California Injury Blog
A man was injured in an Orange County car accident when his motorcycle was struck by a car pulling out of the car-pool lane the morning of March 17, 2011. According to The Orange County Register, the motorcycle accident occurred in the southbound lanes of the 55 Freeway near the 22 Freeway in Orange. California Highway Patrol officials say the motorcyclist was splitting lanes on his Kawasaki Ninja when he was struck by a Toyota Corolla. The impact from the collision pushed the motorcycle into another vehicle. The motorcyclist was transported to an area hospital for treatment of unknown injuries. An investigation is ongoing.
My thoughts and prayers are with the injured victim of this motorcycle accident. I wish him a complete and speedy recovery.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), four people were killed and 31 were injured in Orange motorcycle accidents. During the same year, motorcycle accidents in Orange County claimed 35 lives and injured 801 injuries people.
What Caused This Motorcycle Accident?
Based on the news account, the rider injured in this crash was splitting lanes at the time. It is legal in California to split lanes of traffic while riding a motorcycle. However, it is not clear at the moment if the driver of the Toyota Corolla made an unsafe lane change and moved out of the carpool lane without looking carefully for other vehicles nearby. California Vehicle Code Section 21658 (a) states that whenever a roadway has been divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic in one direction the vehicle “shall be driven as nearly as practical entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from the lane until such movement can be made with reasonable safety.”
Liability Issues
If the driver of the Corolla is determined to have been at fault, he or she could be held liable for the injuries and damages caused here. Injured victims can seek compensation from at-fault parties for medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. Car accident victims would be well advised to contact an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of the incident and ensure that the victims’ legal rights and best interests are protected.
Seriously injured in an Orange County car accident? Want to know if you have a case? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation for your injuries? Want justice? Want to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to someone else?
Call your best friends in the legal industry after an Orange motorcycle accident. Call 800-259-6373. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.
Call a Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys Orange County personal injury lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your case by attorneys who have represented over 6,000 clients since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a friendly law firm in a comfortable environment.