Auto Accident

On May 23, around 2 a.m., three people were involved in a three-vehicle collision in Sherman Oaks on the 101 Freeway. The vehicles crashed west of the Coldwater Canyon Boulevard exit. According to The Los Angeles Times, the accident blocked the three center lanes of traffic.

Shortly after the accident, three male drivers and one female passenger got out of all three cars and were about to exchange contact information and insurance information when a 2000 BMW crashed into the cars. The second vehicle crash killed two of the male drivers as well as the female passenger. The male driver who survived did so by running towards the right shoulder of the road. The California fatal automobile accident is still under investigation. The driver of the BMW suffered minor injuries and was detained by the CHP for unknown reasons.

After the second accident, traffic on the freeway was at a standstill. Drivers reported making u-turns in the middle of the freeway in order to get to an exit. The freeway was closed for over five hours, until 7:30 a.m. It is important for motorists to follow the law and maintain safe driving practices, even when a freeway is congested due to an accident.

While it is recommended that all those involved in a vehicle crash exchange information, don’t forget to be fully aware of your surroundings and to safely pull over to the side of the road. Similarly, motorists driving on the freeway must be alert at all times, keeping a particular eye-out for other vehicles that have pulled over and any individuals who may step out onto the freeway momentarily.

Auto accidents in the San Fernando Valley, even minor ones, can have lifelong consequences. If you or someone you know has been injured in an auto accident due to someone else’s negligence, you need to contact an experienced legal team for help. You could be entitled to compensation for vehicle damage, medical expenses, time missed from work, and much more. The dedicated and skilled Simi Valley car accident attorneys at The Mandell Law Firm are ready to assist you today. Please contact us by calling 818-866-6600 for a free consultation.

In a previous blog post, we discussed the dangers of tailgating in causing injury vehicle collisions in the San Fernando Valley. The other causes of accidents usually involve some sort of distraction that takes the driver’s attention away from the road. The three types of distractions, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, are visual distractions, manual distractions, and cognitive distractions. These concepts can be combined to create even worse distractions as well.

• Visual distractions are any distractions that take your eyes off of the road. For example, looking at a billboard or pointing out your favorite restaurant to a passenger, can both be considered visual distractions.
• Manual distractions are those distractions that take your hands off of the wheel, for example, eating or drinking.
• Cognitive distractions are those that take your mind off of the road, for example thinking about a fight you had with your significant other.

An example of these concepts coming together would be inputting information into your navigational system while driving. You’re visually distracted by looking at what you are typing, manually distracted by actually typing, and cognitively distracted by thinking about the destination you are typing in. These are all distractions and they are all types of things we should try to avoid to prevent Northridge car accidents.

The most important detail to keep in mind in preventing distractions is to focus on driving, which is the task at hand. Most of us consider driving to be an easy task, when in reality we are controlling vehicles usually weighing over a thousand pounds at speeds up to 70 miles an hour and more. Overconfidence is no excuse for causing an accident. It is essential to simply focus on driving and nothing else.

Remember that it only takes a second to get into an accident and that second can have repercussions affecting the rest of your life. Keep these tips in mind every time you drive to help prevent accidents all together. If you happen to be involved in an accident caused by a distracted driver’s negligence, you may want to get in touch with an experienced San Fernando Valley car crash lawyer at The Mandell Law Firm. Call 818-886-6600 today for a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help protect your rights.

Here are some interesting statistics provided by the CA Department of Transportation regarding accidents in the year of 2008. According to the Department of Transportation, there were 452,595 vehicle accidents reported in the state of California. The police and California Highway Patrol are responsible for much of the information the Department of Transportation uses for these statistics reports. There were 170,496 injuries caused as a direct result of these accidents, which is actually the lowest recorded number of injuries since 1975 when there was 167,758 injuries.

Of the over 450,000 reported accidents, 3,113 of these accidents resulted in the death of an occupant inside of the vehicle. This is the lowest fatality rate recorded in California since 1998.

There were 278,986 accidents where only property damage was reported.

According to the Department of Transportation’s report, 1,963 people were killed in California vehicle accidents. This is excluding motorcyclists, emergency vehicles, buses, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Of the 1,963 people that died, it was determined that 574 of them were not wearing safety belts.

Here are a few more California vehicle accident statistics:

• A collision is reported in California every 1 minute and 10 seconds.
• One injury is reported every 2 minutes and 10 seconds.
• One death is reported every 2 hours and 35 minutes.
• There is one fatality for every 71 people that are injured.
• It was determined that speed is the primary cause of fatal injury in 28.4% of accidents.

On a more positive note, the number of occupants killed in vehicle accidents is down 19.7% from 2007 and the occupants injured in accidents is down 9.7% from the same year.

Accident statistics remind us of the importance of driving safe. Every driver has the important responsibility of following traffic laws. If you or someone you care about has been injured in an auto accident caused by another person’s negligence, please contact the Santa Clarita car accident lawyers at The Mandell Law Firm. Call 818-886-6600 today for a free consultation.

