Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

The Ellis Law Corporation, a Los Angeles personal injury law firm, has launched a new website focusing on truck accidents and the legal ramifications that are associated with those accidents. The website, www.truckcollisionlawfirm.com, discusses the various details that surround a truck accident, and offers insight into the possible causes of accidents perpetrated by large trucks. This source of information will help direct truck accident victims towards the details they need in order to find successful outcomes in their personal injury lawsuits so that parties responsible for truck accidents can be held accountable for their actions.

In Los Angeles, where the daily commute to work often involves California’s congested freeways, it is inevitable that drivers of smaller passenger vehicles will encounter large trucks on a regular basis. With such a wide array of goods needing to be shipped from one place to another, it is often imperative that large trucks travel our roads and highways. However, large trucks are a convenience that can, unfortunately, turn into a hazard in no time at all. From dangerous driving practice to faulty vehicle equipment to poor road conditions, truck accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, all of which place all other motorists and pedestrians in the way of harm.

Injuries sustained in truck accidents can range anywhere from minor to major. Damage to property can be miniscule or significant. In any event, it is extremely important that you enlist the help of a skilled truck accident attorney in the event of collision with a large truck. Whether it is the fault of a truck driver, a trucking company, or a municipality that failed to provide safe road conditions, accountability must be attributed to those who have wronged others.

Continue reading "Ellis Law Corporation Introduces Truck Accident Website" »

The Ellis Law Corporation and Los Angeles Personal Injury Law Firm has launched a new website concentrated on pedestrian accidents and the legal concerns involved. In such a bustling city like Los Angeles, auto accidents involving pedestrians are far too common as a result of negligent driving. The website, www.pedestrianaccidentlawfirm.com, is available as a resource for pedestrian accident news, statistics, types of injuries and accidents, and much more for those who have been injured or know someone who has suffered a similar incident.

Pedestrians are vulnerable to extreme risks when a negligent driver hits them, even if it is a small vehicle. Injures can range from broken bones, brain injury, severe cuts and bruises, and even death. Pedestrians who have endured serious injuries have rights and may qualify to receive compensation for the steep medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages from missing work to recover that typically ensue after such an accident.

When an automobile leaves the scene of a Los Angeles pedestrian accident, a hit-and-run case can be a daunting endeavor for someone who just nearly escaped with their life. In the most serious cases of pedestrian wrongful death, families are left not only to grieve the loss of a loved one, but must find alternate sources of income and a way to pay for a funeral and hospital bills.

Continue reading "Ellis Law Corporation Launches Pedestrian Accident Website" »

A 16-year-old girl was tragically killed in an SUV accident while she was on the way to her high school’s prom in Los Angeles, according to an LA Times report. Seven other high school students, ranging in ages of 16-18 were injured in the auto accident in LA that occurred on a 110 southbound freeway exit near 3rd street.

The 2003 Chevrolet SUV that the Taft high school students were traveling in ended up on its side. While no cause of the accident was listed in the newspaper, it is not out of the realm of possibility to speculate that this was a SUV rollover accident.

SUV rollover accidents are an all too common occurrence. Due to the fact that SUVs have a high center of gravity and a narrow track width, they are subject to rolling over. This most typically can occur when a driver is traveling at too high a rate of speed and attempts to make a corrective maneuver. SUV rollover accidents almost always result in serious injuries to the drivers and passengers involved.

Continue reading "16 Year Old Girl Headed to Prom Killed in LA Car Accident" »

The recent tragic and deadly metro train wreck in Washington D.C. has many Los Angeles metro officials closely monitoring the news lately. According to a report in the LA Times Online, MTA officials say the automated train control system that is believed to have malfunctioned in the DC crash is very similar to the system that controls LA’s subway system.

"There is a lot of similarity between the system employed [in Washington] and the system we have on the Metro Red Line and Purple Line," said Michael Harris Gifford, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's chief engineer.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have began to focus their investigation on the control system after investigators found what they described only as an "anomaly" in part of the network -- a track signal circuit near the site of the crash.

