Motorcyclist Killed in Intersection Crash
An intersection crash claimed the life of a motorcycle rider on July 9th in Sacramento County. It happened on a stretch of road between North Highlands and Rio Linda following a collision with a Mazda3 Sport. According to a report released by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the accident happened shortly after 2:30 in the afternoon at Elkhorn Boulevard and 28th Street. Emergency responders from the Sacramento Fire Department declared the rider dead at the accident site. The name of the individual who died has not yet been released, pending family notification by the coroner’s office. Authorities are investigating the accident to determine the cause. I would like to offer my condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.
How an Attorney Can Help
It is crucial for someone who has lost a loved one in a motorcycle crash to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Our investigators will conduct an independent investigation of the accident to determine who was at fault. We will also review all accident reports to ensure the facts have been recorded accurately and will interview witnesses. Videos of the accident, whether from traffic light cameras or businesses in the area, are crucial to the case. We acquire pertinent footage and use it to show how the accident actually happened. We fight for our clients’ rights and prevent other parties in the crash from evading their liability. If a government entity’s negligence caused the intersection crash, we would file a claim against the city, state, or federal authority.
Wrongful Death Claims
A wrongful death lawsuit is filed against the party who negligently caused another’s demise. One of the significant reasons wrongful death lawsuits are filed is due to car accidents. To hold the defendant liable, negligence must be proven. Some of the damages recovered in this type of lawsuit are:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of support by the deceased
- Loss of inheritance
- Cost of services the decedent performed about the house
- Loss of care and nurturing the deceased provided
- Loss of consortium
Watch the following video to learn more about a wrongful death claim:
Intersection Crash
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 72 motorcycles per 100,000 are involved in a fatal accident. Compare that to 13 cars per 100,000 that are in a crash with a fatality, and you will have some idea of the dangers associated with motorcycling. Basically, someone riding a motorcycle is statistically more likely to be killed than a person in an automobile. Almost half of all motorcycle accidents happen at intersections. Most intersection crashes are due to human error. Poor intersection design and maintenance by government agencies are also implicated in many accidents.
Top Causes of Motorcycle Intersection Crashes
Some reasons for the high incidence of motorcycle crashes in intersections are listed below:
- Motorist failure to see bikers at intersections
- Impaired drivers
- Distracted motorists
- Continuing past a stop sign without stopping
- Running a red light
- Speeding
- Not checking for motorcyclists when merging
- Failing to check blind spots for motorcyclists
- Not yielding the right of way
- Not looking at a motorcycle’s turn signals
- Making a left-hand turn in front of a biker
- Failing to correctly judge the distance of an approaching motorcycle
- Lack of intersection maintenance, including poor visibility at stop signs
- Lack of functioning traffic lights
Bias Against Motorcyclists
The erroneous bias that a motorcyclist caused the accident due to reckless driving is often used by defense lawyers in a motorcycle accident case. An experienced motorcycle attorney can overcome this misconception in a variety of ways. One strategy is to use accident reconstruction and video camera evidence. Showing strong evidence supporting the motorist’s negligence dispels this unfortunate bias before it can be used against the family’s claim.
Sacramento Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento wrongful death lawyer. A family can be financially devastated by the loss of a loved one. However, when negligence was the cause, an experienced attorney can help the family obtain the compensation they deserve and need. Call me at (916) 921-6400 in Sacramento County and (800) 404-5400 outside the area code. You can also contact me online if that is easier for you.
I’ve helped residents of the Sacramento area in the last 37 years to obtain the compensation they deserve. Some of the areas I’ve worked in include all types of car accidents and traumatic brain injuries.
I am a member of the following two organizations:
- The Million Dollar Advocates: This forum welcomes only those attorneys who have won over $1 million for a client.
- The National Association of Distinguished Counsel: Membership is awarded to fewer than 1 percent of lawyers who consistently display legal excellence in their practice.
To learn more about my practice, please visit the following pages:
Photo Attribution: pixabay.com
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