California Injury Blog
Amarpaul Gill, 23, was killed in a motorcycle accident in Murrieta. According to a City News Service report, the fatal crash occurred the night of May 14 when the Ducati motorcycle Gill was riding north on Whitewood Road struck a Toyota Corolla that was making a left turn on southbound Meadowlark Lane.
Ongoing Investigation
Witnesses told Murrieta police that the impact of the collision caused the motorcyclist to be thrown from the Ducati. He suffered traumatic injuries and was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police said the driver and passengers in the Toyota sustained relatively minor injuries. No citations or arrests were reported pending an official investigation.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of Amarpaul Gill for their tragic and heartbreaking loss.
Laws and Liability Issues
Based on this news report, it appears that the driver of the Toyota was making a left turn at the intersection at the time of the collision. It is not clear if the motorist failed to yield the right of way to the oncoming motorcyclist.
California Vehicle Code Section 21801 (a) states: “The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left or to complete a U-turn upon a highway, or to turn left into public or private property, or an alley, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to the approaching vehicles until the left turn or U-turn can be made with reasonable safety.”
If the driver is determined to have been at fault in such cases, then, he or she can 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 seeking compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, and other related damages. Victims’ families would also be well advised to contact an experienced Riverside motorcycle accident lawyer who will stay on top of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.
Source: https://www.pe.com/2021/05/15/motorcyclist-dies-in-collision-with-car-in-murrieta/