A motorcyclist was injured in an Orange County car accident after he was hit by a vehicle, the morning of October 3, 2011. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the motorcycle accident occurred in the eastbound lanes of the 22 Freeway at Fairview Street in Orange. California Highway Patrol officials say the driver of a Mercury Mariner SUV merged from the carpool lane of the freeway and entered into the path of a man riding a Yamaha R6 motorcycle. The motorcyclist then swerved to avoid being hit by the SUV, but ended up crashing into the back of a Chevy Silverado pickup that had stopped in traffic lanes. The motorcyclist was transported to an area hospital for treatment. An investigation is ongoing.
My thoughts and prayers are with the injured victim of this Orange County accident. I wish him the very best for a complete and speedy recovery.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
According to CHP’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 35 people were injured in Orange motorcycle accidents. During that same year, 17 fatalities and 735 injuries occurred as a result of Orange County motorcycle accidents.
What Caused This Injury Accident?
Based on this news report, it appears that the driver of the SUV may have made an unsafe lane change causing the motorcyclist to lose control. California Vehicle Code Section 21658 (a) states that whenever a roadway has been divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic in one direction the vehicle “shall be driven as nearly as practical entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from the lane until such movement can be made with reasonable safety.”
Liability Issues
If the driver of the SUV is determined to have been at fault, he or she could be held liable for the motorcyclist’s injuries. Car accident victims can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, and other related damages. Victims in such cases would be well-advised to contact an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all facets of the incident and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable.
| Orange County Motorcycle Accident Attorneys | ||||||
Many drivers feel that motorycylists are much more difficult to see. Do you think the automobile drivers are 100% at fault or that motorcylists should have to wear more visible clothing?
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