This crash follows last year’s Chatsworth Metrolink train crash in Los Angeles that killed 25 people. That head on collision was a tragedy that has marred the local Metrolink system and is still the subject of an ongoing investigation.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Metro Train Officials Monitoring DC Crash Probe" »

A cyclist was tragically killed when an Oxnard man hit him with his truck and left the scene of the accident on the Pacific Coast Highway, according to a published report on LA Times online. The man also struck the cyclist’s 14-year-old son, who was also on the bicycle.

After the accident, the man allegedly ditched his truck about a mile south of the incident. He was found a short distance away and arrested, still displaying symptoms of alcohol intoxication, authorities said.

The father and son bicycle riders were driving on the shoulder of the 34000 block of Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu when they were struck. The son, who survived the crash, was taken to UCLA Medical Center and was in stable condition with numerous broken bones.

Truck accidents in Los Angeles like these are a common occurrence on our local highways. Our city streets are some of the most overcrowded and well traversed in the nation. With so many pedestrians, autos, trucks, and bicycles in such close proximity, accidents are bound to occur. When you add driving under the influence of alcohol to the mix, the likelihood of accidents resulting in death or injury increases exponentially.

Continue reading "Malibu Truck Versus Bike Accident Kills Cyclist" »

The Los Angeles Personal Injury Law Firm, the Ellis Law Corporation, is pleased to announce the launching of its new website focused on the many types of traffic accidents and the legal hurdles victims can overcome when involved in a collision. In providing valuable information regarding Los Angeles traffic accident news and accident causes, www.trafficaccidentlawfirm.com is available as a tool and source for anyone who has suffered minor to serious injuries in an auto accident.

In such a vast city where thousands of people depend on private vehicles and public transportation to and from work and other destinations, Los Angeles vehicle accidents are caused for a variety of reasons and come in a diversity of forms. Whether you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in a traffic accident, the aftermath of a motorcycle, truck, intersection, bus, pedestrian, or cell phone related accident all create a challenge of recovery and healing to establish common ground and well-being again.

Anyone involved in a traffic accident in Los Angeles faces the possibility of encountering a wide range of injuries such as significant limb, back, brain, and neck injury, as well as suffering from burns, lacerations, and high-speed impact. Even when injuries are minor, it is crucial to seek medical attention to ensure that nothing goes undetected. Although victims of traffic accidents often face high medical bills and other expenses related to their injury, compensation may be attained from negligent parties.

Continue reading "Traffic Accident Website Introduced by the Ellis Law Corporation" »

South Pasadena police launched a sting operation to catch those motorists who were not stopping for school buses when the bus’s red lights were flashing. The sting was successful, with police officers issuing over 150 tickets, each of them with a hefty $500 fine.

According to a report in the Los Angeles times online, however, many citizens in South Pasadena were upset with the way the operation was conducted, claiming it was inadequately coordinated and unfair. The report stated that the bus was parked on a six lane road that school buses do not typically operate on and what seemed odd was that no schoolchildren were on the bus at the time.

In an update to this story, the Los Angeles Times has reported that the South Pasadena police department has asked a judge to declare these citations invalid. The article explains that the sting operation was conducted with cadets exiting the school bus, which had its red lights flashing, but the penal code specifically explains that schoolchildren must be exiting the bus. In these instances, no school bus was present.

The reason for this sting operation was the danger of pedestrian accidents occurring in South Pasadena. Citizens had reported that vehicles were not stopping for school buses as they were supposed to, increasing the possibility of dangerous pedestrian accidents. These types of accidents are among the most dangerous of all accidents that occur on our roads.

Continue reading "Traffic Sting in South Pasadena Angers Residents" »

A 16-year-old girl was killed while crossing Highway 395 on June 13, 2009. According to a report, the pedestrian was struck by a 2008 Chevrolet Cavalier, driven by a 28-year-old woman who did not see the pedestrian because of a tractor-trailer that was driving north in the lane next to her.

Los Angeles pedestrian accident victims not only suffer from catastrophic injuries, they also face huge medical bills from spending weeks or months in the hospital recovering from the accident. The cost of a lengthy hospital stay can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars or more.

In accidents involving pedestrians and autos, such as this one, the end result is almost always death or catastrophic injury. When a vehicle traveling at high speeds collides with a pedestrian with little or no protection, the result is predictably severe.

