Monthly Archives: September 2013

Newport Beach Motorcyclist Dies in Fatal crash

A male motorcyclist was killed early Saturday morning in a fatal motorcycle crash.

The motorcyclist has been identified as Ammar Sherbini, 31, of Santa Ana. He was riding his motorcycle at around 2:40. Sherbini was riding on West Coast Highway, west of Superior Avenue. Investigators believe he lost control of his motorcycle. Sherbini collided into narrow raised center divider. He was then thrown from his bike into a palm tree in the center divider. The bike came to a stop several hundred feet from the point of impact. No other vehicles or people were involved in the accident.

Sherbini was found dead at the scene. His injuries were quiet severe. Investigators said there was no initial evidence that drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash. Excessive speed may have been a contributing factor, but investigators have not discovered the exact cause of the crash.

Police closed down all six of the southbound lanes of West Coast Highway. Only one northbound lane was left open. The Coast Highway was closed for several hours after the crash. It was not reopened by 7:30 a.m. Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the accident.

Motorcycle accidents are often fatal. Motorcyclists have little protection. In the event of an accident, motorcyclists are often thrown from their bike. Motorcyclists only have body gear and a helmet to absorb the impact from a crash. A motorcyclist can also be difficult to see on the road. Motorists often have trouble seeing motorcycles.

Motorcyclists need to take extra precaution to protect them on the road. It is important for every motorcyclist to wear a helmet and eye protection. Helmets can prevent or minimize major head injuries. Eye protection improves motorcyclists’ vision. Motorcyclists should also invest in brightly colored protective gear. The bright colors make motorcyclists more visible on the road. Motorcyclists should be especially careful riding at night or in the early morning.

If you are ever injured in a motorcycle accident, it is important to stay calm. Take pictures of the accident. Exchange information with everyone involved in the accident. You should also get any witnesses’ information. Call the police and your insurance agent. The police will keep the situation calm, and an officer will file a police report. You will want to get a copy of this police report.

If you are seriously injured, you should also contact a Newport Beach motorcycle accident lawyer. The Law Offices of Dara Khajavi is fully prepared to handle any motorcycle accident. Our legal team works with a group of experts, medical professionals, and investigators. Contact the Law Offices of Dara Khajavi for a free consultation.

Irvine Attorney Arrested for Alleged Man Slaughter in Bicycle Accident

An Irvine attorney has been arrested in connection with a bicycle accident that occurred in March. She is being held under suspicion of manslaughter of the Rancho Santa Margarita man, who is remembered by friends as “caring.”

Attorney Hasti Fakhrai-Bayrooti, 40-years-old, was booked into county jail on Tuesday. Officials reported that she is suspect of being under the influence of prescription drugs at the time of the crash.

Orange County Sheriff’s Department investigators said that the Irvine attorney was behind the wheel of a 2003 Acura when she hit bicyclist Eric Billings along Santa Margarita Parkway on March 15. She allegedly drifted into the bicycle lane and slammed into Billings.

At the scene officials released Fakhrai-Bayrooti after the accident but pending blood test results. Sheriff Department’s Major Accident Reconstruction Team stayed behind to conduct the investigation.

After reviewing the result of the investigation, District Attorney’s Office has filed charges of vehicle manslaughter while intoxicated against Fakhrai-Bayrooti. After the arrest warrant was filed, she was taken into custody.

She was released Wednesday at 7:22 a.m. after posting bail.

Driving while impaired unnecessarily risks the wellbeing of others on the road and can lead to serious consequences. If you need to take get somewhere via automobile after taking medications that can alter your state of mind, don’t drive and get someone else to get behind the wheel.

Allowing a sober, non-medicated driver to get behind the wheel will reduce the chances of you being in an automobile accident and will keep you from endangering others on the public road. Even if you have to spend money on a taxi, go ahead and make the expense. It will be less expensive than having to pay for the consequences of an automobile accident or personal injury.

Dara Khajavi Irvine personal injury lawyers have what it takes to represent clients who were involved in an automobile accident. If you or someone you know were injured in an automobile accident, give us a call. We offer free consultations and are looking forward to speaking with victims about their personal injury accident.

