California Injury Blog
Anna Hernandez, 19, suffered serious injuries in a La Puente motorcycle accident the afternoon of February 15, 2009, the San Gabriel Valley Tribune reports in this article. The crash occurred when Hernandez, who was riding her motorcycle in the 16100 block of Central Avenue, lost control and struck a pole. She had apparently been riding her motorcycle side by side with another woman.
Roy Fontenette Jr., a former U.S. Marine, who lives across the street from where the motorcycle crash occurred, apparently ran to her aid and tried to keep her calm until emergency personnel arrived. Officials said Hernandez suffered a badly broken leg and several other injuries. Her condition is thankfully not life-threatening.
I’m glad that this motorcycle accident did not turn out worse and that Anna Hernandez did not suffer catastrophic or fatal injuries. I wish her the very best for a speedy and complete recovery from her serious injuries. I also commend the Good Samaritan, Roy Fonetenette Jr. for showing tremendous concern and kindness toward a fellow human being. His actions could have very well prevented Hernandez from having a panic attack in the middle of the street. He is a true hero in my book.
According to California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, in 2006, there were 78 fatalities and 2,168 injuries reported as a result of motorcycle accidents in Los Angeles County. Recent statistics have also shown a consistent increase in the number of motorcycle accident deaths in Los Angeles County. CHP officials say that 96 people died in motorcycle collisions in 2008 in Los Angeles County. During the previous year, in 2007, there were 85 motorcycle accident deaths in the county.
In this particular case in La Puente, it is not clear what caused Anna Hernandez to lose control of her motorcycle. It is also not clear whether she was speeding or if it was her inexperience that led to the crash. If I were a member of her family, I would want to know if there were other factors that may have caused her to lose control of her motorcycle, including any dangerous conditions on the roadway such as a dangerous curve, potholes or uneven pavement. If it is determined that Hernandez was injured because of a dangerous condition on the road, then the governmental agency responsible for maintaining that La Puente roadway could be held liable for the accident and resulting injuries. An experienced Southern California motorcycle accident attorney would be able to advice Hernandez about her legal rights and options.