Continue reading "Hesperia Girl Killed Crossing Highway 395" »

According to a report in the Inland Valley Daily Journal, a 23-year-old man was killed and seven people were injured in a boating accident on the Colorado River. The accident occurred when one of the boats attempted to pass another, and then collided with a 3rd powerboat. The chain reaction resulted in several injuries and the death of the driver of the boat.

Across the country hundreds of people die in boating accidents every year and thousands more are injured. These accidents may also result in severe catastrophic injuries, unpaid medical bills, lost wages, and permanent disabilities. In countless numbers of these boating accident cases, alcohol is a contributing factor. Authorities believe that this was the case in this accident.

Boating and watercraft accidents can be devastating. Boats do not have safety restraints, and in instances where high-speed collisions occur, passengers and drivers can be thrown from the boats at high speeds. Deep and rough waters can also be extremely hazardous to individuals who are thrown from watercraft during boating accidents. While it is generally required that individuals riding in boats wear life jackets, not all passengers and drivers do.

Continue reading "Alcohol Likely Factor in Boating Accident Deaths" »

A van and a city bus collided on July 6th, according to an online report on the Pasadena Star News online. The bus was carrying approximately 40 people, 14 of which were injured in the bus accident, which occurred at Whittier Boulevard and Concourse Avenue, police said.

Montebello’s police traffic unit is investigating the details of what caused the crash of Bus line 10, which goes down Whittier Boulevard as its regular route. The line was delayed for hours following the bus crash in Los Angeles.

According to the Federal Transit Authority, the total number of bus accidents in the United States has risen dramatically in recent years with a corresponding rise in injuries. Los Angeles does not appear to be exempt from these increased bus accidents, as recent news accounts of bus accidents appear to be more and more common.

Municipal bus accidents have special legal ramifications. If the driver of the bus is found to be negligent, or the bus was not cared for properly and the accident is proven to be caused because of this fact, all of those individuals injured in the accident may be able to hold the city responsible for the accident. Obviously, in this case, extensive investigating will be required to determine the real cause of the crash. The operator of the van may be found to be responsible for the accident, in which case he may be able to be sued for the damages his negligent driving caused.

Continue reading "14 People Hurt In Montebello Bus Crash" »

The dailynews.com website.com reported in an account on April 24, 2009 that no indications of tampering were found in bottles of water from a vending machine. Principal Pete Fries stated that apparently about a dozen students at La Mesa Junior High School in Santa Clarita said they drank the water bottles and later complained of nausea or discomfort. They were taken to hospitals were they were examined for foodborne illness in California and released.

Cody Commons, eighth grader, said, “It was kind of cloudy and it tasted kind of funny. A couple hours later I started feeling cramps.”

Laura Eimiller, FBI spokeswoman, said, “At this time, there’s no evidence that the product was deliberately tampered with.”

The incident began when two students independently came to the school office with bottles of Aquafina brand water. The Los Angeles County Fire Department hazardous materials team examined the water and found no trace of ammonia, chlorine, or other contaminants. Further tests will carried out at a county lab looking for traces of chemicals, toxic agents and bacteria.
Spokesman for the Pepsi Bottling Group, Jeff Dahncke, which manufactures Aquafina, stated that there was no evidence any contamination was caused by the company’s manufacturing process. He added that Pepsi believes it was an isolated incident.

Continue reading "SoCal Bottle Water Tampering Scare" »

An article reported on June 3, 2009 that authorities announced that a 55 year old man was killed when he was hit by a car in Lancaster. Lt. Stefanie Fredericks, Lancaster Station, said the pedestrian accident happened in the 2600 block of West Avenue K close to 27th Street West at approximately 11 p.m. A preliminary investigation showed that the man was walking west on the south side of Avenue K and was hit as soon as he stepped onto the street.

Alea Adams, 41, the driver from Lancaster, stated that she hit the man with the front side of her vehicle. According to Fredericks, the Los Angeles County Fire paramedics pronounced the man dead at the scene. His name was not released pending family notification.

The tragic crash is still being investigated and authorities ask that anyone with information on the accident call Sgt. Brian Dunn or Deputy Jon White of the sheriff’s traffic detail at 661-948-8466.

