California Injury Blog
A 56-year-old Garden Grove man was killed in a motorcycle accident that occurred when a pickup truck was making a left turn at a street intersection.
According to a City News Service report, the fatal collision occurred on the night of Feb. 8 at the intersection of Chapman Avenue and Knott Street.
Ongoing Investigation
The man was riding a motorcycle going east on Chapman through the intersection of Knott when a pickup truck making a left turn from westbound Chapman to southbound Knott struck him. The motorcyclist sustained severe injuries in the crash and died at a local hospital.
Police have not made any arrests or issued a citation pending an official investigation. Based on preliminary details, they do not believe alcohol or drugs were factors in this fatal motorcycle accident. Anyone with information about this crash is asked to contact Garden Grove police at 714-741-5925.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of this deceased crash victim. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Right of Way Issues
Based on this news report, it appears that the driver of the pickup truck struck the motorcyclist as they were making a left turn. Drivers are required to exercise caution at intersections and make a left or U-turn only when it’s safe to do so.
According to California Vehicle Code Section 21801 (a), any driver who is about to make a left or U-turn or who is about to turn left into public or private property must yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction. Motorists must continue to do so until the turn can be made “with reasonable safety.”
Liability in Motorcycle Accidents
We often see these types of left-turn collisions involving motorcyclists because drivers of larger vehicles such as cars or trucks fail to see the smaller motorcycle approaching the intersection. It is crucial that drivers consciously look out for motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians as they make a turn or enter or exit a driveway in order to prevent these types of tragedies.
In such cases, victims’ families may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation for their losses. An experienced Garden Grove motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to advise them regarding their legal rights and options.
Source: https://www.ocregister.com/2022/02/09/motorcyclist-killed-in-garden-grove-crash-2/