California Injury Blog
A 65-year-old man who was riding a motorcycle was struck and killed by an SUV in a tragic crash on the northbound 5 Freeway in San Clemente.
According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal motorcycle crash occurred just north of El Camino Real in San Clemente on the morning of Sept. 6.
Ongoing Investigation
California Highway Patrol officials said the motorcyclist, who was riding a 2010 Harley-Davidson, was pronounced dead at the scene after the crash. The victim was from Kansas City, Missouri. Officials did not release his name. CHP officials are still looking into the cause of the crash. The SUV, a 2008 Ford Explorer, was driven by a 35-year-old San Clemente man. A 2012 Honda Civic was also involved in the crash. No one in the Honda suffered injuries, officials said.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of the deceased motorcyclist for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcycle riders continue to be overrepresented in fatal traffic crashes. In 2019, 5,014 motorcyclists died nationwide. NHTSA’s statistics also show that motorcycling can be dangerous. Per vehicle miles traveled in 2019, motorcyclists were about 29 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a crash and were four times more likely to be injured.
Causes and Liability Issues
Based on this news report, it is unclear who caused this fatal motorcycle accident. There are a number of unanswered questions here. Did the driver of the SUV cause the crash? Did one of the drivers make an unsafe lane change or rear-end the motorcyclist? Did driver distraction, impairment, fatigue, or some other form of negligence cause the crash? We trust officials are looking into these or other issues in order to determine precisely what occurred here or why.
In motorcycle accident cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased victims may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation for damages including medical expenses, 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 to advise victims and their families regarding their legal rights and options.
Source: https://www.ocregister.com/2021/09/06/65-year-old-biker-struck-killed-on-i-5-in-san-clemente/