lane of the 91 car-pool lane in a 1996 Mercedes-Benz when he collided head-on with a 2006 Toyota Scion. One of the Scion’s occupants, 26-year-old Alan Reyes, of Diamond Bar, was ejected from the vehicle on impact and pronounced dead at the scene, as was the other occupant, 24-year-old Vanessa Cease, of Long Beach. Fragoso sustained serious injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital, where authorities arrested him on suspicion of driving under the influence. Witnesses have been asked to call 714-892-4426, explains an Orange County auto accident attorney.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2009 Traffic Safety Facts indicate that drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .01 or greater were involved in 12,744 of the 33,808 traffic fatalities suffered that year. Between the years of 1982 and 2009, individuals aged 21 to 24 consistently accounted for the highest proportion of drivers involved in fatal crashes with a BAC of .08 or greater.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the families of Vanessa Cease and Alan Reyes, the two people killed by the drunk driver traveling the wrong way on the 91 freeway this morning.

The Orange County Register originally reported this fatal traffic accident.

Additional information, including links to online resources for the victims of drunk driving and articles on injury and wrongful death claims, is available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these resources, or to discuss a specific legal matter with an Orange County auto accident attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Newport Beach: 3 Killed in Multiple-Vehicle Accident on PCH

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)46892 — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST

At around 2:40 p.m. last Saturday, three people were killed and another critically injured in a multiple-vehicle accident on PCH in Newport Beach. The Los Angeles Times reported that 27-year-old Newport Beach resident Julie Allen was speeding on PCH in Newport Beach when her tan Ford Taurus swerved into opposing lanes of traffic, striking multiple vehicles, including a Toyota Prius, a white Taurus, a Nissan Titan pickup, a Toyota Tacoma pickup, and a motorcycle. The occupants of the Tacoma, 49-year-old Christopher De La Cruz, of Laguna Niguel, and 69-year-old Linda Burnett, of Santa Ana, were killed on impact. The motorcyclist was transported to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana in critical condition. Several other accident victims were treated for minor to moderate injuries at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach. Allen, a former Stanford track star, also died in the crash. Pacific Coast Highway remained closed until early Sunday morning as authorities investigated the accident. Anyone with information about the accident has been asked to call investigators at 949-644-3747, explains an Orange County auto accident attorney.

Nationwide, 33,808 people were killed and 2,217,000 injured in traffic accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2009 Traffic Safety Facts. The California Highway Patrol’s most recently posted accident statistics indicate that Newport Beach accounted for 6 of the 152 fatal and 439 of the 13,414 injury motor vehicle traffic collisions that occurred in 2008. According to NHTSA, California and Texas led the nation in speeding-related traffic fatalities in 2009, with 1,087 of the 10,591 deaths attributed to California and 1,228 to Texas.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the families of Christopher De La Cruz, Linda Burnett, and Julie Allen. We would also like to wish the individuals who were injured in the multiple-vehicle accident a full recovery.

Additional information, including articles and books on injury and wrongful death claims, is available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these resources, or to speak with an Orange County auto accident attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Orange: Two Cars Struck 13-Year-Old Boy

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)46786 — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST

Shortly after 7:30 a.m. this morning, two cars struck a 13-year-old boy in Orange. The boy was walking to Santiago Middle School when a Toyota 4Runner traveling west on Spring Street struck him, the impact throwing him into the path of an eastbound Land Rover Discovery. He suffered moderate trauma injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital. The California Highway Patrol is investigating this pedestrian accident, explains an Orange County injury attorney.

Throughout the state, there were 646 fatal and 12,774 injury motor vehicle traffic accidents involving pedestrians in 2008, according to the California Highway Patrol’s accident statistics. Orange accounted for 1 of the 31 fatal and 49 of the 785 injury pedestrian accidents that occurred in Orange County that year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the majority of pedestrian fatalities that year occurred in urban areas (72%), at non-intersection locations (76%), in normal weather conditions (89%), and at night (70%).

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the 13-year-old boy who was struck by two cars in Orange this morning a full recovery from his injuries.

The Orange County Register originally reported this pedestrian accident.

Resources for pedestrians, such as links to pedestrian advocacy groups and articles on pedestrian rights, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request an article, or to discuss a specific legal matter with an Orange County injury attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Bicyclist Seriously Injured in Huntington Beach Street Race Car Crash

mmazal@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)46801 — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST

Most bicyclists assume that if they are on a trail with no vehicles they are safe. For one bicyclist this wasn't true. He was seriously injured when two cars crashed on a nearby street.

The Orange County bicycle accident occurred at about 8:16 a.m. Sunday, January 9. Forty-four-year-old Richard Lauwers was riding his bicycle on a trail alongside PCH near Seapoint Avenue in Huntington Beach when two cars crashed and rolled down the embankment to the trail. One of the cars hit Lauwers.

Before the accident, witnesses report that the silver Honda Accord was racing with 2006 BMW sedan. The cars crashed and flipped. The Accord hit Lauwers.

Lauwers and the driver of the BMW, Michael D. Roach, 36, were taken to the hospital with serious injuries; Lauwers is in critical condition.

The driver of the Accord, 57-year-old Glenn M. Moore, 57, of Newport Beach, sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene. He was arrested and booked at Huntington Beach jail on suspicion of causing injury while driving under the influence.

The Orange County personal injury attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie are dedicated to protecting the rights of California bicycle accident victims. If you have been injured in a car-bicycle crash, contact our Newport Beach law office at 866-981-5596.

Huntington Beach: Bicyclist Richard Lauwers Struck by Drunk Driver, in Critical Condition

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)46615 — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST

Last Sunday at approximately 8:15 in the morning, 44-year-old bicyclist Richard Lauwers was riding on a trail along Pacific Coast Highway near Seapoint Avenue in Huntington Beach when 57-year-old Glenn M. Moore struck him with his silver Honda Accord. Moore had been racing with a 2006 BMW driven by 36-year-old Michael D. Roach when the two vehicles collided and rolled down the embankment adjacent to the trail, which is when Moore’s Accord struck Lauwers, who remains in critical condition. Police arrested Moore on suspicion of causing injury while driving under the influence, explains an Orange County injury attorney.

Huntington Beach accounted for 6 of the 62 fatal and 122 of the 1,492 injury motor vehicle traffic collisions involving alcohol that occurred in Huntington Beach in 2008, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Annual Report of Fatal and Injury Motor Vehicle Traffic Collisions for that year. Recently, National Public Radio reported that alcohol-related traffic fatalities have increased.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish Richard Lauwers, the bicyclist who was struck by the drunk driver last Sunday, a full recovery from his injuries.

The Orange County Register originally reported this Huntington Beach accident.

Additional information, including articles and books on the injury claims process, are available to the public free of charge.

To request one of these resources, or to discuss a specific legal matter with an Orange County injury attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Huntington Beach: Bicyclist Jurgen Ankenbrand Died After Being Struck by Two Vehicles

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)45748 — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST

69-year-old bicyclist Jurgen Ankenbrand died last Wednesday evening after two vehicles struck him in the intersection of Brookhurst Street and Villa Pacific Drive in Huntington Beach. Ankenbrand had been riding along the driver side of a dark colored Toyota 4Runner when the vehicle struck him while turning left onto Brookhurst Street. The driver of the 4Runner fled after knocking him off of his bicycle, leaving him down in the southbound No. 1 lane of Brookhurst, where a white Honda Odyssey van subsequently struck him. Authorities are investigating the accident and have asked anyone with information to contact Huntington Beach police at 714-536-5666, explains an Orange County injury attorney.

When collecting accident statistics, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration refers to bicyclists, tricyclists, unicyclists, and the riders of other nonmotorized vehicles as pedalcyclists. According to NHTSA, fatal accidents involving pedalcyclists occurred more frequently in urban areas (69%), at non-intersection locations (64%), between the hours of 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. (28%), and during the months of June (9%) and September (12%). In 2008, Huntington Beach accounted for none of the 10 fatal and 157 of the 1,087 injury traffic collisions involving bicyclists, according to the California Highway Patrol’s accident statistics.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of Jurgen Ankenbrand.

The Orange County Register originally reported this fatal bicycle accident.

Additional resources, such as articles and books on injury and wrongful death claims and videos on protecting an accident claim, are available to the public free of charge.

To request one of these resources, or to speak with an Orange County injury attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Laguna Beach: Pedestrian Killed in Accident on PCH

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)45573 — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST

Early this morning, a female pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle in the 900 block of PCH in Laguna Beach. The accident was reported before 7 a.m., at around the same time that officers were receiving numerous calls concerning flooding and mudslides in the area, explains an Orange County injury lawyer.

Throughout Orange County, there were 31 fatal and 785 injury traffic collisions involving pedestrians, of which none of the fatal and 19 of the injury accidents occurred in Laguna Beach, according to the California Highway Patrol’s 2008 statistics.

In most situations, pedestrians have the right-of-way, regardless of whether they are walking inside or outside of a crosswalk. In the event that a driver fails to yield for a pedestrian, the driver may be held responsible for any expenses related to the pedestrian’s injuries. If the pedestrian is killed in the accident, his or her family may pursue a wrongful death claim against the driver.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of the pedestrian who was killed on PCH this morning.

The Orange County Register originally reported this Laguna Beach accident.

Additional resources, such as links to pedestrian advocacy groups and articles on pedestrian rights, are available to the public free of charge.

To request a book or an article, or to speak with an Orange County injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Dog Bite Victims Have Rights in Orange County or in the Sky.

mmazal@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)45040 — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST

You might expect to have to worry about dog bites when walking in your Orange County neighborhood. Perhaps you’d expect dog bites to be a problem when walking in the park. But, I’ll bet you never thought you’d have to worry about dog bites while flying.

Last Saturday, both a flight attendant and a passenger aboard board US Airways flight 522 sustained painful dog bites when a dog travelling in the passenger cabin was let out of its carrier by its owner. As soon as the dog was let out of its cage, it bit both the passenger and a flight attendant.

The airline says that the passenger was explicitly told not to open the dog carrier.

The Phoenix-bound flight was diverted to Pittsburgh International Airport so the victims could receive medical treatment. The plane was met at the gate by law enforcement officials and the fire department.

The dog and its owner were removed from the plane. They were interviewed and then released. The flight continued to Phoenix without them.

Dog bite law is confusing. Whether you are bitten in the sky or here in Orange County, you have rights. And Orange County dog bite lawyer can help you determine if you are entitled to compensation for your injuries. To learn more, contact the California personal injury attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie at 866-981-5596.

Dangerous Dogs: More Californians Are Being Hospitalized With Dog Bite Injuries

mmazal@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)45042 — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has released a report showing that the number of dog bite victims admitted to hospitals increased by 86% in the 15 years between 2003 and 2008.

In 2008, an average of 866 people a day sought emergency department treatment for dog bite injuries. Of the 900, about 26 people were admitted to the hospital each day for treatment of dog bites injuries. Almost half (43%) of those people hospitalized for dog bites required treatment for infections of the skin and underlying tissue. Other injuries included open wounds on the arms and legs; open wounds on the head, neck and trunk; and fractures of the upper limbs.

Treating patients admitted for dog bites cost hospitals an average of $18,200 per patient in 2008 for a total cost of $54 million.

The treatment of a dog bite can be expensive. If you have been bitten by a dog that was trained to be aggressive or was not properly restrained, you may have lost wages and the ability to work as well. You deserve compensation for your losses.

The Orange County dog bite attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie help dog bite victims to recover compensation for their medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, property damage and other losses caused by dog attacks. To learn more, contact our Newport Beach law office at 866-981-5596

Three People Killed in Vernon Hit-and-Run Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)44978 — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST

Last Saturday night, three people were killed in a hit-and-run accident in Vernon. The driver of a Dodge struck a Honda carrying Rafael Chavez-Rodriguez, 30, Jessika Quinonez-Gonzalez, 25, and Amanda Samayoa, whose age the Los Angeles County coroner has estimated to be about 70. A 6-year-old boy who was also riding in the vehicle survived the crash. The driver of the truck fled the scene but was later apprehended. He faces charges of felony hit and run and driving while intoxicated, explains a California personal injury lawyer.

Statewide, alcohol was a factor in 1,239 of the 3,113 fatal and 19,659 of the 170,496 injury motor vehicle traffic collisions in 2008, according to the California Highway Patrol. Los Angeles County accounted for 258 of the fatal and 4,832 of the injury accidents involving alcohol, more than any other county in the state. 2 of the fatal and 102 of the injury crashes occurred in Vernon.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this hit-and-run accident.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the families of Rafael Chavez-Rodriguez, Jessika Quinonez-Gonzalez, and Amanda Samayoa, the three killed on Saturday.

Additional information, including articles on injury and wrongful death, videos on protecting a claim, and links to an online directory of resources for the victims of drunk driving, is available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request an article or a book, or to speak with a California personal injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Stanton: Multiple-Vehicle Accident Leaves Woman Pinned Under Wreckage

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)44808 — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST

At approximately 9:00 a.m. yesterday, a woman was pinned under the wreckage of a multiple-vehicle accident at the intersection of Beach and Garden Grove Boulevards. The crash was triggered when a Honda Odyssey collided with a Jeep entering the intersection on a green light, sending the Jeep into a SUV traveling in the same direction. The impact ejected a female passenger from the Jeep and dislodged the vehicle’s roof, sending it into a Chevy Impala, as well as caused the SUV to rollover. When the vehicles came to a halt, the female passenger was trapped under the Jeep. Passersby lifted the vehicle off of her, and she was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition, along with the Jeep’s driver who sustained a cut over the eye. The sheriff’s Major Accident Reconstruction Team is investigating the crash, explains an Orange County auto accident attorney.

In the United States, motor vehicle traffic crashes claimed the lives of 33,808 people and injured 1,517,000 others in 2009, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. California accounted for 3,081 of the fatalities that year. A recent study ranked ten California cities among the 50 most dangerous for drivers in the nation.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the woman who was pinned under the wreckage of yesterday’s accident a full recovery. We would also like to wish a full recovery to the driver of the Jeep.

The Orange County Register originally reported this Stanton multiple-vehicle accident.

