Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

ORANGE COUNTY - According to the Orange County Register, a 37-year-old motorcyclist was tragically killed when he was knocked onto the opposite side of State Route 57 Saturday morning. The June 25th motorcycle crash, which involved two other vehicles, happened just before 11 a.m. north of Rolling Hills Drive, reported the California Highway Patrol. A female driving a Honda at approximately 70 m.p.h. in the number one lane turned left into the carpool lane where the motorcycle rider was traveling. The Honda struck the motorcycle, which caused both the rider and his bike to go over the center divider into the northbound lanes of SR-57. A Chevy traveling in the northbound carpool lane was unable to avoid hitting the motorcyclist as he fell over the divider and onto the highway. As a result of the impact, the rider died at the scene of the catastrophic accident. The driver of the Honda suffered minor injuries in the crash while the driver of the Chevy was unharmed.

Determining Fault

If the CHPs initial investigation is accurate, it appears the woman driving the Honda could be liable for the wrongful death of the motorcycle rider. Based on motorcycle accident statistics, the number one cited cause of crashes it the inability of a driver to detect a motorcycle in traffic. However, this does not excuse a driver from all responsibility. According to California Vehicle Code § 21658 (a), a vehicle situated in a single lane shall not be moved from the lane until such movement can be made with reasonable safety. Oftentimes, because of distractions or failure to check mirrors, a driver will make an unsafe lane change.

The family of the victim may benefit from speaking with a Los Angeles wrongful death attorney familiar with the legal issues surrounding a devastating motorcycle accident death. A highly skilled wrongful death lawyer will inform surviving family members of their legal rights and options. Surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for damages related to the loss of their loved. The different types of damages available in a wrongful death claim include funeral and burial expenses, deceased's anticipated earnings, loss of support and loss of companionship.