Category Archives: safety

Hyundai Recalls 27,500 Genesis Sedans

The Korean manufacturer will recall about 27,500 Genesis sedans from the 2009-2012 model years for a breaking problem.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began investigating the recalled cars since last Thursday. According to a Genesis spokesperson, the brake fluid, in these vehicles, may cause corrosion on brake control unit valves. A gel may build up on valves in the braking system, resulting a loss of brakes. This defect may reduce braking power. To fix this problem, dealers will replace the brake fluid. Some vehicles will have their control units replaced.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched the investigation because of complaints from 23 owners. Some owners reported brake pedal issues.  There have been reports of accidents related to this defect. Owners have also reported loss of control of the vehicle.  There are no reports of any injuries related to the defect.

Hyundai is fully cooperating with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s investigation. 69,000 Genesis models from these years were sold. About 60 percent of them have been repaired through a company service campaign. This company service campaign took place in March. Hyundai replaced brake fluid as part of a service campaign.

Owners of affected models will be notified of the recall by mail starting in November. Dealerships will provide a pickup service for affected cars.  Dealerships will also provide a loaner vehicle. Owners should call their local dealer to set up a time to get their car checked and repaired. The dealership will change brake fluid in cars and inspect electronic brake control modules.  The recall affects cars built from April 1, 2008 through March 16, 2012.

Thankfully, no one has been injured due to this defect. If you are ever injured in a car accident due to another individual’s negligence, you may want to hire an Orange County car accident lawyer. Car accidents can be quite serious. Injuries sustained from a car accident may require time away from work and extended physical therapy. Insurance may cover some of these costs, but a car accident lawyer can ensure that you receive maximum damages for your losses.

Contact the Law Offices of Dara Khajavi if you have any questions. Our expert car accident lawyers focus on negotiations so you can focus on your recovery.  Do not worry if money is an issue. There are absolutely no costs until your case is won. Call us today for a free consultation.

Fatal Costa Mesa Motorcycle accident

A motorcyclist was killed in a fatal crash Sunday afternoon.

The motorcyclist was a Huntington Beach resident. He was later identified as Chad Delorm. The accident took place near Royal Palm Drive in Costa Mesa. Delorm was riding a 2011 ZX motorcycle.  A 2005 Honda Civic was making a left turn, and Delorm was heading east on Adams Avenue. The driver, a 62-year-old woman, crashed into the motorcycle. Delorm hit the passenger of the Honda Civic. The accident occurred just before 4 p.m.

Chad Delorm was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. The driver stayed at the scene of the crash and is cooperating with investigators. Police interviewed several witnesses. The driver was released after being interviewed. She did not appear to be under the influence of any alcohol or drugs. The crash is still under investigation.

Motorcycle accidents are often quite severe. Motorcyclists have little to protect them in the event of an accident. Motorcycles are not equipped with airbags or seatbelts. It is important for all motorcyclists to invest in protective gear. Helmets should always be worn. A properly fitted helmet can save your life.  Helmets can prevent many serious injuries.

If you are ever in a motorcycle accident, contact a Costa Mesa Car accident lawyer. Motorcycle accidents are often quite serious. Survivors of motorcycle accidents usually sustain injuries. Motorcycles are usually totaled after a motorcycle accident. The injuries can mean extended hospital stays and time away from work. The damage done in a motorcycle accident can also mean expensive repair bills. Insurance may cover some of these costs, but a car accident lawyer can help you seek maximum damages for your losses.

Contact the Law Offices of Dara Khajavi if you are involved in a motorcycle accident. Our expert legal team can guide you through the complicated legal process. There are absolutely no charges until your case is won. Call us today for a free consultation.

San Juan Capistrano Ortega Highway Bridge and I-5 Freeway Closure

San Juan Capistrano City officials and community leaders have been preparing an $86 million project to build a new interchange for Ortega Highway and I-5 for years. The first full closure for Ortega Highway’s bridge and the freeway portion under it will occur overnight Friday and Saturday. Crews will have to get the job done under the strict time constraints or face hefty fines.