Over the years our lawyers have handled countless of cases and to their success, have earned millions of dollars in compensation for their clients, resulting in peace of mind.

There are legal options for your situation. Don’t hesitate, call us today!

5-Vehicle Crash Closed Southbound 5-Freeway

A five-vehicle crash forced officials to close the southbound lanes of the 5 Freeway Monday morning. They said that a motorcyclist was injured in the crash.

At approximately 10:35 a.m. California Highway Patrol received reports of the freeway crash and along with firefighters rushed to assist the injured.

The multi-vehicle wreck occurred at the Magnolia Street exit. It involved a motorcycle, two Honda Civics, a Nissan Altima and a Ford Taurus. CHP Officer G. Fithiam, told reporters that the rider of a BMW motorcycle was the only person injured and was taken to a hospital but the degree of the motorcyclist’s injuries were not disclosed.

Officials shut down the carpool lane, left lane, and off-ramp until 11:30 a.m. as CHP officers investigated the site.

There were no reports of arrests or intoxicated drivers, and the crash is still under investigation.

You never know exactly when you are going to be hurt in an accident. You could follow a list of safety precautions, follow the laws of the road, and be aware of your surroundings, but you simply don’t have control over how others operate their motor vehicles. If you do end up getting involved in a collision, you need to have a lawyer on hand that will be able to assist you in your time of need.

Knowing which personal injury lawyer to call can save you many headaches and dollars. When the day comes and you are injured, be in an automobile accident or on a slip-and-fall, you are going to need someone next to you who could help you get financial compensation while you get better. A Fullerton personal injury lawyer can help you gain the compensation you need from insurance companies and parties that are responsible for your injuries.

Depending on the injury, it may be important to get prompt medical attention. For some injuries, the faster a qualified physician takes a look at them, the lesser the repercussions of an injury tend to be. It is common for people who were involved in a collision and were injured, twenty years ago, to complain about the same injury the received then, simply because they did not have timely medical attention from a quality physician.

Don’t hesitate on getting legal help for your automobile accident. There are certain time limits on car accidents and it is important to contact an attorney with experience as soon as possible if you are thinking of filing a claim.

Laguna Beach Officer in Fatal Crash

Laguna Beach Officer was killed in a crash involving a pickup truck late Saturday.

Jon Coutchie was a 41 year old motorcycle officer. He was travelling northbound on South Coast Highway. Coutchie was trying to find a motorist who had been reported speeding. Unfortunately, he was broadsided when a GMC pickup attempted to turn onto Cleo Street. The accident took place at around 11:30 p.m.

The GMC pickup truck was attempting to make a left turn. The driver collided into Coutchie’s Honda ST 1300. Coutchie was thrown from the motorcycle. Two officers reported to the scene of the accident. By the time the officers reported to the scene, Coutchie had already succumbed to his injuries.

The driver of the pickup was a 20 year old. The driver stayed at the scene of the accident. Investigators questioned the driver, and he was released. Police do not believe alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash. The California Highway Patrol is investigation the crash. It is not clear whether Jon Coutchie had his lights or siren on.

Coutchie is the first Laguna Beach officer to die in the line of duty since 1953. Before he was a police officer, he served as an U.S. Army Ranger. He was a ranger from 2003 to 2007. Coutchie joined the military after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, and he served two tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Coutchie was given an honorable discharge.

He started working as a part-time jailer at the Laguna Beach Police Department. The Laguna Beach Police Department sponsored him through the Goldenwest Police Academy in 2008. He became an officer in 2009. Captain Jason Kravetz described Coutchie has a hard working officer who was passionate about his job.

Coutchie was well liked in the department. The department is a small department of 47 police officers and 40 non-sworn staff members. This death was a shock to the whole department. The department created a makeshift memorial of flowers, balloons, and an American flag were erected near the scene of the crash. Coutchie is survived by his parents, brother, stepsister, and girlfriend. The accident took place 11 days before Coutchie’s 42^nd birthday.

If you are ever in a motorcycle accident, contact a Laguna Beach motorcycle accident lawyers. Motorcycle accidents are often serious and even fatal. A Laguna Beach motorcycle accident lawyer will make sure you are fairly compensated for all the damages.

