Monthly Archives: May 2013

Pedestrian Killed in Santa Ana Pursuit

Police pursuit and an officer involved shooting in Santa Ana left one innocent pedestrian dead.

Santa Ana police officers first approached a group of people in and around two parked cars. The officers believed that there was some sort of criminal activity taking place. A fight broke out between at least one officer and one male suspect.  An officer fired shots and shot one of the male suspects. The suspect was critically injured and taking to a hospital. He was later pronounced dead.

The three remaining male suspects fled the scene in a white Dodge Charger. Officers began pursuing a suspect around 11:45 a.m. It was believed that the suspects were armed. Police began pursuit in the 1000 block of Central Avenue. The pursuit lasted around 20 minutes.

The pursuit continued south and ended near the intersection of MacArthur Boulevard and Flower Street.  The suspects hit and fatally injured a pedestrian. After striking the pedestrian, the suspects got out of the vehicle. The suspects try to escape. One of the suspects was stopped by a police dog. Another suspect was stunned with a taser. The third suspect surrendered to police. All three of these suspects were in custody.

The driver of the vehicle has been charged with murder for driving the vehicle that hit and killed a pedestrian. The victim was a male in his late 40s or early 50s. He died at the scene from his injuries. His family is being notified of his death.

Unfortunately, reckless drivers like this suspect endanger other individual’s on the road. If you spot a reckless driver on the road, do not try to confront the reckless driver. Pull over when it is safe to do so. If you can, try to note the reckless driver’s license plate and the model of the car. Report this information and the location of the driver to the emergency authorities.

Car accidents are often quite serious. Survivors often suffer serious injuries. As a survivor, you may face time away from work and expensive car repair bills. These obstacles will hurt your already difficult recovery process. Insurance may be able to help you with some of the expenses, but an experience Santa Ana car accident lawyer can guide you through all the difficult legal proceedings.

If you are the victim of a car accident, do not hesitate to contact the Law Offices of Dara Khajavi.

Driver in Fatal Wreck was Unlicensed

The driver in the horrific Memorial Day crash in Newport Beach was unlicensed.

The horrific crash killed all 5 occupants in the vehicle. All of the occupants were students and teens from Irvine. According to DMV records, the driver did not have a valid driver’s license. The driver received a citation in April for violating his provisional license. He has also had other offenses in records.  The driver was driving a 2008 Infiniti.  He was pulled over in April because he made prohibited modification to the exhaust system and having tinted windows that obstructed the driver’s view.

It was a horrific single-car crash. The crash took place on a downhill stretch of Jamboree Road. The car struck a center divider and then collided into a tree. After colliding into the tree, the car split in half. One of the halves exploded into fire.  Four of the occupants were ejected from the vehicle. One of the victims was partially ejected from the vehicle. One of the car occupants survived long enough to be taken to a hospital but was later pronounced dead.

Police believe speed was definitely a contributing factor in the fiery crash. The posted speed limit is 55 mph. Investigators have not officially announced the speed that the driver was driving. According to the mayor, the car may have been traveling at 100 mph or faster.

The victims were all teens from Irvine. All of the occupants were students at Irvine high School except for the driver. He was a student at University High. The ages of the occupants ranged from 16- 17 years old. The car occupants were in 10th grade, 11th grade, and 12th grade.

Unfortunately, there is little that police and officials can do to slow down drivers. Police and officials are unable to change the speed limits just because they believe it is unsafe. Speed limits are set according to state law. Police will not be increasing police presence in the area because of this accident. The road, where the collision occurred, is well maintained and straight. These factors attract drivers who like to speed.

There was also another accident in the area in 2009.  A co-founder of mixed martial arts apparel company TapouT died in 2009. The victim’s Ferrari was struck by a Porsche traveling at 100 mph.

If you are ever involved in a car accident, do not hesitate to contact a Newport Beach car accident lawyer.

Toontown Explosion

A dry ice “bomb” exploded inside Disneyland’s Toontown on Tuesday evening.

The dry ice was left in a plastic bottle in a trash can in Toontown. The explosion was contained by the trash can. Similar dry ice devices have exploded in Anaheim neighborhoods in recent months. However, police are still unsure if there is any connection between those explosions and the Toontown blast. Investigators are still trying to determine if the dry ice device was purposely left.

