Three Dead, Two Injured after Small Plane Crashes into California Homes

Three people are dead and two others injured after a Cessna 310 plane crashed into two Southern California homes.

The plane was carrying a couple from San Jose and three teenagers who were on their way home from a cheerleading competition at Disneyland. All victims were onboard the plane at the time of the crash. One of the teenagers was thrown from a back seat on impact; she suffered minor injuries. She was treated and released from an area hospital. Firefighters pulled another passenger from one of the burning homes. That victim was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. The three deceased were found in the combined wreckage of the aircraft and the homes. No homeowners were injured.

The plane was broken into hundreds of pieces, its propeller sitting on the roof of a nearby home, and the fire burning with jet fuel was still ablaze several hours after the crash. The two homes that were directly hit burned to the ground; neighboring homes suffered minor damage. Debris was scattered across front lawns, landing as far as a half-mile away, according to reports.

The crash will be investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Determining the cause(s) may take years to unfold.

There are a host of different reasons this fatal crash could have happened. It could have been due to pilot error. It could have been caused by a mechanical problem, known or unknown.  It could have been due to the failure to properly maintain and inspect the aircraft.  It could have been the result of a defective product.

No matter how this investigation concludes, victims should seek legal advice from an experienced attorney as soon as possible. They may be able to receive compensation for serious injuries and wrongful deaths, as well as damages for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical bills, funeral expenses, and other damages.

Once a lawsuit is filed, if the victims are suffering immediate financial problems, Lawsuit Financial can provide immediate financial assistance. This service, known as lawsuit funding, helps plaintiffs pay necessary bills and expenses during the litigation process.

It is easy to apply for this lawsuit cash advance online or by phone and there are no costs or fees associated with the application. There are also no monthly payments, credit checks, or employment verification. If approved, the lawsuit cash advance would arrive within 24-48 hours by check or by wire. Repayment is contingent upon the outcome of the case; if the plaintiff loses their case, the lawsuit cash advance is waived in its entirety. Where else can you obtain a “risk-free lawsuit loan”?

About Lawsuit Financial
Lawsuit Financial Corporation is a pro-justice lawsuit funding company that seeks to educate plaintiffs and attorneys about lawsuit funding. Our company is an attorney owned and operated full service legal finance company recognized by attorneys nationwide as a preferred choice for legal funding services. Mark Bello, CEO and General Counsel, is recognized as an expert in this field, both as an underwriter of these transactions and as an advocate for appropriate treatment of plaintiffs/clients in this industry and in litigation. For more information, visit www.lawsuitfinancial.com.

Investigators Say Trucker Fatigue and Meth Use Likely Cause of Crash That Left Six Dead

Fatigued driving has become an epidemic. Those most likely to drive while drowsy or fatigued are commercial truck drivers, cab drivers, and late-night shift workers.

A crash on a Tennessee highway that left six people dead last year was probably due to a fatigued truck driver who had taken methamphetamine to stay awake, according to a recent report by federal investigators.

On June 25, 2015, a tractor trailer failed to slow down in a construction zone and plowed into multiple vehicles on Interstate 75, killing six and injuring six others. Investigators said the trucker was traveling approximately 80 mph despite ample warnings that he was approaching a construction zone with a 55-mph limit. There was no indication of heavy braking or that he tried to take evasive action before causing the crash.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) also cited a failure in the trucking company’s employee screening process which would have shown that the driver had been fired from a previous trucking job two years earlier because of illegal drug use. The trucker even tested positive for meth less than three months prior to the crash, under a separate court order. The agency also found that the truck driver had likely gone without sustained rest for 40 hours before the crash. He was indicted on six counts of vehicular homicide, four counts of reckless aggravated assault, driving under the influence of narcotics, speeding and making false reports about his duty status.

At least two lawsuits have been filed against the truck driver and his employer alleging that the crash happened as a result of “their reckless and grossly negligent actions.” The complaints also allege that the trucker had a pattern of dangerous behavior prior to the deadly crash. Just a day prior, he was cited for careless driving in Florida after sideswiping another truck. Additionally, he did not submit a drug test after the Florida crash, a requirement under the Federal Motor Carrier Association, according to the claims.

While the lawsuits will help compensated victims for their loss, attorneys for the plaintiffs hope these claims will enforce stricter guidelines involving commercial truck drivers, so that such a tragic crash does not happen again. That will surely take time, just as it will to achieve a settlement in these cases.

The financial strain during times like this not only seriously impacts your life, it also impacts your case. A financially desperate plaintiff is not in a favorable position regarding settlement negotiations. If you are in need of a cash flow solution during the litigation process, lawsuit funding may be a viable option.

Lawsuit Financial Corporation helps provide legal finance cash flow solutions and consulting when necessities of life litigation funding is needed by plaintiffs involved in pending, personal injury litigation. With a lawsuit cash advance, you have a strategic advantage; litigation funding gives you leverage against the insurance company and prevents you from being forced to take inadequate offers. With the financial pressure removed, there is no need to resolve any case for less than the full value of your injuries.

