March 29, 2010-According to reports the man that allegedly robed several area banks could face 132 years and was referred to as the “Sport Bike Bandit.” The man identified as Robert Gordon Lockwood of Long Beach has been indicted for the robbery of several area banks in which he used a sport motorcycle as his getaway vehicle, giving him the name “Sports Bike Bandit.”

Motorcycle Bandit arrested

According to the documents indicting Lockwood he allegedly robbed Citibank for $8057, Cal National Bank where he took $3,958 and F& M where he robbed them for $606. The documents also accuse Lockwood of armed robbery, three counts of showing a weapon, assaulting and placing the lives of employees and customers in jeopardy.

The robbery at Citibank at 2250 Bellflower Boulevard on December 15th, on January 26th Cal National Bank located at 5757 Pacific Coast Highway was robbed and Farmers and Merchant Bank at2302 Bellflower Boulevard on March 5th. In the indictment the 51 year old Long Beach resident is accused of carrying a .45-caliber Springfield Army 1911-A1 semi automatic handgun and a Smith and Weson .357 Magnum revolver during the F & M robbery, which he fired.

According to the US Attorneys Office spokesman Thom Mrozek if Lockwood is convicted on all the charges he faces up to 132 years in federal prison. The three robbery counts could equal a maximum sentence of 75 years, and an additional 57 years for the use of a gun during the crime. Mrozek also stated that due to the fact that it is a federal crime Lockwood would have to serve 85 percent of the prison sentence.

The “Sport Bike Bandit, was scheduled to appear on Monday morning in Downtown Los Angeles for arraignment according to Mrozek. Lockwood the owner of a machine shop in Signal Hill was arrested during a robbery when he was tackled by Rich Camp and Long Beach resident David Jones. The men disarmed Lockwood and held him until the Long Beach Police arrived on the scene.

According to witnesses Lockwood entered the bank yelling obscenities and threatening to shoot everyone. He then grabbed a deposit bag from a customer that entered the bank and shoving the man to the floor. According to Camp Lockwood threatened to shoot him, Camp was trapped where the counter separates the customers from the bank employees as Lockwood began going over the divider. Camp jumped on Lockwood’s back as he went over the counter, causing Lockwood to open fire. According to court documents Lockwood shot over his shoulder and between his legs in an attempt to free himself of Camp.

The shots that were fired by Lockwood injured Camp, an elderly woman and himself, but were not life threatening.
Camp a small construction business owner has since filed a lawsuit against the bank that alleges it was not properly secured. The suit claims that the there is a lack of bulletproof partition for bank employees and that the one security guard was socializing in the bank parking lot at the time Lockwood entered the bank.

In this case, instead of a motorcycle lawyer, this “bandit” looks like he’ll be needing a criminal defense lawyer. The “Sport Bike Bandit” who was released from the hospital and transferred into federal custody under armed guard according to the FBI and police, told authorities at the time of his arrest he had robbed the banks because he was deeply in debt. He stated he was unable to pay the mortgage on his East Long Beach home where he and his wife Pamela Lockwood reside.

March 8, 2010-According to reports actor Tom Cruise was involved in a motorcycle accident on Sunday. The accident reported on the Internet according to the actor and his representatives was untrue, the actor has stated on several websites and Twitter that he was not involved in a motorcycle crash. Cruise said he has not been on his bike in two days prior to Sunday’s reported accident due to weather.

The reports online were that Cruise was involved in an accident at approximately 3:00 p.m. on Sunday in Los Angeles in the vicinity of La Cienega and Sherwood Boulevards intersection. The reports went onto state that Cruise was on his red Ducati motorcycle and leaned to the left when his bike slid into a brown SUV after another vehicle ran the stop sign. The report stated there was damage done to the SUV’s back tires and five people helped the actor up and get the bike on its side, which had damage to the gears on the left side.

The bogus report goes on to say that Cruise limped away to sit outside the KOI Restaurant where he made two phone calls and waited for paramedics to arrive. The accident according to reports was told according to two eyewitnesses.

The 47 year old actors publicist Amanda Lundberg has stated Cruise was on involved in an accident, the reports are totally false including that he needed medical attention at a nearby hospital. Motorcycle lawyer Los Angeles, Michael Ehline believes that there is probably no lawsuit for defamation.

Motorcycles are made for fun and accidents severe; this is because there is little protection for the rider or passenger. Helmets are the only protection for the head to protect against severe or deadly head injuries, protective clothing is usually other protection the motorcycle rider has to keep from being injured.

The rider of one of these two wheeled motorized vehicles were involved in an accident do not have the airbags, seatbelts and metal enclosure like the driver of a four wheeled vehicle. This means that in the event of an accident the injuries will be severe or even fatal. Injuries that can be sustained in a motorcycle crash can include broken bones, severe head injuries, gaseous cuts and scrapes.

