Motorcycle Accidents

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. For drivers throughout San Diego and the entire U.S., motorcycle safety isn’t the responsibility of the motorcyclist alone. Other motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists must also take care to share the road safely with bikers, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.

Whether you’re taking a special trip or merely completing your daily commute, you can help keep San Diego’s streets safe for motorcyclists and protect those in your own vehicle at the same time. When you’re on the road:

• Double-check for motorcycles in your mirrors and in your vehicle’s blind spots. Bikes are smaller than cars, so they are more easily concealed from a quick glance.
• Look twice in every direction before proceeding through an intersection. Some motorcyclists will slip between or beside vehicles to get through an intersection, and you may not see them on a first check.
• Leave a larger following distance between your vehicle and a motorcycle ahead of you than you would normally leave for another vehicle. Motorcycles need the additional space to maneuver and stop in emergency situations without falling, especially if the pavement is wet or slippery.
• Never share a lane with a motorcycle, even if there appears to be room. Always give motorcyclists a full lane width in which to maneuver for safety.

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, the skilled San Diego motorcycle accident attorneys at Jurewitz Law Group can help. Contact us today to learn more.  Your initial consultation is free and confidential.

A collision between a motorcycle and a pickup truck on El Cajon Boulevard near Altadena Avenue left a motorcyclist and the bike’s passenger with serious injuries, according to a recent news report from NBC San Diego.

The accident occurred just after 10 p.m. in the Talmadge area.  The motorcycle was traveling past a gas station when it was struck by the pickup truck, which was attempting to make a left-hand turn into the gas station’s parking lot.

The 20-year-old motorcyclist suffered life-threatening injuries to his upper body in the accident, while the bike’s 21-year-old passenger suffered a broken wrist.  Rescue workers rushed them both to a nearby hospital for examination.  The driver of the pickup truck was not injured.

Although young motorcyclists make up only six percent of those on the road at any given time, bikers between the ages of 20 and 25 make up about 13 percent of all those killed on California roads each year, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).  The risk of life-threatening injuries for motorcyclists overall is about 28 times more likely than the risk of those who occupy other vehicles.

While motorcyclists can reduce their own risks of injury by taking training classes and using appropriate safety gear, they can’t protect themselves from drivers whose negligence causes a crash.  If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident, please don’t hesitate to contact the dedicated San Diego, California motorcycle accident lawyers at the Jurewitz Law Group. Our number is (888) 233-5020, and your initial consultation is free and confidential.

A female passenger was killed and the male driver suffered major injuries in a California motorcycle crash that took place on July 21, 2012, around 10:25 p.m. in Rancho Santa Fe. According to California Highway Patrol, the victim was a passenger on the bike driven by 58-year-old William Jimenez that went off the road and struck several trees.

The female passenger sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Jimenez suffered serious injuries and was transported to Scripps La Jolla Hospital for immediate medical attention.

California Highway Patrol suspects that alcohol contributed to this fatal crash. It is indeed an unfortunate thing to think that if the driver was not intoxicated, the female passenger may not have lost her life. The exact cause is still under investigation.

Jimenez will most likely be found to have violated California Vehicle Code Section 23152(a) which states that, “It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle.” Under California law, it is also illegal to drive a vehicle with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher.

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 27 people were killed and 748 were injured in alcohol-related crashes in San Diego.
The victim’s family members should immediately get in touch with an experienced DUI accident lawyer so that they can inspect all the evidence and assure that the at-fault party is dealt with.

The victim’s family can file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver seeking compensation for medical and funeral expenses, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages.

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a drunken driving accident, talk to an experienced San Diego County DUI accident lawyer to ensure that your legal rights are protected. For a free assessment of your case, call our legal team at 1(888) 233-5020.

A man and a woman suffered serious injuries when the motorcycle they were riding struck a car from behind on July 17 around 7:30 p.m. in San Diego’s Torrey Pines neighborhood. According to the police, the victims’ Yamaha motorcycle rear-ended a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta travelling northbound. Both are in their 20s.