Books, articles, and videos on protecting an injury claim are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these resources, or to discuss a specific legal matter with an Orange County auto accident attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Stanton: Driver of Ford Explorer Seriously Injured Pedestrian

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)44686 — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST

Shortly after 10:00 on the evening of Sunday, December 5^th, the driver of a Ford Explorer struck and seriously injured a man who was crossing at the intersection of Beach Boulevard and Katella Avenue in Stanton. The pedestrian was transported to a nearby hospital. Authorities are investigating the accident, explains an Orange County injury lawyer.

In the United States, 4,378 pedestrians were killed and 69,000 were injured in traffic collisions, with an average of one accident-related pedestrian fatality every 120 minutes and one injury every 8 minutes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That same year, Stanton accounted for 1 of the 31 fatal and 12 of the 785 injury traffic crashes that involved a pedestrian in Orange County, according to the California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Annual Report of Fatal and Injury Motor Vehicle Traffic Collisions.

The CDC recommends that pedestrians be especially cautious at intersections, as drivers often neglect to see pedestrians while attempting to turn left or right. Designated crosswalks and sidewalks are always safer than crossing mid-block or walking in the street. In areas where there are no sidewalks, pedestrians should walk facing traffic. If walking at night, one should always make oneself more noticeable by wearing retro-reflective clothing and carrying a flashlight.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the man who was struck and seriously injured by the driver of the Ford Explorer a full recovery.

The Orange County Register originally reported this accident.

Articles on pedestrian rights, links to advocacy groups, and videos on mistakes to avoid when pursuing an injury claim are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request an article or a book, or to speak with an Orange County injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

West Los Angeles: Pedestrian Razia Shariff Killed In Hit-And-Run Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)44488 — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST

At approximately 9:15 last night, pedestrian Razia Shariff was struck while crossing Centinela Avenue in West Los Angeles. The driver of the unidentified vehicle fled the scene, leaving Shariff to suffer from the blunt force trauma injuries she sustained from the impact. She was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Authorities are investigating this hit-and-run accident, explains a California injury attorney.

Throughout California, pedestrians were involved in 646 of the 3,113 fatal and 12,774 of the 170,496 injury traffic collisions according to the California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Annual Report of Fatal and Injury Traffic Collisions. Pedestrians were involved in 214 of the 667 fatal and 4,985 of the 52,229 injury traffic accidents that year—more than in any other county. Nationwide, the majority of pedestrian accidents occurred in urban areas (72%), at non-intersection locations (76%), in normal weather conditions (89%), and at night (70%), according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of Razia Shariff, the pedestrian killed in West Los Angeles last night.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this hit-and-run accident.

Articles on pedestrian rights, pedestrian accidents, injury and wrongful death claims are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request an article, or to speak with a California injury attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Burbank: Motorcyclist Died After Collision With Semi

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)44379 — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST

Shortly before 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 30^th, a motorcyclist died after a collision with a semi in Burbank. The accident occurred near the intersection of Buena Vista Street and Burbank Boulevard. The 65-year-old motorcycle rider died at the scene. Anyone with information about this accident is asked to call (818) 238-3100, explains a California injury attorney.

Statewide, motorcycle accidents accounted for 537 of the 3,113 fatal and 11,390 of the 170,496 injury traffic collisions, according to the California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Annual Report of Fatal and Injury Motor Vehicle Traffic Collisions. 114 of the fatal and 2,934 of the injury motorcycle crashes occurred in Los Angeles County—more than in any other county. 3 of the 5 fatal and 9 of the 548 injury collisions that occurred in Burbank involved a motorcycle.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of the motorcyclist who died in the collision with the semi in Burbank.

Articles on motorcycle safety, motorcycle accident claims, and wrongful death claims are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request an article, or to discuss a specific legal matter with a California injury attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Costa Mesa: Pedestrian Seriously Injured In Multiple-Vehicle Collision

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)44272 — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

Shortly before 8 a.m. this morning a pedestrian was seriously injured in a multiple-vehicle collision at the intersection of Sunflower Avenue and Stevens Avenue in Costa Mesa. A teenage driver ran a red light, striking two vehicles, the impact hurling debris at the corner on which the 23-year-old woman was standing. She sustained severe head trauma and was transported to a hospital for treatment, explains an Orange County injury attorney.

In the United States, one pedestrian is killed in a traffic collision every 120 minutes and injured every 8 minutes. Costa Mesa accounted for none of the 31 fatal and 60 of the 785 injury traffic accidents involving pedestrians, according to the California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Annual Report of Fatal and Injury Motor Vehicle Traffic Collisions.

A pedestrian has the right-of-way, whether walking in a crosswalk or standing on the sidewalk. In the event that a driver fails to yield for a pedestrian or causes an accident in which the pedestrian is injured, the driver may be liable for the pedestrian’s medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the young woman seriously injured in Costa Mesa this morning a full recovery.

The Orange County Register originally reported this multiple-vehicle collision.

Articles on pedestrian rights, links to pedestrian advocacy groups, and videos on mistakes to avoid when pursuing an injury claim are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request an article or a book, or to discuss a specific legal matter with an Orange County injury attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

South Los Angeles: Fatal Crash On 10 Freeway

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)44146 — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

At approximately 4:45 a.m. multiple vehicles collided on the 10 Freeway in Los Angeles, leaving one woman dead and three people injured. The fatal crash, which occurred near Crenshaw Boulevard, caused one vehicle to burst into flames. All westbound lanes were closed while the Los Angeles County coroner’s office and the California Highway Patrol investigated the accident, explains a California personal injury lawyer.

Los Angeles County accounted for 667 of the 3,113 fatal and 52,229 of the 170,496 injury traffic collisions that occurred throughout the state in 2008, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Annual Report of Fatal and Injury Motor Vehicle Traffic Collisions. According to a recent study of U.S. Department of Transportation statistics by the Scripps Howard News Service, some of the nation’s most dangerous roads can be found in California, with the 10 Freeway being one of them.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of the woman killed in South Los Angeles this morning. We would also like to wish the three people injured a full recovery.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this fatal crash on the 10 Freeway.

Additional information, including articles on California’s roads, car accidents, and protecting an injury claim, is available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request an article or a book, or to discuss a specific claim or case with a California personal injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Gorman: Fatal Collision Between Minivan And Truck Carrying Inmate-Staffed L.A. County Fire Crew Killed Two

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)43955 — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

At approximately 2:20 p.m. this afternoon, a crash involving a minivan and a truck carrying an inmate-staffed L.A. County fire crew on Highway 138 near Gorman killed two people and seriously injured several others. Some members of the crew—composed of prisoners from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation—were trapped in the vehicle while others were ejected as it rolled about 150 feet from the point of impact. Earlier in the day, they had been clearing brush from firebreaks or roadsides, part of a program supervised by the county Fire Department. The California Highway Patrol was at the accident scene to investigate, explains a California truck accident lawyer.

Trucks, sport utility vehicles, and minivans are highly susceptible to rollover accidents, with more than 280,000 such crashes reported annually, over 10,000 of which prove deadly, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A vehicle’s center of gravity and track width, the distance between the left and right wheel, significantly influence its risk of a rollover accident: the higher the center of gravity and the narrower the track, the greater the risk. According to the California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Annual Report of Fatal and Injury Motor Vehicle Traffic Collisions, Los Angeles accounted for 60 of the 265 fatal and 1,701 of 5,810 injury traffic collisions—more than in any other county that year.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the families of the two people who died in this accident. We would also like to wish those who were injured a full recovery.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this fatal collision between a minivan and a truck carrying an inmate-staffed L.A. County fire crew.

Additional articles on truck accidents, including ones on the common causes of truck accidents and what to do after an accident, are available to the public free of charge.

To request an article on this subject, or to speak with a California truck accident lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Staples Center: 2-Year-Old Lucas Anthony Tang Suffered Fatal Fall

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)43850 — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

Shortly after Sunday night’s Lakers game, 2-year-old Lucas Anthony Tang suffered a fatal fall from one of the top-level luxury suites in Staples Center. The boy had attended the game with his parents and older sister. While the events preceding the accident remain unclear, the boy was reported to be moving before paramedics transported him to the nearby hospital where he died. Authorities are investigating the incident, explains a California injury lawyer.

Each year, approximately 103 children die from fall-related injuries in the United States, according to the nonprofit organization Safe Kids. Children account for 2.3 million fall-related injuries annually, the cause of over 2.2 million emergency room visits among children in 2005. Moreover, for children aged 14 years and younger, falls are one of the leading causes of accidental injury.

While more than 80% of fall–related injuries to children 4 years old and younger occur in the home, windows and playground equipment also pose a serious risk to toddlers and older children. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has developed playground equipment guidelines, and fifteen states have passed playground safety legislation or regulations.

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the family of Lucas Anthony Tang, the 2-year-old boy who suffered the fatal fall at Staples Center on Sunday night.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this accident.

Additional information on related subjects, such as playground safety and children dangers, is available to the public free of charge.

To request an article or a book, or to speak with a California injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Huntington Beach To Post Names Of Drunk Drivers On Facebook

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)43755 — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

With 274 alcohol-related accidents and 1,687 DUI arrests last year, Huntington Beach city officials have arrived at a rather creative method of shaming drunk drivers: posting their names on the city’s Facebook page. In the past, the local newspaper, the Huntington Beach Independent, recorded the arrests, as such information is public; however, since this ceased in December, police have been searching for a new medium to serve this purpose, explains an Orange County injury lawyer.

In 2008, the city accounted for the third highest DUI rate in Orange County. To date, police have been combating the problem with DUI checkpoints, by notifying the bars or restaurants where offenders had their last drink, and by participating in Every 15 Minutes programs in schools. Police point to drinking establishments on Main Street in the downtown area as the providers of that last drink for many of those arrested.

Here are some statistics on the problem:

There are 220 establishments in possession of active liquor licenses in the city.

Restaurants account for 200 of those licenses.

53 were approved before 2000.

26 are located on Main Street.

Huntington Beach City Attorney Jennifer McGrath is expected to review the proposal to post the names of drunk drivers on Facebook.

The Los Angeles Times and the Huntington Beach Independent were the sources of the information in this article.

Additional articles on drunk driving, accidents, and victims’ rights are available to the public free of charge.

To request an article, or to discuss a specific case with an Orange County injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Tustin: Police Searching For Driver Of Ford Mustang Who Critically Injured Bicyclist

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)43663 — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

Police are searching for the driver of a 2010 Ford Mustang who critically injured a bicyclist in Tustin last night. Shortly before 7:30 p.m., the Mustang struck the 23-year-old as he was riding through the intersection of Walnut Avenue and Browning Avenue, the impact causing serious head trauma. He was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. According to witness accounts, the vehicle’s license plate number is No. 6LLX505, explains an Orange County injury lawyer. Anyone who encounters the vehicle is asked to call 911.

Unfortunately, bicycle riders have a high risk of sustaining serious or fatal injuries in an accident, as they often have only a helmet protecting them from the vehicles with which they share the road. Throughout Orange County, 10 cyclists were killed and 1,087 injured in traffic collisions, with none of the fatalities and 22 of the injuries suffered in Tustin, according to the California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Annual Report of Fatal and Injury Motor Vehicle Traffic Collisions.

Everyone at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the bicyclist critically injured last night in Tustin a full recovery. We hope that the police searching for the driver of the Ford Mustang are successful.

The Orange County Register reported this hit-and-run accident.

Articles and books written to help accident victims with the recovery process are available to the public free of charge.

To request an article or a book, or to speak with an Orange County injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Fullerton Woman Arrested For DUI Crash That Injured 3

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)43573 — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

A 20-year-old woman drove into a light pole and injured both her passengers in a Fullerton drunk driving accident.

The Orange County car crash occurred at about 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 14 near the intersection of Harbor Boulevard and Brea Boulevard.

Andrea Palacios of Fullerton and two of her friend had spent the night drinking in downtown Fullerton. The driver was under the influence of alcohol when she ran into a light pole. Her two passengers were injured. A 21-year-old woman from Anaheim was airlifted to Long Beach Memorial Hospital in critical condition. A 20-year-old woman was taken to the hospital in an ambulance in serious condition. The driver sustained only minor injuries.

After Palacios was discharged from the hospital, she was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI.

Last year six people died in three DUI related accidents in Fullerton. There were also 28 injury collisions and 117 non-injury collisions in which alcohol or drugs were a factor. Overall, there were 984 DUI arrests in Fullerton last year.

Every California DUI death is a tragedy. Families who have lost a loved one to a drunk driver have the right to file a wrongful death claim for their losses. To learn more, contact the Orange County personal injury attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie: 866-981-5596.

Anaheim: Drunk Driver Fatally Struck Pedestrian Everardo Tapia

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)43065 — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

Some time around 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 11^th, a drunk driver fatally struck 58-year-old Everardo Tapia while he was crossing Rio Vista Street in Anaheim. The driver was traveling south on Rio Vista when he collided with Tapia, who was approximately 30-40 feet from Hempstead Street. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital where he died from his injuries, explains an Orange County injury lawyer. Anyone with information about this pedestrian accident has been asked to call traffic investigators at 714-765-1861.

In the United States, someone dies every 45 minutes in an alcohol-related motor vehicle crash, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Nearly 32% of all fatal traffic accidents were attributable to impaired driving in 2008, with 11,773 deaths recorded that year. With an annual cost of $51 billion, many states have began mandating that first-time and repeat DUI offenders install ignition interlock devices in their vehicles.

A driver must yield for a pedestrian, even if that person is not in a crosswalk. In the event that a driver’s failure to stop results in an accident, the driver may be held liable for any medical expenses and losses related to the pedestrian’s injury. If the pedestrian does not survive the accident, his or her family may file a wrongful death claim against the driver, as well as seek punitive damages.

Everyone at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer their condolences to the family of Everardo Tapia, the man fatally struck by a drunk driver last night.

The Orange County Register originally reported this Anaheim pedestrian accident.

Additional information, including links to pedestrian advocacy groups and articles on pedestrian rights, and accident and wrongful death claims, is available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request an article or a book, or to speak with an Orange County injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Woman Killed In Sunset Boulevard Hit-And-Run Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)42455 — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

Shortly before midnight on Wednesday, November 11^th, a 21-year-old woman was struck and killed while crossing Sunset Boulevard at Hammond Street in West Hollywood. Debris at the scene has lead police to believe that a dark-colored Bentley hit her while she was inside of a crosswalk. Authorities are investigating this hit-and-run accident, explains a California injury lawyer.