Lawsuit Financial is a leader in providing auto accident lawsuit funding. Call us today for a complimentary evaluation of your case. Applications can be completed in less than 5 minutes, and require not upfront fees, credit reports, or employment verification. Funding decisions are often made within 24 – 48 hours. Best of all, repayment is made only when you successfully settle your case.

We also want to urge everyone to be mindful of fatigue and not drive. Eliminating this risk will go a long way to preventing serious and fatal auto accidents.

Recent Medical Helicopter Crash Shows Fatality Rate Still Troubling

A LifeFlight helicopter crashed about 80 miles south of Montgomery, Alabama, killing all four people on board. According to reports, the helicopter had been called after a motorist struck a ditch and a utility pole in a one-car vehicle crash about 11 p.m. Shortly after picking up the patient, the chopper crashed in a heavily wooded area. Although the helicopter was reported missing about 12:15 a.m., the wreckage wasn’t discovered for nearly seven hours later, about a half-mile from the scene of the vehicle crash. All four people on board the helicopter -- pilot, flight nurse flight medic, and patient were killed. An investigation is ongoing, but poor weather conditions will be one area of focus; conditions were reportedly foggy with low visibility at the time of the crash.

Medical helicopters are supposed to save lives, not take them. Factors contributing to medical helicopter accidents can also be the result of a mechanical failure or pilot error. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), they are frequently caused by pilot loss of control when operating in low light or low visibility conditions such night in rain, for, or snow. Because medical helicopters operate in close proximity to the ground, the probability of a crash increases dramatically once the pilot loses visual references. In January 2006, the NTSB recommended night vision goggles and a Terrain Awareness Warning Systems (TAWS) be installed on all medevac helicopters. A computer screen in the cockpit would provide visual and aural warnings when the helicopter is in danger of crashing into the ground or obstacles, even at night or in severe weather with limited visibility. The warnings allow the pilot to take evasive action to keep the crew and passengers safe. Of the 55 crashes reviewed in the NTSB report, night-vision goggles may have prevented 13; TAWS might have prevented another 17.

It wasn’t until February 2014, that the Federal Aviation Administration, which oversees air ambulance companies, issued a final ruling. By 2017, medical helicopters must use the latest on-board technology and equipment to avoid terrain and obstacles, and by 2018, they must be equipped with flight data monitoring systems. The FAA examined helicopter air ambulance accidents from 1991 through 2010 and determined 62 accidents that claimed 125 lives could have been mitigated by the rule. It is unknown at this time whether the LifeFlight helicopter was equipped with TAWS. Even beyond safety equipment and other changes under the new FAA ruling, operators must invest in training pilots and quality improvement measures.

Regardless of the new rules, not all air ambulance accidents can be prevented. Trial lawyers can help families in the aftermath of a tragic loss and hold negligent companies responsible for the harm they caused. An attorney will not only look at pilot error and possible mechanical failure, but also whether the warning system was aboard the medical helicopter. Also to be considered is whether the flight was medically necessary? Studies have shown that many missions undertaken by helicopter ambulances are medically unnecessary and expose the patient and crew to inappropriate and unwarranted risks.

In any event, it will likely take several months or as much as a year or longer for the NTSB to determine the cause of the crash,” according to Peter Knudson, a spokesman for the NTSB, delaying any lawsuits from reaching a settlement. In the meantime, lawsuit funding can help families of these victims get through the litigation process without having pressing bills and expenses effect the value of their case. A one-page application is all that is needed to get started. There is no need for a credit check or employment verification. When the lawsuit successfully settles, repayment of the cash advance is made from the case proceeds. If the case fails, the repayment is waived. Funding decisions are usually made within 24 – 48 hours of receiving case documentation. If you find yourself running short on money while your lawsuit is pending and you await justice, call Lawsuit Financial, toll free, at 1-877-377-SUIT (7848) for a free analysis of your case funding situation.

NTSB Preliminary Findings: Air Traffic Controller Sent Pilot to Nonexistent Landing Strip

It is difficult enough to suffer a life changing injury or the death of a loved from an airplane accident; the last thing victims should have to worry about is their finances. For those victims needing money now, a pre-settlement funding is a viable option.

A preliminary report by National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that the pilot killed when his plane crashed at a railroad crossing was directed by an air traffic controller to land on a nonexistent runway.

According to reports, the pilot started experiencing mechanical difficulties shortly after take-off. He radioed the Republic Airport in Farmingdale stating he was having altitude difficulties and needed to take down the Beechcraft C35 plane, but did not think he could make it to Republic. An air traffic controller provided information about a "Bethpage strip," the site of a former airport associated with defense contractor Northrup Grumman. Although the airport was closed, the controller said there was a usable runway still there. The next several transmissions revealed that the pilot could not find the landing strip and was being guided by the controller until all communications ceased. The plane's engine stalled and the aircraft went down striking the railroad crossing signal before bursting into flames. It is a miracle that a passenger survived the crash. The investigation found that the airport closed in 1990 and industrial buildings now occupy the former runway. The pilot is survived by his wife and three sons.