Alcohol May be Involved in Fatal Westminster Crash

A 32 year old Anaheim male was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI after he was involved in a fatal car crash early Tuesday.

The collision took place at McFadden Avenue and Brookhurst Street in Westminster. Police reported to the scene at around 1:11 a.m. A white Nissan Frontier truck and a red Honda Civic collided at the intersection. Police believe that the driver of the Nissan, Emmanuel Garibay, broadsided the Honda Civic. Investigators believe that Garibay was heading southbound on Brookhurst. The Honda Civic was heading westbound on McFadden Avenue. One of the vehicles ran a red light, and the vehicles collided.

There were no passengers in either vehicle. The driver of the Honda civic was fatally injured in the accident. He had to be cut out of the wreckage of the Honda. He was later identified as Joey Nungaray, 27, of Fountain Valley. Nungaray was taken to UCI Medical Center in Orange for treatment. He was later pronounced dead before 2 a.m.

Garibay also sustained injuries but minor ones. He was taken to UCI Medical Center to be treated. Garibay was then booked at the Orange County Jail on suspicion of drunken driving. The bail was set at $100,000. More details about Garibay’s arrests are not known.

Authorities are still working on investigating the crash and its cause. Investigators are still trying to determine which vehicle failed to stop at the red light. It is still not clear why one of the vehicles failed to stop. Investigators do believe that alcohol was a factor in the collision.

Drunken driving is incredibly dangerous. In 2011, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA, reported that 9,878 died in drunken driving crashes. According to the NHTSA, one in three people will be involved in an alcohol-related crash. Drunk drivers have delayed response, impaired vision, and poor decision making.

Accidents involving drunken drivers are often serious or even fatal. Drunken drivers are reckless drivers. Injuries sustained from car accidents may be incredibly painful. If you are ever injured in a car accident involving a drunken driver, you should contact a Westminster car accident lawyer. A car accident lawyer will make sure you are fairly represented.

The Law Offices of Dara Khajavi is fully prepared to handle any case. We work with a specialized team of lawyers, investigators, and doctors. Contact us today for a free consultation. Don’t worry if money is an issue. There are absolutely no charges until your case is won.

Fatal Accident in Brea

A fatal accident took place on Carbon Canyon road at 2:45 a.m. on Sunday.

The driver ran into a utility pool. The vehicle came to a rest in bushes next to the pole. A 20 year old man died in the fatal accident. He was driving the vehicle. The passenger was a 21 year old. He was injured in the accident. There were only two occupants in the car. The accident was a single-car crash that took place at early Sunday morning near the Olinda Village neighborhood.

The driver was driving a red Chevrolet Camaro. He crashed into a wooden Southern California Edison utility pole. The driver died from injuries sustained at the accident. His passenger sustained non-life threatening injuries. The passenger was taken to a hospital for his injuries.

The Chevrolet Camaro was damaged extensively in the accident. The front end of the vehicle was completely destroyed. All windows were broken. The vehicle was found off the road. It came to a stop because of bushes in the area.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation. Investigators are waiting for toxicology reports to determine if alcohol or drugs were factors in the accident. Damage was from the accident was quite serious.

Power was knocked out by the accident. 18 Southern California Edison customers in the area were without power. Power was returned early evening on Sunday. Carbon Canyon Road was closed on Sunday.

This was an unfortunate and serious accident. Single car crashes are often quite serious. If you are ever injured in a car accident, you should contact a Brea car accident lawyer. Victims of car accidents are often traumatized and seriously injured. They need a car accident lawyer to assist them and fight for them. Insurance companies can be vicious. They will try to under compensate victims. A car accident lawyer will make sure victims receive fair compensation.

Contact the Law Offices of Dara Khajavi if you have any questions. Our expert team of Brea car accident lawyers is fully prepared to handle your case. Don’t worry if money is an issue. There are absolutely no charges until your case is won. So you can focus on your recovery rather than the semantics of a car accident case. Call us today for a free consultation.

10 Tips to Find a Great Car Mechanic

It is important to have a great car mechanic. Car maintenance can be expensive, but proper car maintenance is important for safe driving. Proper car maintenance can also prolong the life of your vehicle. Here are 10 ways to find a great car mechanic.

