Richard Ciancone, 58, was killed in a Huntington Beach car accident after his motorcycle was struck at a street intersection early morning on February 7, 2010. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal motorcycle accident occurred when Ciancone was riding his motorcycle west on Heil Avenue near Bradbury Lane. That’s when Nathan Bower, 19, the driver of a 2007 Honda Element heading east on Heil, apparently attempted to turn left onto Bradbury Lane and collided with the motorcycle. Ciancone was ejected from the motorcycle and sustained fatal injuries. An investigation is ongoing.
My heart goes out to everybody who knew and loved Richard Ciancone. I offer my deepest condolences to his family and friends for their devastating loss. This grieving family will certainly be in my prayers.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no deaths but 55 injuries involving motorcycle accidents in Huntington Beach. In Orange County as a whole, motorcycle accidents claimed 24 lives and injured 752 people in 2007.
Left Turn Law
Based on this news report, it appears that the driver of the Honda Element was attempting to make a left turn and struck Ciancone’s motorcycle. It is important in such cases, to determine whether the driver failed to yield right-of-way to the motorcyclist. According to California Vehicle Code Section 21801 (a): “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.”
Liability Issues
If the driver of the Honda had failed to yield right-of-way, then he should be held at-fault for this tragic accident. If I were a member of Ciancone’s family, I’d also want to know whether the car driver was speeding, distracted or negligent in any other way. If there was a dangerous condition on this roadway, which caused or contributed to this accident, the city or governmental agency responsible for its maintenance could also be held liable. Please remember that any claim against a governmental entity in California must be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury. The best Huntington Beach personal injury lawyers will always offer a free, comprehensive and confidential consultation to injured victims and their families.
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.