Tag Archives: newport beach

Fatal East Coast Highway Crash

A fatal two car crash took place on East Coast Highway in Newport Beach.

The accident took place at around 6:50 a.m. near the intersection of east Coast Highway and Promontory Drive. The crash involved a green Nissan Quest and a black Nissan Maxima. It is unclear what caused the accident. When police arrived on the scene, they found the Maxima had struck a pole.

The driver of the Nissan Maxima was severely injured. He had to be extracted from the vehicle using the Jaws of Life. The driver of the Maxima was taken to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana. He later died at the hospital from his injuries. The driver of the Quest was interviewed at the scene and released from the scene with no injuries.

After the accident, police blocked eastbound lanes of East Coast Highway from Bayside Drive and Jamboree Road. The road remained block during investigation until around 10:30 a.m. Police investigators are still investigating the cause of the accident.

If you are ever in a car accident, contact a Newport Beach car accident lawyer immediately. Injuries sustained from a car accident can be quite severe. The damage from a car accident may require extensive physical therapy and many hospital visits. Insurance companies may cover some of the costs, but a car accident lawyer can help you seek maximum damages.

The Law Offices of Dara Khajavi is fully prepared to handle any case. Our excellent car accident lawyers are fully prepared to handle any case. Call us today for a free consultation.

 

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.

Bicyclist Dies in Fatal Newport Beach Crash

A 58 year old woman died in a fatal accident in Newport Beach.

Debra Deem, a Laguna Beach resident, was riding her bike in Newport Beach. She was riding her bike west on the East Coast Highway near Newport Coast Drive. Deem collided into a white minivan at around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Deem was wearing a helmet, but she sustained major head trauma. Paramedics responded soon after the crash. Deem was transported to mission Hospital in Mission Viejo. She was put on life support. Unfortunately, Deem later succumbed to her injuries. She was taking off life support, and she passed on Wednesday.

Police were still investigating the crash on Wednesday. It is not clear who is at fault for the accident. No arrests or changes have been made. Police do not believe alcohol or drugs were involved in the crash. More details about the crash have not been released.

Bike safety is a serious concern in Newport Beach. Locals have complained that this area is too dangerous for bicyclists. Even experienced bicyclists are in danger on this road. Newport Beach is a popular bicycling location. According to police, there were 106 accidents involving bicyclists in 2012. In September 2012, there were two fatal bicycle accidents. This accident is the third bicycling fatality in Newport Beach in the last 12 month. It is the 6th fatal accident since 2010. There have been over 62 cycling fatalities in Southern California this year. This accident will be the 8th fatal accident in Orange County.

Debra Deem is the wife of Paul Deem. Paul Deem is a former Olympic cyclist and owner of Cycle Werx bike shops located in Costa Mesa and San Clemente.  Paul and Debra Deem were prominent members of the Orange County cycling community.

The Newport Beach Bicycle Master Plan Oversight Committee will meet on September 3rd. This recent death will definitely be part of the discussion. The committee hopes to decrease the number of accidents and improve street safety.

If you or a loved one is ever in a bicycle accident, contact a Newport Beach bicycle accident lawyer. Bicyclists are unfortunately incredibly vulnerable to accidents. A bicyclist is less visible than a vehicle. In the case of a collision, bicyclists are also more vulnerable to injury. This is why many accidents involving bicyclists are often quite serious.

The Law Offices of Dara Khajavi is fully prepared to handle any bicycle accident case. Contact us today for a free consultation.

 

Newport Beach Pays $1 Million in Suit

The city settled a lawsuit for more than $1 million.

In 2011, Haeyoon Miller, 29, was killed by a eucalyptus tree that fell on her car. The eucalyptus tree was 10 tons. It crushed the car and killed Haeyoon Miller. Miller sustained blunt force trauma and crushing injuries. She was pronounced dead at the scene. This horrific accident took place at Irvine Avenue and 17th Street. It has been Newport Beach’s responsibility to care for the trees on the public property.  Costa Mesa is also responsible for paying for part of the upkeep.

