Accident Attorneys' Group

Personal Injury Lawyers of CA

Jun
20

By

Arrest Made for Fatal Stabbing in Hollywood

Category: News Tags: , , , , , ,

English: A band plays on the Hollywood Walk of...

English: A band plays on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (6801 Hollywood Blvd), 21 April 2006. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

On Tuesday evening, a 23 year old woman was fatally stabbed by three people. Police initially did not know who was responsible, but on Wednesday they arrested the culprits.

Three panhandlers are being held accountable at this point. They are currently detained and face criminal charges for the slaying of Christine Darlene Calderon.

Calderon was in Hollywood with a friend and while she took photos of the stars on the “Walk of Fame,” she was assaulted by the three. According to the police report, Calderon was harassed by the three because she was taking photos in their area without paying money.

She was then stabbed in the torso. Police found her bleeding on the street from multiple stab wounds at Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue around 8:30 p.m. This is a commonly used area for homeless beggars or street performers as the tourist traffic is heavy.

Calderon was taken to a nearby hospital; however, her injuries were too severe and she died there.

Her death is an unfortunate reminder of how dangerous it can be on the streets, even if they are surrounded by other people.

If you or someone you know has been injured in any type of accident, contact a Los Angeles injury attorney who can assist you with identifying negligence, filing claims; and can ensure that you receive the highest possible compensation for the damages that you have suffered, including punitive damages in the event of serious injury or death.

Jun
12

By

More Gun Fire in Santa Monica

Category: Blog, News, Personal Injury Tags: , , , , , ,

English: Santa Monica College Boardwalk, 2011.

English: Santa Monica College Boardwalk, 2011. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Los Angeles grieves for those affected by the Friday shooting at Santa Monica College. And its grief must now be extended as more victims have been added to the list of the city’s shootings.

Early Tuesday morning, just blocks away from the anguished college, police responded to a report of shots fired. Two men were taken to the hospital.

The shooting occurred on the 1500 block of Michigan Avenue and police arrived around 8:20 a.m.

Each victim was in serious condition and were both taken for medical operations. However, one man has died due to his injuries. The other victim’s current condition is unknown.

According to the police, the suspect was possibly driving a blue Infiniti. The shooter approached the two men in an alley and began firing shots at them and then left.

Police are still investigating the attack and searching for the suspect and the vehicle.

Friday’s shooting in Santa Monica was conducted by John Zawahri, a 23-year-old former student of the college. He first went to his childhood home and killed his father and brother. He then traveled to the campus where he killed three more victims and injured others until police came bearing arms. Zawahri was shot and died later from the injuries.

Los Angeles can only hope that the police apprehend this new shooter and the two men and their families receive justice.

If you or someone you know has been injured in any type of accident, contact a Los Angeles Injury Attorney who can assist you with identifying negligence, filing claims; and receiving the highest possible compensation for the damages that you have suffered, including punitive damages in the event of fatalities.

May
29

By

Chris Brown Facing Charges after Minor Accident

Category: Auto Accident, Blog, Car Accident, News Tags: , , , , , , ,

Chris Brown

Chris Brown (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The R&B singer Chris Brown risked violating his probation last week when he hit another vehicle in Los Angeles. According to reports, Brown may not have given accurate insurance information to the other driver; and if that is true, he could be sentenced to jail.

On May 21, Brown’s Range Rover bumped into a Mercedes-Benz. There was no real damage to either car; however, common procedure is to exchange insurance and identification information. According to the other driver, Brown was very reluctant to give her the information and then the information that she finally obtained may have been false.

Brown is still on probation after assaulting his girlfriend Rihanna in 2009; and providing false insurance information violates that probation. Brown claims that the information was valid and that the other driver’s statements are incorrect. His attorneys have attempted to contact the victim of the accident, but they have not had much luck.

If Brown is found guilty in this matter, he can serve four years in jail. Though the accident was only minor and no real damage was done, his unwillingness to oblige may create severe consequences.

This is not the first time that Brown’s information lacked credibility or truth. He was required to serve time in community labor after the previously mentioned assault; and though he stated that it had been completed, there were no records of his attendance.

