Manhattan Beach Personal Injury Law Blog

Mother files lawsuit for death of teen son in car crash

On behalf of Sullivan & Sullivan posted in car accidents on Wednesday, April 18, 2018.

If someone you love is killed in a car accident, there are many things that will go through your mind. You may be in charge of a funeral, have to focus on financial concerns or suddenly find yourself shouldered with medical bills. You know that the person responsible for the crash should have insurance and that the insurance should cover any expenses caused by your loved one's death. However, did you know that you may also be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against third parties such as the city for damaged roadways or 911 operators for failing to give a driver accurate instructions?

That's what's happening in this case, where a mother has decided to file a wrongful death lawsuit that could affect several parties. The mother of a student killed in a crash has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the drivers who have been charged with the teen's death. The teen, only 16 at the time of his death, was killed when his family's vehicle was struck by a northbound SUV and Audi A6 as they raced through a red light at the intersection. The teen was killed, and his father was seriously wounded.

Man sues Uber for collision that resulted in amputation

On behalf of Sullivan & Sullivan posted in auto-pedestrian accidents on Wednesday, April 18, 2018.

Helping another person should never put you in harm's way, but if it does, it can mean pain and suffering for you and the need to pursue legal action. That's what's happening in this case out of California. According to the news, the man lost both his legs after he helped a driver push a vehicle off the freeway.

The 23-year-old man claims that Uber is responsible for the accident that resulted in a double amputation. He had taken Uber to travel when the vehicle ran out of gas. Kindly, he offered to help his driver push the vehicle off to the side of the road. While doing so, another vehicle collided with them, resulting in his injuries.

California Highway Patrol fighting to make the highways safer

On behalf of Sullivan & Sullivan posted in motorcycle accidents on Tuesday, April 3, 2018.

For the most part, motorcyclists are at risk on the roads because of other people. Larger vehicles take up more space and make the drivers feel safe and secure, so they aren't always as cautious about what's around them. This leads to crashes that can cause serious injuries or death.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has been struggling with finding ways to make the roadways in California safer. One of the issues it sees is a number of motorcyclists popping wheelies. This is a dangerous act that takes one wheel completely off the road. In other situations, motorcyclists were taking up too much of the road or riding dangerously next to each other in groups. A single event resulted in 17 bikes getting impounded and 99 citations being written.

5 dangers you face when riding a motorcycle on the roads

On behalf of Sullivan & Sullivan posted in blog on Monday, April 2, 2018.

As a motorcyclist, there are many dangers you face on the roads. Some of those dangers put you at risk of getting into a crash or being hit by another vehicle. In your position, the best thing you can do is know what hazards you face and do what you can to mitigate them.

Even though a number of motorcycle crashes are not a result of motorcyclists making errors, the truth is that it may be up to you to prevent a crash and to avoid a collision caused by another person's mistakes. Here are five common dangers you could face and tips for avoiding a crash.

Stop signs could be a cause of crashes in the United States

On behalf of Sullivan & Sullivan posted in auto-pedestrian accidents on Tuesday, March 27, 2018.

Stop signs are an important part of traffic regulation. They are placed at intersections and in dangerous areas, so people know to come to a stop before continuing on. The goal is to give people a chance to stop, look and continue on safely.

Did you know, though, that stop signs may actually be endangering people in the United States? According to a 2016 report, the United States has the worst traffic death figures among the major developed nations. One of the reasons for this could be due to the stop sign.

Using the right car seat helps prevent fatal injuries

On behalf of Sullivan & Sullivan posted in serious and fatal injuries on Thursday, March 22, 2018.

Car accidents are a leading cause of injuries during childhood. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that many of the incidents that take place could be prevented, including injuries that result from the improper use of car seats. To help prevent injuries, the CDC recommends using the appropriate car seat for your child based on age, weight and height. No matter how short a trip is, make sure your child is always restrained properly. Many accidents happen close to home.

Another good way to keep your kids safe in a crash is to put them in a seat that is away from airbags. The middle seat in the back is the safest place in the vehicle, especially when using a rear-facing car seat. Children who are 5 or older should be using a booster seat until they're big enough to sit in a seat with a belt that fits across their laps and shoulders appropriately.

Black boxes help prove negligence in trucking cases

On behalf of Sullivan & Sullivan posted in truck accidents on Thursday, March 15, 2018.

After a truck accident, one thing that could help your case is if you can obtain the black box from the truck. Commercial vehicles have a black box that records what happens throughout the day. These Electronic Control Modules (EMCs) collect data on the truck's operations including speed, time driven, RPMs, seat belt usage, idling time and other important data.

While these devices weren't originally intended to help victims of trucking accidents, they are doing just that. However, it's necessary for attorneys to move quickly if they want to get this data. It deletes itself on a 30-day cycle in most current models, but the data may delete sooner in older models. As time passes, the likelihood of obtaining helpful data decreases.

Motorcyclists: Safety gear helps protect you on the roads

On behalf of Sullivan & Sullivan posted in blog on Wednesday, March 14, 2018.

California is an exciting place to ride. There are curving roadways, straightaways and open roads where you can get up to speed and enjoy the feeling of freedom.

There are also many problem areas, though, throughout California. Riding a motorcycle has always been, and likely always will be, more dangerous than using a passenger vehicle.

Know your rights after a motorcycle crash

On behalf of Sullivan & Sullivan posted in motorcycle accidents on Friday, March 9, 2018.

Motorcycle accidents happen for many reasons, but when it comes down to it, it's normally human error that is the main factor. If you're riding a motorcycle and are hit, the last thing on your mind at that moment is a lawsuit. You just want to survive and get better. You want the driver who hit you to be held responsible.

It's important to understand your rights when an accident happens. There are some cases where fault is obvious, but others aren't as clear. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

Understand the many causes of a motorcycle accident

On behalf of Sullivan & Sullivan posted in blog on Sunday, March 4, 2018.

There is no better feeling than hopping on your motorcycle, hitting the open road and enjoying your ride. It doesn't matter if you're riding for a few minutes or several hours, you're sure to have a smile on your face as motorcycle enthusiasts thrive in the warmer weather common in Manhattan Beach.

Unfortunately, there are times when joy turns to pain as the result of an accident.