Call Us Today
Call Us Today
Steve Kherkher - September 21, 2026
Two separate, yet tragically related, transportation crashes left five people dead and several others injured in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, on September 15, 2026.
The first crash occurred shortly after 5 p.m. when an SUV collided with a Metro bus near Nordhoff Street and De Soto Avenue. Two people were killed in the crash and several others were injured. Authorities later filed criminal charges against the SUV driver.
About two hours later, a news helicopter covering the bus crash went down in Chatsworth. A reporter and the pilot were killed, along with another person was on the ground. Two additional people were hospitalized. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the helicopter crash. Investigators have said video and audio recorded shortly before the crash will be important to the investigation.
For the families who lost loved ones and the people who survived these incidents with injuries, the questions begin: What happens now? What rights do victims have? And who may be responsible for the losses they are facing?
At Kherkher Garcia, our team includes attorneys skilled in both bus accident and aviation accident claims. Below, we provide information that we hope will help answer some of the questions that victims and families may have.
A serious bus accident can leave victims facing emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, lost income, and uncertainty about their future. Depending on the circumstances, victims may have claims against one or more parties whose conduct contributed to the crash. Those parties could potentially include:
The circumstances of the collision, the parties involved, and applicable law all matter when determining your rights.
When a loved one dies in a bus accident, family members may face both profound grief and significant financial consequences. Every state has laws allowing wrongful death claims in certain circumstances when a person’s death is caused by the wrongful act or neglect of someone else. Depending on the circumstances, eligible parties may include a surviving spouse or domestic partner, children, or other individuals who meet the statutory requirements. A wrongful death claim may seek damages for losses such as:
The specific damages available depend on the facts of the case. For families already struggling with the loss of a loved one, pursuing a legal claim is not about putting a value on that person’s life. Rather, it can help families address the financial and personal impact of an unexpected death.
Aviation accidents raise different legal questions from ordinary motor vehicle collisions. A helicopter crash may involve the aircraft operator, owner, pilot, maintenance providers, manufacturers, or other companies or individuals. An investigation into an aviation accident examines issues involving:
In the Chatsworth helicopter crash, the NTSB is conducting the federal investigation. But an NTSB investigation and a civil claim serve different purposes. The NTSB investigation helps determine the cause of an accident and guide safety recommendations. Its investigation does not legally determine who is responsible for compensating victims.
A civil claim, on the other hand, allows victims and families the opportunity to hold parties accountable for negligence or wrongdoing. That means families may have questions about their legal options even while the official investigation remains underway. Victims and families do not necessarily have to wait for a final investigative report before exploring their potential legal rights.
Every accident is different, and there is no way to guarantee what damages may apply, or how much the case may be worth. Depending on the circumstances, however, an injured person may have a claim involving:
For families who lose a loved one, wrongful death law also provides for certain categories of damages for eligible survivors.
After any type of transportation accident, victims and families may feel lost and unsure. Contacting an attorney can provide valuable support. Legal guidance may be particularly important when an accident involves:
A lawyer can help you understand what claims could potentially apply, who may be responsible, what compensation may be available, and what deadlines could affect your rights. At Kherkher Garcia, our attorneys help victims and families by:
The goal is to help injured victims and their families understand their options and support them while they focus on recovery.
The Chatsworth crashes have left multiple families mourning loved ones and facing injuries and an uncertain recovery. The two incidents were separate events, and the causes remain under investigation. Together, they illustrate how suddenly transportation accidents change lives.
Kherkher Garcia helps injury victims and families understand their legal options after serious bus, commercial transportation, and aviation accidents. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, or if your family has lost someone, contact us for a free consultation.
You can start now by calling 713-333-1030, or request more information by completing our online contact form.
The most important thing is to seek appropriate medical care and follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations. Keep records related to your injuries and expenses, and contact an attorney to find out if you can pursue compensation.
Potentially. Depending on the circumstances, an injured person or eligible family member may have a claim against any parties whose negligence or wrongdoing contributed to the crash.
Wrongful death laws generally allow certain surviving family members to seek compensation when a death was caused by another party’s legally actionable conduct. Who may file and what damages may be available depend on the facts of the case.
Not necessarily. Families may be able to explore their legal options while the investigation is ongoing. An attorney can help you better understand your options and applicable timelines.
Depending on the circumstances, an injured person may potentially recover damages for medical expenses, lost income, future losses, and pain and suffering. Eligible family members in a wrongful death case may be able to recover medical and funeral expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of support.
Steve Kherkher is passionate about serving his clients. He has dedicated his life to championing the rights of those who have experienced catastrophic injury due to negligence.
Steve Kherkher, along with Trial Lawyer Jesus Garcia, founded Kherkher Garcia, and under their leadership, the firm achieved unprecedented success within its first three years.
With a career spanning over 35 years, Steve’s tireless pursuit of justice for his clients has earned him national recognition and numerous accolades as an exemplary trial attorney.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorneys Steve Kherkher and Jesus Garcia Jr., who have more than 50 years of combined legal experience championing the rights of those who have experienced catastrophic injury due to negligence.
Connect with a Kherkher Garcia trial lawyer today to pursue maximum compensation for your injury.