Car accidents can cause serious damage or minor dents; but either way, all of those involved must follow proper procedure. Driving without proper insurance or a valid I.D. is illegal. In this instance, the other driver did not experience serious damage to her car or herself; but in accidents that do demand reparation, dealing with insured drivers is much easier.

If you or someone you know has been in an accident and needs information, contact the Accident Attorneys’ Group. Whether you are an uninsured driver or were hit by one, our lawyers can help you file the appropriate paperwork that will assist you in receiving the highest possible compensation available.

May
23

By

$5 Million Settlement due to McDonald’s Burger

Category: Auto Accident, Blog, Car Accident, Negligence, News Tags: , , , , , ,

English: A selection of value-menu hamburgers ...

English: A selection of value-menu hamburgers from American fast food chains. Clockwise from left to right: McDonald’s McDouble, Burger King Buck Double, Sonic Drive-In Jr. Deluxe Burger, Wendy’s Double Stack. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In January 2012, a sheriff’s deputy caused an injurious accident in Santa Clara County that has now cost him $5 million to settle. And it all occurred because of a hamburger.

Deputy Greg Markovic crashed into Diem Van Lam’s 1994 Honda around 4 a.m. on January 9th. According to the report, Markovic was eating a McDonald’s hamburger and took his eyes off of the road due to its distraction.

The accident occurred after the deputy bit into his burger, put it back down, reached for his radio (which got stuck), turned on his rear amber warning lights by accident, looked down to correct the mistake, and then he hit Van Lam’s vehicle on the driver’s side. There is also speculation that the sheriff may have run a red light before impact.

Markovic survived the accident without any real injury, but Van Lam suffered a skull fracture, torn aorta, and broken ribs.

The deputy is no longer on patrol due to a “permanent disability” that he attained after a child rescue mission of another accident.

The claim was brought to the sheriff after the accident and both parties have now agreed on a settlement of $5 million dollars.

Being distracted while driving causes most of the accidents that drivers face. Perhaps your accident was/will not be caused by a fast food hamburger, but distractions come in many forms and they can all be destructive. If you or someone you know has been in an accident, contact the Accident Attorneys’ Group for a free consultation and essential information that will help you move forward.

May
22

By

Big Rig Crash in Bakersfield

Category: Auto Accident, Blog, Car Accident, Negligence, News, Truck Accidents

English: In , USA

English: In , USA (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Two Wisconsin men were involved in an accident on Monday in Bakersfield, California. The driver apparently was enduring a coughing fit when the truck crashed into a canal.

The 37-year-old driver was en route in his semitruck with a passenger resting in the sleeping compartment southbound on Highway 99. He began coughing and his truck veered off of the road. His distraction prevented him from the stopping the movements.

The truck moved across lanes and then crashed into guardrails, down an embankment and into an irrigation canal. The mess took hours to clear.

Traffic was backed up for a large portion of the day as CHP cleared the wreck. Paramedics also arrived on the scene; the driver suffered minor injuries and his passenger was killed in the accident.

The passenger has been identified as Keith Michael Zeamer from De Pere, Wisconsin. His body was found submerged under parts of the cab that had gone underwater.

This accident is very unfortunate for everyone involved. Thankfully the truck did not hit any other cars as it traveled across the lanes; however, it is distressing that the crash still caused a fatality.

Driving while distracted is incredibly dangerous, no matter what the distraction is. It impairs visibility, judgment and reactions. If you find yourself in a situation where you are or will be distracted, take caution to avoid an accident; like pulling over until you’re safe to drive once more.

If you or someone you know has been in an accident, no matter the cause, contact a car accident attorney today. Hiring a lawyer ensures that your claims are all filed correctly and your compensation is competitive.

May
21

By

Settlement with Edison for 2007 Malibu Fires Totaling $37 Million

Category: Blog, Negligence, News Tags: , , , , ,

Malibu Fires

Malibu Fires (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In 2007, Malibu was among the Southern California cities that experienced the destructive wildfire; and now the city is receiving some compensation from a negligent party. Southern California Edison has agreed to pay $37 million to the state and city to repair the damages that its mistake caused.

