The 72-foot catamaran was training in the San Francisco Bay in California when it ran into trouble. At the time of the fatal accident, the boat had just begun a change in direction in an attempt to head downwind. For some reason, the challenging though routine maneuver resulted in the catamaran capsizing; ultimately leading to the boat breaking apart as it nose-dived and flipped upside down.
]]> Officials are investigating the reasons that may have caused or contributed to this crash. It is not yet clear whether there may have been some structural issue with the catamaran itself, or if the only reason that the boat broke apart was due to the actual capsize itself. Regardless, the family of this 36-year-old sailor are now left behind seeking answers for why he died, and potentially facing financial strain related to his death.While it is not yet clear whether the family could file a wrongful death lawsuit related to this boating accident, that does sometimes prove to be the case in fatal incidents like this one. California law provides surviving family members the chance to argue in court that the negligence of another person or group caused or contributed to their loved one's death. This can help them recover financial damages such as medical or funeral expenses and even lost future income.
Source: fresnobee.com, "America's Cup boat nosedived, broke into pieces," Paul Elias, May 10, 2013
]]>The catastrophic accident took place when the tractor-trailer was traveling east on Worthington Road in the vicinity of the McConnell Road intersection. Early reports indicate that the driver of the Tundra came to a complete stop before driving into the intersection where the collision occurred. The tractor-trailer slammed into the Tundra's right side, fatally wounding the 18-year-old passenger and seriously injuring its driver.
]]> The injured driver apparently had to be transported via air to an area hospital in order to have his severe injuries treated. The passenger unfortunately did not survive the crash. While the 66-year-old driver of the tractor-trailer suffered an injury to his hand, he declined transportation to receive treatment for the laceration.According to California Highway Patrol officials, this fatal truck accident is still being investigated. Reports do not make it immediately clear why the driver of the Tundra proceeded into the intersection at that time or whether any other contributing factors may have played a role. In some truck accidents like this, surviving relatives may be able to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent driver if it can be shown that his or her actions caused or contributed to a fatal collision. While it's not evident if that will prove to be the case in this crash, it does seem likely that the family of these two 18-year-old victims will be dealing with the repercussions of the tragedy for some time to come.
Source: Imperial Valley Press Online, "El Centro man dies in traffic accident," Alejandro Davila, April 24, 2013
]]>The fatal car accident took place on Highway 50, not too far from Placerville, California. A representative for the California Highway Patrol reported that the vehicle carrying the three young people swerved across at least two lanes of traffic before ramming into an embankment and ultimately flipping all the way over. At that point, the vehicle came to a rest on its roof.
]]> Reports indicate that the 18-year-old man was thrown from the vehicle and died at the scene of the collision. The driver was transported via air to receive care for the significant brain injuries she incurred in this catastrophic accident. The female passenger in the vehicle suffered less severe head injuries and broke both of her wrists in the crash.There is not yet any word on what may have caused or contributed to this deadly motor vehicle accident. Police have not stated whether they might file any criminal charges stemming from this crash. Regardless, the surviving family of the man who died may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit in civil court should evidence suggest that the driver acted in some negligent manner. The surviving passenger may likewise be able to seek restitution for her medical and related expenses in a personal injury suit.
Source: News 10 ABC, "UPDATE: Man killed, 2 injured in car crash on Highway 50," April 27, 2013
]]>Rush-hour traffic was in full swing at the time of the fatal crash, which took place at approximately 8 a.m. The motorcyclist who was hit by the flying chunk of concrete was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. At least two other individuals suffered injuries in the motorcycle accident. Both of those people were transported to an area medical center in order to have their moderate injuries treated.
]]> Several lanes of traffic were blocked as emergency personnel worked at the scene, and then cleanup crews attempted to remove the debris caused by the accident. In the wake of this fatal collision, the motorcyclist's family could be facing unexpected costs associated with the untimely death. This is one reason that California has enacted personal injury and wrongful death laws that can help protect people from the negligence of others.While there is not yet any official word on why the truck may have spun out of control, it does seem clear that this was the cause of the fatal motorcycle accident. Even if the truck driver doesn't face any criminal charges, the motorcyclist's surviving family may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit to seek restitution. Prevailing in such a lawsuit would provide the family with funeral expenses and potentially reimbursement for lost wages, along with pain and suffering.