The latest figures from the National Transportation Safety Board indicate that 40,000 people overall are killed in auto accidents each year in the U.S. with many thousands more suffering life-threatening injuries which require expensive medical care. Even small cars can weigh well over a ton and when someone is hit by a vehicle in a Los Angeles pedestrian accident, accident victims often suffer from serious injuries such as fractured skulls, ruptured internal organs, broken arms and legs, and horrible brain injuries, which change a victim’s life forever.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Killed by Car in Lancaster" »

The website www.thetimes.co.za reported in an article on June 15, 2009 that a surge of last minute automatic messages transmitted by Air France Flight 447 contained one report about a problem with a rudder safety device. According to an aviation expert, this information still does not explain what brought down the jet crashing into the Atlantic Ocean.

Tom Enders, Airbus Chief executive, and maker of the A3330 airplane, has asked for patience in discovering the cause of the disaster. All 228 people aboard were killed and it is the worst aviation disaster in eight years. Our deepest sympathies go out to the families of those who were lost in this tragic accident.

Enders said, “It is safe to say the aviation community is still under some shock. And it certainly doesn’t provide consolation to the families that if we look at the statistics of flying compared with 30 years ago, the statistics show that the A330 is one of the safest aircraft that has ever gone into service.”

An automatic message transmitted minutes before the plane disappeared indicated a problem with the “rudder limiter”, an instrument that restricts how far the plane’s rudder can move. The exact cause of the accident may never be known unless the plane’s flight data and cockpit voice recorders are found.

Continue reading "Air France Flight 447 Goes Down Killing All 228 On Board" »

The website mercurynews.com reported in a story on May 4, 2009 that a woman was hit and killed on the Caltrain tracks at Mountain View’s San Antonio station. The unidentified woman was struck at about 11:30 a.m. Caltrain spokeswoman, said, “Preliminary information indicates that this incident was a suicide.” Authorities said the woman killed in the train accident in California was a white female in her 30’s or 40’s.

Transit detective stated that the accident happened close to one of the few openings in the fence besides the tracks, behind an apartment building. The women was sitting on the tracks when the train hit her about 40 miles per hour.

“It’s a very traumatic event for everyone involved,” said the detective.

No witnesses have been located. This was the first Caltrain death this year. Last year there were 16 fatalities. The highest number of deaths on record was 20 in 1995.

Train accidents are regular occurrences in the United States today. Although transportation has evolved since the inception of the train, they are being used on a daily basis. Trains are a cost-effective means of moving goods, including hazardous materials, across the country. Trains are frequently involved in accidents that critically injure passengers and other non-suspecting persons.

Continue reading "Women Killed By Caltrain" »

The website post-gazette.com reported in an account on April 29, 2009 that a school bus transporting the Bethel Park High School band was involved in an auto accident which resulted in the death of a driver in another vehicle.

According to the school districts website, none of the students, teachers, or chaperones were injured in the crash, though their bus was disabled for three hours.

The bus was carrying the school band to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for a competition when sometime around 3 a.m. school officials say that a westbound car which allegedly was trying to avoid a collision with the bus, went across the grassy median then rolled into a ditch killing the driver.

Clarinet player and senior Jack Bitner scared his parents when he called them in the wee hours of the morning but he immediately calmed their minds with his account of what had happened.

Mr Bitner said, "He said he and other kids are fine."

The United States employs approximately 450,000 school buses to transport children to school each day. There have been many cases of injuries and deaths related to school bus accidents, including children being struck or run over by the bus, rollovers, and collisions. The Los Angeles bus accident attorneys at Ellis Law Corporation are very concerned about recent trends in bus accidents around the country and especially worried about bus accidents involving children on our congested streets and highways.

If you or someone under your care has been injured in a bus accident in the Los Angeles area, the skilled Los Angeles personal injury lawyers may be able to help you receive compensation to offset medical and other expenses. After a free consultation with their experienced Los Angeles bus accident attorneys, they will launch an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident, defend your rights, and work hard to prevent others from being injured in bus accidents. Call Ellis Law Corporation today to schedule a free consultation.

The website ocregister.com reported in an article on April 21, 2009 that a three vehicle crash occurred in Anaheim at the intersection of Katella Avenue and Lewis Street. The car accident happened just before 4 p.m. According to police reports, Luz and Ken Kleinberg of Orange were travelling south in their black Chevy Tahoe when they claim a gold Mercury Sable being driven by a woman ran a red light crashing into them and then into a Toyota Sequoia. The unidentified man driving the Sequoia was taken to a local hospital to treat his injuries.

