Same Plane, Same Freeway, Different Outcome

A small plane that made headlines when it landed safely on a Southern California freeway 16 years ago crashed on the same stretch of road Saturday, slamming into a car and killing a passenger in the backseat of the vehicle. Five other people were injured, including the pilot and a passenger aboard the plane.

According to witnesses, the single-engine, two-seat Lancair IV plane appeared to be having issues before turning sharply and coming down on Interstate 15, about 50 miles north of San Diego. One man said he didn't hear the plane's engine as it passed overhead.

The driver of the auto had pulled over to synchronize his Bluetooth when the plane crash landed on the freeway, sliding 250 feet and slamming into the back of his Nissan. The impact pushed the rear bumper nearly all the way into the back seat of the vehicle. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) said there was no evidence landing gear was deployed; it appears the plane had mechanical problems. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are investigating the crash; officials said it is unclear whether there was a black box on the plane.

Interstate 15 is a popular route for flying because there are fewer flight restrictions than along the Interstate 5 corridor, but the fly zone has had its fair share of emergency landings. That same stretch of highway has been the site of several similar incidents in the past, according to CHP Officer Chris Parent. Matt Nokes, a former MLB player and original owner of the Lancair IV, was piloting the plane on its second flight in February 2000 when the engine quit and he safely landed on the busy freeway. According to Nokes, a fuel problem led to that crash, but he never learned what caused the problem. Nokes went on to fly the plane regularly before selling it in 2004. Dennis Hogge, the pilot in the recent crash, is the plane’s registered owner, although FAA records show the plane’s registration had expired.

Did pilot error cause or contribute to the accident? Was there a mechanical problem, known or unknown? Was the aircraft properly maintained and inspected? If investigators determine that this accident resulted from defective equipment or poor maintenance, the owner of the plane, parts manufacturers, and/or inspectors could be held liable.

Aircraft accidents lawsuits can typically take years before a verdict or settlement is reached. Lawsuit Financial understands that when bills pile up, waiting for a fair settlement may be difficult. Accepting a less-than-favorable settlement may appear the best solution to move on as quickly as possible and maintain financial responsibilities. For this reason, pre-settlement litigation funding has become a better alternative to may paying the mortgage, car payments, and other necessary expenses, such as medical expenses and funeral and burial costs.

Litigation funding is money given in advance of an expected settlement or jury verdict; funding is strictly based on the strength and merits of the case. The funding application takes less than five minutes to complete and requires no credit check or employment history, no upfront fees or costs, and not monthly payments. Once a case is approved for funding, the cash advance can be sent by check or wire within 24-48 hours. Most importantly, the money is provided on a non-recourse basis, meaning if the case is lost the repayment is completely waived.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an airplane accident, you may be entitled to compensation for damages. Lawsuit Financial Corporation has more combined litigation and litigation funding experience than any other company in the lawsuit finance marketplace. We work fast to approve your funding application because we know time is of the essence. Contact us today to learn more or to apply for immediate financial relief. We can be reached via our website or by calling 1-877-377-SUIT (7848).

When a Plaintiff Faces Pressing Financial Issues, Pre-Settlement Lawsuit Funding Can Help

In a country rather famous for being litigious, it still seems that a valuable service for cash-strapped plaintiffs is still relatively unknown.  It’s called pre-settlement lawsuit funding.

When a lawsuit takes months, even years to settle, a plaintiff may face financial difficulty. While some may have access to resources that would keep them stable until a case is settled, not everyone is that fortunate. For those victims, how will the bills get paid, and who will pay them?

Here is how pre-settlement lawsuit funding works. A company buys an interest in a pending meritorious lawsuit by providing a cash advance to the plaintiff. This cash advance, plus interest, is then paid back if, and when, the plaintiff wins their case. If the case is lost, the repayment is waived.

Most companies require documentation to review an application for funding, though there can be a substantial difference in the amount of paperwork required. Lawsuit Financial requires a completed one-page application and minimal case documentation from your attorney. For example, in an auto accident case, your attorney would submit the completed one page questionnaire along with a police report, proof of insurance and policy limits, and medical documentation limited to a description of the injury and its relationship to the accident. Once received, we can typically review your case and have a funding decision within 24 hours. Upon approval and contract execution, the cash advance can be wired directly into your bank account or sent via overnight mail.

Pre-settlement lawsuit funding is not a perfect solution and it is not for everyone. While it is not a process to take lightly, it merits your consideration in the right strategic situation. If you are already having a difficult time making ends meet, leveraging our legal funding can take away the financial distress so you can pursue your case to its just conclusion without worrying that you have to settle your case just to pay your bills.

