California Injury Blog
Fred Ransom, 78, was killed in a San Bernardino car accident September 7, 2009 after his motorcycle was struck by a pickup truck at a street intersection. According to a news report in the San Bernardino Sun, Ransom was riding his 2005 Kawasaki motorcycle when he collided with a pickup truck at the intersection of Big Bear Boulevard and Fox Farm Road. Ransom was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after the car accident.
I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Fred Ransom for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your prayers.
San Bernardino Motorcycle Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but four injuries reported in Big Bear as a result of motorcycle accidents. In San Bernardino County as a whole, there were 28 fatalities and 627 injuries in 2007 involving motorcycle accidents.
This newspaper report does not have enough information to determine who or what caused this fatal motorcycle accident. However, we know it happened at an intersection. So the determination of who was at fault would depend on who had the right-of-way here. If the pickup had the right-of-way at the time of the car crash, then obviously, the motorcyclist, Ransom, was at fault. If Ransom had the right-of-way and the pickup truck turned in front of his motorcycle, then the driver of the pickup truck could be held liable for the accident and Ransom’s wrongful death.
California Car Accident Law
California law is very specific about the requirements for drivers making a left turn or a U-turn. 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.
In such cases, the family of the deceased victim would be well-advised to consult with an experienced California personal injury lawyer who will help analyze the facts of the case, determine whether there was any negligence involved and hold the negligent parties responsible for their actions. If there was a dangerous condition on the roadway that caused or contributed to the collision, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway could also be held liable. Any claim against a California governmental agency must be filed properly within 180 days of the accident or injury.
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 source for the facts 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, please contact us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. Most of the best law firms will provide accident victims a free consultation.
We cannot fully inform any party or family member about their rights, options or the economic viability of any claim for compensation without a full investigation and consultation. We will not be conducting an investigation into this matter unless we are retained by a party. We will provide a free, confidential consultation to any, not at fault, person named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.