Two people were injured in an Orange County car accident the morning of October 19, 2009 after a motorcyclist collided with a car near the 5 Freeway on-ramp at Main Street in Santa Ana, California. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the injury accident occurred at the intersection of Main Street and Buffalo Avenue. Santa Ana police said the motorcyclist was making a left turn to go onto the 5 Freeway southbound when he was struck by an orange Volkswagen GTI that was traveling northbound on Main Street. Both the motorcyclist and the driver were taken to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.
I’m relieved that the driver as well as the rider was not seriously injured in this motorcycle accident. I wish both the very best for a quick and complete recovery from their injuries. Please keep them in your prayers.
Motorcycle Accidents in Orange County
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), five fatalities and 37 injuries were reported as a result of
motorcycle accidents in Santa Ana. In Orange County as a whole, 24 fatalities and 752 injuries were reported as a result of motorcycle accidents in 2007. Also, during the same period, in Orange County, 178 fatalities and 14,185 injuries occurred in 2007 involving car accidents.
Based on this newspaper report, it’s not clear whose fault the Santa Ana personal injury accident was. Where car accidents at street intersections are concerned, the determination of fault depends heavily on who had the right-of-way at the intersection. In this case, if the motorcyclist had the right-of-way, then the driver of the car could be held liable for the motorcyclist’s injuries and loss. If the accident was the motorcyclist’s fault, then he could be held responsible for the driver’s injuries and damages.
Car Accident Laws in California
Left turns at street intersections are always tricky and a number of accidents — especially those involving passenger vehicles and motorcycles – occur when one of the parties is making a left turn. California law is very specific about the requirements for drivers making a left turn or a U-turn. 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.”
In such cases, injured victims would be well-advised to seek the counsel of an experienced Orange County personal injury attorney, who will analyze all aspects of the incident, determine whether there was negligence involved, identify the negligent parties and hold them accountable. If a dangerous condition on the roadway caused or contributed to this accident, then the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could also be held liable. Please remember that any claim against a governmental agency in California must be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury.
The Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.