California Injury Blog
Bryan Marquez, 20, of Foothill Ranch was killed in a Lake Forest motorcycle accident when he apparently lost control of his motorcycle. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal motorcycle crash occurred on Rue de Fortuna at Fascia Place in Lake Forest, the afternoon of April 18, 2012. Officials say he lost control and struck his head on either the roadway or the curb. Marquez was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Investigators say speed was likely a factor and that Marquez was not wearing a helmet. But the cause of the crash remains under investigation.
My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Bryan Marquez following this tragic motorcycle accident. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Orange County Motorcycle Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), one person was killed and 19 were injured as a result of motorcycle accidents in the city of Lake Forest. Throughout Orange County, there were 17 fatalities and 735 injuries reported as a result of motorcycle accidents, during that same year.
What Caused This Fatal Motorcycle Crash?
Based on this news report, investigators are still looking into the cause of this crash. Did a vehicle defect or mechanical malfunction play a part? Did a dangerous or defective roadway condition cause the rider to lose control of the motorcycle? Were other vehicles involved? For example, was Marquez’s motorcycle clipped by another vehicle?
Investigators have suggested that speed may have been a factor in the crash. According to California Vehicle Code Section 22350, “No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.” I trust officials are looking into these and other factors in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.
Liability Issues
In such cases, families of deceased victims would be well advised to seek the counsel of an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer, who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable. A knowledgeable motorcycle accident lawyer will also be able to determine whether a dangerous or defective roadway condition caused the accident. If that was the case, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway can be held liable for the accident. Under California Government Code Section 911.2, any personal injury or wrongful death claim against a governmental agency must be filed within 180 days of the incident.