North Avenue Motorcycle Accident Involves Pickup Pulling a Trailer
A motorcyclist fatality was reported in Merced County on April 19 after the rider collided with a pickup truck that was pulling a trailer. The deceased motorcyclist was identified by the coroner’s office as Jason Casey, a 42-year old Delhi resident. Neither alcohol nor drugs are believed to have contributed to the accident.
Details of the Motorcyclist Fatality Accident
The fatal collision occurred at North and Cortez avenues around 4:15 in the afternoon. Officers with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) stated that the driver of the Chevy Tahoe pulling the trailer said he spotted the motorcycle and thought he had sufficient time to turn onto North Avenue from Cortez. The driver of the pickup was identified as Albano Silviera, a Stevinson resident, age 42.
Both Vehicles Catch Fire Following the Collision
The motorcycle rider at that time was riding a Honda CBR1000 north along Cortez Avenue when the two vehicles collided. The impact of the collision ejected Casey from his motorcycle, where he came to rest between the trailer and pickup. Both of the vehicles caught fire immediately afterward. Firefighters with the Delhi Fire Department arrived to put the fires out.
Motorcycle Fatality Accident Under Investigation
Casey, the motorcyclist, was pronounced deceased at the accident scene after succumbing to his injuries. Silvera suffered minor injuries in the crash and was cooperating with investigators on the cause of the collision.
Common Reasons for a Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle accidents are never minor, and many of them end up causing a fatality. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, those on motorcycles face a risk of dying in an accident 27 times higher than those in passenger vehicles. Major causes of a motorcyclist fatality include:
- A driver makes a left-hand turn in front of the rider. Intersections are common locations for these types of motorcyclist fatality accidents and occur in 42 percent of all accidents involving a rider.
- Dangerous road conditions are another major cause of a motorcyclist fatality. Loose gravel or dirt, uneven pavement, potholes, and other problems are the culprits. When a fatality or injury occurs caused by negligent maintenance, the government entity in charge may be held liable.
- Head-on crashes often result in a motorcyclist fatality because the speeds of both vehicles combine upon impact. In a head-on crash, the rider is often ejected from their bike and suffers catastrophic injuries.
- Lane-splitting accidents can be responsible for a motorcyclist fatality. Although lane-splitting is legal in California, the rider has to watch out for vehicles suddenly changing lanes, and the close space between cars makes the motorcycle less maneuverable.
Losing a Loved One in a Wrongful Death
A wrongful death occurs when a negligent driver or other entity commits an act that results in someone’s demise. Under these circumstances, the family of the deceased may place a claim for compensation with the help of a personal injury lawyer. Over the many years my law firm has been around, we’ve successfully handled numerous claims of this type. Recoverable losses from a wrongful death include:
- End-of-life expenses
- Wages, pension, insurance, and other benefits until the decedent would have reached retirement age
- Loss of consortium, love, and affection suffered by the surviving spouse
- Loss of inheritance
- Household services that are lost
- Loss of the guidance, training, and care by the decedent for their children
Merced Personal Injury Lawyer
I am Ed Smith, a Merced personal injury lawyer. If your family lost a loved one because of a negligent motorist or other entity, I have free, friendly advice to offer you on whether you can place a claim for wrongful death. Please contact me at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400. You can also connect with me by sending me a message online.
You can find helpful information about my law firm at the following links:
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Since 1982, my legal team and I have helped many Merced residents to get fair compensation for all varieties of traffic accidents, claims involving wrongful deaths, and others.
Photo attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/biker-motorcycle-ride-vehicle-407123/
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