1. Ask friends and family

Your friends and family may have great mechanics. Ask around. This is the easiest way to find a great mechanic.

2. Find a mechanic that specializes in your brand

There are many mechanics that specialize in certain car manufacturers and vehicles. Try to find on one that specializes in your vehicle. This shop will be more likely to have the right equipment. The mechanics in the shop are also probably specially trained in your vehicle.

3. Search the internet

Look on review sites like Angie’s List or Yelp. These sites have very honest and thorough reviews. Car forums are also another great place to look for shop recommendations. These forums have very honest reviews too, and it will be easier to find a shop that specializes in your car.

4. Check for certification

Look for a mechanic and shop that has been certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence is a professional certification group. It certifies professionals in the automotive repair and service industry.

5. Check the Better Business Bureau website

This website will give you information on complaints about auto shops. The information will help you spot and avoid bad shops.

6. Give the mechanic a try

Test out the auto shop by getting small repairs done. If you like the results, you can commit to the auto shop for larger repairs.

7. Warranties

Some auto shops have warranties on their repair work. Before getting something fixed, find out what the warranty is for the repair.

8. Appearance

A shop’s appearance reveals a lot about the quality of repairs given. The shop should be a clean working environment. It should also be organized, well lit, and well maintained.

9. Meet the mechanic

You should meet the person who is working on your car. Talk to the mechanic about the shop and the repair. You want to trust your mechanic.

During this talk, try to find out what kind of car parts they use. Every car manufacturer has low quality and high quality parts. Before visiting the mechanic, find out what kind of parts are necessary for the repairs. The quality of parts used by auto shop is quite revealing. Knowing the prices for parts will also protect from being overcharged.

10. Look for good business

If the auto shop is a good one, it will probably have a lot of business. Check the mechanic’s lot. A prosperous shop should have a large number of cars in their lot. It is also important that you pay attention to how often these cars regularly change. If you see the same unrepaired cars for weeks, you should probably find a better mechanic.

Irvine High School Student Killed in DUI Crash

Marie Johnson was killed in a rollover-DUI car accident at Silverado. Six others were injured. Her friends said that she wasn’t supposed to be in the car, but her phone died when she tried to call someone else to pick her up.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the young high school student was part of a group that was heading eastbound on East Santiago Canyon road towards Silverado Canyon Road just before 2 a.m. Monday to an area called Black Star Canyon.

Johnson, 16-years-old, was a passenger in a Honda Civic that was speeding around the dark canyon. The driver lost control of the vehicle that was traveling at speeds above 70 miles per hour, Johnson was ejected, and the car rolled over before coming to a stop.

That same night another vehicle of friends was in a rollover accident as well and all of its occupants were injured. Those inside alleged that they swerved in an attempt to avoid hitting an animal.

Johnson had just flown into California from a family trip to Hawaii on Sunday night and decided to spend some time with friends.

“I talked to her mom and sisters, and they were very devastated. Everyone was crying,” Jason Liebrand, a family friend who has known Johnson since middle school told reporters.

Investigators believe that the driver of the vehicle, 19-year-old Antonio Escamilla was drinking before the crash, CHP Officer Todd Kovaletz said. A box with a cans of beer was found at the scene.

Emergency officials took Escamilla to Western Medical Center Santa Ana. He incurred major injuries in the car accident. Officials say that he will be charged with felony DUI and felony vehicular manslaughter. He graduated from Irvine High School last year.

Johnson was set to start classes at Irvine High School Tuesday as a junior, according to school officials.

The school district planned to have counselors on hand at the start of classes to help students cope with the death of a fellow schoolmate.

“We want to provide a safe place for students where they can go and share their feelings and talk it out, and just be able to process some of these emotions” Ian Hannaigan of the Irvine Unified School District told reporters.

This will be the second time counselors are available on campus. Last May they showed up was after the tragic death of four Irvine High School students and one University High School student who died in a fiery crash. The car that the teens were in slammed into a tree, split in two and burst into flames.

Drinking and driving is not a good idea. Don’t do it.

If you were injured in an automobile accident, contact Daralaw.com today.

Two Separate Fatal Huntington Beach Accidents

A woman died in a fatal accident involving a tractor trailer, and a 75 year old man died in a another fatal car accident.