There was a loud bang when the dry ice exploded. Witnesses said that it sounded like a gunshot but much louder. After the explosion, security surrounded the trash can. The explosion occurred around 5:30 p.m.  Disneyland officials and employees were working with local authorities to deal with the explosion.

The Anaheim Police Department reported quickly to the scene. Police and security evacuated Disneyland visitors from Toontown. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s bomb squad also reported to the scene. The Anaheim Fire Department did not respond to the incident. Officers scoured the scene for evidence.

2 hours later the area was deemed safe. Authorities reopened Toontown around 7:30 p.m.  Thankfully, there were no injuries from the explosion. The trash can contained the explosion and prevented any shrapnel from flying into the air. Toontown is an area popular among families and young children. The injuries from this explosion could have been quite severe.

After the area was cleared, authorities left the area. Some park visitors were upset that there was not more security or increased police presence after the explosion. The family friendly park usually has tight security. Disneyland Park has rarely had safety issues.

Authorities are still reviewing evidence.  Investigators are reviewing video surveillance footage. They will also be examining Internet postings and social media for any relevant evidence about the explosion.  Investigators have not yet established a possible motive or if and why Toontown was targeted.

Disneyland is a popular tourist location in Southern California. Thousands of people visit Disneyland every day. The park often has long waits for its popular rides. A large explosion and large crowds of people would have been a dangerous combination. Fortunately, no one was hurt in the explosion.

If you are ever injured because of another individual’s negligence, you may want to contact an Anaheim personal injury lawyer. Personal injury cases can be difficult and complicated. The right lawyer can guide you through the difficult proceedings.

 

5 Dead in Memorial Day Crash

Five teens died in a fiery crash in Newport Beach on Monday at about 5:20 p.m.

The crash took place on Jamboree Road near Island Lagoon Drive. The vehicle was a late model Infiniti. Occupants were five teens from Irvine. The vehicle was traveling southbound on Jamboree Road. It veered off the road and into the center divider. The vehicle slammed into a tree. The impact from the crash caused the vehicle to split in half. One half of the vehicle burst into flames. After crashing into the tree, the vehicle continue to travel 100 more feet.

Four of the occupants were completely ejected from the vehicle. These victims died at the scene. The fifth occupant was partially ejected from the vehicle. The fifth victim was transported to Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center in Mission Viejo. Unfortunately, this victim could not be resuscitated.  There were two male and three females in the vehicle. The victims have not been identified. Families of the victims are still being notified.

According to police, debris was scattered all over the road. Large chunks of metal covered the road for several blocks around the crash site.  Police are currently looking for any witnesses to interview. Investigators are trying to determine if there was any activity before the collision that may have caused the accidents. Investigators have stated that it is too early to know if alcohol played a factor in the crash.

Both sides of Jamboree Road have to be shut down while investigators examined the scene of the crash. Jamboree Road remains closed in both directions between Santa Barbara and Back Bay drives. Police has notified residents to avoid Jamboree Road from Pacific Coast Highway to san Joaquin Hills Road.

The Newport Beach Fire Department had to dispatch five units and 14 personnel to the scene.  Two fire engines, a truck, a medic unit, and a battalion chief reported to the scene. It took firefighters a few minutes to put the fire out. Paramedics were able to attend to the fifth passenger quickly. Rescuers described this crash as one of the worst traffic collisions they had ever seen.

Police described it as the worst recent car accident in Newport Beach. All occupants in the car died due to their injuries. The last serious Newport Beach car crash of such magnitude was in June 2011. Three people died in a 10 vehicle crash on Mariners Mile.

Car accidents like these are serious and often deadly. Survivors suffer from extensive injuries that require extended hospital stays and physical therapy. These injuries mean expensive hospital bills and time away from work. Insurance may be able to cover some of these costs, but a Newport Beach car accident lawyer can help you seek maximum damages for your losses. Contact the Law Offices of Dara Khajavi, if you are ever in a car accident. Do not hesitate to contact us today.

Daydreaming and Driving

A new study by the Erie Insurance Group finds that daydreaming can significantly contributes to car accident risk.

