California Injury Blog
Nicholas Scott Truex, 28, was killed in a motorcycle accident in Placentia after a vehicle struck him at a street intersection. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal motorcycle crash occurred the evening of February 1, 2016. Truex was riding his motorcycle east on Chapman Avenue just past Placentia Avenue when he collided with a truck that was attempting to make a left turn onto Murray Street. Truex was pronounced dead at the scene. The truck driver, a 57-year-old man, suffered relatively minor injuries, officials said. Police do not believe alcohol or drugs played a part. Anyone with information is asked to call 714-993-8157.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Nicholas Scott Truex for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2013 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities but six injuries reported as a result of motorcycle accidents in the city of Placentia. In Orange County as a whole, 30 people were killed and 989 were injured due to motorcycle accidents during the same year.
Left-Turn Accidents
Based on this news report, this motorcycle accident occurred when the vehicle was making a left turn. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), one-third of all motorcycle accidents nationwide occur when the driver is making a left turn. The intersection where this accident occurred (Chapman Avenue and Murray Street) does not have a dedicated left-turn signal. This means that cars wanting to turn left must wait until opposing traffic is clear.
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
In cases where negligence or wrongdoing is a factor, in such cases, families of deceased victims can seek compensation for their losses by filing what is known as a wrongful death claim. Such claims seek compensation or damages including medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income and loss of love and companionship. An experienced Orange County motorcycle accident attorney will be able to advise victims’ families regarding their legal rights and options.