According to the settlement agreement, Edison admits blame because it did not take “prompt action to prevent telecommunications company NextG from attaching fiber optic cable to joint poles in Malibu Canyon” after learning the dangers of doing nothing. This caused the poles to exceed state-mandated safety limits for weight.

The overweight pole was one of the three that failed by snapping and starting the fire. The fire then spread across the canyon, burning over 3,800 acres in October.

The case originally asked for $49 million, but the plaintiffs are happy with the outcome still. The settlement equaled 75 percent of the asking amount and will be sufficient in use of reparations. Edison will pay $20 million to the State of California’s General Fund and $17 million will fund pole loading assessments and resulting remediation work in Malibu.

This is great news for Los Angeles County and the state of California. The wild fires destroyed a lot of land and structures in 2007, and this money will aid greatly in the restoration of the area.

Losing property from a fire can be terribly traumatic and then very confusing. It is difficult to know what to do next and how to file paperwork correctly to ensure that everything is recovered. For property damage, accidents, injuries, etc. having an attorney is incredibly helpful. Contact an accident lawyer today to get the support that you need for your case.

May
20

By

Major Crash on 210 Freeway

Category: Auto Accident, Blog, Car Accident, News, Truck Accidents Tags: , , , , , , ,

The 210 Freeway in Pasadena, CA

The 210 Freeway in Pasadena, CA (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This morning, your drive may have been severely halted if you take the 210 freeway to work. In the San Gabriel Valley, a big rig crashed and blocked lanes for both east- and westbound drivers.

The big rig carrying fruit overturned just before 5 a.m. The driver crashed through the center divider near Myrtle Avenue in Monrovia. It is unknown whether the driver or anyone else has suffered any injuries at this time.

The accident has blocked three of the westbound lanes and two eastbound lanes and is expected to be fully cleared around 9:15. California Highway Patrol is on the scene, working as quickly as it can to clear the highway and reopen the lanes.

Traffic is also heavy on the westbound 605 freeway due to the accident.

Los Angeles traffic is always frustrating, but this morning it became much worse for commuters. The closed lanes have caused an intense backup for anyone driving on the two freeways and hopefully CHP will be able to remove the truck by its estimated time, if not sooner.

Major accidents like this are not uncommon. Whether it is a 35,000 pound big rig or your own personal car, vehicle crashes can occur at anytime and the outcomes are never certain. If you or someone you know has been in an accident and is unsure about what to do next, contact an injury attorney today to find out more information.

May
16

By

Bicyclist Killed in Vehicle Collision

Category: Auto Accident, Bicycle Accident, Blog, Car Accident, News, Wrongful Death Tags: , , , , , ,

REGULAR POLICE PATROLS HELP KEEP DOWN THE NUMB...

REGULAR POLICE PATROLS HELP KEEP DOWN THE NUMBER OF BICYCLE THEFTS ON NICOLLET MALL – NARA – 551464 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Late last night in Florence, California, a bicyclist was killed by a motorist. The driver of the vehicle was fleeing from the police due to his involvement in a shooting that took place moments before.

The victim’s identity is unknown at this moment, but he was described by authorities as a Hispanic male aged 30 to 40 years old.

The driver, whose identity has not been revealed yet either, was being chased by the cops after a shooting that occurred around East 84th Street and South Avalon Boulevard. Apparently, there was a dispute between the driver and his girlfriend and the man fired three shots into her car.

The police found him driving and followed him with cruisers and a helicopter. Once he reached East 84th Street and South Central Avenue, his dangerous driving killed the cyclist.

The driver dragged the victim across the street and then attempted to run once more. The police caught up to him and took him into custody. They are still searching for the gun that was used in the initial shooting.

Accidents are a tragic part of our lives as drivers and as cyclists. Thankfully the police was able to arrest the criminal in this instance, because many times drivers get away with it. If you are the victim of a car accident or a bicycle accident, contact the Accident Attorneys’ Group. We can help you file the correct claims, refer you to medical assistance, and award to you the highest compensation possible for your suffering.