If you are planning to travel through the San Juan Capistrano area via the I-5 or Ortega Highway on August 2nd or the 3rd, you may want to reschedule or reroute, as the south side of the bridge that passes over the freeway will be demolished.

Working approximately eight hours each night, a crew of about 20 people will be gradually chipping away on the old bridge. But first they will have a 2-foot layer of crushed concrete laid under the bridge to protect the I-5, which will be closed in both directions from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.

If Caltrans fails to abide by the schedule, they will be facing serious fines starting $1,700 for every 10 minutes during the first half-hour, then $2,600 every 10 minutes for the second half-hour and $3,400 every 10 minutes thereafter.

Crews prepared the southern portion of the bridge for demolition since its closure on June 1st. Over the next several months, that portion of the bridge will be rebuilt. Once that is completed, traffic will be switched to that side, and the process will be repeated on the north side.

Some residents are looking forward to the demolition and planned an unofficial watch party in the parking lot of the McDonald’s on Del Obispo Street, but organizer Jonathan Volzke said he wasn’t sure people were still interested.

“Obviously it dampened some of the enthusiasm when it got split into two days,” he told reporters.

According to Dave Richardson, spokesman for the California Department of Transportation, Caltrans scheduled the demolition over two nights instead of one to make sure they had enough time to get the job done safely.

He anticipates there will be some onlookers but doesn’t expect anyone to stick around long.

“It’s not the most exciting demolition to watch,” Richardson said. “They just peck away at it all night, and it’s loud.”

Construction zones can be dangerous places to drive a vehicle through and you can risk being in an accident. If you are injured in an accident during road construction and want compensation, contact a San Juan Capistrano car accident lawyer for more information.

Newport Harbor Boat Crash Injures 4

A boating collision in Newport Harbor left four people injured and two vessels damaged, Sunday evening.

At approximately 8:20 p.m., sheriff officials were called to respond to the accident that happened near the Newport Harbor entrance.

Officials arrived to the scene and found that two boats had crashed in the harbor and as a result people were thrown overboard and injured. After further investigation, it was determined that both vessels had been traveling at high speeds in the five mile per hour zone prior to the wreck.

Lt. Lloyd Downing of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department told reporters that officials are investigating further details of the events that lead to the Newport Beach boat crash and whether any of the people piloting the boats were intoxicated.

Aboard the two boats, a 22-foot Whaler and a 27-foot Rayson, were seven people. The boats were heading towards each other and when they tried to escape the crash, it was too late. The boats were wrecked and had to be pulled from the harbor with a crane.

The sheriff’s Harbor Patrol responded to the accident and was able to account for all seven passengers, including the three women and one man that were thrown overboard at the time of Orange County high-speed boat collision.

Lt. Mike Janson of the Harbor Patrol told reporters that one person that was tossed into the water had facial cuts and complained of knee and forearm pain. Emergency personnel tended to those who were injured and all four people were hospitalized. Further information regarding their injuries has not been made public.

Aside from speeding, there are many common factors that may have contributed to the boating crash. Distracted driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and breaking waterway laws are contributing factors of waterway collisions, which can cause serious damage to people and their property.

It has been our experience, here at Dara Khajavi Law Offices that in the event of a boat accident occurring at high speeds, the people riding the boat tend to incur more serious injuries on average than those who crash at lower velocities.

No matter how bad your Orange County boating accident is, give us a call before you contact an insurance company and file a claim. Call us at (877) 782-3777 for more information. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for your convenience and offer FREE consultations. We would like to hear about your case and let you know how we can assist you.

Two Separate OC Toddler Drowning

Two toddler boys in Orange County have drowned in pools, in the past week.

The first drowning took place in Rancho Santa Margarita in a community pool. The victim was a 3-year-old boy, Xavier Ergueta. He was pronounced dead a day later at Mission Hospita. Xavier Ergueta was pulled from the Beach Club and Lagoon pool on Avenida de los Fundadores on the Fourth of July.

