San Diego Drunk Driving Crash Claims Life of Pregnant Woman
Jan 19, 2010 Auto & Car Crashes, Wrongful Death - Murder
A tragic accident took place in San Diego during the wee morning hours on New Years day, claiming the life of 21 year old Elaina Luquis-Ortiz. According to Sign on San Diego, the accident was caused by a suspected drunk driver who struck Ortiz’ Mazda Sedan, which was parked on the shoulder of I-805 as she and some friends were attempting to help a motorist in distress.
Luquis-Ortiz was six months pregnant with a baby boy, who also died in the crash. Luquis-Ortiz had gotten a call from a friend around 1:30 in the morning, who wanted her to come help a distressed motorist who had a flat tire. As the three sat in Luquis-Ortiz’ car behind the disabled vehicle, they were struck by a Chevrolet Tahoe. Luquis-Ortiz was killed instantly, and the other two had to be hospitalized because of severe injuries.
While the incidence of drunk driving crashed may be decreasing, they still cause some of the most devastating accidents in California and around the nation. The results are often fatal; those under the influence are more likely to speed and drive recklessly, meaning high impact crashes.
In many instances, survivors of the victims are often eligible for compensation for funeral and burial expenses, along with medical expenses they may have incurred before death. Additional compensation may be awarded for pain and suffering, and loss of consortium and companionship if the victim was a spouse.
Damages for loss of consortium are offered in only a few states, which includes California. These California wrongful death actions are often trickier than determining compensation in personal injury claims. Wrongful death claims usually involve intangible benefits such as anguish, loss of consortium and other things that are difficult if not impossible to place a value on. After all, how can you place a monetary value on the life of someone you love, and all of the loss you suffer such as help with the children, repairs around the home, etc?
In the courtroom, things can get ugly which may only make things more painful for a surviving spouse. Defense attorneys may argue what is fair compensation for loss of consortium, and try to lower damages; these situations can become ugly and require the assistance of a talented San Diego accident attorney. Wrongful death lawsuits may also include punitive damages, which are not meant to compensate survivors but as punishment designed to make an example out of the one responsible for the death.
The Reeves Law Group has offices across California and is dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including victims of drunk driving accidents. Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.
Los Angeles Wrongful Death Lawsuit Involving Singer Brandi Settles Out of Court
Dec 10, 2009 Wrongful Death - Murder
An accident that took place three years ago involving the singer Brandi has been settled out of court. In December of 2006, Brandi hit a car from behind on a Los Angeles interchange, which resulted in a chain reaction that left Awatef Aboudihaj dead. The singer has been settling with Aboudihaj’s family since then, and paid $30,000 to each of Awatef’s two children. Now apparently she has reached a settlement with the parents of Awatef, but the details are not being disclosed. In this accident another motorist was injured, and Brandi settled with that motorist earlier this year.
It is sometimes difficult for the families of victims to file Los Angeles wrongful death lawsuits. They are grieving, and know that no amount of money can bring their loved one back. However, expenses begin to add up quickly in the time period following the death, and survivors often need the compensation to carry on a normal way of life. This is also a way to gain closure for some, because they realize that the responsible party is having to pay for their actions.
While most families do not think about money issues at the time a loved one dies, soon after they will realize that they need money for medical expenses, household bills, funeral and burial of their loved one and other basics. This is especially true when the deceased was the primary breadwinner of the family, and now the income is gone. Victims families quickly realize that meeting just basic financial needs is very tough. This is why it is essential in many instances that a wrongful death claim be filed.
Surviving family members should understand that it is their right to file for financial compensation when a loved one is killed because of negligence. California laws allow benefactors of the victim to file wrongful death damages in court. Medical bills, funeral expenses, and lost wages are just a few examples of the compensation that survivors may be entitled to. If the victim was the sole income provider, family members should include all of the expenses that their loved one would have been responsible for had he lived.
Survivors must carry on with their lives, and realize that they need to factor in all possible expenses when considering a wrongful death claim. Not only should the short-term be examined, but families should carefully consider the future and how they will have sufficient funds to live. They may also want to consider loss of consortium and damages, and take into account all possible factors when filing a claim. It is greatly to the advantage of survivors to consult with a California personal injury lawyer before you file a claim, to make certain you get maximum compensation for your loss.
The Reeves Law Group has offices across California, and is dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including victims of wrongful death. Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.
