Linda Burnett, 69, Christopher De La Cruz, 49, and Julia Allen, 27, were all killed in a Newport Beach car accident involving 10 vehicles. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal car accident, which occurred at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Riverside Avenue the night of January 15, 2011, also left three others injured, one of them critically.
Police said a Ford Taurus sedan and a Toyota Tacoma truck collided first and that triggered a chain-reaction accident involving a motorcycle, a convertible, a pickup truck and a Volkswagen car. Burnett was apparently a passenger in the pickup truck. Police also said De La Cruz was driving another pickup and that Allen was driving a car that collided with the first pickup. Investigators are still sifting through the evidence to determine what caused this tragic car accident.
I offer my deepest condolences to the families and friends of Linda Burnett, Christopher De La Cruz and Julia Allen, who were killed in this car accident. My thoughts and prayers are also with the three injured victims. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Car Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were six fatalities and 439 injuries involving car accidents in Newport Beach. Also, during the same year, 152 people died and 13,414 were injured in Orange County car accidents.
What Caused This Tragic Car Accident
Based on available news reports, it appears that officials are still piecing eyewitness reports, evidence and other information together in order to determine how or why this fatal car accident occurred. This intersection is about a mile south of Newport Boulevard. The Chart House and Billy’s at the Beach restaurants are on the bay side of West Coast Highway at the intersection with Riverside Avenue. China Palace restaurant and the Wells Fargo Bank are on the opposite side of the street at the intersection. I have driven through this intersection many times. It is definitely not a spot where I would suspect a accident so violent.
Fault and Liability
A commenter on the Register’s web site stated that one of the vehicles involved in this accident was traveling at 80 mph or more. The speed limit in that part of Coast Highway is not more than 40 mph. Obviously, this was an extremely violent accident. In my opinion, someone was traveling at a very high rate of speed to cause such damage.
The injured victims of this car accident and families of the deceased victims would be well-advised to seek the counsel of an experienced Newport Beach personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of the incident and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable.
In any car accident where multiple vehicles and multiple parties are involved, the investigation is likely to be complex. It would be in victims’ best interests not to talk to insurance adjusters or attorneys for other parties until they have consulted their own injury lawyer. Victims should also refrain from rushing into a settlement with their insurance company or another party’s insurance company or signing any papers without first consulting a lawyer, who will fight to protect their legal rights and look out for their best interests.
Lost a family member in a Newport Beach car accident? Want to know your rights? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation? Want justice? Want to ensure the same thing doesn’t happen to another family?
Call your best friends in the legal industry after a fatal Newport Beach truck accident. Call 800-849-4905. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.
Call a BISNAR | CHASE Newport Beach wrongful death lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your rights by attorneys who have been representing families of deceased accident victims since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a compassionate and understanding law firm in a comfortable environment.
The above blog post was written by guest bloggers from Bisnar Chase in California. We at Shulman DuBois LLC hope you find it useful.
