A motorcyclist was seriously injured in a Laguna Beach car accident after colliding with a vehicle that was making a left turn out of a home. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the incident occurred the morning of October 15, 2017 in the 2900 block of Laguna Canyon Road. The motorcyclist was transported to an area trauma center. The accident closed about a mile of Laguna Canyon Road between Canyon Acres Drive and Castle Rock Road.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured motorcyclist. We wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
There were no fatalities but 16 injuries reported as a result of motorcycle accidents in the city of Laguna Beach, according to California Highway Patrol’s 2014 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In Orange County as a whole, 39 people died and 991 were injured as a result of motorcycle accidents during the same year.
Right-of-Way Issues
Based on this news report, it appears that the collision was triggered by a motorist who made a left turn out of his home onto the roadway, striking the motorcyclist. California Vehicle Code Section 21804 requires drivers to yield the right of way when they are about to enter a roadway from public or private property.
The law states: “The driver of any vehicle about to enter or cross a highway from any public or private property, or from an alley, shall yield the right-of-way to all traffic approaching on the highway close enough to constitute an immediate hazard, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to that traffic until he or she can proceed with reasonable safety.”
Fault and Liability
In such cases, the negligent parties can be held liable for the injuries, damages and losses caused. In this case, if the driver is determined to have made an unsafe turn, he or she could be held liable for the victim’s injuries and damages. Injured victims can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, cost of rehabilitation, pain and suffering and emotional distress.
Injured victims would also be well advised to contact an experienced Orange County motorcycle accident lawyer who will stay abreast of the official investigation and help protect their legal rights. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.