California Injury Blog
A police officer was injured in a Bakersfield car accident when a Scion xB struck his motorcycle the afternoon of March 27, 2011. According to a news report in the Bakersfield Californian, the motorcycle accident occurred at Olive and Knudsen drives in Bakersfield. The officer was making a left turn with his emergency lights on when the Scion made a left turn from Olive on a green light and struck him. The officer suffered injuries, which are not believed to be life-threatening. The driver of the Scion had a green light but failed to notice the police officer on the motorcycle with his lights and sirens on, officials say. An investigation is ongoing.
My thoughts and prayers are with the police officer injured in this motorcycle accident. I wish him the very best for a complete and speedy recovery.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), seven people were killed and 57 were injured in Bakersfield motorcycle accidents. During the same year, there were 16 fatalities and 234 injuries reported as a result of Kern County motorcycle accidents.
Right-of-Way Issues
It appears from the report that the driver of the Scion entered the intersection on a green light. However, officials say that the motorcycle officer had his lights and sirens on at the time. California Vehicle Code Section 21806 states: “Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle which is sounding a siren and which has at least one lighted lamp exhibiting red light that is visible, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to the right-hand edge or curb of the highway, clear of any intersection, and thereupon shall stop and remain stopped until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed.”
Liability Issues
I trust investigators are determining who was at fault here. If the driver of the Scion is found to have been at fault, then, he or she could be held liable for the officer’s injuries. Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation for medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. In this case, the police officer was on the job. So, he could claim workers compensation benefits as well. An experienced Bakersfield personal injury lawyer will be able to better advise injured victims about their legal rights and options.
Seriously injured in a Bakersfield 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 a Kern County motorcycle accident. Call 800-259-6373. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.
Call a Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys Bakersfield 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.