Arturo Zamarripa, 33, was killed in a motorcycle accident in Long Beach involving a vehicle that was making a left turn. According to a City News Service report, the fatal crash occurred the night of June 22, 2016 at the intersection of Seventh Street and Newport Avenue. Police said Zamarripa was riding a 2008 Harley-Davidson east on Seventh Street when it collided with a 2000 Toyota Tacoma driven by a 70-year-old Long Beach man who was going west on Seventh Street and turning left to go south on Newport Avenue. No arrests or citations were reported. Anyone with information is asked to call Long Beach police at 562-570-7355.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of Arturo Zamarripa for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2013 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were six fatalities and 144 injuries involving motorcycle accidents in the city of Long Beach. Countywide, 105 people died and 3,509 were injured due to motorcycle accidents during the same year.
Right-of-Way Issues
Based on this news report, it appears that the driver of the pickup truck was attempting to make a left turn when he collided into the oncoming motorist. It appears that the driver of the pickup truck failed to yield the right of way to the motorcyclist.
California Vehicle Code Section 21801 (a) states: “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.”
Fault and Liability
In this particular case, if the motorist is determined to have been at fault or negligent, he could be held liable for the motorcyclist’s wrongful death. In cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased victims can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for damages such as medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, pain and suffering and loss of love and companionship. An experienced Long Beach personal injury lawyer will be able to advise victims and their families in such cases regarding their legal rights and options.