In the United States, a pedestrian is killed in a traffic collision every 2 hours and injured every 8 minutes. More pedestrians were killed or injured in Los Angeles County than in any other county in the state, with none of the 214 fatalities and 63 of the 4,985 injuries occurring in West Hollywood, according to the California Highway Patrol’s 2008 accident statistics.

Whether a pedestrian is using a crosswalk or not, a driver most yield the right-of-way to that person. If the driver does not and an accident ensues, the driver may be held liable for the medical bills and other expenses related to the injuries the pedestrian sustained. In the case of a hit-and-run accident, there is no driver to hold accountable, in which case the accident victim may make a claim on his or her uninsured motorist coverage.

Everyone at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer their condolences to the family of the woman tragically killed on Sunset Boulevard last night.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this accident.

Additional information, including links to pedestrian advocacy groups and articles on pedestrian rights and filing an injury or wrongful death claim, is available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request an article or a book, or to discuss a specific case with a California injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Irvine Rollover Accident Injured Five

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)42373 — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

On the afternoon of Tuesday, November 9^th, a rollover accident in Irvine on the northbound I-5 Freeway near Jeffrey Road left five people injured. While it is not yet clear exactly how many vehicles were involved, what is known is that a black Ford Expedition and a white Cadillac Escalade collided, the impacted causing the Escalade to overturn, injuring the four occupants inside, the two adults seriously. The driver of the Expedition and the two children riding in the Escalade sustained minor injuries, explains an Orange County auto accident lawyer.

Irvine accounted for 5 of the 152 fatal and 840 of the 13,414 injury traffic collisions that occurred in Orange County in 2008, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Annual Report of Fatal and Injury Motor Vehicle Traffic Collisions. A recent study found that 50% of the nation’s most dangerous roads are located in California, with the I-5 ranking among the most deadly freeways.

Everyone at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the five people injured yesterday in Irvine a full recovery.

The Orange County Register originally reported this rollover accident.

Additional information, including articles covering other studies of California roads, auto accident statistics, and suggestions for protecting an injury claim, is available to the public free of charge.

To request an article or a book, or to speak with an Orange County auto accident lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Leimert Park: Mother And Daughter Killed In Pedestrian Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)42210 — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

At approximately 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 6^th, a mother and daughter were killed in a Leimert Park pedestrian accident. The two women had been standing on the corner when a Volkswagen Beetle and a Chevrolet pickup truck collided at the intersection of Crenshaw Boulevard and Coliseum Street, the impact sending the Beetle crashing into them. Both women were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they died from their injuries. Neither driver appeared to be seriously injured. The driver of the Chevrolet was given a traffic citation for failing to yield, explains a California pedestrian accident attorney.

Throughout Los Angeles County, there were at total of 214 fatal and 4,985 injury traffic collisions involving pedestrians in 2008, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Annual Report of Fatal and Injury Motor Vehicle Traffic Collisions for that year. Nationwide, the age groups most at risk of suffering a pedestrian accident are children between the ages of 3 and 14 years and adults aged 65 years and older. Pedestrian accidents accounted for 20% of the traffic fatalities suffered by children in this age group and 18% of those suffered by adults 65 years and older in 2008.

Pedestrian accidents are unexpected and often take a tremendous toll on the lives of the victims and their families. Everyone at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer their condolences to the family of the mother and daughter killed in Leimert Park on Saturday.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this pedestrian accident.

Additional information, including links to pedestrian advocacy groups and articles on pedestrian accident victims’ rights, is available to the public free of charge.

To request an article or a book, or to speak with a California pedestrian accident attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Hurt in an Orange County Car Crash: Know the Symptoms of Brain Injury

mmazal@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)42214 — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

More than 289,000 people a year sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) after being involved in a car crash. When the brain is injured, there may be no symptom, but this does not mean that there is no brain injury. We’ve all heard stories of people who get out of the car, help save other victims and then collapse into a coma. This is because brain injury symptoms may not develop until the brain swells hours or even days the accident. For this reason, all California car crash victims should be seen by a medical professional and they should know the symptoms of traumatic brain injury.

The symptoms of brain injury vary and depend on the part of the brain that is injured. The most common symptoms of brain injury include:

• Anxiety, nervousness
• Behavioral changes
• Irritability
• Depression
• Difficulty concentrating or thinking
• Difficulty finding words or understanding the speech of others
• Difficulty swallowing
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Lack of coordination
• Loss of balance; difficulty walking or sitting
• Lightheadedness
• Blurry or double vision
• Loss of memory
• Muscle stiffness and/or spasms
• Seizures
• Sleep problems
• Slurred and/or slowed speech
• Tingling, numbness, pain, or other sensations
• Sense of spinning (vertigo)
• Weakness

If you experience any of these symptoms in the weeks following a car accident, see your doctor.

To learn more about your rights of Orange County car accident victims, contact the Newport Beach personal injury attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie at 866-981-5596.

Huntington Beach: Van Struck 11-Year-Old Bicyclist

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)42146 — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

Some time around 8:30 this morning, a van struck an 11-year-old bicyclist in Huntington Beach. The accident occurred at the intersection Brookdale Lane and Sunridge Drive. Despite wearing a helmet, the boy sustained head injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital, explains an Orange County bicycle accident attorney.

When collecting accident statistics, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration classifies bicyclists and the riders of two-wheeled nonmotorized vehicles, tricycles, and unicycles as pedalcyclists. Nationwide, this group suffered 716 fatalities and 52,000 injuries in 2008. The states that accounted for the highest number of deaths were Florida (125) and California (109). Fatal accidents occurred more frequently in urban areas (69%), at non-intersection locations (64%), between the hours of 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. (28%), and during the months of June (9%) and September (12%).

The NHTSA attributed the majority of fatal bicycle-verses-vehicle accidents to five causes:

Driver distraction.
A driver turns left into the lane in which the bicycle rider is traveling.
A driver passes a cyclist and slows down before making a right turn.
A bicycle rider attempts to cross an intersection before a vehicle that has the right of way.
A driver pulls away from a parking space or exits an alley or driveway without first checking for bicyclists.

Many accidents result from driver neglect: the driver fails to watch for bicyclists. In such cases, the driver may be held liable for any property damage, medical bills, and lost wages the bicycle rider incurs.

Everyone at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the 11-year-old bicyclist injured this morning in Huntington Beach a full recovery.

The Orange County Register originally reported this van-verses-bicycle accident.

Additional information, including articles on bicycle safety tips and accident victims’ rights, is available to the public free of charge.

To request an article or a book, or to speak with an Orange County bicycle accident attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

La Palma: Teenager Seriously Injured In Crosswalk

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)41989 — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

At around 6:45 this morning, a car struck a teenager while she was traversing a marked crosswalk in La Palma. The 16-year-old John F. Kennedy High School student was seriously injured in the accident and taken to a nearby hospital. Witnesses have been asked to call the La Palma Police Department at 714-690-3370, explains an Orange County pedestrian accident attorney.

In the United States, a pedestrian is killed in a traffic collision every two hours and injured every eight minutes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). California led the nation in pedestrian deaths in 2008, accounting for 620 of the 4,378 fatalities that occurred throughout the country that year.

Whether a pedestrian is using a designated crosswalk or not, drivers must yield the right-of-way to that person in most situations. If a driver fails to yield for a pedestrian—either as a consequence of recklessness or inattentiveness—that person may be held liable for any injury-related losses the pedestrian incurs, including medical bills, the loss of wages and future earning capacity, and pain and suffering.

Everyone at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the teenager seriously injured in the crosswalk this morning a full recovery.

The Orange County Register originally reported this La Palma accident.

Additional information, including links to pedestrian advocacy groups and articles on accident victims’ rights, is available to the public free of charge.

To request a book or an article, or to speak with an Orange County pedestrian accident attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Placentia: Bicycle Rider Injured When Car Ran Red Light

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)41924 — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

Shortly before 1:00 p.m. on Monday, November 1^st, a car struck a bicycle rider at the intersection of Murray Street and Chapman Avenue in Placentia. Witnesses claimed that the driver ran a red light. The bicyclist was transported to a nearby hospital for his injuries, explains an Orange County bicycle accident lawyer.

Throughout Orange County, there were a total of 10 fatal and 1,087 injury traffic accidents involving a bicyclist in 2008, with none of the fatal and 14 of the injury collisions occurring in Placentia that year, according to the California Highway Patrol. When collecting crash statistics, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration classifies bicyclists and the riders of other two-wheel nonmotorized vehicles, tricycles, and unicycles as pedalcyclists. Nationwide in 2008, 716 pedalcyclists were killed and 52,000 were injured in traffic crashes.

Among its safety suggestions, the NHTSA recommends that bicyclists wear properly fitted helmets to prevent head injuries in the event of an accident. Cyclists should ride in the same direction as traffic, obeying the same rules of the road as vehicle operators.

The NHTSA recommends that drivers check for cyclists prior to opening car doors or pulling away from a parking space, as well as yield to cyclists at intersections. Drivers should take extra precautions when turning at intersections, as many accidents occur in these locations.

Everyone at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the bicycle rider injured when a car ran a red light in Placentia a full recovery.

The Orange County Register originally reported this accident.

Additional information, including articles on the causes of bicycle accidents and Orange County projects to improve safety conditions for bicyclists and pedestrians, is available to the public free of charge.

To request an article or a book, or to speak with an Orange County bicycle accident lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

South Los Angeles: Halloween Hit-and-Run Left Child Seriously Injured

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)41939 — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

At around 6:30 on Halloween night, a red Toyota struck a mother and her 3-year-old child while they were crossing 77^th Street near Stanford Avenue in South Los Angeles. The driver fled the scene of the accident, which occurred outside of a crosswalk. The child was critically injured and remained in the hospital with her mother on Monday. Police are asking witnesses, or anyone with information, to call detectives at (213) 485-7336, explains a California pedestrian accident attorney.

In most situations, drivers are required to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians whether they are traversing the street within or outside of a designated crosswalk. If the driver of a motor vehicle strikes a pedestrian and flees the scene of the accident, the pedestrian may still have the ability to be compensated for his or her injuries. In such cases, the pedestrian has the right to make a claim on the uninsured motorist coverage of his or her automobile insurance policy.

Unfortunately, Halloween night is extremely dangerous for pedestrians: children are four times more likely to be killed in a pedestrian traffic accident between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on that night than any other night of the year.

Everyone at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the child seriously injured on Sunday and her mother a full recovery.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this South Los Angeles hit-and-run accident.

Additional information, including articles on pedestrian accident facts, uninsured motorist claims, and links to pedestrian advocacy groups, is available to the public free of charge.

To request an article or a book, or to speak with a California pedestrian accident attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Successful Settlement Reached For Woman Severely Injured In Freeway Accident Involving Horses

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)41814 — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

During the dark of night, 14 horses escaped from the ranch on which they were kept and entered the 91 Freeway. A woman struck one that had died in the lane in which she was traveling; then another car crashed into her while attempting to avoid the animals. The auto accident left her severely injured. Recently, we were able to reach a successful settlement for her after proving the ranch owners’ liability in the matter, explains a California injury lawyer.

In order to prove that the ranch owners were liable for the accident, we had to demonstrate that they had done something wrong, such as neglecting to maintain and inspect the fence on their property or leaving the gate open. They claimed that the fence had been inspected on the day of the accident and vandalized during the night, allowing for the horses to escape. We alleged that the ranch was strictly liable and, therefore, needed to prove that the horses have a dangerous propensity, meaning not that they bite or kick, but that they have a tendency to do something that makes them dangerous, such as escaping and wandering onto the road and, as in this case, the freeway. We subpoenaed the County of Riverside Department of Animal Services records and learned that the horses had escaped on one prior occasion, giving us a very good argument of liability that ultimately settled the case for $ 157,500.

Fortunately, the woman was able to recover from her injuries and hopefully the successful settlement of her case will enable her to move on from this traumatic experience.

If you have questions about your rights and options after an auto accident, or would like to discuss a specific case with a California injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Vernon Multiple-Vehicle Collision Leaves One Dead

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)41747 — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

At around 6:30 a.m. this morning, a multiple-vehicle collision in Vernon left a 20-year-old woman dead. The accident, which involved three vehicles and one pedestrian, occurred at the intersection of Downey Road and Slauson Avenue. The cause of the accident is under investigation, explains a California injury lawyer.

Los Angeles accounted for 667 of the 3,113 fatal and 52,229 of the 170,496 injury traffic collisions that occurred throughout California in 2008, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Annual Report of Fatal and Injury Motor Vehicle Traffic Collisions. In Vernon, there were 2 fatal and 102 injury accidents that year. According to a recent study of U.S. Department of Transportation statistics by the Scripps Howard News Service, 50% of the nation’s most dangerous roads can be found in California.

Everyone at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer their condolences to the family of the woman who died in Vernon this morning.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this multiple-vehicle collision.

Additional information, including articles on protecting an injury claim and accident victims’ rights, is available to the public free of charge.

To request a book or an article, or to speak with a California injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Maria Teresa Cano and Maria Orbilla Milton Injured In Costa Mesa Pedestrian Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)41674 — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

Shortly before 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 27^th, Maria Teresa Cano and Maria Orbilla Milton were injured when the driver of a Ford F150 struck them while turning right onto Adams Avenue in Costa Mesa. The driver had waited for other people to traverse the marked crosswalk, looked west, and then began to execute the turn without noticing that the two women were crossing. Cano sustained serious head trauma, while Milton suffered minor injuries. Both were taken to nearby hospitals. Police are investigating the pedestrian accident and have asked witnesses to call Investigator Rick Cummings at 714-754-5264, explains an Orange County pedestrian accident lawyer.

Nationwide, 4,378 pedestrians were killed and 69,000 injured in traffic collisions in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). California accounted for 646 of the fatalities and 12,774 of the injuries, with none of the fatalities and 60 of the injuries occurring in Costa Mesa that year, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The majority of the accidents occurred in urban areas (72%), at non-intersection locations (76%), in normal weather conditions (89%), and at night (70%).

Everyone at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish Maria Teresa Cano and Maria Orbilla Milton, the two women injured yesterday, a full recovery.

The Orange County Register originally reported this pedestrian accident.

Additional information, including links to pedestrian advocacy groups and articles on accident victims’ rights, is available to the public free of charge.