While the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) continue their investigation, including trying to determine why the pilot lost altitude and the plane stalled, the family of the pilot and the injured passenger may wish to consult an experienced aviation attorney.

Aircraft accidents lawsuits can typically take several years before a verdict or settlement is reached, leaving families struggling to pay mortgage payments, car payments, groceries, tuition and other necessary expenses caused by death or serious injury. Many will turn to an experienced lawsuit funding company for the financial assistance.

At Lawsuit Financial, we look only at the value and quality of the lawsuit for collateral. Therefore, there is no need for a credit check or employment history, no upfront fees or costs, and no monthly payment. Once an applicant is approved, the cash advance can be sent by check or wire, within 24-48 hours. More importantly, funding is provided on a non-recourse basis. This means if the case is lost, repayment of the cash advance is completely waived.

Lawsuit Financial Corporation has more combined litigation and litigation funding experience than any other company in the lawsuit finance marketplace. Contact us for a free, no-obligation analysis of your case or to apply for immediate financial relief.

About Us
Lawsuit Financial Corporation is a leader in the lawsuit funding industry and recognized by attorneys nationwide as a preferred choice for legal funding services. We are dedicated to securing lawsuit cash advances to plaintiffs based on case assessment only. Every case is thoroughly reviewed to ensure the highest probability of being funded. With a streamlined process, our professional staff works to ensure that each request for funding is processed quickly and efficiently, with funding available in as little as 24 hours. Lawsuit Financial prides itself on honest and exceptional customer service. Putting our clients, and their specific funding needs, first is our number one goal.

Weight and Balance Issues Appear to Be Cause of Tragic Aircraft Accident

Airplane accidents are rare, but when they happen they usually cause serious injuries or death. If you or a loved one has been involved in an airplane accident, you may be entitled to compensation for damages. A lawsuit is not about the money; it’s about justice. It will also assure the industry is held to its responsibility to navigate their craft safely. Unfortunately, litigation in cases like this can take years to settle. It is difficult enough to suffer the loss of a loved one in an airplane accident; the last thing victims should have to worry about is their finances. For victims needing immediate financial relieve, pre-settlement lawsuit funding is a viable option.

Results of the investigation into a July 2013 plane crash in Soldotna, Alaska are expected to be released later this month, but the National Transportation Safety Board has suggested the weight distribution on the plane caused it to stall just 11 seconds after takeoff. They also said the plane was probably slightly overloaded and unbalanced. The de Havilland DHC-3 Otter aircraft operated by Nikiski-based Rediske Air crashed and became engulfed in flames upon takeoff. All ten people on board died – the pilot and two Greenville, S.C., families headed on an overnight trip to Bear Mountain Lodge, about 90 miles southwest of Soldotna. It was the worst aviation accident in Alaska in at least 25 years. Rediske Air is registered to the deceased pilot and his sister.

The two families were to fly in two of Rediske Air’s smaller planes, but the pilot then decided to use the Otter so the group could fly together on one plane. Bear Mountain Lodge’s operator asked Rediske Air to bring groceries and supplies and delivered the goods to the air charter’s base in Nikiski. According to a NTSB, the weight of the passengers and supplies put the plane near its 8,000 pound capacity.

A NTSB weight and balance study suggests that the plane may have been loaded tail heavy. The center of gravity likely was several inches too far to the rear, or aft, of the plane. On takeoff, a center of gravity too far aft could have caused the nose to rise higher than usual and the aircraft to stall. “Think of a teeter totter on a playground,” said Mark Madden, a professor of professional piloting at the University of Alaska Anchorage’s Aviation Technology Division. “A kid far enough back on the board can balance a bigger kid. But if the distance is shortened, the little kid loses that advantage.”

A lawsuit has been filed alleging that the nine passengers died because of negligent actions by Rediske, the company that operated the flight. The suit contends that the pilot was at least partially responsible for the crash because he failed to ensure everything was fully in order before takeoff. While there is no requirement that a charter operator of a single-engine plane document weights of cargo, bags and passengers, ultimately the pilot is responsible for ensuring a plane is not overloaded and that the bags and cargo are properly distributed. The targets of the lawsuit include Rediske Air, Inc., Rediske Family Limited Partnership, the estate of Willy Rediske, and JB Leasing Company LLC.

Families like these will often turn to an experienced lawsuit funding company for the financial assistance to get through a long, legal process and to achieve true justice in their cases. Pre-settlement lawsuit funding can help pay the bills and permit the family to wait out the legal process for a fair and equitable settlement or a trial in the case. Lawsuit funding is easy to apply for and personal financial conditions do not matter. There is no need for a credit check or employment history, no upfront fees or costs, and no monthly payment. At Lawsuit Financial, we look only at the value and quality of the lawsuit for collateral. Once an applicant is approved, the cash advance can be sent by check or wire, within 24-48 hours. More importantly, funding is provided on a non-recourse basis. This means if the case is lost, repayment of the cash advance is completely waived.

Contact Lawsuit Financial today to learn more or to apply for immediate financial relief. We can be reached via our website or by calling 1-877-377-7848.