Following the death of a loved one, deciding which Santa Ana wrongful death lawyers would provide the best representation may be your last concern, but the medical and funeral bills associated with such tragedies can overburden any family. Unfortunately, there are countless attorneys in the area and only a small number of them are truly equipped to take a wrongful death case to court. So how do Santa Ana locals find the best representation for themselves and their families? If you can stay as clear-headed as possible and investigate any potential candidates, you are on the right track.

What Makes a Wrongful Death Attorney in Santa Ana Great?

If you have been researching wrongful death attorneys in Santa Ana, you may be feeling as though every attorney on earth has a nearly-perfect success rate. That’s because the majority of attorneys advertising claim that they are successful for over 90% of their clients. This is not a hoax, but how successful they have been, and for what kinds of cases, are key factors in deciding whether that success rate would apply to your case. Lower success rates aren’t always a bad thing; attorneys who feel that their clients deserve more money than is being offered by insurance adjusters may risk taking their client’s case to court. Court is much less reliable than an up-front settlement, which will convince many attorneys to simply avoid trials all together. Since many Santa Ana wrongful death attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, this system may work quite well for them, but not as well for their clients.

Client reviews are important, but how trustworthy is a client review posted on the attorney’s web site? I’m not saying that they are fake reviews, but would you put a bad review on your own website? Search your attorney’s name and reviews through any search engine. Keep in mind that not every review will be a good one, but you will be able to see what kind of general experience they provide. Search your prospects on Lawyers.com as well, they provide reliable reviews for top-notch attorneys.

Wrongful Death Lawyers in Orange County

If you are looking for an experienced attorney, contact a Bisnar and Chase Orange County personal injury lawyer today to take advantage of their free case evaluation. Bisnar and Chase attorneys have a long history of satisfied clients and have obtained millions of dollars for their clients in 2011 alone. Call (866) 990-8787 to get immediate assistance.

Cirila Guzman, 76, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident, which officials say may have involved a suspected drunk driver. According to a news report in The San Gabriel Valley Tribune, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred on January 26, 2012 at the intersection of Foothill Boulevard and Dalton Avenue in Azusa. Guzman suffered major head trauma and died from her injuries.

Police booked the driver, 74-year-old Luis Sanchez, on suspicion of DUI causing injury and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. However, he has been released this week after the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office sent the case back to police for further investigation. Officials are waiting for the results of a blood alcohol test. Officials say they plan to present their case to the DA once more evidence has been gathered.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Cirila Guzman for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were two fatalities and 13 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Azusa. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 179 people died and 4,918 were injured due to pedestrian accidents, during the same year.

Gross Vehicular Manslaughter

Based on this news report, it appears that the driver who struck Guzman may have been under the influence of alcohol. Under California Vehicle Code Section 23152, it is illegal to drive a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. A driver whose act of driving under the influence results in the death of another will likely face vehicular manslaughter charges.

California Penal Code Section 191.5 (a) states: "Gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated is the unlawful killing of a human being without malice aforethought, in the driving of a vehicle, where the driving was in violation of Section 23140, 23152, or 23153 of the Vehicle Code, and the killing was either the proximate result of the commission of an unlawful act, not amounting to a felony, and with gross negligence, or the proximate result of the commission of a lawful act that might produce death, in an unlawful manner, and with gross negligence."

Claim for Compensation

If it is determined that Sanchez was at fault, then, in addition to facing criminal charges, he can be held financially responsible for Guzman's wrongful death. In cases where negligence is involved, the family of a deceased victim can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages. An experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer will advise victims and their families in such cases about their legal rights and options. . For more information about the dangers of driving under the influence, please visit the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) web site at www.madd.org.