Source: swrnn.com, "Update: Motorcyclist killed in crash on I-15," April 22, 2013
]]>Many, in fact, consider it one of the worst in the history of United States railways. The root cause of the tragedy was likely the fact that the engineer was distracted from exchanging text messages while he was operating the train. Because of that fact, he missed the signal that would have let him know he needed to stop his four-car commuter train to avoid colliding with a 17-car freight train approaching from the opposite direction.
]]> Another likely contributing factor in this accident, some allege, is the fact that the train lacked any sort of positive train control (PTC) system. PTC utilizes GPS to enact automatic safeguards in events where an engineer either loses control over the train or is in danger of colliding head-on with another train. While proponents have been pushing to enforce railroads to enact PTC nationwide, detractors state that it's too cost-prohibitive and that the system may already be obsolete.Of course, for California residents who have suffered serious injuries or lost loved ones in train accidents like the one outside Chatsworth, money seems a small price to pay to save lives and suffering. Those who have incurred astronomical medical and related bills due to such a collision may be able to use personal injury or wrongful death laws in order to seek reimbursement for their expenses. No innocent victim of a train accident should have to suffer financially in addition to all of the physical and emotional pain they have already had to endure.
Source: The Verge, "Regulators and railways spar over Positive Train Control, a controversial safety system that won't arrive in time," Matt Stroud, April 15, 2013
]]>Reports indicate that, after he suffered the hit directly to his chest, emergency personnel transported him by helicopter to the Palomar Medical Center in Escondido, California in the hopes that he could be saved. Tragically, that did not prove to be the case. His unexpected death has left friends and schoolmates stunned.
]]> Many expressed the fact that the teen was extremely well-liked and a valued member of their school campus. Some reports indicate that the teen had previously lost his father to a heart attack when he was young. There is not yet any word on whether the boy may have had any similar heart problems or what exactly may have caused his death.When tragic accidents happen after an event meant to be fun-like playing a game of softball-families are typically left reeling. In the search for answers, some may choose to file a wrongful death lawsuit in a California court, particularly when evidence suggests the accident resulted from the negligent actions of others. This can sometimes help answer the questions family members have, not to mention help provide restitution for monetary damages sustained. Prevailing in such a suit will require the demonstration that another person or entity acted in a manner that was negligent or reckless. Families in similar circumstances may do well to assess their legal rights based upon a careful examination of all the facts and circumstances that caused or contributed to the tragic fatality.
Source: New York Daily News, "High school student dies on birthday after being struck in chest with softball during gym class," David Boroff, April 11, 2013
]]>The truck driver suffered injuries in the accident as well. The events unfolded while that driver was headed east along Interstate 80, a few miles west of Sacramento. A California Highway Patrol official reported that, after the man passed out, the truck swerved first onto the right shoulder, and then went over the center median and into the path of oncoming traffic.
]]> At that point, the man apparently regained consciousness, but it was too late to avoid a BMW that was approaching in a westbound lane. The head-on collision between the much larger truck and the smaller vehicle actually caused the BMW to catch on fire. The two occupants of that vehicle, a driver and passenger, died in the accident. During the course of the runaway truck's swerving, two other vehicles were struck, causing two individuals in addition to the truck driver to suffer relatively minor injuries.There is not yet any word on whether this truck driver could face any criminal charges in relation to this fatal truck accident. Even if he doesn't, however, he could still potentially find himself facing a wrongful death or personal injury lawsuit from either the survivors or family members of those who died. California law provides such victims or their surviving relatives the opportunity to pursue financial restitution in the event that a person's negligence caused or contributed to an accident leading to injury or death.
Source: rgj.com, "2 dead along I-80 near Sacramento after truck driver chokes," March 28, 2013
]]>Authorities responded to the scene of a reported accident at the corner of Main Street and Balsam Avenue in Hesperia, California. They apparently found the vehicle carrying the elderly couple, along with the seriously-injured occupants, but the other vehicle was nowhere to be found. Fortunately, however, witnesses to the accident were able to give authorities enough information that they later tracked down the second vehicle.
