Peter H. Reinert, 57, was injured in an Orange Countymotorcycle accident when his 2008 Harley-Davidson motorcycle veered off the roadway and crashed. According to a City News Service report, the motorcycle crash occurred along the Ortega Highway in Lake Forest the morning of August 3, 2012. Officials say he lost control of his motorcycle, veered off the roadway and was ejected when it hit a boulder. Reinert has been listed in critical condition with injuries to his head, neck, left leg and left ankle. It is unclear what caused Reinert to lose control of his motorcycle.
My thoughts and prayers are with Peter H. Reinert following this tragic Orange County motorcycle crash. I wish him the very best for a complete and speedy recovery.
Orange County Motorcycle Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), one person was killed and 19 were injured in Lake Forest motorcycle accidents. During that same year, there were 17 fatalities and 735 injuries reported as a result of Orange County motorcycle crashes.
What Caused This Single-Vehicle Crash?
Based on this news report, it is not clear as to how or why the victim lost control of his motorcycle. There are several unanswered questions here. Did his motorcycle strike debris on the roadway or veer out of control as the result of a hazardous roadway condition? Have similar incidents occurred at this location in recent years? Did another motorist force him off the roadway? Did this motorcycle accident occur as the result of a defective auto part or a mechanical malfunction? I trust officials are looking into these and other issues in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.
Liability Issues
In such cases, it would be a good idea for injured victims to preserve the vehicle so it can be thoroughly examined by an expert for defects, malfunction and other evidence. If a vehicle defect caused the crash, then, the manufacturer of the defective vehicle or part can be held liable. If a dangerous roadway condition caused or contributed to the accident, the manufacturer of the defective product can be held liable for the damages caused. An experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer will be able to advise injured victims in such cases about their legal rights and options.