To request an article or a book, or to speak with an Orange County pedestrian accident lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Herbert Herman Rivas Died In Gardena Motorcycle Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)41688 — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

At around 3 p.m. on Tuesday, October 26^th, 43-year-old motorcyclist Herbert Herman Rivas was heading eastbound on Redondo Beach Boulevard when he collided with a Toyota Sienna van that was turning left onto Budlong Avenue in Gardena. Unfortunately, he died from the injuries he sustained. Gardena police have requested that witnesses call Traffic Investigator Sergio Borbon at (310) 217-6135, explains a California motorcycle accident attorney.

Throughout the United States, 5,290 motorcyclists were killed and 96,000 injured in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That year, 2,554 (47%) of all motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes collided with another type of motor vehicle in transport. In 41% of these accidents, the other vehicle was turning left while the motorcycle was traveling straight, passing, or overtaking the vehicle.

Everyone at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer their condolences to the family of Herbert Herman Rivas.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this Gardena motorcycle accident.

Additional information on motorcycle accidents and accident victims’ rights is available to the public free of charge.

To request an article or a book, or to speak with a California motorcycle accident attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Irvine Multiple-Vehicle Collision Critically Injured 3 People On Saturday

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)41495 — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

During the rainy, early morning hours last Saturday, 3 people were critically injured in a multiple-vehicle collision on the 405 Freeway in Irvine. The accident was triggered when 22-year-old Ana Maria Flores lost control of her 2004 Jeep and swerved into the middle lanes, where a big rig struck her. The impact sent her into the median and caused the big rig to jack-knife and crash into a 1929 Ford, as well as a CHP cruiser and 2007 Chrysler that had been stopped on the right shoulder. Flores, her 4-year-old daughter, and the driver of the Ford, 78-year-old Salvatore Giannulli, sustained major injuries and were taken to nearby hospitals. The driver of the Chrysler, 22-year-old Danielle Jones, suffered moderate injures; the big-rig driver, 46-year-old Mike Rosales, was treated on the scene for minor injuries; and the CHP officer was not injured, explains an Orange County car accident lawyer.

According to the California Highway Patrol’s Annual Report of Fatal and Injury Motor Vehicle Traffic Collisions, there were a total of 3,113 fatal and 170,496 injury accidents statewide in 2008, with 84 of the fatal and 5,425 of the injury collisions occurring during rainy weather.

The Orange County Register originally reported this multiple-vehicle collision.

Everyone at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish Ana Maria Flores, her daughter, and Salvatore Giannulli, the 3 people critically injured last Saturday, a full recovery. We would also like to wish Danielle Jones and Mike Rosales a full recovery.

Articles and books on car accidents, protecting an accident claim, and accident victims’ rights are available to the public free of charge.

To request an article or a book, or to speak with an Orange County car accident lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Professional Athlete Dies in Overheated Pool

mmazal@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)41515 — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

U.S. professional swimmer Fran Crippen died during a 10-kilometer marathon on Saturday, October 23 in the United Arab Emirates. During the event, several of the athletes complained about the water temperature which was in the 80’s. Although the cause of the athlete's death is still under investigation, several sporting organizations have suggested severe fatigue and heart attack caused by the overheated water.

Shortly before his death, Crippen told his coach that the air temperature was 100 degrees and the water was 87 degrees. Normally, when a person is exercising the body dissipates the heat through the skin. However 87 degrees is hotter than body temperature, so the heat remains in the body. This can cause nausea, vomiting and light-headedness and cause dehydration. The muscles may begin to spasm and stop working. The heart is unable to pump efficiently and develops an arrhythmia. Lung failure can also occur which may lead to swallowing water and drowning.

Other swimmers say that swimming that day was a struggle.

FINA guidelines specify only that water temperature must be above 61 degrees to compete. It doesn't address high temperatures.

Organizers of athletic events have the responsibility to ensure that the facilities are safe for athletes. Athletes who are injured because of negligence, broken equipment or poor planning may be able to sue for compensation for their medical costs and related losses. Athletes that die because of inadequate competing conditions may have a wrongful death claim. To learn more, contact the Orange County personal injury attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie.

Injured athletes, download our free guide, “Athletes and Accidents. 9 Pitfalls That Can Delay Your Recovery.”

Agoura Hills Hit-And-Run Leaves One Cyclist Dead

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)41429 — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

On Saturday, October 23^rd, a hit-and-run accident in Agoura Hills left one cyclist dead. 44-year-old S.D. Whitmansegal was heading eastbound on Agoura Road when she struck 46-year-old cyclist James Laing, who was also traveling eastbound. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Whitmansegal fled but was followed by witnesses who informed authorities of her location; police arrested her on suspicion of driving under the influence, hit-and-run, and gross vehicular manslaughter, explains a California bicycle accident lawyer.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) classifies bicyclists and other cyclists—riders of two-wheel nonmotorized vehicles, tricycles, and unicycles powered solely by pedals—collectively as pedalcyclists when summarizing accident statistics. In 2008, 716 pedalcyclists were killed and 52,000 injured in traffic crashes. The highest incidence of fatal accidents occurred in urban areas (69%), at non-intersection locations (64%), between the hours of 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. (28%), and during the months of June (9%) and September (12%).

Everyone at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer their condolences to the family of James Laing, the cyclist who died last Saturday.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this Agoura Hills hit-and-run.

Information and resources, including articles on bicycle safety and links to bicyclist advocacy groups, are available to the public free of charge.

To request an article or a book, or to speak with a California bicycle accident lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Fullerton Car Accident Injured One

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)41196 — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

Early this morning, a Nissan Maxima was struck by a Chrysler New Yorker while attempting to turn left across oncoming traffic on East Chapman Avenue, near the 2400 block. The Fullerton car accident left the driver of the Maxima injured. Paramedics transported the accident victim to a nearby hospital, explains an Orange County car accident lawyer.

Fullerton accounted for 743 of the 13,414 injury collisions that occurred in Orange County, according to California Highway Patrol (CHP) accident statistics for 2008—the year for which the most recent traffic data is available. Statewide, 31, 475 injury collisions were attributable to left hand turning that year. A recent study by the U.S. Department of Transportation found that the incidence of traffic-related fatality has been declining, with an 8.9% decrease from 2008 to 2009.

Everyone at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the driver injured this morning a full recovery.

The Orange County Register originally reported this Fullerton car accident.

Additional information, including articles on protecting an auto accident claim and accident victims’ rights, is available to the public free of charge.

To request an article or a book, or to speak with an Orange County car accident lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Two Teenagers Critically Injured In Oak Park Pedestrian Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)41121 — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

At around 8 a.m. Tuesday morning, two teenagers where struck and critically injured by a black Scion while crossing the street in Oak Park. The pedestrian accident occurred on Broadway near 39^th street. Police are investigating whether the two girls were in a crosswalk when the incident occurred, explains a California pedestrian accident attorney.

In 2008, 4,378 pedestrians were killed and 69,000 injured in traffic collisions, according the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The majority of fatal accidents occurred in urban areas (72%), at non-intersection locations (76%), in normal weather conditions (89%), and at night (70%). Whether crossing within a designated crosswalk or not, drivers are still obligated to give people traveling by foot the right of way. If a driver fails to do so—as a consequence of either reckless or inattentive driving—and an accident ensues, that individual may be held liable for the pedestrian’s medical expenses and other losses.

Everyone at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the two teenagers critically injured yesterday a full recovery.

The Sacramento Bee originally reported this Oak Park pedestrian accident.

Additional information, including articles covering accident statistics, studies on California roads, and accident victims’ rights, is available to the public free of charge.

To request an article or a book, or to speak with a California pedestrian accident attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Sherman Oaks Hit-and-Run Accident Claims the Life of Conor Lynch

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)41137 — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

Yesterday at around 3:30 p.m., 16-year-old Notre Dame High School student Conor Lynch was struck by a sport utility vehicle while crossing Woodman Avenue in Sherman Oaks. The 18-year-old driver of the SUV, Moran Biton, failed to stop at the scene, instead continuing to travel northbound on Woodman Avenue before being detained by LAPD officers. Unfortunately, Lynch died at the scene of the accident, explains a California pedestrian accident attorney.

According to the California Highway Patrol’s Annual Report of Fatal and Injury Motor Vehicle Traffic Collisions, 247 people died and 22, 091 were injured in hit-and-run collisions in 2008, the year for which the most recent accident statistics are available. 122 of those killed and 2,366 of those injured that year were pedestrians. Drivers must give the right of way to people who are walking, regardless of whether they are using a crosswalk or not; otherwise, they may be held responsible if an accident occurs.

Everyone at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer their condolences to the family of Conor Lynch.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this Sherman Oaks hit-and-run accident.

Additional information, including articles on pedestrian accidents, accident victims’ rights, as well as links to pedestrian advocacy groups and instructions for creating a charity in California, is available to the public free of charge.

To request an article or a book, or to speak with a California pedestrian accident attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Santa Ana Man Struck By Big Rig

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)40873 — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

Some time around 6:30 this morning, a big rig struck and critically injured a man at 1500 N. Harbor Boulevard in Santa Ana. The man’s name has not been released, but he is believed to be between 50 and 60 years old, explains an Orange County pedestrian accident attorney.

Statewide, 646 people were killed and 12,774 injured in pedestrian accidents in 2008, with Orange County accounting for 31 of the fatalities and 785 of the injuries, according to the California Highway Patrol. Unfortunately, the risk of such accidents is exceptionally high for adults aged 65 and older, with approximately 18% of fatalities attributable to individuals in this age group in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Everyone at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the man struck this morning in Santa Ana a full recovery from his injuries.

The Orange County Register originally reported this big rig accident.

Additional information on this subject, including articles covering studies, safety tips, and accident victims' rights, is available to the public free of charge.

To request and article or a book, or to speak with an Orange County pedestrian accident attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Temple City Pit Bull Attack

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)40897 — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

Last Saturday, John Wachter was walking his 15-year-old Labrador Retriever, Chloe, through a Temple City neighborhood when the two became the victims of a pit bull attack. One pit bull and three other dogs escaped from their owner’s yard and viciously attacked them for almost 15 minutes, after which point the owner of the dogs and Wachter were able stop the violence. Chloe sustained serious injuries and had to undergo emergency trauma surgery. Residents of the neighborhood are concerned that the dogs will strike again as this was not the first time they have injured someone, explains a California dog bite attorney.

According to a recent study, California is among the top five states with the highest incidence of fatal dog attacks. Under state law, if a dog bites a person, its owner may be held liable for the injuries that individual sustains. In many cases, certain factors determine the potential for a negligence claim: if the dog was not properly confined and escaped, if the dog was inadequately restrained, if the dog was trained to be aggressive, or if the dog was allowed to be repeatedly aggressive.

Everyone at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish John Wachter and Chloe a full recovery from their injuries.

KTLA originally reported this Temple City pit bull attack.

Additional information on dog attacks and attack victims’ rights is available to the public free of charge.

To request an article or a book, or to speak with a California dog bite attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Placentia Big-Rig Accident Injured Driver of Car

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)40805 — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

Early this morning, a big-rig accident on the 57 Freeway in Placentia injured the driver of a car. A trucker struck a Civic with his vehicle, sending the car under the trailer of another truck before he fled the scene. The second trucker pulled over to the right side of the road. The Civic driver was taken to a nearby hospital for his injuries, explains an Orange County car accident attorney.

Statewide, hit-and-run collisions accounted for 247 fatalities and 22,091 injuries in 2008 alone, according to the California Highway Patrol. In that same year, a National Transportation Safety Board study recorded more than 8,600 truck accidents throughout California, more than 50% of which were attributed to the truck driver’s actions, as opposed to other causes, such as equipment failure. The most common reasons for truck driver negligence were prescription drug use, traveling at speeds inappropriate for road conditions, and fatigue or medical issues.

Everyone at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the driver of the car who was injured this morning a full recovery.

The Orange County Register originally reported this Placentia big-rig accident.

Additional information on truck accidents, car accidents, and accident victims’ rights is available to the public free of charge.

To request an article or a book, or to speak with an Orange County truck accident lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Steering Defect May Cause Accidents: Mercedes Recalls 100,000 Vehicles

mmazal@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)40793 — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

Yet another car manufacturer has announced a car recall.

Mercedes-Benz is recalling over 100,000 C-Class, E-Class, and GLK models from the 2010 model year, as well as E-Class coupes and cabriolet vehicles from the 2010 and the 2011 model year in order to fix a potential problem in the power steering system. The steering system may fail causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash.

Cars with the defect may develop a leak of power steering fluid between the pump and a high-pressure line. The steering will continue to work, but it may require additional effort to turn the steering wheel, especially while parking and performing other low-speed maneuvers – such as backing up. The steering system in the recalled vehicles may emit a whining sound.

Mercedes-Benz will notify affected customers when it begins the recall later this month. Dealers will check and tighten the connection between the line and the pump.
Owners of recalled vehicles can contact the National Highway Safety Administration‘s Vehicle Safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or Mercedes Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

Orange County drivers who experience a car crash because of a steering defect may be able to sue the manufacturer of their car for compensation. To learn more, contact the Newport Beach personal injury attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie, 866-981-5596.

Do you need help finding a lawyer? Download our free book, “Avoid Lawyer Advertising Hype! A Lawyer's Method for Finding a Lawyer.”

Lake Forest Car Accident Leaves Two Critically Injured

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)40470 — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

Shortly after 5 p.m. yesterday, a gray Mazda, a gray-and-black Jeep, and a white Mazda were involved in a car accident at the intersection of Lake Forest Drive and Rockfield Boulevard in Lake Forest. Two individuals were critically injured, one of whom firefighters had to extricate from the wreckage. They were taken to a nearby hospital. The cause of the accident is under investigation, explains an Orange County car accident attorney.

Throughout Orange County, 13,414 people were injured in collisions, 169 of them in Lake Forest, according to California Highway Patrol (CHP) records for 2008. A recent study by Allstate Insurance Company ranked California cities among the most dangerous for drivers in the nation.

Everyone at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the two people critically injured in yesterday’s Lake Forest car accident a full recovery.

Additional information on car accidents and accident victims’ rights is available free of charge to the public.

