Police officer Richard Carrillo was injured in a Fresno area car accident after a driver turned in front of his motorcycle. According to a news report in The Fresno Bee, the injury motorcycle accident occurred at Pioneer Avenue and Lowery Street in Porterville the afternoon of December 5, 2010. Carrillo was travelling eastbound on Pioneer Avenue when 22-year-old Vanessa Diane Trevino turned her car ahead of the motorcycle. The police officer sustained injuries, which are not believed to be life-threatening. The accident is under investigation.
My thoughts and prayers are with Officer Richard Carrillo. I wish him a complete and prompt recovery from his injuries. I’m relieved to hear that he was not seriously injured.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), eight people were injured in Porterville motorcycle accidents. During that same year, there were 10 fatalities and 98 injuries reported as a result of motorcycle accidents in Tulare County.
The Law Relating to Left Turns
If the details of this news report are accurate, it appears that the motorist, Trevino, attempted an unsafe left turn in front of the police officer. 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.”
Liability Issues
If the driver is determined to have caused this accident, she could be held liable for the injuries caused to the police officer. Since the officer was on the job at the time of the accident, he could also seek workers compensation benefits from his employer. In such cases, injured victims can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, physical therapy and other related damages. An experienced Fresno personal injury lawyer will analyze all aspects of the incident and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable.
Seriously injured in a Fresno 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 Porterville motorcycle accident. Call 888-259-6373. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.
Call a Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys Fresno 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.
Do you always look out for motorcycle riders and smaller vehicles before making a left hand turn? What are some of the precautions you would take at a street intersection?
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.