]]> According to eyewitness accounts, the second vehicle veered in front of the first vehicle in a last-minute lane change. This caused the first vehicle to run off of the road, ultimately causing major injuries to the couple in that vehicle. The man who allegedly caused the accident failed to stop at the scene. Police officials later tracked the man to a trailer park, where he reportedly confessed that he knew he had caused a crash.The California man suspected of causing this fatal car accident is now facing charges of both vehicular manslaughter and leaving the scene of a crash. Independent of the criminal allegations, he could potentially find himself facing some sort of civil lawsuit as well. While there are not yet reports this will occur, many surviving relatives find they can file a wrongful death lawsuit against an individual who evidence indicates has caused or significantly contributed to a fatal crash. Only time will tell if that proves to be the case in this particular situation.
Source: ContraCostaTimes.com, "Hesperia man arrested in fatal car crash," Melissa Pinion-Whitt, March 27, 2013
]]>California Highway Patrol officials reported that the man lost his life after he crashed into that vehicle. According to them, the fatal incident occurred on the Artesia (91) Freeway near Downey Avenue, in Long Beach, California. The initial collision took place between two four-wheeled vehicles, and nobody was injured in that first crash. Unfortunately, the motorcyclist was not so lucky several minutes later as he approached the earlier wreck scene.
]]> A spokesman with the coroner's office indicated that the 21-year-old male motorcyclist collided with one of the two vehicles. The force of the impact was so strong that pieces of the motorcycle flew onto the eastbound lane of the freeway. An early report did not specify whether the motorcyclist expired at the scene, but it also did not indicate that the man was taken to any area hospitals for treatment of his fatal injuries.A tragic motorcycle accident like this can devastate California residents, especially those who lose a young loved one as appears to be the case in this incident. Sometimes, surviving family members are left scrambling to cover unexpected funeral and other final expenses. Additionally, someone who was once a family financial provider may no longer be able to provide for the family's needs. In some of these cases, it may become appropriate to file a wrongful death lawsuit in order to seek restitution for the losses that have been incurred. This may not bring back the missing loved one, but it can often alleviate some of the family's financial burden.
Source: Press-Telegram, "91 Freeway accident in Long Beach kills motorcyclist," March 18, 2013
]]>Specifically, the plaintiffs maintain that the Union Pacific crew failed to act in an alert and attentive manner as required by regulations to avoid hitting the women's stalled SUV. The women had attended a party not too far away from the tracks where the vehicle malfunctioned. Later, toxicology results revealed that the driver of the SUV was intoxicated. Both women were reportedly outside of the vehicle at the time of the train's approach.
]]> Reports indicate that the engineer did spot the vehicle and blew his horn, along with applying the train's emergency brakes. However, the train still slammed into the SUV. The train did not hit the women, but sent the SUV flying end-over-end. Ultimately, the SUV smashed into the women and killed them.It remains to be seen how this California wrongful death lawsuit will play out in court, but what is clear is that the families of these two women are now left to mourn their untimely deaths. After some train accidents, it may become appropriate for surviving family members to file civil actions in order to seek restitution for the final costs and other monetary damages that are typically incurred by unexpected deaths. This may not bring back a life that has been lost, but a successful suit can help with the financial strain that such a loss may have caused.
Source: Temecula, CA Patch, "Grisly Local Train Wreck Tests Limits Of Liability," March 4, 2013
]]>The bill would make it mandatory for California's 24 ski areas to report when accidents involving injuries or deaths occur on their slopes. According to a group which pushes for ski safety, the California Ski and Safety Organization, hundreds of ski accidents go unreported on an annual basis. One 9-year-old girl became one of those hundreds when she fell off a ski chair and slammed into the ground 32 feet below.
]]> The ski chair did not have a safety bar, and it took six surgeries over five days to save the little girl's life. Her mother pointed out just how close to losing her daughter they came. The senator said that it's important for the public to know just how safe-or dangerous-the state's ski slopes are. His bill would require ski areas to an annual safety plan meant to increase safety on their slopes, and prominently display that plan on their websites.Those California residents who have already lost loved ones in ski accidents may wish to research the possibility of filing a wrongful death lawsuit to hold a potentially negligent ski resort accountable. This type of personal injury suit can help a family recover the final costs that have been incurred due to the death of a loved one. They can also help provide for any dependent family members who may have been left behind. This obviously cannot make up for the loss of a family provider, but it can help relieve some of the financial strain.