To request an article or a book, or to speak with an Orange County car accident attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Motorcyclist Died This Morning In Downey Hit-and-Run Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)40492 — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

This morning, a Huntington Park motorcyclist died from the injuries he sustained in a Downey hit-and-run accident. A Los Angeles man driving a pick-up truck ran a red light at the intersection of Florence Avenue and Paramount Boulevard, striking the 23-year-old. Police found the truck driver near the accident scene later and arrested him on suspicion of felony drunk driving, explains an Orange County motorcycle accident lawyer.

In the United States, someone dies in a motor vehicle crash involving alcohol every 45 minutes. In 2008, 11, 773 people were killed in such accidents, accounting for 32% of traffic-related fatalities in this country, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That same year, 228 people died and 16,930 people were injured in collisions involving hit-and-run, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

During this difficult time, everyone at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer their condolences to the family of the motorcyclist who died in the Downey hit-and-run accident this morning. Resources for those who have lost a loved one to a drunk driver are available here.

Numerous books and articles on motor vehicle accidents, the legal process of acquiring compensation for medical expenses and property damage after an accident, and accident victims’ rights are available to the public free of charge.

To request a book or an article, or to speak with an Orange County motorcycle accident lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Blood Spinning: The Latest Injury Recovery Treatment

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)40398 — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

The latest treatment being utilized by orthopedic surgeons, heart surgeons, and even plastic surgeons does not involve adding or taking anything away from the body—just rearranging it. Used by dentists since the 1970s, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) speeds up and enhances the healing process when injected into specific areas of the body, whether in tendons, ligaments, cartilage, or heart tissue. PRP is the product of a process called blood spinning, in which a physician takes a couple of ounces of blood from a patient, spins it in a centrifuge to extract the platelets, and then injects the platelet-rich plasma into the patient’s injury site. Responsible for the secretion of growth factors that promote healing, platelets—or blood concentrated with them—have become the favored method of injury recovery among athletes, as well as a growing percentage of the general population, explains a California injury lawyer.

While PRP is a relatively new treatment and further scientific research is required to determine the most effective approach, few problems have arisen from its use, primarily because patients are receiving injections of their own tissue. It is for this same reason that the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate PRP, only the blood-spinning equipment. Patients mainly complain about pain. This is because fluid is being injected in places where it normally does not exist, at least not in substantial amounts. In response, doctors numb the injection site and provide patients with pain medication.

Although completely legal—even for athletes—PRP can be rather expensive for those of us not playing in the major leagues. The cost of each treatment ranges from $500 to $1,000, which insurance companies seldom cover due to the experimental status of PRP.

Hopefully, as further research is conducted, the price of receiving PRP will decrease, allowing more of the population access to it. As a California injury lawyer who has helped accident victims recover from injuries for many years, I look forward to the advancements in injury recovery care that will accompany this new medical technology.

If you would like more information on blood spinning, or other subjects relevant to personal injury law, such as accidents and accident victims’ rights, it is available to you free of charge.

To request an article or a book, or to speak with a California injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Huntington Beach Man Critically Injured In Rollover Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)39923 — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

Some time around 6 p.m. last evening, a Huntington Beach man was critically injured in a car accident. The 38-year-old man was passing through the intersection of Goldenwest Street and Palm Avenue when his truck collided with a BMW that was turning left. The impact caused the truck to rollover, at which point, he was ejected from vehicle, sustaining head and internal injuries. He and the BMW driver were hospitalized for their injuries. Police indicated that one of the drivers may have run a red light and are investigating the matter to determine which driver was at fault, reported the Orange County Register.

“Collisions involving traffic signals and signs were the fifth most common type of accident in 2008,” explains an Orange County injury lawyer, “accounting for 135 fatalities and 14,051 injuries that year.”

In 2008, the majority of accidents resulted from speeding or traveling at an unsafe speed, accounting for 522 fatalities and 48,841 injuries, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The second most common accident type involved automobile right-of-way, and the third, improper turning. That year, 162 people were killed and 18,891 injured in traffic-related accidents in Orange County.

Unfortunate and unexpected, traffic accidents can have a tremendous impact on the lives of those involved, in some cases causing them to sustain injuries that prevent them from working and require extensive medical attention. During this difficult time, everyone at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the Huntington Beach man critically injured in yesterday’s rollover accident a full recovery.

Additional information, including accident statistics, studies on California road conditions, and articles explaining accident victims’ rights, is available to the public free of charge.

To request an article or a book, or to speak with an Orange County injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Pedestrian Accident: Jerilyn Fay Zimmerman Fatally Struck By Mercedes In Gardena

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)39844 — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

Last Wednesday, the driver of a 2010 Mercedes-Benz fatally struck Jerilyn Fay Zimmerman in Gardena. The pedestrian accident occurred in the 1400 block of 135^th Street early that morning. Police have not released the driver’s name. They are investigating the accident and have asked witnesses, or anyone with information about the accident, to call 310-217-6135.

The investigation process for an accident involving the death of an individual can take substantially longer than that of one for an injury-accident, usually a month or longer as opposed to one or two days. During this time, detectives will conduct follow-up interviews with witnesses and may even canvass the location in which the accident occurred in search of additional information and witnesses. Further investigation may include questioning the driver so as to construct a timeline of his or her actions prior to the accident to identify any factors with which to attribute his or her negligence: lack of sleep, alcohol or drug use, or a relevant medical condition. The vehicle will also receive a comprehensive inspection.

During this process, police typically do not release any information pertaining to the ongoing investigation of a pedestrian accident. Understandably, this can be extremely frustrating for the family of the accident victim.

We would like to offer our condolences to the family of Jerilyn Fay Zimmerman.

Additional information on pedestrian accidents and rights is available to the public free of charge.

To request a book or an article, or to speak with a California injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Transportation Projects To Improve Travel Conditions For Orange County Bicyclists and Pedestrians

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)39849 — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

On Monday, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) approved 28 projects to improve travel conditions for bicyclists and pedestrians. The $12.4 million in required funding derives from the Transportation Enhancement (TE) Program, a federal grant program administered by OCTA with the objective of improving the integration of transportation facilities countywide through the addition of bicycle and pedestrian facilities and landscaping.

“Providing individuals with adequate roads and pathways, as well as properly maintaining existing ones, is integral to transportation safety,” remarked an Orange County accident attorney.

OCTA is scheduled to distribute funds for the approved projects from fiscal year 2010-2011 through 2012-2013. Criteria for selecting projects included merit and public benefit, such as improving the safety of travel conditions, enhancing connectivity with major employment centers, and facilitating travel throughout Orange County for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Projects for bicycle and pedestrian facilities include creating an Edison right-of-way bike path in Anaheim, a Fairview Channel multipurpose trail in Costa Mesa, and an El Toro Road/ Aliso Creek Road Phase II bicycle and pedestrian enhancement project in Laguna Woods. Moreover, 700 miles of bicycle lanes will be added to the existing 1,000.

Landscaping and scenic beautification projects include an El Toro Road streetscape in Lake Forest, a Brookhurst Street median rehabilitation project, and a Marguerite Parkway Civic Center median island enhancement in Mission Viejo.

To read the “2010 Transportation Enhancement Priority List of Projects Staff Report,” click here.

Additional information on issues involving pedestrians and bicyclists is available to the public free of charge. To request an article or a book, or to speak with an Orange County accident attorney about a legal matter, feel free to call 1 (866) 981-5596.

Anaheim DUI Accident Leaves 5 Injured, Including A Child

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)39761 — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

Early this morning, an Anaheim DUI accident left 5 people injured, including a 5-year-old child. At approximately 12:26 a.m. an impaired, 23-year-old man collided with another vehicle on the 5 Freeway. The crash sent Maria Garcia-Salas, Elizabeth Garcia, Rosa Garcia, Jesus Garcia, and Evelyn Aguilar to the hospital. Police arrested the driver, Sabah Mikha, on suspicion of felony drunken driving, reported the Orange County Register.

“Unfortunately, individuals in their early twenties are especially prone to drinking and driving,” remarked an Orange County car accident attorney.

Drivers between the ages of 21 and 24 accounted for 34% of the 11,773 fatal, alcohol-related accidents that occurred across the country in 2008, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)—more than any other age group. Individuals between the ages of 25 and 34 followed closely behind, accounting for 31% of accidents that year.

While the percentage of drunk-driving fatalities nationwide decreased from 48% in 1982 to 32% in 2007, the incidence of impaired driving still remains quite high in California, with 1,239 fatal accidents in 2008 alone. In response, legislators in California have implemented a program that forces DUI offenders to install ignition interlock devices in their cars in four counties, as well as increased the number of DUI checkpoints statewide.

The Orange County car accident attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the 5 individuals injured in the Anaheim DUI accident this morning a full recovery. If any of them would like an online directory of resources for the victims of drunk driving accidents, they may want to visit the Office for Victims of Crime.

Additional information on drunk driving, car accidents, and accident victims’ rights is available free of charge to the public.

To request a book or an article, or to speak with an Orange County car accident attorney, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Signal Hill Motorcyclist Died In Freeway Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)39675 — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

Just minutes before 2 a.m. this morning a Signal Hill motorcyclist died after he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a concrete wall on the 57 Freeway. Witnesses reported that prior to the freeway accident, the man had been speeding. The CHP is still investigating the cause of the accident, reported the Orange County Register.

While other forms of transportation have become increasingly safer in this country, motorcycles have remained the most dangerous motor vehicle to drive, explains an Orange County motorcycle accident lawyer. Motorcycle riders accounted for 5,290 fatalities and 96,000 injuries in 2008 alone, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The three states in which the highest number of fatalities occurred were California (537), Florida (523), and Texas (480). Moreover, the likelihood of colliding with a fixed object is greater for motorcycle riders than for the drivers of other vehicles: whereas 25% of motorcycle riders involved in fatal accidents collided with fixed objects, only 19% of car accidents, 14% of light truck accidents, and 4% of large truck accidents were attributed to this cause.

Safety tips for motorcycle riders include wearing a helmet, watching out for other drivers and debris in the road, regularly inspecting tires, and never drinking and riding.

The Orange County motorcycle accident lawyers at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer their condolences to the family of the Signal Hill motorcyclist who died in the freeway accident this morning. During this difficult time, if they would like to find an online grief support group, they may want to visit http://www.groww.org/

Additional information on motorcycle accidents, motorcycle safety, and accident victims’ rights is available free of charge to the public.

To request a book or an article, or to speak to an Orange County motorcycle accident lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Elderly Man Fatally Struck In Glendale Crosswalk

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)39154 — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

In a month already marked by numerous pedestrian accidents among older adults in Orange County and Los Angeles, yet another elderly man has been fatally struck. Shortly after 6:30 last evening, the driver of a sedan hit the 80-year-old as he was traversing a Glendale crosswalk at the intersection of Columbus and California Avenues. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. This California injury was reported by the Los Angeles Times.

“This spike in pedestrian accidents among the elderly and older adults, particularly elderly men, is very unfortunate,” remarked a California pedestrian injury lawyer. “The fact that the majority of these accidents have occurred in crosswalks should serve as a warning to California drivers to be more cautious at intersections.”

The risk of being involved in a pedestrian accident, explained the California pedestrian injury lawyer, is higher for men than for women, as well as for adults 65 and older. Of the 4,378 pedestrians killed in traffic accidents in 2008, 18% were older adults, and the male pedestrian fatality rate was more than double that of females, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The California pedestrian injury lawyers at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer their condolences to the family of the accident victim mentioned in this article.

Additional information on pedestrian accidents and pedestrian rights is available free of charge to the public.

To request a book or an article, or to speak with a California pedestrian injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Friday, September 17, 2010 Is "Two-Second Turnoff Day"

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)39192 — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

Over 822 billion text messages were sent and received on all wireless communications carriers’ networks in the last six months of 2009, according to the wireless industry trade association, CTIA. Unfortunately, explains an Orange County car accident lawyer, many of the texts were sent from behind the wheel of a moving vehicle. Since California’s ban on texting-while-driving was implemented in January 2009, the number of drivers performing this distracting and dangerous activity has nearly doubled, according to surveys of Orange County drivers conducted by the Automobile Club of Southern California.

After nearly 6,000 people died and 515,000 were injured in car accidents that could be attributed to distracted driving in 2008, California joined six other states in officially banning texting-while-driving. Authorities, however, have faced two obstacles to enforcing the new law: most drivers keep the mobile communication device on their lap and out of view from highway patrol and police; and the penalty that accompanies a citation for texting-while-driving—a mere $20-dollar fine—is insufficient to deter drivers.

Initially, incidents of texting-while-driving declined after the ban became effective. Whereas the Automobile Club had found that 1.4% of Orange County motorists were texting on the road at any given time of day in mid to late 2008, in May and July of 2009, the Club recorded a 70% drop in the activity to 0.5% of motorists. By July of 2010, explains an Orange County car accident lawyer, this number had climbed to 2.7% of Orange County drivers—almost twice as many as were recorded prior to the ban’s implementation.

In response to this escalation in texting-while-driving, the Automobile Club, working in concert with the U.S. Department of Transportation, is promoting Seventeen Magazine’s “Two-Second Turnoff Day” this Friday, September 17, 2010. On this day, drivers across the country are asked to “take two seconds” to turn off their cell phone before starting their cars.

Texting-while-driving is extremely dangerous, as the activity distracts drivers’ hands, eyes, and minds from the road. The Orange County car accident lawyers at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie will be participating in “Two-Second Turnoff Day” by turning off their cell phones before starting their ignitions tomorrow and hope that drivers everywhere will do the same.

Additional information on distracted driving, car accidents, and other subjects relevant to personal injury law is available to the public free of charge. To request an article or a book, or to speak with an Orange County car accident lawyer, feel free to call 1 (866) 981-5596.

Riding With Drunk Friends? Families of DUI Crash Victims Still Have Rights

mmazal@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)39155 — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

In the news today, a San Juan Capistrano man was sentenced to seven years in prison for killing one of his friends and injuring another in an Orange County car crash that occurred while he was driving drunk.

The Orange County traffic accident occurred at about 2:45 a.m. on March 6, 2010. Rigoberto Mondozamora, 21, was driving drunk and speeding on Pacific Coast Highway in Dana Point. His friends Daniel Higuera, 24, and Jesus Avalos-Munguia, 24, were passengers in his Honda Sedan. Because of the high speed, Mendozamora lost control of his car and crashed into a tree near Golden Lantern Street. Avalos-Munguia died at the scene; Higuera was injured and taken to the hospital for treatment of lacerations and abrasions on his face and body, neck pain and other injuries.

