The San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner reported that Benjamin Anthony Romero, 35, of Lucerne Valley, tragically died Monday night in a motorcycle accident on Highway 18. The Lucerne Valley crash occurred in the eastbound lanes of the highway, near Cody Road, at 8:25 p.m. on July 26, 2010.
According to news reports, Romero collided with the side of a 2004 Dodge pickup truck that was in front of him, when it made a right turn. The impact forced him off the bike. He was then struck by a westbound 2005 Ford pickup truck.
Cause of the Highway 18 Motorcycle Crash
The California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the accident. Based on the limited information provided in news reports of this incident, it is impossible to tell who was responsible for the crash. The CHP will surely look at factors such as the speed of the motorcycle, and both pickup trucks, as well as possible impairment of any other drivers, and whether or not the Dodge made a safe turning maneuver.
Potential Wrongful Death Liability
Motorcyclists are often stereotypically portrayed as thrill-seekers who jeopardize their own safety on the road. While a few motorcyclists are reckless, this is hardly accurate for the vast majority; more often it is drivers who simply do not look for motorcyclists when making turns. In situations such as this one, where the cause of a motorcycle accident is unclear, the family members of a crash victim would be well-advised to contact an experienced California motorcycle accident lawyer who can help them understand exactly what happened, and who was responsible. If the negligence of one or both of the other drivers caused this crash, a lawyer can help the family recover compensation for their loss in a California wrongful death claim.
Sources: Press-Enterprise, Vote29.com, San Bernardino Sun
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