California Injury Blog
A motorcycle accident in Long Beach proved fatal for 23-year-old Edgar Toledo the evening of August 5, 2010. The Press Telegram reports that the fatal motorcycle crash occurred at the intersection of Santa Fe and Columbia Street, when a 2002 Mitsubishi Galant making a left turn on Columbia struck the 2009 Yamaha motorcycle that was traveling south on Santa Fe. Toledo was pronounced dead at the scene. The 21-year-old driver of the Mitsubishi, Miguel Encisco, and three passengers in that vehicle sustained injuries as well.
I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Edgar Toledo. Please keep them in your prayers. I also wish the injured victims the very best for a swift and complete recovery.
Car Accidents
There were 27 deaths and 1,881 injuries involving car accidents in Long Beach in 2008, according to California Highway Patrol’s traffic accident statistics. Also, in Los Angeles County as a whole, 667 people died and 52,229 were injured as a result of car accidents in 2008.
Possible Street Racing Incident
If the details of this news report are accurate, it appears that this incident may have been the tragic consequence of street racing between two motorcycles. Eyewitnesses told police that they saw another motorcycle traveling at high rate of speed “doing tricks” alongside Toledo’s motorcycle. There are still several questions regarding who was at fault in this case. An investigation is ongoing.
Under California law, racing on a public roadway is illegal. California Vehicle Code section 23109 (a) states: “A person shall not engage in a motor vehicle speed contest on a highway. As used in this section, a motor vehicle speed contest includes a motor vehicle race against another vehicle, a clock, or other timing device. For purposes of this section, an event in which the time to cover a prescribed route of more than 20 miles is measured, but where the vehicle does not exceed the speed limits, is not a speed contest.”
Claim for Compensation
In such cases, injured victims or families of deceased victims would be well-advised to seek the counsel of an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all facets of the incident and make sure that the negligent parties are held liable. Where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased victims can seek compensation to cover funeral expenses, lost future income, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages.
What are some of the most dangerous roadways for motorcyclists in your city?
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.