After the crash, sherrif’s deputies noted that Mendozamora strongly smelled of alcohol and had bloodshot and watery eyes, slurred speech and was unbalanced. He pled guilty to vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence while intoxicated, as well as a sentencing enhancement for causing bodily injury.

The families of victims of fatal DUI crashes have the right to sue the drunk driver for wrongful death. A wrongful death lawsuit accuses the responsible driver of behaving negligently and allows the family to seek financial restitution. More importantly, it can help a family get some sense resolution for their loss.

To learn more about wrongful death claims in California, contact the Orange County personal injury attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie at 1-866-981-5596.

Pasadena Pedestrian Hit-and-Run

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)38809 — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

Last Thursday, the driver of a 1994 Mercedes Benz S500 hit an elderly man near the intersection of Cordova Street and Chester Avenue in Pasadena. After pulling the man out from under his car, the driver fled the scene of the pedestrian accident. The pedestrian accident victim was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition, with trauma to his head, broken ribs, and other serious injuries.

Pasadena Police suspect that Lucio Morales is responsible for the hit-and-run accident. He is a recent immigrant to the United States, although investigators do not know from where. Police described Morales as Latino, 5-foot-8, and 160 pounds. He also goes by the name of “Martin Beltran.” Witnesses to the accident, or those with information on the suspect, are urged to call the Pasadena Police Department.

The California pedestrian accident lawyers at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish the accident victim a full recovery. He will be in their thoughts and prayers.

Unfortunately, hit-and-run pedestrian and bicyclist accidents are a frequent occurrence in the United States. Approximately every 2 hours a pedestrian sustains fatal injuries in a traffic accident involving a motor vehicle and another is injured every 9 minutes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Drivers are often distracted, failing to notice pedestrians and bicyclists at intersections; it is, therefore, important to ride and walk defensively. Making eye contact with drivers before entering intersections is an effective way to ensure that they intend on stopping.

Additional information on pedestrian rights and accidents is available free of charge to the public. To request an article or book, or to speak with a California pedestrian accident lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

California cities rank among the most dangerous for drivers

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)38500 — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

Ten California cities rank among the 50 most dangerous driving cities in the nation. In fact, only two California cities are rated by the study as safer than average.

The Allstate Insurance Company just released its sixth annual "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report™." The report looks at America's 200 largest cities in terms of car accident frequency and uses these statistics to determine which cities have the safest drivers.

According to their statistics, the average American driver is involved in a car wreck once every ten years.
Forty-three California cities were ranked in the report. Salinas received the highest ranking at number 15. A driver in Dayton can expect to average one accident every 11.4 years.

Glendale had the lowest score. It was ranked 191st. Drivers in Glendale can expect to be involved in a car accident about once every 5.9 years. This means Glendale drivers are 70.8% more likely to be involved in a crash than the average American driver.

Six Orange County cities were ranked. Drivers in all those cities have a higher than average risk of being involved in an Orange County car accident.

City, 2010 Best Driver Rank , Average Years between Accidents

Huntington Beach, ranked 87 , 9.7 years between accidents
Orange, ranked 101, 9.3 years between accidents
Santa Ana, ranked 120, 8.9 years between accidents
Anaheim, ranked 139, 8.4 years between accidents
Fullerton, ranked 164, 7.6 years between accidents
Garden Grove, ranked 166, 7.6 years between accidents

Los Angeles ranked 183rd. Drivers can expect to be involved in a Los Angeles car accident about once every 6.9 years.

"America's Safest Driving City" in the nation is Fort Collins, Colorado. According to the report, the average driver in Fort Collins will experience a car accident every 14.5 years. This makes those drivers about 31 percent less likely to be involved in a car crash than the national average.

The Orange County car crash attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie represent victims of car crash injury throughout southern California. Contact our Newport Beach law office at 861-938-6113.

Difficult Trip-and-Fall Case Resolved. Client On Her Way To Recovery

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)38426 — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

A few years ago, one of our California injury lawyer's clients was seriously injured while exiting a Jacuzzi owned by the hotel at which she was staying. Upon exiting the water, she reached for a handrail for support. She and the party responsible for managing the hotel were unaware that the handrail was broken. Instead of providing the assistance she had expected, the broken handrail caused her to fall.

Unfortunately, trip-and-fall cases have become increasingly difficult to litigate in Southern California. In court, accident victims face a jury made skeptical to the veracity of their claims by the barrage of commercials and advertisements warning against scam artists. Consequently, law firms seldom take trip-and-fall cases anymore.

After thoroughly reviewing the details of her case, the California injury lawyer decided that not taking it could lead to further accidents in the future, as the chain of hotels had no program for ensuring that its pool equipment was being properly maintained and safe for guests to use. After three challenging years, he was able to obtain the compensation—three times what was initially offered—to which our client was entitled. She was able to receive the medical attention her injuries required and is on her way to an almost full recovery.

We hope that this case positively influences public sentiment toward trip-and-fall cases. The negligence of that hotel chain posed a serious threat to the well being of the public--a threat that has been mitigated now that the chain must create and implement a system for properly maintaining its pool equipment.

The California injury lawyers at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to wish you and your family a safe holiday weekend. If you should ever need our help, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Santa Ana Pedestrian Accident

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)38377 — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

Late last night, the 19-year-old driver of a 2010 Scion was speeding south on Harbor Boulevard in Santa Ana. Near Warner Avenue, he lost control of the vehicle, swerving across the multi-lane road, crashing into the curb and a fire hydrant, and fatally striking a 55-year-old woman believed to have been walking home from work. The driver sustained serious injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital, reported the Orange County Register.

“I would like to offer my condolences to the family of the woman,” said an Orange County accident lawyer after hearing the news. “They will be in my thoughts and prayers.”

Police are investigating whether the driver was under the influence of drugs and alcohol, the speed at which he was traveling, and the color of the traffic signal when he drove through it, all factors that will determine if misdemeanor or felony charges will be filed. If the driver was in fact impaired, explained the Orange County accident lawyer, then this accident will join the thousands of others that result in fatalities each year. In the United States, one person dies in a traffic accident involving an alcohol-impaired driver every 45 minutes. 48% of the car-verses-pedestrian accidents that resulted in 4,478 pedestrian fatalities in 2008 involved alcohol use.

For information on your rights and options after an accident, or to discuss a specific case with an Orange County accident lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Barstow Semi-Truck Accident Among Multiple Truck Accidents In August

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)38391 — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

Southern California saw multiple fatal truck accidents in the month of August: in the early morning hours of August 9, a Rancho Santa Margarita truck driver had a fatal heart attack while driving and crashed his semi on the I-15 near Barstow; on August 25, a runaway truck crashed into the home of a Santa Barbara family, killing three; and on August 28, a driver made an unsafe lane change on Highway 101 near Gilroy that caused his truck to swerve from the highway and crash, killing him. All three incidents, explains an Orange Country truck accident lawyer, were the result of causes common to truck driving accidents: fatigue, stroke, or heart attack; unsafe lane changes; and improper equipment maintenance or equipment failure.

In California, of the 8,600 truck accidents and 1,000 bus accidents recorded in a study by the National Transportation Safety Board in 2008, 318 resulted in fatalities. The causes of the accidents were placed in three categories: truck driver related, equipment related, and non-truck-driver related. Truck drivers caused more than 50% of the recorded accidents. The most frequent truck-driver-related causes included the use of prescription drugs, traveling at a speed greater than road conditions permit, unfamiliarity with the road, and fatigue or medical problems.

Driving defensively is an effective method for avoiding a collision with a truck driver, according to an Orange County truck accident lawyer. Keep your distance from large trucks: if a truck is traveling closely behind or in front of you, change lanes. Take additional precautions when attempting to pass a truck: swerving or speeding are indications that the driver may be impaired, so you may want to wait until the highway widens, allowing you to pass at a safe distance. Before passing, flash your lights and wait for the driver to blink his rear lights. Avoid truckers that are driving erratically, speeding, or swerving, as these may be indications that they are intoxicated or fatigued.

The Orange County truck accident lawyers at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer their condolences to the families of the truck accident victims mentioned in this article. If they or anyone else who has been in a truck accident have questions about their rights and options, we are here for them. To speak with an Orange County truck accident lawyer call 866-981-5596.

Poisoning Salmonella: Additional Safety Violations Found At Iowa Farms

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)38233 — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

Nearly a month after new safety regulations for egg farms went into effect, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspectors have found numerous violations at the two Iowa farms responsible for the poisoning of hundreds of people from salmonella-contaminated eggs over the summer. Non-chicken feathers, live mice, and flies were found at Wright County Farms. At Hillandale Farms—the source of eggs for one of California’s main distributors, Moark—inspectors found rodent holes, leaking manure, and salmonella-contaminated water. Prior to these recent findings, the FDA had linked contaminated chicken feed found at both farms to the nationwide outbreak.

“After nearly 1,500 people have become ill and over half a billion eggs have been recalled, the failure of the owners of these farms to address contamination problems is egregiously negligent,” remarked Orange County accident attorney, James Ballidis, in response to the news.

Before the egg recall, 95% of the eggs distributed throughout the country came from these two Iowa farms, which were also the source of over 40% of California’s eggs, explains Orange County accident attorney, James Ballidis. The fact that the eggs were distributed under several different brand names posed a major challenge to FDA investigators attempting to trace the source of the bacteria at the onset of the outbreak of poisoning from salmonella. The following brand names have been recalled: Albertsons, Farm Fresh, Glenview, Mountain Dairy, Ralphs, Boomsma, Lund, Pacific Coast, Kemp, Yucaipa Valley, and Farmer’s Gems. The following plant numbers, which can be found under the sell-by date on the egg carton, have also been recalled: P-1720, P-1942, P-1026, P-1413, and P-1946.

To avoid food-borne illnesses, FDA officials recommend to keep eggs refrigerated, fully cook them (no sunny-side up), and to discard the shells immediately after use. Additional safety tips can be found at www.foodsafety.gov/

With nearly 300 cases of salmonella poisoning reported in California, Orange County accident attorney, James Ballidis, has received several queries into the rights of the victims of food-borne illnesses. In response, he wrote an informative article on salmonella poisoning victims’ rights. To discuss a specific case, feel free to call him at 866-981-5596.

Residents Respond to New Huntington Beach Emergency Services Fees

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)38069 — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

Huntington Beach residents offered opposing opinions in response to recent news that the city would begin charging nonresidents for emergency services. In the near future, if a visitor to the city causes a car accident, he or she will be charged $595 for spilt vehicle fluids, such as oil and gasoline; $750 for car fires; and almost $2,000 for extraction from a vehicle. The city intends to bill the negligent, nonresident driver’s automobile insurance company; if the driver does not have insurance, he or she will be billed directly.

“These fees will end up being paid out-of-pocket,” predicted an Orange County accident lawyer, “as insurance companies will not cover them.”

With an estimated 10 to 13 million tourists visiting Huntington Beach every summer—resulting in approximately 300 traffic accidents annually—the city hopes the new fees will increase its revenue by $100,000.

Responses to the new law have been divided. In a recent Los Angeles Times article, Councilman Devin Dwyer expressed his opposition to the law, suggesting that insurance rates will increase as a result of the emergency service fees, impacting everyone in the end.

One resident approved of Huntington Beach’s decision to hold visitors accountable for these services.

Another commented that the revenue the city brings in from tourists patronizing local businesses, sales tax, and parking fees greatly outweighs the estimated $100,000 expected to come from the new fees. He went on to add that the new law could cause a decline in tourism.

“Other Orange County cities are likely to follow Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, and Santa Ana in charging nonresidents for emergency services as increasing budget cuts accompany the economic recession we are currently experiencing,” noted an Orange County accident lawyer.

James Ballidis is an Orange County accident lawyer specializing in automobile accident claims, a subject that he has also written numerous articles about. To discuss your rights and options after an accident or to request a copy of one of his articles, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Hospital Has Client Sign Away Rights, California Injury Lawyer Helps Client.

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)38075 — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

A California pedestrian sustained severe injury to his leg and ankle after a car struck him at an intersection. The hospital tht treated him refused to accept medicare, instead making him sign over all rights to insurance of the other driver. He needed that insurance to pay other bills, pay for his wage loss (still actively employed as a researcher) and pain and suffering for over 1 year. He needed the help of California injury lawyer James Ballidis.

After negotiating with the hospital and the other insurance company, this gentleman made a full recovery physically and financially. Call us if you are being taken advantage of at 1 866 981-5596. Don't let hospitals and insurance companies take what you are entitled to receive.

Families sues Anaheim Hills doctor after anesthesia death is ruled homicide

mmazal@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)37601 — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

The family of an abortion patient whose death was recently reclassified as a homicide has filed an Orange County wrongful death lawsuit against the Anaheim Hills doctor who performed the procedure.

Thirty-year-old Yong Chen sought an abortion at a San Gabriel strip mall clinic in July 2009. After she was given local anesthesia, she suffered a heart attack and died from a fatal reaction to the drug.

Dr. Andrew Rutland faces discipline by the California Medical Board.

The medical malpractice lawsuit was filed last month on behalf of their 2-year-old daughter. The suit alleges that the clinic was not properly equipped to perform an abortion and that Dr. Rutland did not adequately attempt to Chen after her heart attack.

The abortion took place at an acupuncture clinic which was not licensed to perform abortions. The chief medical examiner who investigated the death found expired drugs, lack of oxygen and dangerous drugs stored in mislabeled drawers.

Chen's death was originally ruled accidental, but the coroner's department changed the cause to homicide after the medical investigation. No charges have been filed at this time.

Rutland had previously lost his license after admitting medical negligence in the death of a newborn in 2002. It was reinstated in 2007.

When a medical professional deviates from the accepted standard of care and causes harm, he is guilty of medical malpractice. To learn more about the rights of medical malpractice victims, call the Orange County wrongful death attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie. 1-866-981-5596.

Another Tragic Cycling Accident In Newport Beach

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)37512 — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

On Tuesday August 3^rd, 65-year-old Dan Crain was bicycling southbound on Newport Coast Drive when a vehicle merging onto the same street from the 73 Toll Road struck him, the impact throwing him to the ground. While Crain was lucid enough to give a statement after the cycling accident, his injuries required multiple spinal surgeries throughout the week following the accident. He died at Mission Hospital last Sunday evening. The cause of death is still under investigation, reported the Orange County Register.

