California Injury Blog
Nicklaus Carothers, 26, was killed in a motorcycle accident after a left-turning taxicab struck him at a street intersection in Santa Ana. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the incident occurred the evening of November 30, 2017. Police said the taxicab was northbound on Bristol Street and was turning left onto Santa Clara Avenue when it collided with the southbound motorcycle. The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with police. Officials do not suspect that the driver of the taxi was under the influence. Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact Santa Ana police at 714-245-8200.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family members of Nicklaus Carothers for their tragic loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
One person died and 86 were injured as a result of motorcycle accidents in the city of Santa Ana, according to California Highway Patrol’s 2014 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In Orange County as a whole, 39 people died and 991 were injured due to motorcycles accidents during that same year.
Left Turn Law
Based on this news report, it appears that the taxicab driver made a left turn in front of the motorcyclist at the intersection. Motorists are required to yield the right of way to oncoming vehicles before they make a left or 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.”
Liability Issues
If the driver of the taxicab was determined to have been at fault, both he and owner of the taxi company can be held liable for the motorcyclist’s wrongful death. In cases where negligence is involved, families o deceased victims can seek compensation for damages such as medical and funeral costs, lost future income, pain and suffering and loss of love, care and companionship. An experienced Orange County motorcycle accident lawyer will be able fight hard to protect the rights of victims’ families in such cases and help them recover maximum compensation for their tremendous losses.
Source: www.ocregister.com/2017/11/30/motorcyclist-killed-in-santa-ana-crash-closing-bristol-street/