California Injury Blog
A motorcycle officer was injured in a Los Angeles car accident after a driver attempting a left turn at an intersection struck him and then fled the scene. According to a news report in the Daily Breeze, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputy was on his way to investigate an earlier non-injury collision involving a Metro bus and a LAPD cruiser in South Los Angeles.
The accident involving motorcycle officer occurred the afternoon of May 25, 2010 on Florence Avenue near San Pedro Street. The deputy was riding his motorcycle west on Florence when a driver turning left collided with him. The driver apparently fled on foot leaving the car behind. The deputy was knocked off his motorcycle and taken to the hospital with injuries. He is, however, expected to survive. The suspect vehicle is described as a green 1999 Toyota SUV.
My heart goes out to this injured officer who was apparently on duty at the time. I wish him the very best for a quick and complete recovery. He will be in my prayers.
Motorcycle Accidents
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 42 fatalities and 1,289 injuries involving motorcycle accidents in Los Angeles. Countywide, 114 people died and 2,934 were injured as a result of motorcycle accidents during the same time.
Violations of the Law
In this particular case, if the details of the news report are accurate, the driver of the car not only turned left in front of an oncoming motorcycle, but also abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene of a crash. This driver could be looking at criminal hit-and-run charges, and at fault for failing to yield right-of-way to an oncoming vehicle.
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.”
Claim for Compensation
In such cases, injured victims would be well-advised to contact an experienced car accident lawyer in Los Angeles who will stay abreast of the investigation and make sure that the victims’ rights are protected. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also advise victims about how to claim worker’s compensation and how their car insurance policy might apply to a hit-and-run collision or in an incident where the at-fault motorist is uninsured or underinsured.
What are some of the precautions you take while making a turn at a busy 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.