“The risk of sustaining serious or fatal injuries while cycling in Newport Beach appears to be escalating,” noted an Orange County injury attorney. “Last month a Ghost Bike Memorial was erected just a few miles from here for another fallen cyclist.”

Crain received his own memorial on Monday when the Orange County Rebel Riders, the bicycling club in which he was a member, posted a eulogy for him on their website: “Cycling has suffered yet another terrible loss, and the OCRR has lost a good friend and wonderful cyclist.”

If the injuries Crain sustained from the accident were in fact the cause of his death, then this marks the fourth fatal cycling accident in this area of Newport Beach to occur since July 2009, when Darryl Benefiel died from his injuries after a car making a left-hand turn onto Tesoro crashed into him. Then, in December, an Irvine bicyclist was killed in a hit-and-run accident on Jamboree. Last July, Michael William Nine—the cyclist for whom the Ghost Bike Memorial was constructed—was fatally struck by a stake-bed trucking making an illegal left-hand turn.

The Newport Beach Task Force on Cycling Safety, which was recently created with the objective of improving safety conditions for bicyclists in the area, submitted its suggestions to the Newport Beach City Council last May. Hopefully, safety measures are being implemented.

“Drivers and bicyclists must take extra precautions when traveling through this area, or any other for that matter,” said an Orange County injury attorney. “Many cycling accidents occur when drivers are turning and either underestimate how quickly a cyclist will enter an intersection, or fail to see the cyclist.”

Whether driving or bicycling, slow down before entering an intersection, check your surroundings, and make eye contact with other parties to ensure that they intend on stopping for you.

James Ballidis is an Orange County injury attorney who has written extensively on cycling accidents, as well as other subjects related to personal injury law. If you have been in a cycling accident and have questions about your rights and options, feel free to call 866-981-5596.

Car Jacking Is On Rise. What Can You Do To Avoid Being A Target.

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)37241 — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

Orange County residents are fortunate to live in some of the safest communities in America. However earlier this week, residents of Orange were horrified that a woman in a grocery store parking lot was stabbed, her car carjacked, and now is fighting for her life—all in broad daylight.

The woman had just finished grocery shopping; was loading her bags, then getting in her car when a man approached her. Earlier eye witnesses had seen this young man loitering around the parking lot asking for money. Witnesses saw the woman comply with the man’s demands, gave him the keys to the car but he stabbed her anyway.

Carjackers have become bolder and even in this case, strike in the middle of the morning with several eyewitnesses. This is not the first time as California Injury Lawyers we have seen this behavior and the damage it leaves behind. Another incident happened last week in San Diego. A man handed over his car and was running away when the carjacker shot him 5 times in the back. He is expected to survive but is hospitalized in serious condition.

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s recent statistics, 6 of the top ten hot spots for stolen vehicles in the U.S. are in California. Carjacking is a crime that is on the rise and because it is a crime of convenience, sometimes the type of car you drive is not as important as where you are. Furthermore, it is important to know where carjackers usually strike and as always, pay attention to your surroundings, even if you live in a safe Orange County community.

Ninety-three percent of all carjacking situations happen in a suburb or urban setting. Malls and grocery stores are common sites for carjacking, but so are intersections controlled by stop signs or stoplights; ATM’s and self-service gas stations. Here are recommendations from our Orange County auto accident lawyers:

While driving:
•    Keep your car well-maintained and full of gas
•    While driving through traffic, try to drive in the center lane and through well-lit areas
•    Keep your windows rolled up and doors locked while driving through stop and go traffic
•    If someone is following you or bumps into you intentionally, drive to a police station or call 9-1-1. “Bump and Rob” is a typical ploy where once you have left your car to exchange information with the other driver, the passenger in the other car has an opportunity to steal your car.

Getting into your car:
•    Approach your car with your key in hand and walk with a purpose. Don’t be chatting on your cell phone or juggling several shopping bags.
•    Avoid people handing out flyers in parking lots and keep a safe distance from people approaching you; whether it is to ask for directions, money or just the time.
Getting out of your car:
•    Look around before you open your door.
•    Never leave electronics or other valuable in plain view—remember, it is usually a crime of convenience.
And lastly, if you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being carjacked, be aware that in75% of all cases a weapon is used; try to stay calm and follow the carjacker’s demands. Your car can always be replaced.

California Injury Lawyer's Client Receives Specialized Treatment For Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)37254 — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

For far too long, one of our clients has been suffering from a painful condition called thoracic outlet syndrome. The client came to one of our California injury lawyers after he had been in accident in which another driver pulled from a stop sign, striking him as he was driving about forty miles an hour. It was a horrible accident, from which our client sustained serious neck injuries, in addition to the thoracic outlet syndrome.

Thoracic outlet syndrome is a painful condition in which either the blood vessels or the nerves in the thoracic outlet, the area between the clavicle and first rib, become compressed. Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome results from compression on the brachial plexus, the group of nerves originating at the spinal cord that are responsible for muscle movement and sensation in the shoulder, arm, and hand. Symptoms include neck and shoulder pain, aching hands, a tingling sensation in the fingers, and a weakening grip. Vascular thoracic outlet syndrome occurs when the veins or arteries under the clavicle are constricted, causing a throbbing lump near the collarbone, blood clots in the arm, and discoloration of the hand.

The physical trauma suffered in a car accident is a common cause of thoracic outlet syndrome, which was the case with our California injury lawyer's client. While the condition is often treated with physical therapy, in more severe cases, surgery may be recommended. Both surgical approaches—either making an incision under the neck to expose the brachial plexus and repair constricted blood vessels or making an incision in the chest and partially removing the first rib to relieve pressure—carry the risk of injuring the brachial plexus and possibly limiting muscle movement.

Our client was given a difficult diagnosis: surgery or a specialized treatment program. We referred him to a medical specialist and he is now receiving treatment in a specialized program. We hope that he makes a full recovery.

We hope that your family is having a healthy summer. Should you ever need our help, feel free to give us a call at 866-981-5596. We are always here for you.

The California injury lawyers at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie have been helping accident victims throughout Orange County and Southern California since 1974.

San Clemente man injured in school zone pedestrian car crash.

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)36514 — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

A 61-year-old pedestrian sustained a broken leg and head injuries when he was hit by a teen driver near San Clemente High School.

The Orange County pedestrian accident happened just before 9 p.m. on Sunday, August 1 near 700 Avenida Pico, in San Clemente.

The 61-year-old man was taken to Mission Hospital, in Mission Viejo, for treatment of his injuries.

The driver did not appear to have been drinking and was not cited for the crash. The accident is still under investigation.

Pedestrian Accident Facts

•    In 2008, 4,378 pedestrians died in motor vehicle crashes.

•    70 percent of the pedestrians killed were males.

•    72 percent of pedestrian fatalities occur in urban areas.

•    California has more pedestrian fatalities than any other state. It is followed by, Florida, Texas, and New York. These four states make up 42 percent of pedestrian fatalities nationwide, but account for only 30 percent of the total traffic fatalities across the country.

•    48% all pedestrian fatalities occur on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (16%, 18%, and 14% )

•    70% of pedestrian fatalities occur at night (4 p.m. - 4 a.m.).

The Orange County personal injury attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie represent victims of accidents throughout Southern California. If you have lost a loved one to a California pedestrian accident, we can help you find an attorney to help you with your case. Call 866-981-5596 to request our free book: Avoid Lawyer Advertising Hype! A Lawyers Method for Finding a Lawyer.

Motorcycle rider injured in Fullerton semi-truck crash

mmazal@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)35600 — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

A motorcycle and tractor-trailer collided in a Fullerton accident.The rider of the motorcycle was seriously injured in the crash. The collision occurred in the eastbound lanes of Chapman Street at approximately 12:20 p.m. on Tuesday, July 20.

The motorcyclist was riding east on Chapman Street as an 18-wheeler was making a right turn onto the eastbound lanes of Chapman from Raymond. The two vehicles collided at the intersection.

The rider of the motorcycle sustained injuries and was treated at the scene by Fullerton firefighters and paramedics before being transported to the hospital. The extent of the rider's injuries is not known.

The motorcycle's fuel tank ruptured during the accident. Firefighters had to use dirt dikes to contain the fuel that was gathering in the gutter.

The driver of the semi truck was unharmed.

The motorcycle accident is still under investigation and no charges have been filed.

Two thirds of motorcycle collisions with other vehicles occur when the driver of the larger vehicle violates the right of way of the motorcyclist. Motorcycles offer little protection to their riders, especially in a collision against a larger vehicle such a big rig truck. Eighty-percent of motorcycle crashes result in injury or death. Forty-five percent result in serious injury.

If you have been injured in an Orange County motorcycle accident and you need help, call Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie at 866-981-5596. Our motorcycle crash attorneys have the expertise to get you the help you need.

Trunk Riding Results In 14-Year-Old Boy's Accidental Death

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)35241 — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

Lake Forest authorities received a report of an unconscious boy in the parking lot of La Tierra Elementary School on June 13, 2010. Paramedics arrived on the scene to find 14-year-old Nestor Barrientos-Macias still breathing. They transported him to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, where he was pronounced brain dead. He died the following Tuesday.

While it was initially thought that the boy had sustained serious head injuries from a skateboard accident, authorities later discovered that the boy had been attempting a dangerous stunt known as “trunk riding.” Death caused by trunk riding is a common occurrence according to California injury lawyer James Ballidis. "We have had to handle several of these cases in the past. They are a real tragedy of kids trying to have fun in a dangerous way."

After receiving a tip from a 5-year-old witness, authorities concluded that Barrientos-Macias was one of three boys riding in the open trunk of another 17-year-old boy’s car. As the car left the parking lot, Barrientos-Macias fell out of the trunk, hitting his head.

The cause of Barrientos-Macias’ fatal head injuries was initially ambiguous because the 17-year-old Mission Viejo boy fled the scene of the accident. Authorities were unable to piece together what happened until the young witness came forward.

The 17-year-old boy has been booked on suspicion of felony hit-an-run and vehicular manslaughter.

While hit-and-run accidents are common in California—with 247 fatalities and 22,091 injuries resulting from such collisions in 2008 alone—trunk riding is encountered less often. The dangerous activity can most closely be aligned with “car surfing,” a term introduced in the 1980s to describe a form of thrill seeking in which an individual attempts to ride, or “surf,” the exterior of a vehicle as it is driven by another person. According to a study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, spanning the years of 1990 to 2008, 75 percent of car surfing injuries were reported in the Midwest and the South. Males accounted for most of the injuries, especially those between the ages of 15 and 19 years.

Given the recent variation of car surfing that occurred in Lake Forest, perhaps local governments and schools should make an effort to increase public awareness of this dangerous phenomenon. Warnings by law enforcement could also serve as a deterrent, especially when coupled with legislation penalizing those found guilty of car surfing.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Nestor Barrientos-Macias’ family during this difficult time.

As a California injury lawyer, we have been helping the victims of accidents throughout Southern California for over 35 years. We would like to wish your family a safe summer. Should you need us, feel free to call us at 866-981-5596 or visit our firm site dedicated to informing you of the latest California injury and damages rights..

Ignition Interlock For LA Drunk Drivers. Is California Next?

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)35244 — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

Nationwide, driving under the influence remains one of the leading causes of motor vehicle related fatalities, with one death occurring every 45 minutes. More than $51 billion is spent annually on accidents resulting from impaired driving. Such high numbers have prompted legislators in Sacramento to mandate that first-time and repeat DUI offenders in Los Angeles County install ignition interlock devices in their vehicles. Consisting of a tube to breath into and a machine to measure alcohol levels, both of which are connected to the ignition, the device will prevent the vehicle from starting if it detects alcohol.

The new law will increase the cost of receiving a DUI considerably: in addition to the average $2,500 in fines and court fees, DUI offenders must pay $125 for installation, a $60 monthly maintenance fee, and a $45 DMV administration fee.

With each DUI offense, the duration of time the device must be installed will increase: five months for first-time offenders, twelve months for second-time offenders, twenty-four months for third-time offenders, and 36 months for a fourth conviction.

While the program has initially been implemented in four counties—Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Tulare—legislators will consider expanding statewide after a five-year evaluation. Could ignition lock devices improve safety on Orange County highways, especially over the perilous 4th of July weekend? Orange County CHP arrested fewer people this year for DUI over the holiday weekend, but the decrease was only slight. Last year, between 6p.m. on Friday and midnight on Monday, 57 people were arrested for DUI, a small fraction of the 1,239 arrests made statewide but still a statistic with potentially tragic implications. While no fatalities accompanied the reckless driving in Orange County, throughout the state, 24 people were killed, causing the 4th of July to be one of the most dangerous holidays in California.

It may be time to clamp down on drunk drivers in ourt county as well, noted James Ballidis a California injury lawyer in Orange County. "It is simply not going to stop without more stiff penalties." If you have recently suffered injuries from an accident in which the negligent driver was intoxicated, you may want to consult with a reputable California Injury Lawyer. An experienced Orange County auto accident lawyer will protect your rights and advocate on your behalf, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

James Ballidis is a California Injury Lawyer and the author of several books on automobile accidents and claims settlement rights. If you would like to request a copy of one of his books or have been injured in an accident and need legal advice, feel free to call us at 866-981-5596 or visit http://www.thecaliforniainjurylawyer.com/.

Garden Grove bicyclist injured in hit-and-run

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)34677 — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

A hit-and-run driver left a 53-year-old bicyclist seriously injured after an early Friday morning bicycle wreck.

The bicyclist was found just before 1 a.m.at the intersection of Magnolia Street and Chapman Avenue in Garden Grove. The bicyclist was riding north on Magnolia when he was hit by a vehicle heading east on Chapman. He was bleeding from the face and head. Fire personnel took the man to the hospital where he was treated for head injuries and a broken leg.

There were no witnesses.

Bicycle-car accidents often occur because the driver of the car does not see the bicyclist or the driver or because the driver underestimated the speed of the bike or overestimated the bicycles braking ability

Drivers who are involved in any sort of accident that involves property damage must stop and identify themselves to others involved before leaving the scene. If a driver does not stop and someone is injured, he may be charged with felony hit-and-run.