Ameen Eric Alfadl-Andreasson, 25, of Ontario, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident after his motorcycle was struck by another vehicle on the 101 Freeway. According to an Associated Press news report, the fatal motorcycle accident occurred during the early morning hours of January 29, 2012 near Hollywood Boulevard. Officials say Alfadl-Andreasson was just south of the Cahuenga Pass when his Kawasaki motorcycle collided with a van. The man who was driving the 2008 Ford E-350 van, a 48-year-old from Istanbul, Turkey, was not cited or arrested. Both, he and his passenger, a 16-year-old girl also from Istanbul, suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Ameen Eric Alfadl-Andreasson for their devastating loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 35 fatalities and 1,248 injuries involving motorcycle accidents in the city of Los Angeles. Countywide, motorcycle accidents claimed 83 lives and injured 2,719 people, during the same year.

What Caused This Crash?

Based on this news report, it is unclear as to how or why this van versus motorcycle collision occurred. There are several questions here. Was the motorcycle rear-ended by the van? Did driver distraction, inattention or excessive speed play a part? Did the driver of the van make an unsafe lane change or an unsafe pass? I trust officials are looking into these and other issues in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.

Fault and Liability

If the van's driver is determined to have been at fault, then, he can be held liable for Alfadl-Andreasson's wrongful death. In cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, the family of a deceased victim can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for damages including medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income and benefits, and loss of love and companionship.

In such cases, victims' families would be well advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of the incident and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to accident victims or their families.

Charles Gerald Jiles, 58, was killed in a San Bernardino car accident after he lost control of his vehicle and crashed. According to a news report in The Press-Enterprise, the fatal car crash occurred along Interstate 15 near the Duncan Canyon Road overpass in Fontana, the afternoon of January 17, 2012. Officials say Jiles was driving a 1995 Buick Park Avenue, which veered and crashed into a support pole for a Caltrans message sign. Jiles was transported to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries shortly after the crash. The cause of the collision remains under investigation.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Charles Gerald Jiles following this tragic car accident. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Fontana Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), Fontana car accidents caused nine fatalities and injured 498 people. During that same year, 223 fatalities and 7,870 injuries occurred involving San Bernardino County car accidents.

What Caused This Crash?

Based on this news account, the cause of the crash is currently under investigation. It is important in these types of accidents to look for answers to a number of questions. Did the vehicle actually veer onto the shoulder and into the sign? If the vehicle did drift onto the shoulder, what caused the car to leave the roadway? Was there an auto defect or mechanical malfunction, which caused or contributed to the crash? Were other vehicles involved in the incident? For example, was the victim forced out of his lane and out of the roadway by another vehicle?

Were there ample posted warnings that there was roadwork ahead or was the signage obstructing the shoulder? Were there cones or other warnings alerting motorists? Did a dangerous roadway condition contribute to the accident? I trust officials are looking into these and other factors in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.

Liability Issues

In such cases, it would be in the best interest of the victim's family to preserve the vehicle intact so it can be examined by an expert for defects, malfunctions and other evidence. Victims' families would be well advised to contact an experienced San Bernardino personal injury lawyer, who will stay on top of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected. If the placement of the sign contributed to the crash, then the governmental entity responsible for that could also be held liable. Under California Government Code Section 911.2, any personal injury or wrongful death claim against a governmental entity must be filed within 180 days of the incident.

Floriene Hamel, 90, of Newbury Park was killed in a Ventura car accident after her car was broadsided by an SUV. According to a news report in The Ventura County Star, the fatal car crash occurred at the intersection of Lynn Road and Ventu Park Road in Thousand Oaks the afternoon of January 16, 2012. Officials say Hamel was preparing to make a left turn when an SUV, driven by 43-year-old Wendy Tovey, struck her. Hamel was killed in the crash and an autopsy is underway to determine the cause of her fatal injuries. Tovey and her seven passengers, all girls about 9 years old, suffered bumps and bruises.

My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Floriene Hamel following this tragic Ventura County car accident. My thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time. I also wish the others who were injured the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Ventura County Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), four people were killed and 597 were injured in Thousand Oaks car accidents. During that same year, there were 57 fatalities and 3,421 injuries reported as a result of car accidents in Ventura County.

What Caused This Tragic Accident?