Far too many drivers have experienced that horrible, sinking feeling in the bottom of their stomach when an accident takes place because of tailgating. Auto accidents in the San Fernando Valley can pose many emotional, physical, and financial challenges for an injury victim to overcome. In order to help prevent these accidents in the first place, we will discuss some basic driving safety tips.

First and foremost, do not tailgate! Tailgating is the leading cause of accidents and is an action that can be easily avoided with just a small amount patience on your part. You will not reach your destination faster by driving a foot behind the person in front of you. This will only prevent you from being able to stop if the person in front of you decides to slam on their brakes.

There is no way to judge when another driver will hit their brakes or when traffic will suddenly stop ahead of you due to some unknown circumstance. This is why you should drive at least three car lengths behind the car in front of you, and even more depending on whether or not you’re driving on the freeway. This will leave you enough time to react to any sudden stops and brake safely behind the driver in front of you. It is also important to be aware of the brake lights of the cars in front of the car ahead of you. This can help you gauge whether or not traffic ahead will be coming to a stop.

If you or someone you care about has been injured in a San Fernando Valley vehicle accident, the skilled Northridge accident lawyers at The Mandell Law Firm have the legal knowledge and experience to assist you in obtaining the compensation that you deserve. Call us today at 818-886-6600 for a free consultation and to learn more about your legal rights.

A fatal crash occurred on the eastbound section of the Bay Bridge, according to The Examiner. The accident was caused by a woman driving a four door Volvo at a high rate speed into the back of a commercial recycling rig. The female driver rear ended the rig causing the car to catch fire with the woman trapped inside. The flames caused the woman’s death as well as a grizzly scene on the noted deadly S-curve of the eastbound interstate.

California Highway Patrol officers were forced to close most of the interstate for several hours until the tragic scene could be cleared. The officers stated the curve apparently had nothing to do with the crash and are unsure if alcohol had been involved in the accident.

California auto accidents similar to this one take place far too often throughout the state. The consequences of such terrible accidents can be devastating on the victim as well as the family of the victim. As we can see in the information above, one moment of negligence or recklessness can cause harmful events that can affect the rest of a person’s life. In the unfortunate event of such an accident, there is something that you can do to move forward. Experienced California car accident attorneys can help injury victims obtain the compensation that they deserve for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages.

The skilled, aggressive California auto accident attorneys at The Mandell Law Firm can help you during this challenging time. We will thoroughly investigate your case in order to determine the best possible route for you to take to ensure a stable, steady recovery. Please, if you or someone you love has been injured in a vehicle accident in California, call The Mandell Law Firm today for a free consultation.

A 73-year-old woman was fatally hit by at least seven vehicles around 6:15 a.m. on March 15, 2010 while attempting to cross Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, reported Fox 11 News Los Angeles. The woman was attempting to catch a bus when she was struck by a northbound vehicle and flung into the southbound lane, where she was hit by at least six other vehicles. In addition to the driver who initially hit the victim, only two of the vehicles stopped. The woman died from her injuries. The highway was closed for about six hours during the investigation and during peak traffic hours. No arrests were made.

Pedestrian fatalities in California, like these, are all too common in the United States. In these particular accidents, the pedestrian has the disadvantage and often suffers grave injury and even death. Deadly car accidents can be easily avoided with increased awareness from both drivers and pedestrians. Paying close attention to traffic signs and improved vigilance to all surrounding activity can greatly decrease the number of pedestrian accidents.

If you, or someone you love, have been seriously injured in an automobile accident as a result of negligence, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for any financial losses you have suffered as a result. The San Fernando Valley automobile accident attorneys at the Mandell Law Firm have extensive experience litigating these matters and will competently represent your rights. There are no legal fees unless you are granted a settlement. Call (818) 886-6600 for a free consultation with one of our skilled lawyers regarding your case.

Source:http://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/news/local/pedestrian-fatally-struck-on-pch-20100315

A hit-and-run accident in Southern California that occurred January 31, 2010 resulted in the investigation of four Manhattan Beach police officers that had not reported the event. According to an article on the LA Times Blog, the three-car collision was allegedly caused by one of the four officers under review. Authorities believe that alcohol may have been involved in the auto accident.

When the officers arrived at the scene, near Sepulveda and Manhattan Beach boulevards, the suspected driver had already fled. Later, the vehicle was found unoccupied at a nearby gas station. The officers proceeded to conduct a standard registration check, which indicated that it belonged to a registered Manhattan Beach police officer. Upon receiving this information, the officers did not report the event and no resulting arrests were made.

After a preliminary internal affairs investigation, the offending officers were placed on leave. Because of the complexity and gravity of these events, the investigation has been transferred to the Los Angeles County Sherriff’s Department.

California has among the highest rates of hit-and-run accidents in the nation. By law, drivers who are involved in any motor vehicle accidents are required to stop and exchange information with parties involved. In hit-and-run cases, victims are left to use their own insurance or pay out-of-pocket for any damages and injuries.