Auto accidents happen all around us all the time. While the number one reason for auto accidents is driver negligence, automobile and truck accident cases also may involve other complex issues, including dangerous highway design and dangerous or defective design of an automobile.

Car accidents in Los Angeles change the lives of both the victim and their families. In fact, in the year 2001, over 3 million people were seriously hurt in motor vehicle accidents, and approximately 42,000 people were killed.

For more than a decade, the Los Angeles personal injury attorneys at Ellis Law Corporation have applied their experience, knowledge of the law, and tireless work ethic to help their clients receive the best possible compensation for injuries caused by Los Angeles auto accidents. Insurance companies often put their financial interests before the needs of the people they are hired to facilitate coverage to. The skilled Los Angeles auto accident lawyers at the Los Angeles personal injury law firm, Ellis Law Corporation, will help accident victims receive the financial compensation they deserve. Contact us today for a consultation of your case.

The website seattletimes.com reported in an article on April 28, 2009 that the family of Bryce Lewis, 19 who was killed by a dump truck has settled out of court. The family’s attorney stated that parents Marc and Laura Paolicelli of Colorado, agreed to an unrevealed sum of money from Nelson & Sons Construction of Woodinville.

A representative for the family said, “Nelson & Sons stepped forward and did the right thing and the family was satisfied by their gestures.”

According to police reports Lewis and friend Caleb Hall were riding in a bike lane on Eastlake Avenue East near the University Bridge in 2007 when a dump truck owned by Nelson & Sons driven by David McClane made a right turn without warning into the riders. Hall hit the side of the dump truck and screamed for McClane to stop but it was too late and Lewis was pulled under the truck and was crushed and killed. Unaware that he had hit anything McClane kept driving for a short period before stopping.

A few months after the tragic wrongful death accident; a large group of bicyclists carried out a wheeled demonstration along the streets of Seattle in memory of Lewis and to call on city officials to take more action to ensure bike safety, particularly in the Eastlake neighborhood.

Accidents involving trucks account for over 130,000 injuries in the United States. There are 5,000 deaths each year and close to 35% of the injuries are catastrophic. Trucks over 10,000 pounds (semis and tractor-trailers) represent only 3% of all registered vehicles but are responsible for over 25% of vehicle related deaths.

Los Angeles has some of the most congested and heavily traveled highways in the nation and big semi-trailer trucks are a huge percentage of the area’s traffic. Many of these trucks weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and whether they are traveling at a high rate of speed or lower speeds, a truck accident in Los Angeles often results in severe injuries to anyone in a passenger vehicle hit by one of these big rigs. Truck accident figures from the U.S. Department of Transportation indicate that approximately 500,000 truck accidents occur in the U.S. each year which cause 5,000 deaths and tens of thousands of injuries.

If you or a loved one have suffered serious injury in a truck related accident in Los Angeles the experienced and knowledgeable attorneys at Ellis Law Corporation can assist you with your case. At Ellis Law Corporation our attorneys will launch an immediate investigation, defend your rights at all times, and work hard to help you receive the compensation you deserve. Their Los Angeles personal injury lawyers work on a contingency-fee basis which means you are never charged a fee until they have won your case. Please call 1-866-554-4658 for a free consultation.

The website venturacountystar.com reported in a story on March 26, 2009 that the aunt of a two year old is still in critical condition after having pushed her nephew to safety before being struck by an auto. According to police reports the pedestrian accident occurred at the intersection of Devonshire and Westlake Boulevard, at approximately 2:30 p.m. Argelia Rojas, 49 was crossing in the marked crosswalk with her nephew Mitchell Ito, 2 when a speeding driver approached, in a flash she instinctively pushed Mitchell to safety but could not save herself. The intersection is less than a quarter mile from Westlake Elementary School. Spokeswoman for Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center, Kris Carraway-Bowman stated the aunt is still in ICU but has been upgraded to fair condition.