Motorcycle rider that is involved in a crash and severely injured will lose work, will have mounting medical bills, and possibly need continued ongoing medical care or surgery. This can be devastating to the motorcyclist and their family, not only is it the stress of the injuries but then there is also the financial loss.

Motorcycle accident can occur even when the rider is obeying every rule the road and riding defensively, this is because of several different factors. The first is the motorist four wheeled vehicles have blind spots when turning, to not consider the amount of room the motorcycle needs to be safe on the road and either one of these can cause an accident. The other factors that could be the cause motorcycle accident are debris on the roadway and uneven pavement. Either one of these event that it is unavoidable by the motorcyclist can quickly cause an accident, because motorcycle has two wheels on which balances.

Motorcycles are made for fun and accidents severe, because matter how fast or slow a motorcycle is moving the rider still has very little protection for their body. The motorcycle rider experiences an accident and is injured will need the experience of the Los Angeles motorcycle attorney. This lawyer understands California laws and how they protect the motorcyclist and they are able to hold the insurance company or the agency responsible for maintaining roadways.

The injured motorcyclist and their family deserve compensation from the party responsible for causing motorcycle accident and this takes the knowledge of the experienced Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney. This attorney has the resources to investigate the accident and prepare a winning case, which will compensate the motorcyclist with their family the maximum amount possible awarded.

If you were injured in a motorcycle crash, contact Ehline Law | Injury Lawyer PC 633 West Fifth Street, 28th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071 213-596-9642.

View Larger Map

January 12, 2010 (by Horatio Algren) According to reports Canadian actor Dean McDermott was injured in a motorcycle crash over the weekend. The crash occurred at the California Auto Club Speedway during a practice session at turn three, where the actor stated he came on the curve to fast.

McDermott the husband of Tory Spelling injured his left arm in the crash and stated that crashing on the speedway is far different than a motorcycle crash on the roadways of California. McDermott said that he slammed the pavement and severely bruised his scapula, which is the bone that goes into the shoulder. He went on to say that his wife supports his sport of motorcycle riding at the California Auto Club Speedway, since she knows that it is much safer than riding on the road.

This was the actor’s third crash, which occurred after he lost control at 70 miles an hour, the actor stated that his first crash was at 40 miles an hour and his second was 110 miles an hour. If you were injured and need a motorcycle attorney, call Ehline Law now at 888-400-9721.

View Larger Map

November 27, 2009 (by Horatio Algren) According to reports an Aliso Viejo motorcycle accident took the life of a 26 year old rider Thanksgiving Day.

According to authorities the crash occurred at approximately 8:20 a.m. while the rider identified as Matthew Davies a resident of Aliso Viejo was traveling east on State Route 74. The accident occurred in the vicinity of Ortega Highway in Lake Elsinore.

Davies according to authorities was killed when the motorcycle rider lost control of the bike, leaving the roadway. Davies then went down a ravine and according to the Riverside County coroner’s office he was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident at approximately 8:42 a.m.

September 17, 2009 (by Horatio Algren) According to reports USC cornerback Brian Baucham was injured in a motorcycle accident.

Baucham was traveling north on the Harbor Freeway at the time the accident occurred, at approximately 6:34 a.m. according to the California Highway Patrol. The freshman from Torrance was transported to the hospital after suffering injuries according to reports.

The accident that occurred in the 110 Freeway northbound lanes kept Baucham from practice and the cornerback will miss Saturday’s Pacific 10 Conference Opener at Washington according to the school and coach Pete Carrol. Baucham suffered from abrasions in the motorcycle accident and after being treated was released from the hospital and is recovering at home according to the coach.

September 14, 2009 (By Horatio Algren) According to reports a retired Azusa police officer was killed Saturday in a motorcycle accident after being hit by a wrong way driver.

According to the California Highway Patrol Sgt. John Madaloni the motorcycle accident occurred in the vicinity of the westbound 60 and the northbound 71 Freeway.

The rider identified as 55 year old retired Azusa Police Corporal Phillips was riding westbound on the 60 Freeway when he was struck head on by a driver traveling in the wrong direction. Phillips was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.
The vehicle traveling in the wrong direction on the highway fled the scene of the accident, in a damaged compact car that was later found on a surface street abandoned according to California Highway Patrol Sgt. Madaloni.

Azusa Police Corporal Phillips joined the police department in 1975 and retired on his 50th birthday in 2004 according to reports. The California Highway Patrol is asking anyone with information about the accident to contact their Santa Fe Springs Station according to Sgt. Madaloni. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, you should get a motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible.

Many people who are happy with their lives and the way they are going are most likely not going to stop and think about negative things like accidents. But the fact of the matter is almost all of us at one time or another have to think about theses things. The effects of a motorcycle wreck can drastically change your life and ultimately affect everyone and everything around you. No member of your family is exempt from this, from your spouse to your youngest child or oldest parent.