Witnesses described pool staffers asking all visitors to get out of the pool because a child was missing. The boy was found, and a woman was seeing performing CPR on the boy. Firefighters reported to the scene at around 7:50 p.m. Thursday. An off-duty nurse and an off-duty paramedic assisted the boy before any paramedics arrived. Ergueta was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

The pool has a maximum depth of 4 feet. It is owned and operated by the Rancho Santa Margarita Landscape and Recreation Corp.  The incident is currently under internal investigation. In a news release, the pool stated that all safety procedures and policies were followed. The OC Health Care Agency has inspected the beach club and found no issues. This was the first drowning at the pool in its 26 year history.

Another drowning took place in a Placentia pool, Monday afternoon. A 2-year-old boy was found unconscious in a Placentia pool located in the 500 block of Dartmouth Drive. The boy has been identified as Omar Abo-Shadi. He died later early Tuesday morning. Firefighters and Police responded to the pool at about 1:45 p.m., Monday.

The boy was not breathing when the firefighters arrived at the scene. He was able to regain heartbeat and a pulse after he was brought to St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton. Omar Abo-Shadi was placed on a respirator and taken to Children’s Hospital of Orange County. He was pronounced dead early Tuesday morning. Investigators are still trying to determine if the drowning was an accident.

These unfortunate accidents took the lives of two innocent little boys. Pool safety is a serious issue for Orange County residents. We are lucky enough that the weather is usually good enough for pool time year around. It is important that we educate ourselves about pool safety.

Here are some important pool safety tips:

  • Never leave a child unattended near water. There must always be an adult supervising.
  • Become certified in CPR. You may never know when it may come in handy.
  • When you are supervising children, keep a phone by the pool. This way you never have to leave the pool to answer the phone.
  • Put away tools in and around the pool.
  • Make sure your children know how to swim. Teach them about pool safety.
  • Remember, children who are expert swimmers are still at risk of drowning.

If someone you love was ever injured due to another individual’s negligence, contact a Placentia personal injury lawyer.

Firework Shows in OC

Independence Day is tomorrow! It is a great day to relax, grill, and enjoy fireworks! Hopefully, you’ll get to eat tons of great grilled goodies and spend time with your friends and family. If you are looking to enjoy fireworks up close and personal, here are some firework shows in Orange County!

  • Aliso Viejo

Grand Park (Aliso Creek Road and Pacific Park Drive)

  • Anaheim

Disneyland

  • Anaheim Hills

Peralta Canyon Park (Pinney Dr)

  • Dana Point

Dana Point Harbor

Viewing available at Heritage Park and Lantern Bay Park

  • Fullerton

Fullerton High School Stadium

Lemon Street and Berkeley

  • Huntington Beach

Fireworks over the ocean

  • Laguna Hills

Laguna Hills Sports Complex

  • Laguna Niguel

Laguna Niguel Regional Park

  • Mission Viejo

Olympiad Road

Between marguerite Parkway and Melinda Road

  • San Clemente

San Clemente Pier

  • San Juan Capistrano

San Juan Capistrano Sports Park

  • Santa Ana

Centennial Park

  • Tustin

Tustin High School Football Field

  • Yorba Linda

Veterans Park

Casa Loma Avenue (adjacent to City Hall)

Feel free to suggest some shows in the comments! Remember July 4th is one of the busiest days of the year for hospitals and police. Do not drink and drive, and don’t let friends drink and drive! If you do drink, please enjoy the holiday carefully. Alcohol can impair judgment and slow reaction time.

Fireworks are also incredibly dangerous. Don’t let children play with or light fireworks. Fireworks can seriously injure a child or an adult. Only light fireworks if you are experienced in fireworks.  Be especially careful of disposing fireworks. If the firework is not completely out, it could start a fire or burn someone.

Enjoy the holiday!