Kathleen Ito, grandmother of Mitchell, stated to the city council, “Since the accident, a number of neighbors, friends and parents of children attending Westlake Elementary School, where my two older grandchildren attend, have told us how often they have complained about the speed and have questioned the safety of this intersection…This crosswalk needs some kind of signalized crossing to get the attention of motorists.”

Parents are asking that a flashing signal and yellow pedestrian signs be installed at the intersection. Kayelynn Weidle said, “I’m asking that the city make this a top priority.”

Paula Willebrands, Westlake Elelmentary School Principal, said, “I think it has been a growing concern for many years.”

An undercover police sting at the location cited 21 drivers for failing to yield to a pedestrian during the 90 minute operation.

Each day in the United States innocent pedestrians are injured by negligent motor vehicle drivers. The effects on injured pedestrians can be quite serious, including broken bones, comas, paralysis, brain injury, and death.

If you or a loved one have suffered serious injury in a pedestrian accident in Los Angeles, the knowledgeable and experienced Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyers at Ellis Law Corporation can help you fight for your rights. At Ellis Law their lawyers employ various experts to support their clients' needs and to effectuate the orderly handling of their clients' matters, insuring the best possible outcome of their case. Please call 1-866-554-4658 for a free consultation.

On April 29, 2009 it was reported that Ray LaHood, U.S. Secretary of Transportation, has plans to order a full departmental review of motor coach safety. This action comes a day after five people were killed when a tour bus carrying French tourists crashed in Soledad, California, a small town located in Monterey County. The California bus accident prompted the California Highway Patrol to close highway 101 in both directions.

Spokesperson for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Rae Tyson, stated that the review was issued after an April 21, 2009 hearing into a crash in Utah that killed nine people in January 2008.

In 1999 the National Transportation Safety Board recommended that the highway administration develop bus construction standards to reduce injuries during collisions and rollover accidents.

Tyson stated he expected the agency to present new bus safety policies by the end of the year.

Whether you are a child or an adult, ride a school bus or metro bus, you may be at risk for serious bus accident related injuries. If you have been involved in a bus accident in Los Angeles, you may experience a variety of injuries, such as cuts and bruises, bone fractures, head injuries, and other serious injuries. The bus company may be held liable for your injuries and may compensate you for your pain and suffering, medical expenses, and other accident-related costs if it is determined that their negligence or a bus product default contributed or was responsible for the accident. .

If you or a loved one has been involved in bus accident in Los Angeles, you need an attorney that knows the law and will fight for your rights. For over 10 years Ellis Law Corporation has helped victims who are seriously injured to obtain the best possible financial recovery. Their team of Los Angeles personal injury attorneys has successfully obtained over $50,000,000.00 in settlements and verdicts on behalf of our clients in cases throughout the State of California. Please call 1-866-554-4558 for a free consultation.

The website latimes.com reported in an article that three pedestrians were struck while attempting to cross the street at the intersection of Fountain and La Brea Avenues. Two people were killed and a the third was critically injured. D’Lisa Davies of the Los Angeles Fire Department stated that the auto accident in Los Angeles happened at just before 6:30 p.m. and it killed a 65 year old woman along with another unidentified woman in her 50s. A man also in his 50s sustained serious injuries and remains in critical condition.

Chris Tatar of the West Hollywood sheriff’s station stated that the victims were in the pedestrian crosswalk when they were struck. Two or more cars were involved, in which one vehicle hit the pedestrians after crashing into another vehicle.

Each day in the United States innocent pedestrians are injured by negligent motor vehicle drivers. The effects of these catastrophic accidents on injured pedestrians can be quite serious, often including broken bones, comas, paralysis, brain injury, and death. Negligent and dangerous drivers must be responsible for the injuries that they inflict on others.

If you or someone you care for has been seriously injured or killed as a result of a pedestrian accident in the Los Angeles area, you should call Ellis Law Corporation. The pedestrian accident lawyers in El Segundo at Ellis Law Corporation have the resources, knowledge, and experience to help their clients receive the compensation they deserve. They have a proven track record of success in pedestrian accident cases and have helped their clients recover millions of dollars over the years to help offset their medical costs and other expenses. Please call 1-866-554-4658 for a free consultation.