A Kansas City Criminal Attorney Can Change The Outlook For Your Future
Oct 15, 2009 Assault & Battery, Criminal Cases, Wrongful Death - Murder
When you have been accused of a crime, no matter how simple or serious it may seem, you need an experienced Kansas City criminal defense attorney on your side. When you choose to represent yourself or have an inexperienced lawyer do it, you are putting your future at great risk. If you want the best possible outcome, hire someone with the knowledge and aggression it takes to make sure you are treated fairly.
The crime you have been accused of may be something minor, or something as major as rape or murder. You may be extremely frightened and confused, not knowing what you are facing. Whether innocent or guilty, you need someone who knows the law to answer questions you may have and guide you through the process. Never represent yourself in these types of cases, as you can easily damage your own case.
When you are arrested for a crime, you may be nervous or feel that you need to defend your actions to police or other law enforcement. The worst thing you can do is to speak to anyone. While some in authority positions will act as if they are trying to help you, more than likely they are trying to incriminate you further by using anything you say against you. This is why it is crucial that you contact a highly reputable Kansas City criminal defense attorney. He knows how to best handle your case, and has the respect of not only the judge, but law enforcement and others in positions of authority.
Depending upon the seriousness of the charges against you, a reputable lawyer can often get the sentence greatly reduced, or even dropped. He knows every nuance of the law, and how to examine the evidence to determine if any missteps were taken in your pursuit. Police, investigators and other law enforcement sometimes make mistakes, and a highly qualified Kansas City criminal defense attorney can examine every detail with a fine tooth comb to find things that may be in your favor.
Have you been accused of a crime? Your future, and the future of your family may be hanging in the balance. You need to know what to expect, and what steps you should take to insure that the outcome is the best that can be expected in your particular situation. Contact an experienced and knowledgeable Kansas City criminal defense attorney NOW, and do not wait!
San Bernardino Accident Takes Life of Well-Known Fashion Photographer
Oct 8, 2009 Auto & Car Crashes, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death - Murder
Alberto Jose Serejo, a well-known Brazilian fashion photographer, was killed in San Bernardino County in an accident involving an impaired driver, who according to the California Highway Patrol was under the influence of prescription medication and inhalants. The photographer was involved in a photo shoot in front of the Joshua Tree Inn when the accident occurred.
Joshua Tree resident Daniel Howell was driving a Mazda pickup truck in the area when he veered off the eastbound lanes of highway 62 and ran over the curb, hitting Serejo who died from the injuries he suffered at an area hospital. Howell did not stop when the accident occurred, and continued to drive on until he crashed the Mazda again about an hour later. After the second accident, he was arrested and officers were able to determine that he was involved in the accident the took the life of Serejo as well. Howell has been booked on investigation of DUI, hit and run driving and vehicular manslaughter.
Family members who are survivors of victims in tragic accidents like this one may be eligible to receive wrongful death damages from the party who was negligent, and caused the accident. Wrongful death simply means that the victim was killed due to the carelessness or negligence of another party. Survivors may be eligible for compensation for funeral and burial expenses, as well as other losses caused by the death of a loved one, including economic and non-economic losses.
The time period following a death can be devastating and confusing for survivors. Financial worries compound the devastation, especially if the victim was the sole income provider for the family. Immediate expenses are a major concern, including monthly household bills, groceries and education expenses. Survivors may be compensated for the loss of income caused by the death of their loved one. Compensation for loss of care, affection and companionship may also be awarded to the survivors, and the spouse may be eligible to file a claim against the responsible party for loss of consortium.
While it is certainly clear that no amount of money can replace a loved one, it is important to your livelihood to know that survivors have the right to hold the negligent party responsible and accountable for his negligent actions. A San Bernadino auto accident attorney can help survivors file a claim that includes all of the compensation that the family of the deceased is eligible for.
The Reeves Law Group has offices across California and is dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including victims of wrongful death. Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.
Newport Beach Drunk Driver to Stand Trial for Death of Huntington Beach Entrepreneur
Sep 21, 2009 Auto & Car Crashes, Drunk Driving, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death - Murder
Charles Lewis Jr., co-founder of a martial arts clothing company in Huntington Beach, was killed in a fatal accident that was allegedly caused by Jeffrey Kirby, a Costa Mesa resident, who was driving while intoxicated. Kirby will stand trial in the death, charged with gross vehicular manslaughter.
According to prosecutors in the case, Lewis was driving on Jamboree Road in his Ferrari, when he was struck by Kirby’s Porsche which caused the Ferrari to crash into a light pole and break in to two pieces. Mr. Lewis died at the scene, and the passenger who was riding in his car was ejected, suffering injuries. Kirby fled the scene of the crime, but has since admitted to police that he was speeding in an attempt to catch up with Lewis’ Ferrari, which he wanted the passengers riding with him to have a look at.