Think about it this way, if you were seriously injured in an accident and left helpless, who would care for you? This is one of the things that every person who has been involved in a motorcycle accident has to think about. In reality most people are so shocked after an accident they don’t know where to turn. This is normal for any kind of accident, but even more so for a motorcycle accident as they tend to be much more serious.

Motorcycle accidents change the lives of not only you, but those who are close to you as well. They can leave you not only unable to work but also unable to do even the simplest things like bathe yourself or in some cases even to walk. Motorcycle accidents wreak havoc on everything you hold dear, from your safety right down to your very life.
The injuries caused by a motorcycle can range from minor scrapes and bruises to serious injuries like broken bones and head and brain trauma. And those are only a few of the possibilities.

If you are injured in a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles or its surrounding areas the most important step to take is to contact a lawyer specializing in motorcycle accident cases. These types of attorney are trained professionals in this field and know exactly what to do. They will know who to talk to for witness statements and how to file the proper insurance claims. They are also helpful in knowing how to go about getting fair compensation for whatever injuries you may suffer. In many cases counseling is needed and they know how to get that for you as well.

It is no secret that California motorcycle accidents wreak havoc on everything around you, but by knowing what to do and where to turn to for help you can drastically improve the outcome of the situation.

©2005-2009 Ehline Law | PC – We have the legal right in many cases to represent DUI and accident victims in other US states as pro hac vice attorney associates, or we can also help you locate a local attorney in some cases, who may be better suited to your particular case. 633 West Fifth Street, 28th Floor, Los Angeles, CA, 90071; 6700 East Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 275, Long Beach, CA 90803; 14007 Palawan Way Marina del Rey, CA, 90292; 201 Wilshire Blvd, Second Floor, Santa Monica, CA, 90401; 620 Newport Center Drive, Suite 1100 Newport Beach, CA, 92660; 50 Francisco Street, Suite 460 San Francisco, CA 94133; 213.596.9642.

July 18, 2009 (by Horatio Algren) According to reports by a motorcycle lawyer in California, James Caviezel was injured in a motorcycle crash Thursday afternoon in Leavenworth Washington.

According to the Washington State Police, Trooper Rich Magnussen stated the actor sustained minor injuries during a motorcycle crash, while he was riding his 2006 Harley Davidson. The accident occurred after a man threw a bicycle into the lane the motorcycle was traveling.

The accident occurred approximately 14 miles south of Leavenworth Washington and the Washington trooper stated that Caviezel sustained minor injuries during the accident. Trooper Magnussen stated that Caviezel was transported to the Cascade Medical Center for treatment and the 40 year old actor was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Caviezel was born in Mount Vernon Washington, and is now a resident of Woodland Hills California; there has been no further report on the actor’s condition. He is best known for his role as Jesus in Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ.”

Trooper Magnussen said that mental issues could have been the reason why the 42 year old Wenatchee man threw the bicycle into the path of the Harley Davidson motorcycle. He also stated that the Washington State Police intend to turn their investigation over to the Chelan County Prosecutors Office for possible criminal charges against the man.

When hot weather arrives there are more people out on the roads, going to the beach, going on vacation and going to work. This means getting out on the roads with a motorcycle it takes more caution to avoid being in an accident, because hot weather is here and that means motorcycle accidents are higher in cities like Reseda, Bakersfield or Oakland.

While the percentages are lower for licensed motorcycles, than other vehicles like cars and trucks, they are a higher percentage rate in severe accidents and deaths. Some numbers show that a motorcycle rider is approximately 40 more likely to be killed in an accident than a driver of a vehicle. This is because the motorcycle does not afford the same protections as the other vehicles on the road and when an accident occurs it is not unusual for the rider to hit the pavement or to be ejected from the bike.

There are certain places that the yearly statistics show motorcycle riders are more likely to get into accidents in locations such as intersections, especially when making a right hand turn. On highways or freeways during hours that traffic is congested, on curves in the roadways, and at traffic signals. These are places where the rider and motorcycle might not be seen by drivers of other vehicles, or might be in the driver’s blind spot. Curves can be dangerous, for two reasons, the rider might over compensate, and there could be gravel that could cause the rider to lose control of the bike. The second reason is the driver of a vehicle may not give the rider the room on the road; they need to navigate a curve.

Riders even when following the rules of the road and riding safely can be involved in a collision with another vehicle due to a negligent driver that either did not see the motorcycle or that was not paying attention. This means the rider could be facing serious injuries that could be permanent or even fatal when hot weather is here and that means motorcycle accidents are higher.  This may require a motorcycle lawyer.

Being involved in a motorcycle accident due to a negligent driver means they should be held responsible for medical bills, the repair or replacement of the motorcycle, loss of work and ongoing medical care that might be needed. This is why in Reseda, Bakersfield or Oakland and other cities in Orange County there are experienced Orange County motorcycle injury attorneys. These attorneys understand that motorcycle accidents are different than other vehicle accidents and have the skill it takes to represent the biker.