Mohamad Ahmed Abdelwahhab, 36, was killed in a Newport Beach pedestrian accident after he was struck by a vehicle while crossing a roadway.
According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal accident occurred the night of August 29, 2015 near the intersection of MacArthur Boulevard and Von Karman Road.
Police say Abdelwahhab was crossing outside a crosswalk when a northbound Toyota hit him. Abdelwahhab was pronounced dead at the scene. The female driver of the car stopped and cooperated with the authorities. She was not injured.
Officials do not believe alcohol or drugs were involved. The investigation is still ongoing. Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact police at 949-644-3747.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Mohamed Abdelwahhab for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2013 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but 22 injuries reported as a result of pedestrian accidents in Newport Beach. In Orange County as a whole, 52 people died and 784 were injured due to pedestrian accidents during the same year.
Laws Involving Pedestrians
Based on this news report, it appears that the pedestrian may have been walking outside a crosswalk at the time of the collision. California Vehicle Code Section 21954 states: “Every pedestrian upon a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway so near as to constitute an immediate hazard.”
The same section also states: “The provisions of this section shall not relieve the driver of a vehicle from the duty to exercise due care for the safety of any pedestrian upon a roadway.”
Fault and Liability
We trust officials are looking into who had the right of way here and whether the driver was speeding, distracted or otherwise negligent at the time. In cases where negligence is involved, families of deceased victims can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, pain and suffering and loss of love and companionship.
A knowledgeable Newport Beach personal injury lawyer can also help determine whether a dangerous roadway caused or contributed to the incident. If that was the case, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway can also be held liable.
Please remember that any personal injury or wrongful death claim against a governmental agency must be filed within 180 days of the incident.