The website latimes.com reported in a story on April 14, 2009 that the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conducted a test in which they crashed a Honda Fit into a Honda Accord, a Smart ForTwo into a Mercedes C-Class, and a Toyota Yaris into a Toyota Camry each at 40 miles per hour. Test results showed that small cars may be more efficient but your safety could be compromised. The vehicles were tested in “offset” crashes which means that the cars do not crash head on, instead the accident simulates a car that had veered over the center line where the damage can easily break into the passenger compartment. The institute believes that the cars sustained enough damage that their occupants would also have suffered moderate to serious personal injuries.

Adrian Lund, president of the Arlington, Virginia based Institure said, “Though much safer than they were a few years ago, mini-cars as a group do a comparatively poor job of protecting people in crashes, simply because they're smaller and lighter. In collisions with bigger vehicles, the forces acting on the smaller ones are higher, and there's less distance from the front of a small car to the occupant compartment to 'ride down' the impact. These and other factors increase injury likelihood."

Dave Schembri, president of Smart’s U.S. operations said the tests were an example of “rare and extreme” accidents. The Smart ForTwo meets or exceeds all U.S. government crash-test standards. The other manufactures released similar statements.

As more and more people turn to smaller, more economical cars in these tough financial times, it is important that drivers are aware of their surroundings to avoid a dangerous collision. Everyday people get on the road and do not pay as much attention as they should to what they are doing or where other drivers are. If you have been seriously injured in an automobile accident in Los Angeles, the experienced and skilled auto accident lawyers at Ellis Law Corporation can help you.

As drivers we hold the responsibility to take all necessary steps to ensure safety for ourselves, our passengers, and other drivers. Unfortunately, we all know that the unfortunate event of car accidents happen far too often with hundreds of people in Los Angeles and thousands more throughout the country being injured and killed each year as a result of auto accidents. In many cases, a negligent driver operating their vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol thinks it is okay to put lives at risk. Even a driver who doesn’t do everything they can to prevent an accident by abiding the law can be held responsible for serious injuries or wrongful death caused.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed as a result of an auto accident, contact the Los Angeles car accident attorneys at Ellis Law Corporation. To assist their Los Angeles attorneys, the firm employs various experts in accounting and other professions to support their clients' needs and to effectuate the orderly handling of their clients' matters. Please call 1-866-554-4658 for a free consultation.

The website whittierdailynews.com reported in an article on April 22, 2009 that the California Department of Health has fined the Riviera Healthcare Center located on Telegraph Road for the loss of life of a patient. The fine is $100,000 and it represents the state’s harshest penalty for violations that led to a patient’s fatal burns as a result of patient neglect.

According to the Department of Public Health, the unidentified victim was a 64 year old man who was confined to a wheelchair, had difficulty expressing himself, and right-side paralysis. Attempting to light a cigarette the man lit himself on fire on December 23, 2008. Left unattended in the dining room, another patient screamed, letting staff know of what was happening. Upon arrival, the nursing home staff panicked and did not utilize the fire blanket that was a mere six feet away to extinguish the flames. The patient was then taken to a local hospital with third-degree burns to his thighs, legs, groin, buttocks, and right hand. Suffering severe burns, he was transferred to a burn unit where he was given skin grafts, unfortunately the surgery failed. The man died 18 days after the accident, due to organ failure and sepsis as a consequence of his burns.

According to the facility’s website, it was established in 1966 and services include recuperative care, rehabilitation, short-term care, and long-term residential care.

Los Angeles burn accidents can happen anytime, anyplace - in your home, in your car, when you’re at work or when you are in a public setting. In fact, statistics show that every 19 seconds, a local fire department is responding to an emergency call somewhere in the United States. Add to the fact that the age groups most vulnerable to fire accidents and burn injuries are children under 5 and seniors over the age of 65 and it’s no wonder that so many of the people in our population are affected by serious burn injuries.

If you or a loved one is one of the thousands of people whose life has been affected by a serious burn injury, contact Ellis Law Corporation. Treatment and rehabilitation for burn injuries can be emotionally and financially devastating and we can help lessen the burden. Many burn injuries also require costly reconstructive surgery, which may not be completely covered by health insurance. Our experienced Los Angeles burn injury attorneys can be the difference between you receiving fair compensation for your injuries or having to go it alone. Please call 1-866-554-4658 for a free consultation.