California Injury Blog
Rolgelio Cabrello, 50, of Indio was seriously injured Monday when his 1998 Yamaha Virago collided with a 2004 Dodge Neon while traveling south on Jackson Street in Indio. The Neon was being driven by Maria Padilla, 52, of Tolleson, Arizona, who was making a left turn onto Interstate 10 directly in Mr. Cabrello’s path, according to myDesert.com. Mr. Cabrello was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs for treatment.
My thoughts and prayers are with the victim injured in this Riverside County motorcycle accident. I wish him the very best for a complete and speedy recovery.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 32 deaths and 581 injuries were reported involving motorcycle accidents in Riverside County as a whole.
Dangerous Left Turns
Based on this news report, it appears that Ms. Padilla may have turned in front of the 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.”
A majority of motorcycle accidents take place when another vehicle turns left or makes a U-turn in front of them. Very often, these vehicles do not look out for a motorcycle at an intersection or when they are attempting to make a turn. They watch for larger vehicles, but at times, fail to see motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians. Such inattentiveness can have disastrous consequences. I trust officials are also investigating whether Ms. Padilla was intoxicated, distracted, speeding or otherwise negligent at the time of the crash.
Claim for Compensation
Victims’ families in such cases would be well-advised to retain the services of an experienced Riverside personal injury lawyer who will stay on top of the official investigation and make sure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.
A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to determine whether there was a dangerous condition on the roadway, which may have caused or contributed to this fatal motorcycle accident. If that was the case, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway could also be held liable. Please remember that any such claim against a governmental agency in California must be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury.
SOURCE: http://www.mydesert.com/article/20120927/NEWS01/309270034/1-motorcyclist-named-after-fatal-crash?odyssey=nav%7Chead