The driver of a tractor-trailer fatally struck a woman pedestrian in Huntington Beach. The accident took place around 1:55 p.m. at Warner Avenue and Springdale Street. Witnesses said that the driver did not stop. The driver was later located by the police. He was found a short distance away. The driver has not been identified. He was driving a delivery truck.

It is not clear who had right of way at the time of the accident. Investigators are also unsure whether the driver knew about the accident. Reports state that the circumstances of the accident were unusual. More details about the accident have not been released because of the investigation.

The female pedestrian was found dead at the scene of the accident. She had not been identified as of yesterday evening. Her identification has not yet been released. No one else was injured in this accident.

The scene of the accident is a busy intersection. It does have a signal. Police have not announced whether the woman was crossing the street when she was hit.

On Monday, Ruben Cecilio, 75, was in a fatal accident. He is a Huntington Beach resident. Cecilio was involved in an accident when he collided with another car at Garfield Avenue and Brookhurst Street in Huntington Beach. The accident took place on Monday at around 1 p.m. At least two other vehicles were involved in the crash.

He was taken to UCI Medical Center. Cecilio later died from his injuries on Tuesday at 3:25 a.m. The Huntington Beach Police Department is currently investigating the accident. More details about the crash have not been released.

Car accidents can be quite severe and often fatal. Survivors of car accidents often sustain serious long term injuries. If you have sustained a serious injury from a car accident, you should contact a Huntington Beach car accident lawyer. Negotiating with insurance companies and the other drivers can be difficult. A Huntington Beach car accident lawyer can help you negotiate.

Car accident laws can be difficult and complicated. A car accident lawyer can help you analyze and correctly apply relevant laws. Contact the Law Offices of Dara Khajavi if you have any questions. Don’t worry if money is an issue. There are no charges until your case is won.

Car Crashes through I-5 Overpass Wall, Kills Driver

A man was found dead inside a burning vehicle that had crashed through an overpass wall in Irvine, Sunday night. Investigators are still working to identify the driver of the single-vehicle crash.

Motorists near the scene reported that the crash occurred sometime after 11 p.m. The vehicle crashed through the concrete wall of an overpass and then fell several feet into the middle of I-5.

When firefighters arrived to the scene they found the car engulfed in flames on the freeway’s center divider, Capt. Steve Concialdi of the Orange County Fire Authority told reporters. After working on the situation, fire fighters found a body inside a vehicle. It was the driver, who pronounced dead at the scene.

Irvine Police Department investigators believe that the vehicle had to be traveling “at a speed great enough to break through the wall,” said Lt. Julia Engen. The driver involved in the single-car crash has not been identified yet, she told reporters.

An initial investigation led officials to believe that the driver of the Toyota Matrix had been traveling south in the carpool lane just before the fiery crash.

The driver of the Matrix exited the freeway at Barranca Parkway in the carpool lane where Barranca Parkway intersects the freeway exit in a “T” intersection on the overpass, crossed the roadway and crashed into the retaining wall on the opposite side. At this point, the Toyota Matrix broke through the concrete wall and fencing, and then fell several feet onto the freeway. It landed on the center median away from traffic lanes in both directions of the I-5.

Officials worked hard to clear and investigate the scene but several southbound lanes of the freeway where shut down until 4 a.m. Monday.

Single-vehicle collisions can unexpectedly happen. To lessen the chances of being in collision, it is important to be aware of your surroundings and to follow the laws of the road but even then, a car accident can happen when its least expected.

Victims of car accidents naturally file a claim against insurance companies and expect to get the compensation they deserve to cover the costs associated with the wreck. Unfortunately, insurance companies aim to pay as minimum as possible and take advantage of the victim’s emotional state. They push victims to commit to a meager compensation, which because of their emotional state, often accept and forget to pursue other monetary compensation they are entitled to receive. Instead, insurance companies pocket the money and leave you, the victim, scrambling to find the financial resources you need to cover your costs.

Don’t be left fighting against insurance companies on your own, let one of our Irvine car accident lawyers do it for you and get you the compensation you deserve. Call (877)782-3777 to speak to car accident lawyer near you!

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