Based on this news report, the cause of this fatal collision remains under investigation. There are many questions that I trust investigators are asking in this case. Was the driver of the SUV distracted by the seven young occupants in her vehicle? Officials have ruled out alcohol or speed, but was the driver of the SUV negligent in some other way? From which direction was the victim's vehicle struck? I trust officials are looking into these and other issues in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.

Liability Issues

If it is determined that the driver of the SUV was driving negligently at the time of the accident, she may be held liable for Hamel's wrongful death. The family of a deceased car accident victim would be well advised to speak with an experienced Ventura personal injury lawyer who will analyze all aspects of the incident and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.

One woman was killed and six others were injured in a Los Angeles car accident after two vehicles collided at a street intersection, the night of January 3, 2012. According to a news report in The Southgate Patch, the fatal crash occurred at the intersection of Alondra Boulevard and Harris Avenue in Compton, when a Ford Excursion SUV hit a car carrying two women and four children. Firefighters had to use the Jaws of Life to extricate one woman from the wreckage. Another woman, who was a passenger in the back seat of the car, was transported to a hospital in Lynwood, where she died from her injuries. Six others, including the four children, were transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. Officials tested the male driver of the Ford SUV to determine if he was under the influence. An investigation is ongoing.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased woman. My thoughts and prayers are also with the injured victims of this crash. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were eight fatalities and 369 injuries involving Compton car accidents. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 554 people died and 50,817 were injured in car accidents, during the same year.

Was This a DUI Collision?

Based on this news report, the circumstances of the crash are not yet clear. Officials are still in the process of testing the driver of the Ford SUV to determine if he was under the influence. It is against California law to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. According to California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a): "It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle." A driver whose act of driving under the influence results in the death of another will likely face vehicular manslaughter charges under California Penal Code Section 191.5 (a).

Protecting Victims' Rights

In such cases where negligence or wrongdoing may be involved, families of deceased victims and injured victims would be well advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will stay on top of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected. Victims' families may file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault motorist seeking compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages.

Betty Dietz, 65, of Westminster, was killed in a pedestrian accident after she was struck by a trash truck in a residential neighborhood, the afternoon of December 29, 2011. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred in the 9000 block of Madison Avenue near Magnolia Street in Westminster. Police say the woman had forgotten to put some trash out and was trying to flag down the driver when she was hit. The driver of the Midway City Sanitary District did not see her and ran over her. Dietz was transported to an area hospital where she died from her injuries.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Betty Dietz for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), one person died and 24 were injured as a result of pedestrian accidents in Westminster. During the same year, four fatalities and 465 injuries were reported due to Westminster car accidents. In Orange County as a whole, 141 people died and 13,373 were injured as a result of car accidents in 2009.

Causes and Compensation Issues

Based on this news report, it is unclear as to why this accident occurred. There are several questions here. Did the woman run in front of the trash truck? Was the trash truck driver distracted or negligent at the time? Was the truck driver traveling at an unsafe rate of speed? I trust officials are looking into these and other factors in order to determine precisely why this accident occurred.

If the trash truck driver is determined to have been at fault, he and his employer can be held liable for Dietz's wrongful death. In cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased accident victims can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for damages including medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages.

Families of deceased victims in such cases would be well advised to contact an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer, who will stay abreast of the official investigation and make sure that their legal rights and best interests are protected. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to truck accident victims or their families.

Kenneth Deckard, 48, was killed in a San Bernardino car accident after losing control of his car and crashing into a light pole. According to a news report in The San Bernardino County Sun, the fatal collision occurred near the intersection of Redlands Boulevard and Highland Avenue in Redlands, the evening of December 19, 2011. Police say Deckard was driving a 1995 Buick LeSabre when for some reason the car collided with the pole. No one else was involved. An investigation is ongoing.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Kenneth Deckard for their tragic and heartbreaking loss.

San Bernardino County Car Accidents

According to California Highway Patrol's 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were five fatalities and 467 injuries involving car accidents in Redlands. In San Bernardino County as a whole, 223 people died and 7,873 were injured due to car accidents during the same year.

