A 21-year-old motorcyclist was critically injured in an Orange County motorcycle crash after being struck by a pickup truck near an intersection in Stanton. The Orange County Register reports that the major injury collision occurred near the intersection of Katella and Western avenues the evening of April 5, 2013. The Orange County Sheriff Department’s major accident reconstruction team is investigating this collision. The severely injured motorcyclist was transported in critical condition to an area hospital. So far, no arrests or citations have been reported.
Spike in Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents in the United States have been consistently increasing over the last decade or so, according to a report by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA). The report showed that motorcycle accidents remained at 4,500 in 2011, the same level as 2010 despite the decline in overall traffic fatalities in 2011. The GHSA notes that motorcycle deaths remain one of the few areas in highway safety where progress has not been made. In Orange County, 19 fatalities and 750 injuries were reported in 2010 as a result of motorcycle accidents.
What Caused This Collision?
Based on this news report, it is unclear as to how or why this serious injury motorcycle crash occurred. There are still several unanswered questions here. Who was at fault? Did one of the vehicles fail to yield the right-of-way? Where was the motorcycle at the time of the collision? Did alcohol or drugs play a part? Was excessive speed a factor in this collision? Was the driver of the pickup truck distracted, inattentive or otherwise negligent? Did the driver of the pickup make a dangerous turn? I trust officials are looking into these and other issues in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.
Fault and Liability
If the driver of the pickup truck is determined to have been at fault here, he or she can be held liable for the injuries and damages caused. Injured crash victims can seek compensation from at-fault parties for damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, physical therapy, medical equipment, permanent injuries, disabilities, and pain and suffering.
It is important that crash victims obtain prompt medical attention to maximize the chances of a speedy and complete recovery. Accident victims should also save all receipts and invoices and keep track of doctor visits and therapy sessions. This type of information can be very valuable during the claims process. An experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer will be able to better advise injured victims in such cases regarding their legal rights and options.