A police officer was injured in an Orange County car accident after her motorcycle was struck by a driver who was making a right turn at an intersection. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the injury motorcycle accident occurred the afternoon of October 26, 2010 at the intersection of Main and 15th streets in Santa Ana.
Police say that a government car driven by a male IRS agent made a right turn ahead of the officer, from 15th onto Main, causing the motorcyclist to broadside the vehicle. The officer sustained several injuries to her back and wrist as well as broken teeth. She is said to be in serious but stable condition. The driver apparently had a stop sign, but the officer, who was riding on Main Street did not. An investigation is ongoing.
My heart goes out to the injured police officer and her family. I wish her the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. She and her family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were four fatalities and 70 injuries involving motorcycle accidents in Santa Ana. In Orange County as a whole, 35 people died and 801 were injured as a result of motorcycle accidents during the same year.
The Law Relating to Stop Signs
Based on the news report, it appears that the IRS agent may not have stopped at the stop sign. He somehow, also, failed to see the approaching rider at that intersection and ended up colliding with the motorcycle.
California law requires drivers to come to a complete stop at a stop sign and proceed with caution. According to California Vehicle Code Section 21802 (a): “The driver of any vehicle approaching a stop sign at the entrance to, or within, an intersection shall stop as required by Section 22450. The driver shall then yield the right-of-way to any vehicles which have approached from another highway, or which are approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to those vehicles until he or she can proceed with reasonable safety.”
Fault and Liability
It appears from the article that both the police officer and the IRS agent were on the job at the time of the car accident. If the driver is determined to have been at fault, then he and his employer could be held liable for the serious injuries caused to the motorcycle officer. The officer, who was on-the-job, will be entitled to workers compensation benefits. She may, in addition, file a claim for compensation against the at-fault driver and his employer, the IRS. In such cases, although a driver may not face criminal charges if police do not find wrongdoing, he or she could be held financially responsible for the injuries, damages and losses caused to the victim. An experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer will be able to better advise injured victims about their legal rights and options.
Seriously injured in an Orange County car accident? Want to know if you have a case? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation for your injuries? Want justice? Want to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to someone else?
Call your best friends in the legal industry after a Santa Ana motorcycle accident. Call 866-310-5252. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.
Call a Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys Orange County personal injury lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your case by attorneys who have represented over 6,000 clients since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a friendly law firm in a comfortable environment.
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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.