Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

HEMET - A 57-year-old Hemet man was tragically killed Sunday afternoon in a motorcycle accident on Florida Avenue, the Record-Gazette reported. The victim, Daniel Bogan, was riding his 2005 Harley Davidson eastbound on Florida Avenue, while at the same time, Raymond Barrajas, 22, of Fresno, was driving a 2002 Toyota Corolla westbound. Barrajas made a left turn across the eastbound lanes of Florida Avenue to enter a private driveway, and allegedly failed to yield to Bogan's motorcycle. Barrajas, who held a valid motorcycle license and was wearing a helmet, was ejected from his bike and died at the scene of the May 22nd accident. The California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the fatal Riverside County crash.

Cause of the Hemet Motorcycle Crash

Based on the information provided in news reports, it appears that the driver of the Corolla likely did not yield to the right-of-way of Daniel Bogan, who was riding eastbound on Florida Avenue. Under California Vehicle Code Section 21801 (a), "The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left or to complete a U-turn upon a highway, or to turn left into public or private property, or an alley, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to the approaching vehicles until the left turn or U-turn can be made with reasonable safety."

Riverside County Motorcycle Accident Wrongful Death Liability

While the CHP is continuing to investigate this accident, the family members of the victim would be well-advised to speak with an attorney. When another driver's negligence causes or contributes to a fatal accident, the family members of the victim may pursue a wrongful death action against the at-fault driver, and recover damages for funeral and burial expenses, lost earnings and benefits the decedent would have earned over the course of his lifetime, and loss of love, care and companionship. A California motorcycle accident attorney who has handled many left-turn motorcycle accident cases can advise the victim's family of their legal rights and best course of action handling communications with the insurance company after this accident.