Personal Injury Blog
3 Killed In Helicopter Crash Near Acton
Three people have been killed in a helicopter crash during a reality film shoot in northern Los Angeles County.
The crash is reported to have occurred about 3:40 a.m., Sunday, February 10, 2013. Everyone on board the helicopter is reported to have died. The Los Angeles County Coroner has identified the victims as pilot David Gibbs, 59, of Valencia, 46-year-old Darren Rydstrom, of Whittier, and Michael Donatelli, 45, of Pennsylvania.
This tragic incident occurred on the Polsa Rosa ranch in the 5700 block of Soledad Canyon Road, whcih is southwest of Acton, California.
The Hamideh Firm P.C. sends our heartfelt condolencenes to the families of the victims of this tragedy.
Tags: Acton Helicopter Crash Accident, Film Shoot Helicopter Crash, Acton Helicopter Crash Lawyer, Helicopter Crash Attorney
California Tour Bus Crash Due to Failed Braked Kills At Least 7 People And Injures Dozens
YUCAIPA, Calif. — A Scapadas Magicas tour bus full of people returning from Big Bear to Tijuana, Mexico was involved in a horrific bus crash. Just prior to the Scapadas Magicas tour bus crashing, the bus driver yelled that the brakes had failed.
Passengers on the Scapadas Magicas tour bus screamed and shrieked as they tried to call 911 while the bus careened out of control. The Scapadas Magicas bus hit the back of a Saturn sedan, flipped, and landed on its side after sliding down the road. A Ford pick-up truck from the opposite lane hit the bus head-on.
This tragic bus accident resulted in at least 7 people killed and approximately 3 dozen injured. The Scapadas Magicas bus accident took place 80 miles east of Los Angeles.
The Hamideh Firm, P.C.'s lawyers sends our deepest condolences go to the families of the deceased. The deceased included:
Victor Cabrera-Garcia, 13-year-old, from San Diego
Elvira Garcia Jimenez, 40-years-old, from San Diego
Guadalupe Olivas, 61-years-old, from San Diego
Aleida Adriana Arce Hernandez, 38-years-old, from Tijuana, Mexico
Rubicelia Escobedo Flores, 34-years-old, from Tijuana, Mexico
Mario Garcia Santoyo, 32-years-old, from Tijuana, Mexico
The deceased victims were confirmed by the San Bernardino County coroner's supervisor Tony Campisi.
Government records showed the bus, operated by Scapadas Magicas LLC of National City, Calif., recorded 22 safety violations in inspections in the year ending last October — including brake, windshield and tire problems. Though the company retained an overall "satisfactory" rating from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration it had been targeted for a higher rate of inspections linked to bus maintenance, the agency said.
The National Transportation Safety Board sent a team to the scene to help in the investigation, which will determine if mechanical failure or driver error was to blame. The driver, Norberto B. Perez, approximately 52, of San Ysidro, was injured but before going to the hospital told authorities the vehicle had brake problems.
The bus was returning to Tijuana on State Route 38, a two-lane highway that meanders through San Bernardino National Forest, when the accident occurred around 6:30 p.m.
The crash littered Route 38 with body parts, winter clothing, and debris. The bus stood across both lanes with its windows blown out, front end crushed and part of the roof peeled back like a tin can.
At least 17 people were still hospitalized Monday, including at least five in critical condition.
Scapadas Magicas has not yet responded to requests for comment.
There were 38 people aboard the bus that crashed, including the driver and a tour guide. The bus left Tijuana at 5 a.m. Sunday, with the itinerary calling for a return late that night.
The Hamideh Firm, P.C.'s lawyers send our heart-felt condolences to the victims and the victims' families.
Tags: Scapadas Magicas, Lawyer, Bus Accident, Bus Crash, Scapadas Magicas Lawyer
California Law Will Aid Injured Athletes
10/05/12
California will become the first state to mandate financial protections for student athletes who suffer career-ending injuries in some of the state's top college sports programs under a bill Gov. Jerry Brown announced signing Thursday.
SB1525 protects athletes at the four universities that receive more than $10 million annually in sports media revenue — the University of Southern California, UCLA, Berkeley, and Stanford. They will have to give academic scholarships to students who lose their athletic scholarships if they are injured while playing their sport. They also will have to cover insurance deductibles and pay health care premiums for low-income athletes, among other provisions.
The legislation requires the universities to pay future medical costs for on-the-field injuries, providing student-athletes with the kind of guarantees that even some professional athletes don't receive.
"Neither personal injury nor poverty should dim the dreams of a student-athlete pursuing a college degree, particularly when their performance has enriched their college." Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Los Angeles, said in a statement.
Of the four schools, only Stanford objected to the final version of the bill, saying it is unfair to include only the top money-generating universities. Padilla said his bill eventually could affect San Diego State University, as well, because it recently switched to a different conference with more lucrative television rights.
His legislation was one of several higher education bills the governor announced signing.
Another, AB970, would require the University of California and California State University systems to provide public notice and consult with students before raising tuition.