California Injury Blog
Jason Durant, 34, was fatally injured in a Whittier car accident after a vehicle turning left at an intersection struck him, the afternoon of March 10, 2012. According to a report in The Whittier Daily News, the motorcycle collision occurred at the intersection of Meyer Road and Beaty Avenue. Police say Durant was riding his 2003 Suzuki motorcycle east on Meyer Road, when a 31-year-old La Habra man driving a Daewoo sedan attempted a left turn in front of Durant’s motorcycle. Durant struck the right side of the Daewoo. He was ejected from his motorcycle and died at the scene. The driver of the Daewoo was not arrested pending an official investigation.
I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Jason Durant for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but 11 injuries occurred involving motorcycle accidents in Whittier. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 83 people died and 2,719 were injured due to motorcycle accidents, during the same year.
Left Turn Law
Based on this news report, officials are still looking into why the driver of the Daewoo sedan turned into the path of the motorcyclist. California Vehicle Code Section 21801 (a) states: “The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left or to complete a U-turn upon a highway, or to turn left into public or private property, or an alley, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to the approaching vehicles until the left turn or U-turn can be made with reasonable safety.”
Fault and Liability
I trust officials are determining whether the driver was under the influence, distracted, inattentive or otherwise negligent here. If the driver is found to have been at fault, he can be held liable for Durant’s wrongful death. In cases where negligence is a factor, the family of a deceased victim can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for damages such as lost future income and benefits, medical expenses, funeral costs, and loss of companionship. The family of a car accident victim would be well advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.