Accident on SR 49 Kills Tahoe City Motorcyclist
A motorcyclist traveling on southbound State Route 49 near Reader Ranch Road on June 9 lost his life in a fatal crash when he lost control and was struck in the northbound lane at about 11:00 p.m. The Grass Valley California Highway Patrol (CHP) office said the motorcyclist, a Tahoe City man, 36, appeared to be traveling at high speed, nearing a curve, when he lost control, sliding into the lane heading northbound. At the same time, a North San Juan man, 65, was going north in a Honda CRV when the rider on his bike crossed in front of him.
The rider fell off his motorcycle at some point, and although the driver of the Honda veered out of the way to try to avoid hitting him, he did not succeed and ended up crashing into an embankment on the east side. The motorcyclist died in the collision, and the Honda driver was uninjured. Officers conducting an investigation into the fatal crash are attempting to determine if alcohol or drugs factored into the cause of the fatal crash.
Determining the Cause of a Fatal Crash
There are many reasons a motorcyclist can experience a fatal crash. However, insurance companies and juries in civil courts are often quick to try and blame the rider. The only way to truly determine how an accident occurred is to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause. It is true that most accidents of all types are caused by driver error, but outside influences can also lead to a fatal accident, which allows the family to place a wrongful death claim. That’s where we come in.
- Our investigators go to the fatal crash scene as soon as possible to gather evidence to prove how the collision occurred and why.
- The scene and vehicles are photographed, including the surrounding area in a search for government negligence such as potholes, fissures or upheavals in the pavement or other signs of negligence. If government negligence was a factor in the fatal crash, the government entity can be held liable. However, because the statute of limitations for filing a claim against a government entity is only six month, enlisting the help of an injury lawyer can ensure paperwork is completed and filed on time.
- Accident reconstruction is performed, which will show the positioning of the vehicles, how the fatal crash occurred and where they ended up. This type of evidence is accepted by insurance companies and in civil court cases.
- Any witnesses to the fatal crash are interviewed to understand what they saw as the collision occurred.
- The investigators go over the police report to determine if it is correct.
- The area is searched for surveillance cameras. If they are found, the film can be examined to see if the fatal accident was captured on tape. That tape can be subpoenaed as proof of negligence.
- The motorcycle itself is examined to look for signs of defects. For example, handling problems that interfere with steering, problems tracking, braking and throttle issues, and others can end up causing a fatal crash. If this is the case, a product liability claim may be placed against the manufacturer.
Grass Valley Wrongful Death Lawyer
My name is Ed Smith, and I am a Grass Valley wrongful death lawyer. When your loved one died in a motorcycle crash, you need someone with experience in handling these claims and who knows how to combat the false impressions that juries and insurance companies have. Contact our law office for free and friendly advice about whether your family can file a wrongful death claim at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400. An online contact form to message us is available also.
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