Psychologists estimate that we daydream anywhere from one-third to half of our waking hours. Daydreaming is a normal part of the human nature. Unfortunately, daydreaming on the road can be an incredibly dangerous habit. In a recent study, researchers found that daydreaming can dramatically increase risk of a fatal car accident.

In this study, the Erie Insurance Group examined 65,000 fatal accidents that occurred in the U.S. in the past two years. The Erie Insurance Group found that you are five times more likely to be in a fatal crash if you were daydreaming than if you were distracted by an electronic device.

Researchers found that daydreaming or being “lost in thought” contributed to 62% of the fatal crashes. Daydreaming affects driving in different ways. Usually, daydreaming does not affect the car speed.  Instead, it affects drivers by delaying reaction time. Drivers that are daydreaming tend to stay at one speed longer instead of slowing down or speeding up when appropriate. Daydreaming drivers may also not respond in time to avoid cars unexpectedly changing lanes in front of them. A driver should constantly scan the road, but a daydreaming driver tends to focus only forward.

To combat daydreaming while driving, remember and recognize the risks of daydreaming while driving. Knowledge and awareness are key to prevent daydreaming while driving. Remind yourself how dangerous driving can be. This can help you remain focused on the road. Drive defensively while on the road. Look for any drivers that look dangerous drivers weaving in and out of traffic. Defensive driving will keep you alert and focused on the road.

Next time you day dream try to figure out what caused you to daydream. This can help you overcome your daydreaming. Take note of what you were doing when you started daydreaming. Were you stuck in traffic? Did you have a lot to do? Realizing what causes you to daydream will help you stop daydreaming.

While driving, it is important to always focus on the road. Do not let your mind wonder. Practice focusing on the road. If you notice your attention slipping, force yourself to focus. Focusing on the road will make it much safer for you to drive on the road. If you find yourself having difficulty focusing, simply pull over. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

If you are ever in a car accident, do not hesitate to contact an Orange County car accident lawyer.

Car Accidents in Orange County Area

Two people were killed in a Wednesday morning collision on the 60 Freeway in Pomona. The collision involved at least two trucks. It forced lane closures on the 60 Freeway. The two people died at the scene. A rescue helicopter crew reported to the scene to transport a third victim. The details of the 3rd victim’s injuries are not known.

Two eastbound lanes and several transition roads were closed after the crash. The crash involved a cargo box truck and a big rig near the 71 Freeway. Soda cans, water bottles, and other items literred the freeway lanes.

An Irvine man crashed in front of the Ayres Hotel and Suites in Costa Mesa on Friday night. The driver died from his injuries. He drove into a tree in front of the Costa Mesa Hotel.  The collision occurred at 9:03 p.m. He was driving a 2009 BMW M6 coupe south on Bristol Street near Santa Ana Avenue.  According to the authorities, he was driving at a high speed.

Witnesses reported that the driver lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle spun out and crashed into a large tree in front of the Ayres Hotel land Suites. The driver died at the scene from his injuries. There was also a female passenger in the car. She suffered head trauma and fractured ribs. Costa Mesa firefighters reported to the scene and removed the passenger from the car. She was then transported to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana. The passenger was listed in critical condition. Her current condition is unknown.

Both the driver and passenger were wearing seatbelts. Airbags also deployed correctly. Police is currently investigating the collision.

On May 12, 8 people were rushed to a hospital after an alleged drunk driver drove into several cars. The alleged drunk driver collided into the cars a little before 2 a.m. The collision occurred at Gilbert Street and La Palma Avenue. There were two cars full of people waiting at the intersection. The drunken driving suspect crashed into the vehicles.

Paramedics responded to the scene to help with the victims. The conditions of the victims are not known.

These car accidents were quite serious. Many car accidents often result in serious injuries and often death. Drive carefully on the road. Safe driving practices can help prevent many accidents. If you are injured in a car accident, contact a Newport Beach car accident lawyer.

 

Dog Bite Safety 101

There have been an unfortunate string of dog attacks lately. Dogs are usually extremely friendly and fun animals, but some dogs can be quiet aggressive and dangerous. Certain breeds are perceived as more aggressive than others, but a dog’s aggressive behavior is usually due to abuse. Here are some tips on how to handle dog attacks.