Lawsuit Financial is dedicated to getting you the money you need when you need it the most and our customer service is second to none. Call us today for a free, no-obligation consultation and see how we may be able to help you and your case.

Plaintiffs of Drunk Driving Accidents Secure Financial Stability with Lawsuit Funding

Drunk drivers cause accidents every year, thousands resulting in the death for innocent victims. If you or someone you love has been involved in a drunk driver accident, you know how devastating it can be. While healing from your injuries or loss, you may be waiting for a lawsuit to settle, but this can take years.  If faced with the burden of bills piling up, you may be able to secure pre-settlement lawsuit funding.

After 3 ½ years, an undisclosed settlement has been reach between a New York doctor and the family of a skateboarder he struck and killed while driving under the influence.

On July 8, 2011, the 18-year-old was riding home from her job at a pizza establishment when she was struck by a BMW driven by the doctor. The force of impact sent the teen flying over the hood of the BMW, before landing on a lawn 150 feet away.  She died at the scene.  The doctor, who was returning home from a golf outing, fled the scene. He later said that he did not realize he hit someone.

The doctor was acquitted of manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident and evidence tampering, but he was convicted of misdemeanor drunken driving and sentenced to the maximum one-year jail term. He was released after serving eight months.

The wrongful death lawsuit filed by the teen’s parents sought damages for the terror and psychic injury they allege their daughter suffered before she was hit, her pain and suffering before she died, and their economic loss as a result of her death. They also sought punitive damages to punish the doctor for his actions that night and discourage others from similar conduct. The suit not only claimed the doctor was driving under the influence, but that he was also texting and traveling partly over the fog line, into the bike lane at more than 50 mph in a 35 mph speed zone before he hit the teen. The defense alleged that the teen was partially to blame for her death as she was texting before the accident and was seen by another motorist crossing the road on her longboard minutes before she was struck and killed.

The plaintiff’s attorney said the undisclosed settlement was worth avoiding years of litigation and appeals.  Additionally, given the wrongful death statute in NY, there are limitations on what a jury can award. Although the family felt there would never be closure in the loss of their child, they did not want to spend another three-to-five years in litigation.

In cases such as this, pre-settlement lawsuit funding can provide emergency cash while waiting for a settlement. It also helps to prevent damage to a plaintiff's credit score. Pre-settlement funding is not a loan; there are no monthly payments or credit checks. In most cases, a lawsuit cash advance can be available within 24 – 48 hours. Best of all, lawsuit funding is a non-recourse cash advance based solely on the merits of a pending lawsuit. It is repaid only upon a successful settlement. If the plaintiff does not receive a favorable cash settlement, he/she need not pay back the cash advanced.

In the right situation, for the right plaintiff, pre-settlement lawsuit funding is clearly a service that plaintiffs and personal injury attorneys should consider at a strategic time in the litigation. Call or visit Lawsuit Financial to learn how litigation funding can help you.

Who Needs Pre-Settlement Lawsuit Funding?

Why does a plaintiff involved in personal injury litigation need pre-settlement funding? Lawsuit cash advances, sometimes called "lawsuit loans," can help serious accident victims who might otherwise have trouble paying mortgage/rent payments, car payments, utility bills, or other living expenses while waiting for their personal injury lawsuit to resolve or a settlement to be reached. Even if the case successfully settles, sometimes the victims don't receive their money for months, even years. Why?  Unlike most people, insurance companies and deep-pocket defendants have all the time and money in the world to wait.

In the past, personal injury victims had no place to turn for immediate financial assistance. Banks and credit unions will not provide loans when an applicant only has potential lawsuit recovery as collateral. A plaintiff who is desperate for immediate cash is not a positive influence during settlement negotiations. Insurance companies know this and will deliberately delay the process hoping a financially-desperate plaintiff will settle too early and for too little.  Today, plaintiffs have another option.  They can level the legal playing field with pre-settlement lawsuit funding.

Lawsuit funding is a cash advance provided before a settlement is reached and paid out.  With cash in hand, plaintiffs are able to pursue their claims until a fair settlement is reached. The only requirements to be eligible are attorney representation and a strong case.  Worried about your credit score or how to make another monthly payment? Worry no more; we do not require a credit check or employment verification, and you pay nothing until your case settles.  Best of all, pre-settlement lawsuit funding is provided on a non-recourse basis meaning that if you lose your case, you owe us nothing!

If you and your family are faced with a huge financial burden during a pending claim, contact Lawsuit Financial.  We may be able to take on your financial burden so you can do not have to settle your case prematurely for less than you deserve.

To learn more about our lawsuit funding services or to apply, complete our online application or call our office at 1- 877-377-7848.