If you have been a victim of a hit-and-run accident in the San Fernando Valley, help may be available. The experienced Northridge car accident injury lawyers at the Mandell Law Firm have a wealth of knowledge in handling hit-and-run accident claims and can provide hands-on care and sincere commitment for victims of hit-and-run accidents as well as wrongful death suits. Call our offices today at (818) 886-6600 for a free and comprehensive consultation of your case.

Source:http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/02/manhattan-beach-police-probe.html

A car accident in Rancho San Diego on January 22, 2010 killed one man and seriously injured three others. The crash occurred late Friday afternoon near Steele Canyon High School on State Route 94. Two of those injured are students and the third is an 18-year-old former student. The man killed was in his early 50’s.

Although the rain had stopped, the road was still wet at the time of the crash. The former student, driving eastbound in a Mustang, crossed the double-yellow line and collided head-on with a Dodge Caravan. The driver of the Mustang was also transporting a 16-year-old female student. The man driving the Dodge Caravan died on the scene, while his 17-year-old son was injured.

The highway patrol reports that there is no indication that drugs or alcohol were involved with the accident. However, speed was a factor as the Mustang was traveling at about 80 mph when the collision occurred. Speeding when road conditions are poor instigates car accidents and is often considered negligent behavior. Drivers have a responsibility to abide by the speed limits and drive safely in poorer conditions.

Unfortunately, auto accidents are a common occurrence, and they can be tragic for families when wrongful death or serious injuries ensue. If you or a loved one has suffered traumatic personal injury from an auto accident, contact the skilled Simi Valley car accident attorneys at the Mandell Law Firm. Our lawyers are dedicated to representing victims of car crashes in Southern California and can help you receive maximum compensation for your damages and injuries. Call today at (818) 866-6600 for a free consultation.

Source:http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/jan/22/one-killed-accident-near-steele-canyon-high-school/?imw=Y

A 19-year-old man driving a Mini Cooper ran a red light, clipped one car and violently struck the side of a minivan at the intersection of Highway 37 and Lakeville Highway near Novato, California. Sadly, all four members of the family in the minivan were killed instantly. Police believe the man was driving between 70 and 90 miles per hour. According to the article from the San Jose Mercury, there is no evidence that drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.

The three occupants of the first car hit were taken to a hospital in Novato for their injuries. Two medical helicopters were called to the scene to aid the 19-year-old and the victims. The perpetrator suffered life-threatening and severe brain injuries before ultimately dying at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital the following day. The four deceased were identified as a 45-year-old man, a woman, 42, and their two children ages eight and five.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 42,643 people are killed in auto accidents each year. In California, there are 4,215 (almost 10% of the national average) fatalities from traffic accidents. Furthermore, speeding caused over one third of these fatal accidents. Traumatic brain injuries also affect one million Americans each year.

Head trauma and brain injury affects victims and their families beyond the reaches of the accident. If you have suffered a traumatic brain injury due to someone else’s negligent and reckless driving, contact a skilled San Fernando Valley brain injury lawyer who can answer questions about your claim. At the Mandell Law Firm, we may be able to help you and your family recover compensation for your injuries and any related damages. Our knowledgeable attorneys have dedicated many years to helping our clients obtain the maximum monetary compensation for damages and injuries. Call our offices today at (818) 886-6600 for a free consultation.

Source:http://www.mercurynews.com/search/ci_13889126?IADID=Search-www.mercurynews.com-www.mercurynews.com

The Mandell Law Firm, serving Southern California in personal injury and tort litigation, is proud to announce the launching of its new San Fernando Valley traffic accident website, www.trafficaccidentlawfirm.com. As experienced Northridge car accident attorneys, we at the Mandell Law Firm understand how important it is for auto accident victims to be completely familiar with their legal rights and options after being in a crash caused by a negligent driver.

Residents and visitors to the San Fernando Valley area are unfortunately no stranger to traffic accidents. However, this does not make their occurrence any less devastating to injury victims and their families. Our traffic accident website provides helpful information regarding various types of traffic accidents including bus accidents, intersection accidents, pedestrian accidents, truck accidents, cell phone related accidents, motorcycle accidents, and many other types of auto collisions.

Whether a traffic accident is caused by a negligent driver, a defective auto part, or a dangerous roadway, those involved in such incidents may sustain minor to catastrophic injuries. As a consequence, many injury victims may experience the inability to keep a job, thus creating tremendous financial hardship amidst hefty medical bills caused by their injuries. It is for these reasons, and many others, that injury victims and their families should fully utilize their legal resources.

At the Mandell Law Firm, we handle several personal injury and wrongful death cases, large or small, with hands-on care for our clients. If you have been injured in a traffic accident, or if you have lost a loved one in an auto accident, please refer to our traffic accident website at www.trafficaccidentlawfirm.com for more information. Our skilled San Fernando Valley traffic accident lawyers can be reached at 818-886-6600 for a free consultation.