•             Be careful around dogs

If you are walking or running outside, be on the lookout for loose dogs. Do not smile at strange dogs.  You may think it is a friendly gesture, but an aggressive dog may see it as a challenge. Avoid going close to chained dogs. These dogs tend to be more aggressive.

•             Look for warning signs

Learn dog body language. Not all dogs are aggressive. A loose dog may come up to you just out of curiosity. Some dogs are commonly perceived as less aggressive or more aggressive. If you encounter a loose dog, don’t assume a less aggressive dog is safe or vice versa. Pay attention to the dog’s body language not its bread. Dogs about attack will have a straight and stiff body. Stay calm.

•             Remain calm

Do not make any sudden movements. Dogs can sense your fear and panic. Try to command them. Tell them in a demanding voice “Go Home!” or “No!” Assume a non-threatening position. Dogs think that you are going to attack if you face them head on and make eye contact. Instead, you should stand sideways to the dog.

Stay still. Sudden movements will startle the dog. Protect your face, chest, and throat. Keep your arms flat by your side with clenched fists. If the dog knocks you over, you should curl up and cover your head. Pull your face into your chest and cover your neck with your hands. The dog will think you are boring and leave you alone.

•             Don’t run

Your first instinct may be to run, but don’t ever run from a dog. The dog will definitely chase after you. Instead, you should stay still until the dog loses interest in you.  When the dog loses interest in you, you should slowly back away.

Dogs can be really fun to play with, but a stray or loose dog can be incredibly dangerous. Be extremely cautious if you ever come across a loose dog. If you are ever attacked by a dog, you may want to contact a Newport Beach personal injury lawyer.

Agency Recommends Lowering Legal BAC Level

The National Transportation Safety Board, NTSB, is recommending that all 50 states lower the blood alcohol content rate.

The NTSB is recommending that all 50 states lower the legal BAC rate to 0.05. Currently, the legal BAC rate is 0.08. The board believes that this change will reduce the nation’s drunken driving death rate. This change was implemented in Europe, and the number drunken driving deaths dropped significantly. Currently, the death rate, in the United States, is around 10,000 lives each year.

Multiple factors can affect a person’s blood alcohol content level.  A 140 pound female will typically hit the 0.08 blood alcohol level after having 3 drinks in one hour. This same person would reach the 0.05 level after having two to three drinks in one hour. A 180 pound male will hit 0.08 after four drinks in an hour. This person would reach 0.05 after two to three drinks in an hour.

Drivers can experience impaired driving at a 0.01 BAC level. Some drivers with a 0.01 BAC level may have attention problems and lane deviation. At a 0.02 BAC level, drivers may exhibit drowsiness. The difficulty with driving continues to worsen as the BAC level rises.   A police officer also has the right to arrest an individual even if his or her BAC level is within the legal limit. It is up to the officer’s discretion to decide if the driver is impaired.

The NTSB investigates transportation accidents. This board does not have the power to create new regulations. The NTSB can only recommend changes in legislation.  It does have significant influence over public safety matters. The board’s opinions could influence legislators and transportation agencies.  If the legislation does not pass now, the board’s influence may eventually push the legislation through.

In addition to changing the legal BAC level, the NTSB also recommended new state laws regarding arresting drunken drivers. The NTSB suggested that police have the right to confiscate licenses from drunken drivers. There are some states that already do this, but the board is recommending that officers in all states be allowed to do this. The NTSB is also pushing for laws that require all first-time offenders to have ignition locking devices. These devices prevent cars from starting until breath samples are analyzed. This will keep drunk drivers off the road.

If you are ever involved in a car accident because of a drunken driver, you should contact a Newport Beach car accident lawyer.

Deadly Crashes in Orange County

Three separate crashes leave 8 injured, a mother dead, and another woman dead.

A serious collision occurred at Gilbert Street and La Palma Avenue in Anaheim on Sunday, May 12, 2013. 8 people were rushed to the hospital after the accident. The collision was caused by an alleged drunk driver.

The alleged drunk driver slammed into several cars at the Anaheim intersection. The collision occurred a little after 2 a.m. According to police, two cars filled with people were waiting at a red light. The drunken driving suspect than drove into the cars.

