Huntington Beach Motorcycle Accident Kills Man
Mark Hampton Montgomery, 59, was killed in a Huntington Beach motorcycle accident after his motorcycle collided with a car the evening of June 26, 2009. According to an article in The Orange County Register, Montgomery was riding the motorcycle west on Garfield Avenue near Edwards Street. A gold, four-door sedan was traveling east on Garfield. The sedan then turned north onto Edwards ahead of Montgomery, who crashed into the car, Huntington Beach police said. Montgomery was wearing a helmet, but he died from injuries sustained in the motorcycle crash. If you saw this accident, please call the Huntington Beach Police Department at 714-536-5666.
I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Mark Hampton Montgomery for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your prayers.
According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, there were no fatalities, but 55 injuries occurred involving motorcycle accidents in Huntington Beach. In Orange County as a whole, 24 fatalities and 752 injuries were reported in 2007 as a result of motorcycle accidents.
This Orange County motorcycle accident occurred in broad daylight with the sun to the back of the sedan driver on a multi-lane street at a traffic light controlled intersection with clear views in all directions. Based on this news report, the driver of the sedan had no reason not to have seen Montgomery on his motorcycle. At the very least, it seems that the driver of the sedan should have been able to avoid hitting Montgomery.
Regardless of who had the right-of-way in this fatal Huntington Beach motorcycle accident, it was the rider, Mark Montgomery, who paid the ultimate price. Our roadways are extremely dangerous for motorcycle riders. There is no question that motorcycle riders need to be hyper-vigilant. They must be aware that often car and truck drivers, for numerous reasons, just do not see motorcycles on the road and turn right in front of them. In this case, it is most likely that the driver of the sedan will be held civilly, if not criminally, liable for Mark Montgomery's death.
Just this week, my friend Thomas Kelly, a 30-year motorcycle rider and Boston motorcycle accident attorney, was trying to convince me that loud motorcycle pipes save motorcyclists' lives. Personally, I don't like loud motorcycle exhaust pipes. However, since our conversation, I have been aware that loud motorcycle pipes do alert me and make me more aware of motorcyclists on the road when I'm driving -- no matter how annoying it is. I'm now wondering if loud pipes would have saved Mark Montgomery's life.
The family of Mark Montgomery would be well advised to consult with experienced Orange County motorcycle accident attorneys who will fight for their rights and determine whether negligence or reckless driving on the part of the car driver caused this tragic motorcycle collision. The best Orange County personal injury attorneys will always offer a free and comprehensive initial consultation to injured victims and their families. In cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased victims may also be eligible to file wrongful death claims, which compensate victims' families for medical or funeral expenses, loss of wages and other related expenses.
Comments
My sympathies go out to Mr Montgomery's family. I am always saddened when one of my motorcycle riding brothers is injured or killed by an inattentive motorist. From your description of the accident it sounds like a classic left hand turn case in which the motorist suddenly and without warning turns left into the oncoming lane of travel of the motorcycle rider. The motoring public does not recognize that motorcycles can't stop as quickly as a car. This situation in a disaster and usually, as in this case, catastrophic for the motorcycle rider.
In my personal injury practice in Boston I encounter far too many of these left hand turn cases involving motorcycles. Although I agree that motorcycle riders must be hyper-vigilant it's almost impossible to anticipate that a motorist is going to suddenly take a left hand turn in front of you.
I recall very well our conversation regarding my position that "Loud Pipes Save Lives" In this case if the motorcycle rider had equipped his motorcycle with after market pipes the sound of the exhaust may have alerted the motorist who obviously was unaware of the motorcycles presence on the road.
To add additional support to my position on Loud Pipes...I recently learned that the Oakland CA Police Department recently spent $15,000 changing the stock pipes on it's Police issue Harley Davidson's to louder after- market pipes....The motorcycle police officers claimed that they did not feel as safe riding motorcycles with stock pipes. In Mr Montgomery's case unfortunately the question as to whether or not loud pipes would have saved him will go unanswered.
Blog editor's note: Tom Kiley's track record of successful personal injury cases is well known in New England. One of his cases was the subject of a novel and a blockbuster hit movie. He was one of the attorneys that held tobacco companies accountable (which was also the subject of a movie). Check out his website at http://TomKileyLaw.com.
Posted by: Thomas Kiley | July 2, 2009 10:03 AM
There were so many things that rider would've done to protect himself better: Take a safety riding course and get his M1 license, wear a reflective jacking, buy a good DOT approved helmet. What can save a rider's life are judgement, proper training and experience. Not the loud pipes. If 'safety' is really heart of the issue, all the things above should be done first prior to installing a loud pipe to disturb neighbors. Loud pipes are heard the best from behind, not from the side, not from the front. All the noise are left to the victims behind him/her. Stop the 'loud pipe save lives' BS.
Posted by: naomi toh | July 13, 2009 8:59 PM
To Maomi Toh-Mark Montgomery was my uncle. My uncle had been riding bikes since 1974 and took every precaution. He was a very good rider-its often the automobile driver who is at fault-not the rider.
Posted by: Charlene Lopez | August 13, 2009 3:57 PM