California Injury Blog
A motorcyclist was killed in a car accident in Garden Grove after officials said the driver of a van made an unsafe turn into oncoming traffic.
According to a report in The Orange County Register, the fatal crash occurred at Haster Street and Lampson Avenue on the evening of July 24.
Ongoing Investigation
Garden Grove police detectives said they determined the van caused the collision with the motorcycle by making an unsafe turn into traffic. Officials did not specify which direction each vehicle was headed at the time of the crash. The van driver remained at the scene of the crash and has not been arrested. Detectives are also looking into whether alcohol or drugs played a part in the crash.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of this deceased motorcyclist for their terrible loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Laws Regarding Unsafe Turns
Statistics and studies have shown that a significant number of major injury or fatal motorcycle accidents, especially those at street intersections, occur when a left-turning vehicle fails to yield the right of way to an oncoming motorcycle. This could result in a devastating head-on collision, which could prove fatal for motorcyclists.
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.”
We trust officials are also looking into whether alcohol, drugs, distracted driving, reckless driving, or other factors were involved in this fatal crash. In such cases, where negligence or wrongdoing may have been a factor, families of deceased motorcycle accident victims may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation for damages such as medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, pain and suffering, and loss of love, care and companionship.
Victims’ families would also be well advised to contact an experienced Orange County motorcycle accident lawyer who will stay abreast of the official investigation and make sure that the at-fault parties are held accountable.
Source: https://www.ocregister.com/2021/07/25/motorcyclist-killed-in-garden-grove-after-van-makes-unsafe-turn-into-oncoming-traffic/