Kirby had two previous convictions for driving while drunk, and blood alcohol tests that were conducted a couple of hours after this crash indicated his BAC level to be .13. Kirby had been drinking prior to the crash at bars in Sang Juan Capistrano and Irvine according to evidence investigators collected from his wallet. Kirby has been denied the chance to plead guilty to vehicular manslaughter, and attorneys for him put blame for the accident on Lewis.
Over the last few years, California has been successful in decreasing the rate of drunk driving accident fatalities, but would still like to take further measures to see those rates drop further. The recent Labor Day holiday weekend brought out law enforcement in droves, in an effort to crackdown on drunk driving offenders. Still, in Orange County alone, 73 drunk drivers were arrested by the California Highway Patrol, which is a slight increase over last years number of 67. The bright news in the midst of all of the bad is that no fatal traffic accidents occurred in Orange County over the holiday weekend.
Ten people were killed over the holiday weekend in California, although it is not known if, or how many of these, involved drunk driving accidents. If you are ever in a similar situation in California, consider contacting a Huntington Beach drunk driving accident lawyer. The California Highway Patrol has confirmed that about half of the fatalities that did occur were in those who were not wearing seat belts.
The Reeves Law Group has numerous locations across California and is dedicated to representing personal injury victims and victims of drunk driving accidents. Contact us for a free consultation at (800)644-8000.
Woman Sentenced 25 Years to Life in Prison for Role in Bike Accident
Sep 14, 2009 Auto & Car Crashes, Drunk Driving, Pedestrian Accidents, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death - Murder
It was last June that a woman from Buena Park was charged and found guilty of gross vehicular manslaughter for hitting and killing a lone bicyclist. The woman has recently been sentenced to serve 25 years to life in prison for her role in the incident. The accident itself occurred in January of 2007 when the woman, who had been drinking, struck a bicyclist on the road. The bicyclist’s injuries were severe and resulted in her death shortly after the accident. Instead of phoning for help, the motorist broke the law and fled the scene of the crime, leaving the bicyclist seriously injured on the roadside. Police were able to quickly apprehend the motorist and immediately conducted toxicology tests. It turns out that at the time of the accident, she had a blood alcohol level of .18. The legal limit for driving is .08. This means that her blood alcohol level at the time of the crash was over twice the legal limit. This is a terrible accident and hopefully she had a quality dui defense attorney to help her out.
In addition to being drunk on the evening of the accident and then fleeing the scene of the crime, the female motorist had already been involved in two previous accidents in which she had been driving under the influence of alcohol. Both accidents had occurred within the prior five years before the fatal crash. It is likely that the woman had previous received sufficient warning about the dangers of drinking and driving well before she struck and killed the 41-year old bicyclist.
Driving while under the influence of alcohol is not the only way a motorist can risk the life of a bicyclist. Driving while distracted by things on and off the road can also lead to hazardous accidents. As cell phone usage continues to increase across the country, so does the number of accidents that occur involving the injury and even death of bicyclists. Although many drivers are taking precautions by using hands-free Bluetooth devices on the phone, it is still easy for them to become distracted from the road by the conversations in which they are engaging.
Speeding is another common reason behind all types of accidents, especially accidents involving bicycles. It is far too easy for motorists to lose control of their vehicles when speeding, especially if weather conditions are not ideal. The loss of control can lead to major damage and injuries, especially if there is an unsuspecting, unprotected bicyclist involved. There are many people who have been injured in bicycle accidents that have turned to fullerton bicycle accident injury attorneys for help in getting damages and compensation for their injuries. These types of accidents can result in major, long-term medical bills that could potentially bankrupt an individual or family. With the help of bicycle accident attorneys, however, victims are often able to be compensated with damages by those who were directly responsible for the accident. These damages can help cover medical costs in both the present and the future in the instance that injuries are severe and long-lasting.
Motorcycle Accidents Kills Driver in San Jose, California
Sep 8, 2009 Auto & Car Crashes, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death - Murder
A woman was killed just days ago in a motorcycle accident off of highway 101 in San Jose, California. The 57-year old woman, who was from Fremont, was driving her motorcycle down the freeway when, for one reason or another, she lost control of the bike. It is unclear at this point whether or not she may have hit an object in the road that caused her to lose control and be ejected from the bike. She was thrown dozens of feet from the motorcycle as she began to exit off the freeway and onto Story Road ramp heading for highway 101. Her injuries proved to be fatal.