The two passengers in the car suffered minor bruises and scratches. The driver, who is in his 50s, was unhurt.

According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics from 2007, in 68 percent of read-end crashes involving motorcycles and vehicles, the motorcycle was the striking vehicle.

In cases where two vehicles are involved, investigating officers need to determine if the driver or biker was driving negligently. Did the car driver stop suddenly? Was the biker distracted at the time of the accident? These are questions that will need to be answered before police can determine who was at fault.

At this time, the injured victims may benefit from seeking an experienced San Diego motorcycle accident lawyer to make sure the negligent party is held liable.

If you have suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident that was caused by someone’s negligence, get the representation you need against the at-fault party. Call the Jurewitz Law Group at (888) 233-5020 for a free consultation.

A motorcyclist broke his pelvis and suffered multiple cuts to his legs after crashing into a pickup on June 21 around 6:45 a.m. in San Marcos. Sheriff’s Deputy Frank Stalzer said that the motorcyclist was traveling south on South Rancho Santa Fe Road when he hit the Chevrolet pickup, which was exiting the freeway.

The injured motorcyclist was immediately transported to Palomar Medical Center for medical treatment. The pickup driver escaped unhurt in this two-vehicle crash. We wish the injured motorcyclist the very best for a complete and speedy recovery.

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 15 fatalities and 357 injuries involving motorcycle accidents in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County.

Based on this news report, it is still unclear how or why this two-vehicle accident occurred. If officials determine that the pickup driver was at fault, then he may be held liable for the injuries, damages, and losses. We trust that the investigators are looking into whether one of the drivers failed to yield the right-of-way or was speeding.

Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, and other related damages.

The injured victim would be well advised to contact an experienced San Diego County motorcycle accident lawyer, who will analyze all facets of the incident and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable.

At the Jurewitz Law Group, our dedicated legal team will work to get you the most money for your injuries. For a free assessment of your case, call our San Diego personal injury office toll-free at (888) 233-5020.

A 43-year-old biker suffered serious injuries including a fractured hip after crashing his motorcycle in Encanto on June 10 around 8:30 p.m. The accident occurred when the motorcyclist crashed his 2006 Harley Davidson in the 6300 block of Imperial Avenue.

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 15 fatalities and 357 injuries involving motorcycle accidents in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County.

Based on this news report, it is unclear as to how the motorcyclist lost control of his bike. Was there a mechanical malfunction in the motorcycle? Was this accident a result of motorcyclist’s negligence? Were any other vehicles involved?

If a defective product caused loss of control that contributed to this Encanto motorcycle accident, then the manufacturer of the faulty product or the motorcycle may be held liable for the damages.

If you or someone you love has been killed or injured in an accident that was caused by a malfunctioning vehicle, get the representation you need against large motorcycle companies. Call the San Diego motorcycle accident injury lawyers at the Jurewitz Law Group at (888) 233-5020 for a free consultation.

47-year-old Martin David Erickson was killed in a motorcycle crash that took place on June 4 around 7 p.m. in the 10300 block of Ashwood Street in Lakeside. According to the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office, the man suffered fatal injuries after he crashed his speeding motorcycle in front of El Capitan High School.

Witnesses say that man had been speeding on Ashwood Street, north of Mapleview Street, when his 2004 Yamaha motorcycle hit a dirt and rock embankment, causing him to be thrown to the pavement.

California Highway Patrol (CHP) Officers believe neither alcohol nor drugs contributed to this fatal motorcycle accident.

If this is an auto defect-related crash, engineers will need to examine the vehicle to find out if this led to the victim’s wrongful death.

According to CHP’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 15 fatalities and 357 injuries involving motorcycle accidents in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County.

If a defective motorcycle or a faulty part caused this accident, the motorcycle manufacturer or the maker of the defective part can be held liable for the damages.

If you or someone you love has been killed or injured in an accident that was caused by a malfunctioning vehicle, get the representation you need against large motorcycle companies. Call the San Diego fatal motorcycle accident attorneys at the Jurewitz Law Group at (888) 233-5020 for a free consultation.

