California Injury Blog
Ronny Aparicio, 25, was killed in a Garden Grove motorcycle accident, which officials say, occurred after two motorcycles collided head-on. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal motorcycle crash occurred the night of January 25, 2016. Police say 50-year-old Woodrow Hall was riding a motorcycle west on Trask Avenue when he swerved from a left-side lane into the outside turn lane near Ontario Avenue to pass a vehicle ahead of him.
Head-On Collision
As he changed lanes, Hall said he thought he saw a person in a wheelchair on the roadway and swerved into the eastbound lane of traffic on Trask to avoid the wheelchair. As Hall did that, he rode into the path of Aparicio’s motorcycle. A head-on collision occurred. Aparicio was transported to an area trauma center where he died from his injuries. Police say Hall did not appear to be intoxicated at the time of the incident. Anyone who saw the incident or who has information is asked to contact Garden Grove police at 714-741-5767. The investigation is still ongoing.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of Ronny Aparicio for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Motorcycle Crash Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2013 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were two fatalities and 37 injuries reported as a result of motorcycle accidents in the city of Garden Grove. In Orange County as a whole, 30 people died and 989 were injured due to motorcycle crashes during the same year.
Fault and Liability
Based on this news report, it appears that Hall made an unsafe move on the roadway and crossed into opposing lanes of traffic, triggering a head-on collision with the other motorcycle. We trust officials are still in the process of verifying Hall’s account of the incident and whether a person in a wheelchair was actually involved. Officials are probably also looking at how fast Hall was traveling and why he lost control of the motorcycle. If Hall’s actions caused or contributed to this fatal accident, he could be held liable for the victim’s wrongful death.
In cases where negligence is involved, families of deceased accident victims can file a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, pain and suffering and loss of love and companionship. An experienced Garden Grove personal injury lawyer can help victims’ families in such cases stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.