Michael Hughes, 26, was killed in a Riverside car accident after a driver turned in front of him on Highway 62 in Morongo Valley the afternoon of November 11, 2009. According to a news report in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Hughes was riding his 2007 Yamaha motorcycle east on the highway near Samel Drive when a man driving a GMC SUV turned ahead of him. Hughes' motorcycle swerved and headed into oncoming traffic. He crashed into a Toyota Sienna and was pronounced dead at the scene. Four people were taken to an area hospital with minor injuries. California Highway Patrol officials have determined that alcohol or drugs did not play a part in this fatal car accident.
I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Michael Hughes for their devastating loss. Please keep them in your prayers.
Riverside Motorcycle Accidents
There were 22 deaths and 257 injuries involving motorcycle accidents in unincorporated areas of Riverside County in 2007, according to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). Countywide, 41 people died and 362 were injured as a result of motorcycle accidents in 2007. Also in Riverside County, car accidents claimed 279 lives and caused 9,925 injuries during the same year.
California Car Accident Laws
If this news report is accurate, it seems to me that the driver of the GMC was at fault for turning in front of the motorcycle. California law is very specific about the requirements for drivers making a left turn or a U-turn. California Vehicle Code section 21801 (a) states: "The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left or to complete a U-turn upon a highway, or to turn left into public or private property, or an alley, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to the approaching vehicles until the left turn or U-turn can be made with reasonable safety."
Based on the information in this news article, the driver of the GMC could be held liable for Hughes' fatal injuries. If I were a member of Hughes' family, I would want to find out whether the driver of the GMC was distracted, driving recklessly or negligent in any other way. If there was a dangerous condition on the roadway, which caused or contributed to this fatal motorcycle accident, the governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could also be held liable. Please remember that any claim against a governmental agency in California must be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury. The best California personal injury lawyers will always offer a free initial consultation to injured victims or their families.
The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.
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