What Caused This Fatal Collision?

Based on this news report, it is unclear as to what caused Deckard to lose control of the vehicle and crash into the pole. There are several unanswered questions here. Was there an auto defect or mechanical malfunction in the vehicle that may have caused it to go out of control? Were any other vehicles involved in this incident? For example, did Deckard's Buick get cut off by another car? Was there anything about the placement of the pole that made it dangerous or created a dangerous condition for motorists on that roadway? I trust officials are looking into these and other issues in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.

Liability Issues

In such cases, it would be in the best interests of victims' families to preserve the vehicle in its current condition so an expert can examine it thoroughly for any evidence of defects or malfunctions. If a dangerous roadway caused the accident, then, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway can also be held liable. Under California Government Code Section 911.2, any personal injury or wrongful death claim against a governmental entity must be filed within 180 days of the incident. An experienced San Bernardino personal injury lawyer will be able to better advise victims or their families about their legal rights and options.

One person was killed and another was critically injured in a Riverside car accident during the early morning hours of December 18, 2011. According to a KPSP news report, the car crash occurred on Harrison Street and Avenue 50 in Coachella. Officials are trying to determine what led to this single-vehicle accident. Both occupants were trapped inside the vehicle and had to be freed by emergency crews. One of the victims died at the scene and the other was taken by helicopter with critical injuries to an area trauma center.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of the fatally injured victim of this tragic accident. My thoughts and prayers are also with the critically injured victim. I wish the person the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Riverside Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), five people were killed and 59 were injured in Coachella car accidents. During that same year, there were 203 fatalities and 7,974 injuries reported as a result of Riverside County car accidents.

What Caused This Single-Vehicle Crash?

Based on this news report, the cause of this accident is currently under investigation. There are still several unanswered questions that remain here. Did an auto defect or mechanical malfunction cause or contribute to this fatal incident? Was the driver exceeding the speed limit before losing control? The crash occurred shortly after midnight. Was the driver fatigued or distracted? Was another vehicle involved? Did a dangerous roadway condition contribute to the accident? I trust investigators are looking into these and other factors in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.

Liability Issues

If the driver is determined to have been at fault in this case, he or she can be held liable for the passenger's injuries or wrongful death. If a vehicle defect caused this crash, then, the auto maker or the manufacturer of the defective product can be held liable. In such cases, it would be in the best interests of the victim's family members to preserve the vehicle intact so an expert can thoroughly examine it for product defects, malfunctions and other evidence. An experienced Riverside personal injury lawyer will better advise victims and their families about their legal rights and options.

Lidia Carranza, 22, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident after she was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street. According to a report in the Los Angeles Daily News, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred early morning on December 14, 2011 at the intersection of Polk Street and San Fernando Road in Sylmar. Carranza was transported to an area hospital where she died about five hours after the incident. Officials are investigating the cause of this fatal accident.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Lidia Carranza for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), pedestrian accidents in Los Angeles claimed 82 lives and caused 2,630 injuries. Countywide, 179 people died and 4,918 were injured as a result of pedestrian accidents, during the same year.

Right-of-Way Issues

Based on this news report, this accident occurred at an intersection where there are marked crosswalks. Under California law, motorists are required to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians walking in marked or unmarked crosswalks.

California Vehicle Code Section 21950 states: "The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection." The same section also states that the driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian within any marked or unmarked crosswalk "shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of a vehicle or take any other action relating to the operating of the vehicle as necessary to safeguard the safety of the pedestrian."

Fault and Liability

I trust officials are looking into whether the driver involved in this accident was under the influence, distracted, inattentive, speeding or otherwise negligent at the time. If the driver is determined to have been at fault, then, he or she can be held liable for the victim's wrongful death. An experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer will also be able to determine whether a dangerous condition on the roadway caused or contributed to the incident. If that was the case, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway can be held liable. Under California Government Code Section 911.2, any personal injury or wrongful death claim against a governmental entity must be filed within six months of the incident.