Paramedics that reported to the scene declared the crash a mass casualty incident because of the high number of injured people. The victim’s condition is still not known. The driver was arrested for felony DUI.

In Mission Viejo, a deadly collision left a mother of three dead. She was struck by a wrong-way driver suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol. The collision occurred on Santa Margarita Parkway north of Los Alisos Boulevard around 11:40 p.m. Tuesday. According to witnesses, a driver of a Ford-250 pick-up truck was traveling south on northbound Santa Margarita Parkway. He stopped when he crashed head-on into a minivan.

The mother of three was driving the minivan. She was a 36 year old from Trabuco Canyon. The mother was pronounced dead at the scene. The drunken driver was a 42 year old from Mission Viejo. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition.

After the accident, northbound Santa Margarita Boulevard was closed from Los Alisos Boulevard to El Toro Road so that police could investigate the scene of the accident. The drunken driver has had prior convictions for driving under the influence.

A motorcycle crash left a 27 year old woman dead. The woman was speeding on a 1978 Honda in the right southbound lane of the 55 freeway near Dyer Road. At about 11:50 p.m., she was riding behind a van. The van and the motorcyclists both changed into the middle lane. Due to her high speed, she was unable to safely turn away to avoid colliding into the van. The motorcyclist was thrown from her motorcycle. Several cars hit her after she was thrown from her bike.

If you are injured in an accident caused by a drunken driver, please do not hesitate to contact a Newport Beach car accident lawyer. The Law Offices of Dara Khajavi is fully prepared to handle any case. Do not worry if money is an issue. There are no charges until your case is won.

The Recall Process

The investigation and recall process has 4 steps. Before the investigation starts, it is important that all consumers report any safety complaints. Without these reports, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s, NHTSA, would not be able to recall any vehicles.

There are three ways to submit a complaint:

  • Send a paper report to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)
  • Submit a complaint online
  • Call the vehicle safety hotline

Reports submitted are entered into the NHTSA consumer complaint automated database. The report is catalogued by vehicle make, model, model year, manufacturer, defect, assembly, and system. All of these complaints are listed online, without your personal information. If you file a complaint, an ODI investigator may contact you. The investigator will want to clarify information in your report. Check the ODI website or call the hotline if you have any questions. The ODI may launch an investigation based on the reports.

The ODI’s investigation process has four parts.

  • Screening

In the ODI, the Defects Assessment Division, DAD, is responsible for going through the reports, any emails, letters, anonymous reports, and manufacturer submitted information. The DAD will also investigate service bulletins, foreign recalls, customer satisfaction, and consumer advisories.

  • Petition Analysis

After screening, the ODI will deal with petitions. Anyone can submit a petition requesting that the NHTSA open an investigation into a possible safety defect.  The ODI will conduct a technical analysis of the petition. If the petition is granted, a defect investigation is opened. When the petition is denied, it is published in the Federal Register.

  • Investigation

There are two phases of the investigation: Preliminary Evaluation and the Engineering Analysis.

The first step is opened because of information submitted by DAD. During the Preliminary Evaluation stage, the ODI will obtain relevant info from the manufacturer. This information could be anything from complaints to reports of crashes. The first stage is an opportunity for the car manufacturer to defend their product. This stage usually only lasts for about four months. If the ODI believes that more investigation into the product is necessary, the office enters into the next phase.

The Engineering Analysis phase is the more intensive analysis phase. Investigators will determine the full scope of the alleged defects. There are inspections, tests, and surveys done. If the ODI determines that there is an alleged defect, investigators will present all the information to a panel of experts. The panel of experts will analyze all the information. If the panel decides that a recall is necessary, the ODI will notify the car manufacturer. This is the last opportunity for the car manufacturer to defend its product. If there is no further information, the ODI will send a Recall Request letter to the manufacturer.

  • Recall Management

The last step of the recall is Recall Management. The Recall Management Division (RMD) is responsible for maintaining administrative records of recalls and monitoring recalls to ensure that the scope is appropriate. If the recall is not effective, there may be another investigation into the recall.

If you are in an accident because of a recalled vehicle, you may want to contact a Santa Ana car accident lawyer.