James Renshaw, 48, was injured in a Ventura car accident after his motorcycle was struck by a teen driver, who officials say turned left in front of Renshaw. According to a news report in the Ventura County Star, the serious injury motorcycle accident occurred at the intersection of Baldwin Road and Highway 33 in Ojai the night of January 11, 2011. Renshaw was headed southbound on Highway 33 on his motorcycle when a car driven by 17-year-old Whitney Cooke hit him. Renshaw suffered critical injuries when he was thrown to the ground. Police believe that Cooke made a left turn against a red arrow.
My thoughts and prayers are with James Renshaw following this critical injury accident. I wish him a complete and speedy recovery from his injuries.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), three people were injured in Ojai motorcycle accidents. During that same year, 11 fatalities and 227 injuries occurred due to Ventura County motorcycle accidents.
Right-of-Way Issues
Police say that the teen driver in this case made an unsafe left turn, failing to yield right-of-way to Renshaw. 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.” Drivers who fail to properly obey traffic signals may be held liable for the accidents they cause.
Liability Issues
I trust officials are also looking into whether Cooke was under the influence, distracted, inattentive or otherwise negligent at the time of the car accident. If Cooke is determined to have been at fault, he could be held liable for Renshaw’s serious injuries. Injured victims in such cases could seek compensation for medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. An experienced Ventura personal injury lawyer will better advise car accident victims about their legal rights and options.
Seriously injured in a Ventura 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 an Ojai motorcycle accident. Call 800-259-6373. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.
Call a Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys Ventura 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.