California Injury Blog
Orange County Sheriff’s officials are asking for the public’s help to identify a pedestrian who they say jaywalked across a major roadway in Stanton, which led to the death of the motorcyclist, 51-year-old Mark Palacios of Cerritos. According to a report in The Orange County Register, the fatal incident occurred on the morning of July 19th. The pedestrian crossed the northbound side of Beach Boulevard near Katella Avenue causing oncoming vehicles to brake abruptly.
Search for Pedestrian
As a result, the motorcyclist slammed into the back of a vehicle that swerved to avoid the pedestrian. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. Deputies said they did not find the pedestrian at the scene when they arrived, but that they were searching for him because of his involvement. The man was described as having a thin build with black hair and scruffy facial hair. Officials think he may have been 30 to 35 years old wearing a white shirt and black pants. Anyone with information about the crash is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Department at 714-647-7000.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of Mark Palacios for their tragic loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Motorcyclists Are More Vulnerable
This incident underscores the fact that motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable on the roadway. There are many reasons why motorcyclists are more vulnerable on our roadways than other vehicles. First, drivers are simply not used to watching for vehicles with smaller profiles, be it on a surface street or on a freeway.
Motorcyclists are also more at risk for accidents caused by poor roadway maintenance, inclement and unexpected traffic conditions such as this pedestrian who was allegedly jaywalking. Motorcyclists may crash just by hitting a pothole, running over debris on the road or the sudden onset of bad weather such as heavy rain.
The consequences of an accident tend to be more serious for motorcyclists because they lack the protection people in vehicles such as cars and trucks have. Motorcyclists suffer major injuries in crashes such as traumatic brain injuries (head injuries), spinal cord trauma, internal organ damage, multiple bone fractures, road rash, etc.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be able to seek compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, pain and suffering and emotional distress. If you have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation as well. An experienced Orange County motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to help you better understand your legal rights and options.
Source: https://www.ocregister.com/2020/07/19/motorcyclist-dies-after-slamming-into-vehicle-trying-to-avoid-jaywalking-pedestrian-in-stanton/