Courtney Bombardo, 22, and Carmen Valenzuela, 20, were killed in a Ventura car accident after their motorcycle was hit by a limousine at a street intersection. According to a news report in the Ventura County Star, the fatal motorcycle accident occurred the evening of January 9, 2011 at the intersection of Rice Avenue and Camino del Sol in Oxnard.
Bombardo was riding a motorcycle with Valenzuela as the passenger when limo driver, 46-year-old Stephanie Pinkard made a left turn in front of the motorcycle. Bombardo was unable to stop in time and broadsided the limo. Bombardo was pronounced dead at the scene while Valenzuela died in an area hospital. Pinkard has not been cited or arrested pending an official investigation.
I offer my deepest condolences to the families and friends of Bombardo and Valenzuela for their heartbreaking losses. Bombardo was apparently a Seabee and veteran of two tours in Afghanistan. Valenzuela is also fondly remembered by those who knew her as a lively and good-natured person. Tragic! Please keep these grieving families in your prayers.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), one fatality and 15 injuries were reported as a result of motorcycle accidents in Oxnard. In Ventura County as a whole, 11 people died and 227 were injured due to motorcycle accidents in 2008.
Right-of-Way Issues
Based on this news report, it appears that the light at the intersection was green without an arrow when the accident occurred. That means the oncoming motorcycle had the right of way. Vehicles turning left are required to yield right-of-way to oncoming vehicles under California Vehicle Code Section 21801 (a). I trust officials are also looking into whether the limo driver was distracted, inattentive or negligent in any other way at the time.
Fault and Liability
If the limo driver is determined to have been at fault, she and her employer, the limo company, could be held civilly liable for the victims' wrongful death. The family of a deceased car accident victim can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for medical and funeral expenses, lost future income, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages. An experienced Ventura personal injury lawyer will be able to better advise families in such cases about their legal rights and options.
Lost a family member in a Ventura County car accident? Want to know your rights? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation? Want justice? Want to ensure the same thing doesn’t happen to another family?
Call your best friends in the legal industry after a fatal Oxnard motorcycle accident. Call 800-561-4887. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.
Call a BISNAR | CHASE Ventura wrongful death lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your rights by attorneys who have been representing families of deceased accident victims since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a compassionate and understanding law firm in a comfortable environment.
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