May
14

By

Police Search for Former Billionaire Club Member and Ex-Convict for Manslaughter Charges

Category: Auto Accident, Blog, Car Accident, Negligence, News, Wrongful Death Tags: , , , , , , ,

San Francisco just before sunset. This panoram...

San Francisco just before sunset. This panorama was taken at the Twin Peaks and is stitched from 12 portrait format images. For stitching PTGUI was used. Français : San Francisco au coucher du soleil. Vue panoramique depuis Twin Peaks réaliée en assemblant 12 images format portrait avec PTGUI. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In August of last year, Edmond Ralph Capalla was hit and killed by a taxi cab while crossing the street in San Francisco. Justice has not been served, but it can be now.

San Francisco police are searching for Reza Eslaminia, a once wealthy man whose previous trial in the 1980s opened the public’s eyes to the Billionaire Boys Club, onto whom to press charges. He was connected to the 1984 death of his father and was later sentenced to life in prison. However, in an appeal, the charges were dropped and he moved to San Francisco after being freed.

Eslaminia and his father, Hedayat Eslaminia, a former Iranian government official lived in exile in the Bay area. Eslaminia became a member of the Billionaire Boys Club while living with father. This social club was an investment group that recruited sons of billionaires to join in on get-rich-quick schemes. The death of Eslaminia’s father was suspected to be a kind of botched extortion job.

Eslaminia and an associate were brought to trial. They were convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life without possibility of parole. In 2000, Eslaminia’s conviction was overturned and he was released from prison. He then began working as a taxi driver in San Francisco.

On the night of Capalla’s death, Eslaminia was driving his taxi and ran a red light. He then hit another car, spun out of control and crashed into Capalla, who was crossing the street. Police immediately arrested him for the crime, but a judge ruled that there was not enough evidence to charge him for a felony and he was released.

Law enforcement is now filing charges against him for misdemeanor manslaughter. The warrant was released on March 29 and he has still not been found. Eslaminia is also wanted in a 2008 DUI case from Los Angeles on a separate warrant.

Once he is arrested, he will be tried and faces possible jail time. It is important that he is captured, as his criminal record needs to be addressed and so future offenses can be stopped.

Accidents happen far too often, unfortunately. Whether it’s a vehicle crash, hit and run or pedestrian collision, it is important to enlist an accident attorney.

May
13

By

Man Nearly Beaten to Death in Huntington Beach

Category: Blog, News, Personal Injury Tags: , , , , , , ,

Surfers abound near Huntington City Pier

Surfers abound near Huntington City Pier (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

On Friday evening, a fight apparently broke out between two groups of teenagers at Murdy Park in Huntington Beach. A woman and her boyfriend witnessed the fight and attempted to break it up. This then led to four teens ran after the man and beating him nearly to death with their skateboards.

The four teens whose names, ages and genders are currently unavailable were arrested on suspicions of murder following the attack.

The woman passing by attempted to cease the fighting, but was then attacked. Her boyfriend, the 25-year-old victim, then intervened to save her. The kids chased him across the street to a Laundromat and beat him severely. The man was immediately rushed to the UCI Medical Center’s trauma center and underwent emergency surgery.

The teens are currently detained and face attempted murder charges. The complete details of the event are unknown, but the police are investigating the two versions. The woman’s story claims that the two of them endeavored to stop the fight and were consequently attacked; a father of one of the teens claims that the man assaulted his child and the others first, and was then attacked in self-defense.

No matter which version of the story is valid, the fact is that a man was seriously beaten by four teenagers with skateboards. His current situation is unavailable; but hopefully because he was quickly taken to the hospital, he will make a full recovery. The severity of his condition will likely impact the outcome of the teens’ trial, as the charges that they face currently are only attempted murder.

Unfortunate events like this can happen to anyone at anytime, and it is important to know what to do next. Medical bills add up and emotional stresses can be more harmful than physical injuries. Contact an injury attorney today to start working on receiving your due compensation.

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