Motorcycle Accident Claims Rider’s Life in Elk Grove

I-80 Collision Causes Death of Motorcyclist

A motorcycle accident near Elk Grove resulted in a fatality on November 24 in a lane splitting accident. The collision occurred around 2:20 in the afternoon along Interstate 80 westbound just east of Watt Avenue. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) incident report stated that the rider, an Elk Grove man, age 40, and riding a Kawasaki Ninja, hit the back of a Hyundai sedan, which caused him to be ejected from his motorcycle. 

More Information About the Motorcycle Accident

Emergency responders with the Sacramento Fire Department determined that the rider had major injuries and transported him to a hospital, where he died later. The fatal accident is under investigation by the CHP, and it has not been stated whether alcohol or drugs was involved in the motorcycle accident. The identity of the rider has not yet been released, pending notification of the family. 

Traffic Back Up 

A Sigalert was issued due to the accident, and traffic was backed up to Madison Avenue. The roadway remained congested until about 3:15 p.m.

Lane Splitting in California

California is the only state that allows lane splitting, which became legal in 2016. Although it is generally safe when traveling at lower speeds, a motorcycle accident can happen and result in serious injuries or fatalities. The problem is that motorists do not anticipate a motorcycle rider passing them between the lanes, but there are ways a rider can improve their safety, including:

  • Wear reflective clothing and use your headlights.
  • Stay alert.
  • Only ride slightly faster than the rest of the traffic.
  • If the traffic speeds up faster than 30 mph, reenter a lane and don’t attempt lane splitting.
  • Keep an eye out for vehicles that may be changing lanes. 
  • Watch out for a driver’s blind spot.
  • Don’t lane split after dark.

Losing a Loved One

Family members suffer one of the greatest emotional challenges when a loved one dies. This is made worse when the loved one dies due to another person’s recklessness, negligence, or intentional act. Often, the family feels isolated in their grief and lose touch with the outside world and sometimes daily life. A close friend or another family member can help by:

  • Call and express your condolences. Ask if you can stop by.
  • Bring a prepared meal or order take out to be delivered to the family home.
  • Offer to help with daily chores such as walking the dog or taking the children to school and picking them up.
  • Let the family know that you can pick up groceries or prescriptions at the pharmacy if needed.
  • Offer to accompany the family members when they make end-of-life arrangements.
  • Make yourself available after the funeral service and burial – this can be a devastating and lonely time for the spouse and family. 

Investigating a Motorcycle Accident

Like other personal injury accidents, it is necessary to provide evidence that shows the at-fault party is responsible for the financial loss associated with the incident. If the injured party dies due to their injuries, this is done with a wrongful death lawsuit

To gather evidence, our law firm sends investigators to the accident scene. They use accident reconstruction methods to determine liability and interview witnesses. The investigators also obtain videos of the accident from various sources, including traffic surveillance cameras. They review police reports for mistakes since these are widely used in negotiations with insurers and in court to challenge liability. After the information is gathered, it is released to our legal team. They use it to frame and build out a strong case for our clients.

Elk Grove Wrongful Death Lawyer

My name is Ed Smith, and I’m an Elk Grove wrongful death lawyer. When you’ve lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident because of the negligence of another, please contact me for my free and friendly advice at (916) 694-0002. The toll-free number is (800) 404-5400, and I can also be contacted online.

I’ve helped Elk Grove residents obtain fair compensation for their accident injuries since 1982. Personal injury law claims that I handle include traumatic injuries, car accidents, and other cases.

The following associations are among those I’m proud to be a member of:

You can learn about my law firm and how we’ve helped others below:

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