Source: NBC 4 Southern California, "NBC4 I-Team Investigation Prompts Introduction of Latest Ski Safety Bill," Joel Grover, Chris Henao and Phil Drechsler, Feb. 27, 2013
]]>One California family recently filed a wrongful death lawsuit after an off-duty police officer perished in a fatal truck accident. The slain officer left behind a wife and an infant daughter whose interests are being represented in the civil action. The suit is requesting reimbursement to cover the funeral and burial expenses along with the financial damages that are expected as a result of the loss of income from the man's untimely death. In addition, the lawsuit is asking for punitive damages to be awarded in the case.
]]> The fatal accident occurred after the police officer stopped in a construction zone due to the presence of a Caltrans worker. While the man was stopped, a tractor-trailer plowed into the rear of the vehicle that he was driving. The lawsuit lists as defendants the truck driver and his employer along with the California Department of Transportation and companies that are related to both.The wrongful death lawsuit also claims that the truck accident occurred because the tractor-trailer was being operated in a reckless and negligent manner. It alleges that the man was driving while distracted, fatigued or impaired in some other manner and also states that the trailer had not been properly loaded. While this lawsuit will not bring back the man who has lost his life, it could provide some financial comfort for the family as they mourn the loss.
Source: The Modesto Bee, "Family files lawsuit in crash that killed off-duty Oakdale police officer," Erin Tracy, Feb. 21, 2013
]]>California officials are investigating the contributing factors that may have resulted in this train fatality. Reports indicate that emergency calls summoned first responders to the scene of the collision at approximately 7:30 p.m. It is expected that the county coroner will determine exactly what cause of death led to the man's demise.
]]> No other injuries were reported in relation to this tragic incident. It marks the first such death on Caltrain tracks to be recorded this year; while twelve such deaths occurred last year. Since the investigation into this pedestrian accident is still ongoing, it is difficult to determine whether a civil action could result from the man's death.California personal injury law does provide the surviving family members of victims killed in some train accidents to pursue wrongful death lawsuits. This type of lawsuit can help such relatives recoup some of the financial damages they have suffered. This can include final burial costs along with any medical bills that may have been necessitated by the fatal accident; and could potentially include any loss of income anticipated for surviving dependent family members.
Source: San Jose Mercury News, "Palo Alto: Pedestrian struck and killed by passenger train," Eric Kurhi, Feb. 8, 2013
]]>California Highway Patrol officials are now investigating the fatal crash. Reports indicate that not only did the silver vehicle strike tow-truck driver, but it also slammed into a parked car not too far from the site of the first accident. Witnesses were able to match the silver vehicle in the second collision to the one that hit the tow-truck driver.
]]> The driver of that silver vehicle turned out to be a 44-year-old woman who was also injured in the course of the collisions. Emergency personnel took her to a local hospital and she apparently suffered head injuries. Officials could not say whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the fatal accident, but toxicology tests will provide more insight.Police have not determined whether or not they will issue charges against the errant driver, but the fact remains that she fatally struck a pedestrian trying to help another person. In the case of a fatal car accident like this one, victim's families are sometimes able to file wrongful death lawsuits against negligent drivers. This may even be true in a situation where a driver's negligence may not rise to the level of criminal wrongdoing.
Source: Los Angeles Times, "Tow truck driver killed on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu," Hailey Branson-Potts, Feb. 12, 2013
]]>The tragic bus accident occurred after the brakes on the tour bus carrying 38 people reportedly failed. Reports indicate that the bus driver then yelled for passengers to contact 911 as he fought to maintain control of the careening vehicle. This proved to be impossible, however, and the bus smacked into the rear of a sedan before swerving and flipping onto its side. At that point, a pickup truck heading in the opposite direction crashed into the bus, which actually flipped the bus back to an upright position.
]]> As the bus rolled over, passengers were flung out of broken windows. The injuries suffered in this bus accident were significant. Approximately 3 dozen people suffered injuries in the collision, with seven people being fatally wounded. Those who died included individuals ranging in age from their 30s to their 60s, and, most tragically, a 13-year-old.While rollover accidents like this bus crash can't always be prevented, there are questions being raised about the company who operated this particular tour bus. Scapadas Magicas LLC of National City, California apparently received at least 22 safety violations during inspections as of Oct. 2012. Some of these safety violations included brake, windshield and tire problems, which seems particularly concerning in light of the fact that the driver indicated that the brakes failed just before the bus accident. This factor could play a role in any potential wrongful death lawsuits that surviving family members of those who were killed might choose to file in the future.
Source: Statesman.com, "At least 8 people killed in Calif. bus crash," Tami Abdollah, Feb. 4, 2013
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