Fatal Big Rig Versus Motorcyclist in Corona
I’m Ed Smith, a Corona truck accident lawyer. A man is dead after traffic forced him into the path of a passing semi-truck on the Riverside Highway.
What happened?
On June 17, 2017, Stephen Moore was travelling westbound on Highway 91 near Corona when traffic unexpectedly stopped in front of him. He then swerved to the right to avoid striking the car in front of him and ended up falling off of his motorcycle.
His fall placed him in the path a semi-truck also travelling westbound. He landed near the driver’s side rear wheels. The driver of the semi-truck was unable to stop in time and ran over the victim. Moore sustained massive head trauma and was pronounced dead on the scene at 3:51 p.m.
The accident occurred west of Serfas Club Drive on Riverside Highway, also known as Highway 91, in southern California.
About the Victim
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) identified the victim as 45-year-old Stephen Moore of Riverside, California. He was travelling on a 2015 Yamaha Raider motorcycle.
Truck Driver’s Role in the Accident
The driver of the commercial truck that ran over Moore likely did not see him until it was too late to stop his vehicle. There may therefore have been nothing the commercial driver could have done to avoid the accident. However, it is possible that the driver made mistakes that caused his inability to stop in time.
Speeding and Commercial Trucks
If the truck driver was speeding, this may have made it difficult for him to avoid hitting the victim. The threshold of speeding is lower for big rigs as California law prohibits these vehicles from travelling more than 55 miles per hour. Therefore, if the driver was travelling over this speed, he was in violation of California law and is therefore liable for the accident.
The CHP is still investigating the accident and has not announced whether they believe the big rig driver was speeding.
Distracted Truck Drivers
The truck driver may also have been unable to stop in time if he was distracted while driving. If the driver was doing other things and not keeping his full attention on the road, this may have prevented him from seeing the motorcyclist after he fell. If this is proven to be the case, the commercial driver would be deemed at least partially responsible for the accident.
As with above, the CHP is still investigating the accident and has not released any statement about the truck driver’s actions. The driver may not have been doing anything wrong and this accident may have simply been unavoidable.
Riverside Highway Accidents
Another serious trucking accident occurred a mere day later on the same stretch of highway. On June 18, 2107, a semi-truck was travelling westbound near Serfas Club Drive on Highway 91 when the vehicle began leaking diesel fuel. It then spontaneously caught fire. No one was injured in this accident.
Both accidents show the dangers of highways that serve as both a major commuter road and a freight transport route. Riverside Highway is just one of many roads like this in California.
Related Articles by Ed Smith ~
- Orland Fatal Truck Accident
- Santa Barbara Pumper Truck Semi Crash
- Distracted Truck Drivers
- Accidents Involving Commercial Trucks
- What is a Wrongful Death Claim?
Corona Truck Accident & Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith and I am a Corona truck accident lawyer. If you, or a loved one, have been involved in an accident with a commercial truck, call me at (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice.
I have dedicated my career of 34 years to personal injury and wrongful death law.
See the results of our injury lawyers on our firm’s Verdicts and Settlements page.
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I am an established member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Sources:
http://www.pe.com/2017/06/19/motorcyclist-run-over-killed-by-big-rig-on-91-freeway-in-corona/
Second accident: http://www.pe.com/2017/06/18/big-rig-catches-fire-on-91-freeway-in-corona/
Image Attribution: Wikimedia Commons
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