California Injury Blog
A motorcyclist was injured in an Anaheim car accident after he was hit by a vehicle at a street intersection, the afternoon of August 18, 2011. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the injury crash occurred at the intersection of Brookhurst Street and Orangethorpe Avenue. The man was riding a Suzuki motorcycle when a Toyota Camry struck him. The female driver of the Toyota was not injured. The motorcyclist was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, but the extent of his injuries is not known at this time. An investigation is ongoing.
My heart goes out to the injured victim of this car versus motorcycle accident. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. He will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were three fatalities and 105 injuries involving motorcycle accidents in Anaheim. In Orange County as a whole, 17 people were killed and 735 were injured due to motorcycle accidents, during the same year.
What Caused This Collision?
Based on this news report, it is not quite clear as to how this street intersection collision occurred. There are several questions here. Did one of the vehicles fail to yield right-of-way? Did one of the drivers run a red light? Did the driver of the Toyota Camry make an unsafe left turn into the path of the motorcyclist? Was alcohol, speed, distracted driving or inattention a factor? Was there a dangerous condition at the intersection, which may have caused or contributed to this accident? I trust officials are looking into these and other issues in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.
Fault and Liability
If it is determined that the driver of the Toyota caused this crash, then, she can be held liable for the motorcyclist’s injuries. Injured victims can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, and other related damages. Car accident victims would be well-advised to contact an experienced Anaheim personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of the incident and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable.
If a dangerous roadway led to this accident, the city can also be held liable for damages. In such cases, a personal injury claim must be filed within 180 days of the incident, under California Government Code section 911.2. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.