There were no other vehicles involved in the accident and the only information police can rely on at this point is the information given them by witnesses to the crash. Toxicology reports are being conducted to determine whether alcohol or drug use may have been a factor in the accident, but it will be several weeks before those test results will be available for analysis. Police are also factoring in driver distraction as a potential catalyst for the accident. Driver distraction leads to a number of accidents every year, especially when drivers are talking on or texting with their cell phones.
As the number of vehicular accidents has been steadily decreasing over the years, the amount of motorcycle accidents that occur continue to increase. In fact, over 14 percent of all accidents that occur each year are motorcycle accidents. Typically the causes for these accidents can be traced to other drivers. Motorcyclists often become the unfortunate and ill-fated victims of all types of vehicular accidents, including drunk driving accidents. All types of accidents can leave a motorcyclist seriously injured or dead because of the lack of protection these types of drivers have against other vehicles. Besides a helmet, motorcyclists really have no other source of protection on which they can rely to shield them from severe injury. Although helmets have been proven to help protect accident victims from incurring severe head injuries, they by no means protect every accident victim from every fatal injury they could incur in a motorcycle accident.
Because there were no other vehicles involved in the motorcycle accident that left this 57-year old woman dead, police are investigating other reasons behind the crash. There may have been a defect in either the bike itself or in one or both of the woman’s tires that caused the bike to lose control. If it is determined that this is the case, the manufacturer of the tires or the manufacturer of the motorcycle could be held liable for the accident that caused her death. It is typically with the help of personal injury lawyers and wrongful death lawyers that those found to be liable for vehicular accidents are held responsible for those accidents and the resulting injuries or deaths. If any particular party or entity is found to be responsible for the death of this woman, San Jose personal injury attorneys could potentially help her loved ones receive compensation.
Eight-Year Old Girl Dies in Rollover Accident in Modesto, California
Sep 8, 2009 Auto & Car Crashes, Wrongful Death - Murder
Just a few days ago an 8-year old girl was killed when the car in which she was riding was involved in a rollover accident in Modesto, California. The girl was riding in an SUV driven by a woman from Turlock on Sunday when the vehicle apparently began to shake and shudder. Before the driver realized what was going on, one of the tires on the left side of the vehicle blew out. The woman slammed on her brakes as the SUV lost control, but the vehicle swerved sharply to the right and rolled into an embankment off of the highway.
The driver sustained moderate injuries, as did another adult in the car that was her passenger, and both were taken immediately to the hospital. The little girl, however, was not so lucky. Rescuers were unable to save her and she died from her injuries at the scene of the accident. Thus far the California Highway Patrol does not believe that there was any drinking of alcohol involved in or before the accident. According to reports thus far, the tire blowout was responsible for the vehicle’s loss of control and the rollover crash.
Rollover crashed are some of the most dangerous that occur in California and elsewhere every year. These crashes are so hazardous because of the potential for roof crushes to occur. Roof crushes occur when a vehicle rolls over and the roof of that vehicle is crushed into the cab of the car. These types of accidents will often involved the serious injury or even death of the occupants in the vehicle. It has become increasingly more obvious that rollover accidents occur most frequently to SUV’s and other large vehicles. Although SUV’s are typically heavier than smaller sedans and coupes, they also have a higher center of gravity, making it easier for them to flip and roll in a serious accident.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conducted studies in 2005 that showed that nearly 60 percent of the fatal victims of SUV’s accidents that year were killed in rollover accidents. A number of these accidents occurred because of tire blowouts on these vehicles. There are a number of different reasons why these tire blowouts could occur, one of which is faulty manufacturing by either the manufacturer of the vehicle or the manufacturer of the tire. Either or both could directly or indirectly be responsible for the safety and reliability of the tires on the vehicle. Another potential reason could be highway debris or weather conditions.
If you’ve had a loved one that has been killed in a rollover accident, you should contact a Los Angeles wrongful death lawyer that specializes in fatal vehicular accidents. Your lawyer will have helped potentially hundreds of clients like yourself who are the ones left behind following the death of a loved one. He or she can help you find out who is truly responsible for the accident that caused the loss of your relative.