If you have been seriously injured in an Orange County bicycle accident, seek a lawyer who specializes in Southern California bicycle injury cases. Call the bike accident attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie to learn about your rights as a bicyclist.

Early swimming lessons may prevent Orange County drownings

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)33867 — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

For many Southern Californians, summer is the time to head to the pool or the beach. However, it is important for parents to keep in mind that drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional, inury-related death for children under the age of nineteen.

New data shows that early swim training lowers the rates of drowning in children under four. However, a study conducted by the University of Memphis found that many children – particularly African American children – do not know how to swim.

The study surveyed more than 2,000 children and parents at YMCA’s at six cities across the United States. The cities included Atlanta, Boston, Denver, Memphis, Minneapolis and San Diego. Researchers found that while 40 percent of white children have little or no swimming ability, as much as 70 percent of African-American children have low or no swimming ability. For Latino children, the rate was 58 percent.

The lack of swimming ability is reflected in drownings. African American children drown at three times the rate of white children.

Signing your children up for swimming lessons can help prevent swimming pool deaths. You should also always supervise young children while at the beach or pool. At public pools you should check that the life guard is on-duty and alert and that there is proper life-saving equipment.

If your child is injured or drowns in a public swimming pool because of a lack of safety equipment or negligent supervision, you may have a personal injury or wrongful death case. Contact the Orange County child injury attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie to learn more about your rights.

Ortega Highway is Deadly and Caltrans Does Nothing To Fix It

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)33504 — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

On December 17, 2009 a young man died on a stretch of road from Orange County to Elsinore called Ortega Highway. This is one of the most dangerous roads in California because of the narrow stretches, trucks passing through the zone and dirt shoulders that are not well maintained. Mr. Moreira was travelling to Elsinore when his front right tire drifted off the pavement and onto the shoulder. Unfortunately, to move back onto the road takes a tremendous effort. If not done exactly correct, oversteer easily occurs. In this case, Mr. Moreira oversteered and in the split second of reaction, he crossed the double line, and was struck causing his death. Expert investigation started 3 months after the death, and after a lengthy delay in preparation of the police report demonstrated a four inch drop off from pavement to the dirt shoulder, the equivalent of the height of a curb. Arguing that the condition may not have been the cause of the accident, Caltrans defended the condition as not dangerous.

Unfortunately, Caltrans has done nothing since this tragic accident. Additionally, the area is ripe for another accident unless Caltrans stops shirking their responsibilities and starts to correct the defective roadway conditions.

On narrow road surfaces, where there is a dirt shoulder, Caltrans is obligated to maintain a level shoulder, even with the roadway surface. In the event that you or I drift a tire off the pavement, we can steer back on the roadway without incident. However, if the tire falls off a ledge, the force taken to correct onto the highway is greater and the chance of oversteering occurs. Think of a car tire falling off a curb at 40MPH. You can imagine the force required to get back onto the pavement.

In Mr. Moreira’s case, there was evidence that this occurred by scuff marks on the inside front tire, and an unexplained oversteering maneuver that caused him to lose control of his vehicle move into the opposite lane of travel and become broadsided, killing him.

Tragically, today, I went to the scene. Nothing has changes. Caltrans does not care about you, your safety or reasonable protection of our roadways. See this video of my observations. Even after notice of this death, an expensive trial and the loss to a newlywed, they have done nothing to correct the defect. It is a shame. Caltrans just do your job. If you don’t this posting will hopefully find its way into the hands of another victim, and as the evidence mounts, my hope is that Caltrans will be held accountable financially and politically.

California hospitals fined for medical errors. Are you at risk?

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)33403 — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

Last month, California state officials fined nine California hospitals for medical errors. Three of these hospitals are in Orange County and the surrounding area. If you are a victim of a medical mistake, do you know your rights?

• In Mission Viejo, Mission Hospital Regional Center staff injected a newborn with morphine intended for the infant’s mother.

• Parkview Regional Hospital in Riverside was fined because a surgeon removed the wrong kidney from a patient with a kidney tumor.

• Joshua Tree’s Hi-Desert Medical Center was fined because a 4-year-old who was having her tonsils removed was burned by the cauterizing equipment.

Each hospital faces a $50,000 fine. Every one of these incidents was preventable. Preventable medical errors can cause serious injury and even wrongful death. While no amount of money can fix the mistake, If you are injured by a medical error, you have rights.

The Orange County law firm of Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie provides legal services to victims of medical errors and medical malpractice in Orange County and throughout Southern California. Our personal injury attorneys do their very best to get full and fair compensation for all your injuries and losses. To learn more, contact our office at 866-981-5596.

Dangerous Roads Kill In California

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)32185 — Tue, 25 May 2010 08:00:00 EST

California drivers, especially in the state’s southern region, are quite familiar with dangerous roads. Not surprisingly, fifty percent of the nation’s most pernicious roads can be found in California. The three most deadly traverse Los Angeles County, according to a recent study of U.S. Department of Transportation statistics by the Scripps Howard News Service.

The study examined 562,712 auto accidents resulting in fatality spanning the years of 1994 and 2008, delineating a pattern of accidents on particular highways throughout the United States. San Bernadino’s I-15, which connects southern California to Las Vegas, proved the most deadly, with 834 accidents and 1,069 fatalities. The I-10 in Riverside County had a total of 440 accidents with 515 deaths. Ranking in third place, the I-5, which passes through Los Angeles County, had 494 deaths.

While the I-5—the corridor connecting San Diego to Los Angeles—is the most hazardous to Orange County drivers, major highways, in general, are not as dangerous as smaller state thoroughfares and county and municipal roads. 71% of fatal accidents occur on such roads.

Orange County’s scenic Ortega Highway, or Route 74, is one of the area’s most dangerous roads: last month yet another vehicle climbed over the embankment, falling 30 feet. Miraculously, the driver survived; others have not had been so lucky. Plagued by monthly motorcycle accidents, head-on collisions, and fatalities, many in Orange County are questioning the lack of maintenance and preventative measures to improve motorists’ safety on the highway.

Better planning for future state highways and municipal roads is also crucial. Replacing dangerous intersections and engineering more effective medians, guard rails, and rumble strips could save lives.

In the past, automobile-related fatalities were often attributed to speeding, unfastened seat belts, and driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These days, “unexplained” causes are rising. Distracted drivers or unreported safety hazards may be to blame.

In an effort to track and ameliorate hazardous driving conditions, the Scripps Howard News Service has started a “killer roads” project. Whereas before the task of finding and fixing dangerous roadways fell on local governments and community groups, the public can now send complaints regarding dangerous situations to the Scripps Howard project’s website: www.scrippsnews.com/killerroads/complaintform. The information will then be sent to local authorities.

Reporting dangerous road conditions saves lives.

May 16-22 is National Dog Bite Prevention Week

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)30940 — Sat, 15 May 2010 08:00:00 EST

According the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, dog bites are a serious public health problem that inflicts both physical and emotional damage on its victims. Almost 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year. One-fifth of dog bite victims, a total of 885,000, require medical attention for dog-bite injuries. More than 31,000 require reconstructive surgery after a dog bite. Many dog bite victims are left with traumatic memories of the event and a life-long fear of dogs.

Children, especially boys between the ages of five and nine, have the highest incidence of dog bite injuries. Children are also most likely to be seriously in dog attacks. Because children are shorter than adults, they often sustain injuries to the face, neck and head. The CDC suggests that parents teach children to avoid strange dogs.

The attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie represent dog bite victims in Orange County and throughout Southern California. Our lawyers have put together a list of safety tips to help keep your child safe. If your child has been bitten by a dog, we can help you get insurance compensation for your child’s medical bills, pain and suffering.

Texting while driving a growing problem in Orange County

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)31022 — Tue, 04 May 2010 08:00:00 EST

More than a year after California’s state texting ban was implemented, texting while driving is still on the rise in Orange County. This finding is the result of a random survey done by the Automobile Club of Southern California.

The Auto Club conducted cell phone and texting surveys on a random sample of about 4,000 vehicles driving by seven Orange county roadside locations. Six studies took place over the past two years, both before and after the texting ban became law in January 2009.

Immediately after the law into effect, texting dropped by 17 percent. However, a March 2010 survey shows that texting has rebounded to more than double since then. About 1.1 percent of drivers are now texting as compared to .5 percent in early 2009. Before the ban, 1.4% of motorists were texting.

The Auto Club suggests that more citations may decrease texting by drivers. Police officers say it is difficult to catch drivers who are texting as they often hold the texting device on their laps. Hand-held cell phone users are easier to spot. In Orange County, CHP issued 204 texting-while-driving citations in 2009. During the same period, they issued 10,561 hand-held cell phone violations.

Distracted drivers are dangerous drivers. If you have been injured or have lost a loved one in a car crash caused by a distracted driver, the law is on your side. Contact the personal injury and accident attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie to learn more about your rights.

I-15 and Highway 40 Interchange is Dangerous to California Motorists.

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)30171 — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST

This last Friday I was traveling out of town to go to Calico Ghost Mine for a weekend of camping with my daughter. As I approached the I 15 and Highway 40 Interchange northbound, I could not help but think and remind myself why this is considered one of the most dangerous locations in southern California.

We were traveling at 70 mph when we approached the interchange. Highway 40 splits off from the Interstate15 in a V fashion, but the four lane freeway narrows to two lanes for each freeway as you approach. Many people traveling fast and confused, unsure where they belong, merge in and out of lanes. Traffic, congested on a Friday, slows severely. As we near the actual splitting of lanes, an accident has already occurred and the parties are to the right. That causes even more slowing and yet the 40 Interchange is not as busy so speeds of cars and trucks continue to be more than triple the speeds of lanes to the left.

As I passed by the accident location, three other cars noticeably had to swerve and stop behind me sending up pillars of smoke from skidding tires. I also notice that there are several cars ahead of me that had to move into the center shoulder to avoid some calamity. It is a very uneasy situation.

Suddenly to my right, I hear a big rig horn. A car in the lane to my right decided to merger into the Highway 40 traffic. Because his Subaru is traveling at 20 MPH and the truck is barreling at 55 or 60, the truck almost rear ends the car. Trucks continuing on with the intent of going onto the 40 freeway, are passing stopped traffic at close to 55 mph.

The design of the roadway seems defective given the speed as you enter this interchange, he speed of vehicles traveling onto highway 40 from the I 15, and volume of slow traffic as people head towards Las Vegas on the weekend.

Unlike other areas in California, this is a must travel through interchange if you are heading to Nevada or parts close to there. Something should be done to accommodate the traffic congestion and design here.

Drive safe and give yourself plenty of distance at this interchange.

Car Air Bag Injuries

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)29916 — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST

Are car aIr bags actually unsafe in modern cars? As a Orange County auto accident lawyer, many of our clients are injured by airbag deployment. But now studies are showing that these injuries may not be necessary or worse, the airbags are causing more injury to those that are seat belted. Call 1 866 981-5596 if you have suffered an airbag injury, to learn what rights you have. The call is free. Let's look at the recent airbag testing develpoments.

According to preliminary data from the U.S. Department of Transportation , traffic deaths have reached their lowest levels since the mid-1950s. Motor vehicle fatalities were down in 2009 to fewer than 34,000. This is quite remarkable since the number of drivers on the road has more than doubled and commutes have more than quadrupled.

One of the primary factors that are saving lives is newer technologies that keep drivers and their passengers safe. The automobile industry and government regulators are working together to develop life-saving, effective policies.

Important technological advances with the manufacturing and design of automobiles, as well as improvements in road infrastructure and increased seat belt usage, are all key issues in vehicle safety.

In a recent survey conducted by Consumer Reports Brands Perception, the number one consumer consideration when purchasing a new vehicle is safety. Safety even trumps durability and quality.

Over the past few decades, safety features such as anti-lock brakes, crash avoidance, electronic stability control, head protection, and of course side and front airbags have enabled automobile manufacturers to .develop safer cars.

However, in the latest study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), they concluded that the newer frontal air bag technology, which was specifically intended to protect belted drivers, actually reduces protection and may even be dangerous. In fact the belted drivers had a 21% increase in injuries and death.
Although airbag technology has been around since the mid 1970’s, frontal bags have only been standard in passenger vehicles since 1999. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, (NHTSA) estimates that seat belts have saved over 28,000 lives.

Some of the earlier airbag technology did in fact injure children and small-statured adults, but in 2003 the new airbag rules were modified to protect smaller occupants. Until now, there has never been a question about the safety of belted passengers.

In an ironic twist, the very requirements that regulate airbag deployment tests are actually based on unbelted drivers, not belted ones. Currently in the U.S. more than 80% of the general driving population buckles up, as well as most children ride in the back seat restrained.

Should those of us that regularly use our seat belts be penalized for the few drivers who don’t? The question remains a valid one whether the manufacturers and government tests should accommodate the minority or majority.

Additionally, if there is better technology that can protect the belted drivers or maybe the test requirements should be revised?

Whichever side of the debate you on, safety belts do save lives and it is an important safety feature in any auto.
For further information on airbag technology and proper restraining of children in a vehicle, visit the Department of Transportation’s website for their brochure, “What you need to know about airbags.”

Mini Cooper driver survives 405 freeway crash with tractor-trailer

jballidis@allenflatt.com (Blog Author)29761 — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Mini Cooper blew a tire and ended up under a big rig truck. Miraculously, no one was hurt.

The Mini Cooper was travelling southbound on 405 near the 22 freeway near Seal Beach. The incident occurred at about 2 am on April 8, 2010. The driver was near the truck when his tire blew. He lost control of the vehicle and his car went under the truck near the fuel tank.

Twelve fire fighters were on the scene, but there were no injuries.

The driver is very fortunate. Underride accidents, those where a passenger vehicle travels under the trailer of an 18-wheeler, are some of the most deadly truck accidents on our highways. Underride accidents usually result in serious head injuries including closed head injuries, open head injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and even decapitation. If the passengers in the smaller vehicle survive, they often are permanently disabled from their injuries.

If you or a loved one is seriously injured after a California highway accident with a large commercial vehicle, contact Allen Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie. Our attorneys can help you determine if you have a case and what your losses are. If you need a lawyer, request our free guide to finding a personal injury attorney: Avoid Lawyer Advertising Hype! A Lawyers Method for Finding a Lawyer. Contact our Orange County office at 866-981-5596.