A motorcyclist suffered fatal injuries in a Montebello car accident, which officials say, involved a hit-and-run driver.
According to a KABC news report, both the motorcycle and the other vehicle were traveling east on Washington Boulevard when the other vehicle crashed into the rear of the motorcycle, causing the motorcyclist to
collide with a pole. The vehicle fled the scene eastbound into Pico Rivera. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.
A surveillance camera from a bingo parlor across the street apparently caught the incident on tape. However, the footage only captured a small part of the scene. Officials said the car and the motorcycle may have been racing, but investigators remain unclear as to the exact cause of the crash.
The car was described as a tan 1998 or 1999 Nissan Altima with four doors. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Montebello police at (323) 887-1313.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2012 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but six injuries involving motorcycle accidents in Montebello.
In Los Angeles County as a whole, 116 people died and 3,233 were injured due to motorcycle accidents during the same year.
Violation of the Law
Based on this news report, officials suspect that the car and the motorcycle may have been racing each other because witnesses say both vehicles were traveling on the roadway at a high rate of speed.
Under California Vehicle Code section 23109 (a): “A person shall not engage in a motor vehicle speed contest on a highway. As used in this section, a motor vehicle speed contest includes a motor vehicle race against another vehicle, a clock, or other timing device.”
In addition, this driver left the scene of what turned out to be a fatal crash. Leaving the scene of an injury or fatal crash is a serious crime under California law. The law requires motorists to stop and remain at the scene of a crash.
Drivers are also required to exchange pertinent information with other parties involved and most importantly provide assistance to injured parties.
Liability Issues
In such cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved families of deceased victims can file what is known as wrongful death claim seeking compensation for medical and funeral expenses, lost future income and loss of love and companionship.
A knowledgeable Los Angeles personal injury law firm will also advise victims about how their own auto insurance policy might apply to a hit-and-run accident or in a case where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.