Personal Phone Call May Have Been the Cause of Midair Crash in New Jersey
Aug 27, 2009 Auto & Car Crashes, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death - Murder
It has been determined that the cause of a midair crash last week between two small planes in New Jersey could potentially have been a personal phone call between an air traffic controller and a woman from the local airport office. It was less than three weeks ago that a private helicopter carrying five tourists and a pilot, and a small plane carrying three relatives collided in midair and crashed, killing all nine people involved in the accident. As soon as the planes collided, they careened down into the Hudson River where authorities later found all nine bodies in the planes’ carnage. Although blame for the accident has not yet been placed on any one person or entity, it is possible that a personal phone call between an air traffic controller at the New Jersey Airport and a female employee at AvPORTS, a section of the airport office.
The air traffic controller at the New Jersey Airport first made a personal phone call to a woman in the airport office less than twenty minutes before directing the small plane over the Hudson River. Soon after directing the plane in that direction, the air traffic controller at the New Jersey Airport handed off responsibility for communication with the plane to the Newark Airport. Almost immediately the New Jersey controller called back his female friend and began yet another personal conversation at work. Within a few minutes, the Newark air traffic controller called back the New Jersey controller with concerns about the safety of the small plane as there was other traffic in the area. It was literally only seconds later that the small plane collided with the helicopter.
Although the personal phone call between the air traffic controller in New Jersey and the woman from the airport office may not be the direct cause of the accident, many people are upset that he was making such a call at work while he should have been evaluating the flight traffic situation for that small plane. It is still unknown at this time whether or not the man will be charged with negligence or anything other type of misdemeanor. For now, he and his supervisor have been placed on administrative leave as officials continue to investigate the case.
Plane crashes have become all too common over the last few years. Some of these crashes have been directly due to the negligence or reckless behavior of those who are in charge of ensuring a safe flight and a safe landing. If you have a loved one who has been killed in a plane crash, you should contact a personal injury lawyer. Personal injury lawyers are experts in all types of accidents, injuries, and wrongful death claims, and they will work to ensure that your injured or deceased loved one will receive just compensation for their circumstances. If it is eventually determined by officials that the cause of the accident was due to the negligence of the New Jersey air traffic controller, he could be facing civil charges by personal injury lawyers for the wrongful death of nine people.
If you or someone you love is injured or killed in California or elsewhere, consider hiring a California airplane accident attorney to help you protect your rights and get you reimbursed for the lost wages that you deserve.
Tags: airplane accidents
Fair Warning Was Given to North Tustin Teen before Fatal Drunk Driving Accident
Aug 17, 2009 Auto & Car Crashes, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death - Murder
It was last year that a teenage boy from North Tustin caused a fatal car accident in which a close friend of his was killed. The boy was having a party at his parent’s house where alcohol was served and where he drunk enough to become intoxicated. A few friends of his from the party wished to return to their homes, and the boy insisted on driving them. All three of the girls initially refused to be driven on the boy, warning him that he was too drunk to drive anywhere safely. The boy argued that their observation was not true, and continued to pressure the girls into letting him drive them home. One of the girls finally gave in, fearing that she would not make it home before her parents found out she had been out partying where alcohol was being served. She got into the car with the boy and never made it home.
While driving, the boy’s judgment, and likely his vision as well, was impaired by the alcohol he had consumed at the party. He was speeding when he lost control of his vehicle and careened over the median in the center of Newport Avenue. He hit two road signs and sped into a utility pole before the vehicle finally stopped. The car was split in half around the utility pole because of the strength of the impact. The girl in the vehicle suffered massive blunt force trauma and died before rescuers could save her. The boy suffered injuries as well, but was released soon after being treated at a local hospital.
The police reported that at the time of the accident, the boy’s blood alcohol level had reached .11 percent. For individuals over 21 and legally able to drink, the maximum blood alcohol level that is allowed while driving is .08. The boy, who was 18 at the time of the accident, was both under the legal age for consuming alcohol and had exceeded the maximum blood alcohol level limits for driving as well. Although .03 may not seem like such a significant difference in the blood alcohol level, for a person as young as this boy, it was a huge factor in the crash. He had likely had very little experience drinking and was unable to cope with the effects of alcohol in the same way that an older adult would who has been drinking for some time. The boy will soon be facing charges as an adult, and the deputy district attorney believes he should be charged with second-degree murder because of the extensive warnings he received prior to the crash.
Drunk driving accidents happen every day in California, and many victims and families hire personal injury lawyers for help. Tustin personal injury lawyers expertly help their clients by making sure that justice is served to drunk drivers that cause injury or death. If you have been injured in a drunk driving accident, or if you have a loved one who was killed in one such accident, a California personal injury lawyer can help you.
