State Route 16 Accident Involved SUV and Motorcycle Rider
A motorcycle crash resulted in a major injury when it collided with a Prius SUV near Rancho Murieta on June 13. The accident occurred along State Route 16 and Ione Road around 2:22 in the afternoon, leaving the roadway blocked. Multiple vehicles pulled over on the right-hand side, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) incident report.
Motorcycle Crash Under Investigation to Determine Cause
People exited their vehicles and walked down an embankment to offer assistance to the injured motorcyclist. Emergency responders determined the rider had suffered major trauma and transported their patient to a hospital nearby. The roadway was cleared around 2:45 p.m. The collision is under investigation by the CHP to determine which motorist caused the collision and assign fault.
Dangers of Motorcycle Accidents
Because a motorcycle is much lighter weight and has only two wheels, when it is involved in a collision with a passenger vehicle, serious injuries often occur. The rider is frequently ejected from their bike, which amplifies injuries. Helmets offer some protection against a traumatic brain injury but are not foolproof.
When a motorcyclist suffers an injury because of a negligent motorist, they may place a claim for compensation to recover damages. Over the years, my law firm has successfully defended the rights of an injured motorcyclist many times, including the following:
- A driver makes a left turn in front of a rider, causing a motorcycle crash. This is the main cause of motorcyclist accident injuries involving passenger vehicles.
- The driver changes lanes either without signaling or looking for a motorcycle rider. These accidents often happen when the rider is lane-splitting.
- Head-on collisions are common when a driver passes on a two-lane road when a motorcyclist is coming from the other direction. Many of the accidents of this type are fatal to the rider.
- Road hazards such as potholes, uneven road heights, fallen objects from vehicles, and others can lead to a motorcycle crash. When negligence by a government entity in maintaining the roadway is the cause, a claim may be placed to recover damages.
- Speeding is a major problem among drivers of passenger vehicles because they cannot react quickly enough to avoid a motorcycle crash or can lose control.
- Distracted driving by motorists is a major cause of accidents, including motorcycle crashes.
Investigating a Motorcycle Crash
Any accidents that involve a personal injury have to be investigated to collect evidence that supports a client’s compensation claim. Our investigative team performs the following, including:
- The investigators perform accident reconstruction, which illustrates where the vehicles were before the motorcycle crash, how it occurred and where they ended up. This evidence is widely accepted by insurance companies and in court.
- Witness statements are taken. In some cases, a witness may have filmed the accident.
- The police report is checked for mistakes.
- The driving record of the other party is checked for past infractions, which show a pattern of negligent behavior.
- Area surveillance cameras are checked to see if the accident was captured on tape.
Our injury attorneys take over once the evidence has been compiled to build a strong case that supports our client’s compensation claim.
Rancho Murieta Personal Injury Lawyer
I am Ed Smith, a Rancho Murieta personal injury lawyer. An accident injury can leave the person with unpaid time off work, mounting medical costs, and the pain and suffering that goes along with it. If a negligent driver or other entity was the cause of the accident, we can offer you free and friendly advice on whether you can place a claim for compensation. Phone us at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. We can also be contacted online by sending us a message.
My legal team and I have helped numerous Rancho Murieta residents in obtaining fair compensation for their traffic accident injuries since 1982 as well as claims involving traumatic injuries, wrongful deaths, and others.
The following links can show you how we’ve helped others over the years:
Among the many organizations and groups I belong to, I’m especially proud to be a member of the following:
Photo attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/motorcycle-pocket-bike-motorcyclist-3302119/
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