The tree had no obvious signs of disease. According to witnesses, the only warning sign was a creaking noise before the tree fell. The tree was a 50 foot tall blue gum eucalyptus. It was over 60 years ago. The deadly tree was one of 100 eucalyptus trees on Irvine Avenue. The city arborist found no evidence of disease when he first examined the tree. Other arborists and experts stated that the tree’s root system was decayed.

Haeyoon Miller’s parents filed a wrongful death claim against Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, in 2012. Hyun Myung Suk, Haeyoon’s mother, sought damages in excess of $10,000 from Newport Beach. She sought damages including the expenses for her daughter’s burial, funeral, and memorial.  Hyun Myung Suk also sought damages for the loss of care, comfort, support, and companionship. Her suit alleged that the city was negligent in its planting and maintenance of the trees. The claim also alleges that Newport Beach removed eucalyptus trees to conceal and destroy evidence. Sunyl Chung, Haeyoon Miller’s father, also filed claims against Newport Beach and Costa Mesa for an undisclosed amount. He alleged that the cities were negligent in the maintenance of the trees. He is seeking damages for the cost of Miller’s vehicle and medical and emergency services.

Costa Mesa was not held responsible for the trees and paid nothing to the plaintiffs. Newport Beach City Council approved two separate $500,000 payments to Haeyoon Miller’s parents. The tree contractor paid $50,000. Neither Newport Beach nor the contractor admitted to any fault or wrongdoing.

Haeyoon Miller was a Tustin Resident. She was an accomplished violinist who studied at Julliard School of Music. Miller had moved to American from Korea to attend Julliard. A year before her death she opened a sports-training studio for children in Costa Mesa. She was also a full time executive assistant at a mortgage firm. Miller was running a quick errand to the studio when she was killed.

This unfortunate accident left Miller’s family and friends emotionally scarred. If you have ever lost a loved one in an accident, contact a Newport Beach wrongful death lawyer.

 

 

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.

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.

Watersport Safety Tips

Summer is almost here, and the weather is definitely heating up. It is time to hit the beach, rivers, and lakes for some fun in the sun. Watersports are a great way to soak up the sun and enjoy the waters. Just like any other activity, watersports can also be dangerous. Follow these safety tips and you can have a fun and safe trip.

  • Learn how to swim

To safely enjoy watersports, you should learn how to swim. The ocean, rivers, and lakes can be quite dangerous if you are not a strong swimmer. It is even dangerous if you are a strong swimmer. Children especially need to learn how to swim since they are more susceptible to drowning. If you partake in watersports quite often, you should learn how to perform CPR.  Lifeguards may not always be readily available. If you perform CPR on someone, you could save their life.

  • Wear a life jacket

Life jackets are an important safety precaution. If you are going to be on the water, wear a life jacket. Waves and currents can be quite strong. A strong wave can drag even the strongest swimmers out to sea. Drowning often occurs because of strong waters. A life jacket is additional protection that everyone should use. Water can be unpredictable, and a life jacket can save your life.

  • Never go out on the water alone

A day out on the water alone seems nice and relaxing, but it can be quite dangerous. If something happens while you’re out on the water, there is no one to help you. Accidents happen quite often.  It is a good idea to have a friend with you.

  • Tell someone

Let a friend know what your plan is. This person should know where you are going, what you are doing, and when you should be done. If you don’t report back to your friend, your friend can alert the authorities and tell them where you should be. Imagine being stranded out on the water because ran out of gas. If you told a friend, emergency authorities could come find you and rescue. If you did not tell anyone, you could be stuck out there for a while. Unfortunately, cell phone service is not available everywhere. Telling a friend is much more reliable.

Follow these tips, and you will have a fun and enjoyable trip on the water.

If you are ever in an accident on the water, contact a Newport beach personal injury lawyer.