A 35-year-old man suffered major head and neck injuries in a Pasadena motorcycle accident after his motorcycle struck a pole. According to a news report in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, the major injury collision occurred the night of October 16, 2013 at Del Mar Boulevard and Craig Avenue. Witnesses only said they heard the crash before the motorcyclist was found lying in the street severely injured. He was rushed to a local hospital in serious condition. Pasadena police are investigating the cause of the crash.
Motorcycle Crash Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2010 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), one fatality and 30 injuries were reported as a result of motorcycle accidents in Pasadena. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 74 people died and 2,637 were injured due to motorcycle crashes during the same year.
What Caused The Crash?
Based on this news report, it is unclear as to how this motorcycle accident occurred. There are several unanswered questions here. How did the rider lose control of the motorcycle? Was there a vehicle defect or mechanical malfunction in the motorcycle, which may have caused or contributed to the incident? How fast was the rider traveling? Was there a dangerous or defective condition on the roadway? Were any other vehicles involved in the collision? Did the placement of the pole in any way cause the crash? I trust officials are looking into these and other issues in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.
Fault and Liability
In such cases, it is important to preserve the vehicle in its current condition unaltered so that an expert can examine it for defects, malfunctions and other evidence. If a defective product caused the accident, the injured victim can file a product liability claim against the manufacturer. If a dangerous roadway caused the crash, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway can be held liable. Any personal injury claim against a governmental entity must be filed within 180 days of the incident.
Injured motorcycle accident victims can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, pain and suffering and emotional distress. Injured victims would also be well advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.