Manuel Jimenez Galvan was killed in a Los Angeles motorcycle accident after an MTA bus struck him. According to an NBC news report, the fatal motorcycle collision occurred the night of May 8, 2014 in the 21500 block of Nordhoff Street west of Canoga Avenue. Galvan was traveling west on Nordhoff Street when he collided with the front of an MTA bus that was making a left turn from eastbound Nordhoff Street.
The motorcyclist then continued in a northwest direction and hit the road, curb and a light pole. The motorcycle then caught fire. Galvan died at the scene. The bus driver suffered minor injuries and there were no passengers aboard the bus at the time of the collision. The crash is still under investigation.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Manuel Jimenez Galvan for their tragic loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Los Angeles Crash Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2011 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 200 fatalities and 24,320 injuries reported due to traffic accidents in the city of Los Angeles. Countywide, 513 people died and 50,476 were injured as a result of traffic collisions during the same year. Also, in Los Angeles County, 88 fatalities and 3,024 injuries involved motorcycle crashes.
Laws and Liability Issues
Based on this news report, it appears that the bus driver was making a left turn when he struck the oncoming 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.”
If the driver is determined to have been at fault here, both he and his employer can be held liable for Galvan’s wrongful death. Such claims, usually filed by the family members of the decedent, seek compensation for damages such as medical and funeral costs, lost future income and loss of love and companionship. Families of deceased accident victims would be well advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer who will stay on top of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.