California Injury Blog
A man was injured in an Orange County car accident, which officials say, was caused by another vehicle making an unsafe lane change. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the injury crash occurred on the 5 Freeway at the 22 Freeway where it enters the Orange Crush the morning of July 19, 2012. California Highway Patrol officials said that a Chevrolet sedan made an unsafe lane change, forcing the rider on a Harley-Davidson into the side of a Toyota Corolla. The motorcyclist was transported to a local hospital for treatment of unknown injuries.
My thoughts and prayers are with the injured motorcyclist. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Orange County Motorcycle Accidents
According to CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but 35 injuries involving motorcycle accidents in Orange. Also, countywide, motorcycle crashes claimed 17 lives and injured 735 people during the same year.
Unsafe Lane Change
Based on this news report, it appears that this injury motorcycle crash was caused by one of the drivers making an unsafe lane change. 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 Chevy sedan is determined to have been at fault, he or she can be held liable for the motorcyclist’s injuries and damages. Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, pain and suffering and emotional distress. Victims would also be well advised to contact an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer who will analyze all aspects of the incident and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable.
If the at-fault motorist does not have insurance or sufficient insurance, a knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to advise victims as to how they can seek compensation through the uninsured motorist clause of their own auto insurance policy. For more information about pursuing your legal rights, please click here.