California Injury Blog
Ryan Wade Woosley, 37, was killed in a Riverside car accident after his motorcycle was struck by a vehicle at a Palm Springs intersection. According to a news report on KMIR6, Woosley was riding his motorcycle east on Dinah Shore Drive the afternoon of January 15, 2010 when he crashed into a white Buick making a turn at Crossley Road. The Buick then collided with a BMW. Woosley died of his injuries. The driver and passenger of the Buick sustained minor injuries while BMW’s driver and passenger were uninjured.
I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Ryan Wade Woosley for their devastating loss. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved this man. Please keep them in your prayers.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
There were 19 injuries involving motorcycle accidents in Palm Springs in 2007, according to California Highway Patrol’s traffic accident statistics. In Riverside County as a whole, 41 fatalities and 562 injuries were reported as a result of motorcycle accidents during the same year.
California Laws
Based on this newspaper report, it appears that Woosley was going east on Dinah Shore Drive at the time the driver of the Buick made the left turn on Crossley Road. It is not clear whether the driver of the Buick should have yielded right-of-way to the motorcyclist here. I trust that is the main issue traffic investigators are looking into right now.
California law is very specific about the requirements for drivers making a left turn or a U-turn. According to California Vehicle Code Section 21801 (a): “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.”
An Experienced Injury Lawyer Can Help
The family of Ryan Wade Woosley would be well-advised to consult an experienced California personal injury lawyer, who will stay on top of the investigation, analyze all aspects of the case and determine whether there was any negligence or wrongdoing involved on the part of the other motorist. A skilled car accident lawyer will also be able to determine whether a dangerous or defective roadway caused or contributed to the accident. If that was the case, the governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway could also be held liable. Any such claim against a California governmental agency should be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury.
The Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.