John N. Cupp, a 64-year-old man, was fatally injured in a traffic collision that took place on May 19, 2012, around 8 a.m. in Norco. According to coroner’s officials, Cupp was broadsided by a van that made a left turn in front of him.

Cupp was immediately transported to Corona Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead less than an hour later.

From the present facts, it is unclear as to how this traffic collision occurred. However, it seems that the van driver may have been negligent in their actions.

At this time, the victim’s family members should immediately seek counsel from an experienced Riverside County motorcycle accident lawyer who would educate them about their legal rights.

If it is found that the van driver broadsided the biker and was responsible for the collision, then he may be held responsible to compensate the biker’s family members with compensation to cover funeral and burial costs, loss of anticipated earnings, loss of love, care, and companionship, and other accident-related damages.

Our law office sends sincere condolences to the victim’s family and friends.

Ross Jurewitz is a personal injury lawyer in Riverside County and the managing attorney of the Jurewitz Law Group, a California motorcycle accident law firm dedicated to representing families of people injured in a motorcycle accident. If you or a loved one has been killed or injured in a motorcycle accident in Norco, please order your free copy of The Ultimate California Motorcycle Accident Book: How to Protect Yourself from Day One. It is full of helpful information that will help you protect your legal rights and it is free to all California residents.

54-year-old Joaquin De La Camara died in a motorcycle crash that took place on May 17 around 7:35 a.m. on the connection from northbound Interstate 15(I-15) to westbound Interstate 10(I-10) in Ontario. According to San Bernardino County coroner’s office, the biker was transitioning between the two freeways when he lost control of his motorcycle and collided with another vehicle.

The victim veered to the right shoulder and then collided with the guardrail, ejecting him off the bike to the bottom of a 58-foot embankment. De La Camara sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the accident scene.

Details surrounding this fatal Ontario motorcycle crash are currently unclear, but investigators should determine whether this was due to negligence or any vehicle malfunction.

The victim’s family members may file a wrongful death claim against the automaker if the crash was caused by a vehicle defect to obtain fair and full compensation for all fatality-related losses.

Our Ontario motorcycle accident attorneys send sincere condolences to victim’s family and friends.

Ross Jurewitz is a personal injury lawyer in San Bernardino County and the managing attorney of the Jurewitz Law Group, a California motorcycle accident law firm dedicated to representing families of people injured in a motorcycle accident. If you or a loved one has been killed or injured in a motorcycle accident in Ontario, please order your free copy of The Ultimate California Motorcycle Accident Book: How to Protect Yourself from Day One. It is full of helpful information that will help you protect your legal rights and it is free to all California residents.

A 47-year-old man was killed in a tragic motorcycle accident that took place on May 7, 2012, around 5 a.m. at D and Second streets. According to San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Johnson was driving his 2005 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic when he slammed into a van driven by 32-year-old Casey Hunter that made a left turn in front of him.

From the present facts, it is unclear as to how this traffic collision occurred. However, it seems that the car driver was negligent in his actions.

At this time, the victim’s family members should immediately seek counsel from an experienced San Bernardino County motorcycle accident lawyer who would educate them about their legal rights.

If it is found that the car driver made an unsafe turn in front of the biker, then he may be held responsible to compensate the biker’s family members with compensation to cover funeral and burial costs, loss of anticipated earnings, loss of love, care, and companionship, and other accident- related damages.

Our law office sends sincere condolences to the victim’s family and friends.

Ross Jurewitz is a personal injury lawyer in San Bernardino County and the managing attorney of the Jurewitz Law Group, a California motorcycle accident law firm dedicated to representing families of people injured in a motorcycle accident. If you or a loved one has been killed or injured in a motorcycle accident in Victorville, please order your free copy of The Ultimate California Motorcycle Accident Book: How to Protect Yourself from Day One. It is full of helpful information that will help you protect your legal rights and it is free to all California residents.