On Monday, June 3rd, a motorcyclist died after being involved in a collision with a car making a left turn. According to California Highway Patrol (CHP), the crash occurred around 5:45 pm near Campo, on Old Highway 80 near the Golden Acorn Casino. 

Officer Jared Grieshaber said that a 78-year-old woman from Imperial was slowly driving in a Toyota Corolla south on Old Highway 80 when she began a left turn into the casino parking lot. When she did this, she turned directly in front of a 54-year-old man who was riding a 2022 Harley Davidson heading north. 

Grieshaber said the motorcyclist slammed into the front of the Toyota, sending the rider off his bike and into the road. 

The 54-year-old motorcyclist died at the scene, his name has not yet been released. 

The 78-year-old woman was taken to a local hospital to be treated for minor injuries. Police believe neither drugs nor alcohol played a role in this accident. 

Motorcycle Fatalities in California

Data collected by the National Safety Council shows that in 2022, California experienced the second-highest number of motorcycle deaths, with 634 fatalities, following Florida, which had 668 fatalities.

While riding a motorcycle is exhilarating, it is also dangerous. Motorcycles lack the protectiveness that is afforded to passengers of vehicles. If involved in a collision with a car or truck, motorcyclists are much more likely to suffer catastrophic or even fatal injuries. 

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists often get a bad reputation and are wrongfully blamed for causing accidents, however, accidents involving motorcycles are usually caused by the vehicle driver’s error.

“Our hearts break for the family of the motorcyclist who was involved in Monday’s fatal accident,” says Brett Schreiber, attorney at Singleton Schreiber, “accidents like this are not only emotionally devastating but can be financially devastating as well. It is important that the family know they may have a wrongful death claim and could consider speaking to an experienced wrongful death attorney to learn more about their options.”

So, what commonly causes motorcycle accidents? 

• Distracted driving: if drivers are not paying attention by engaging in activities like using their phone, eating, or adjusting the radio they may not notice motorcyclists in their vicinity. 
• Rear-end collisions: if a car is following too closely, it can rear-end a motorcycle, especially if the motorcyclist has to stop suddenly for some reason. 
• Lane changes: cars changing lanes without checking their blind spots can cause them to collide with motorcyclists who are in their blind spot or lane splitting.
• Failure to yield: drivers often fail to yield the right of way to motorcyclists, especially at intersections. 
• Left-hand turns: this is one of the most common causes, when a vehicle makes a left-hand turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle, often due to the driver not seeing the motorcycle or misjudging its speed. 

If you have lost a loved one in a motorcycle contact the San Diego personal injury lawyers at Singleton Schreiber by calling (619) 771-3473 or by emailing info@singletonschreiber.com.

Early Saturday, June 1st, a 44-year-old motorcyclist died on the H-1 freeway after crashing into another vehicle. Authorities said the accident occurred near Waipahu.

A Honolulu Police Department report stated that around 1:55 am a 50-year-old male was traveling west on H-1 Freeway in his vehicle when he slowed down due to a previous accident that had occurred on the road. When he slowed down, he was rear-ended by a 44-year-old male motorcyclist traveling west at a “high rate of speed”. 

The 44-year-old man driving the motorcycle was ejected from his bike in the collision and died at the scene. Officials from Honolulu Emergency Medical Services said paramedics responded to the scene and assisted with the pronouncement of death. 

Honolulu Police stated there is an ongoing investigation, though it does appear that speed was a factor in the collision. They do not yet know if alcohol or drugs were factors. 

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 5,932 motorcyclists killed in traffic fatalities in 2021 in the US. The Hawaii State Department of Transportation (HDOT) data shows that in 2022 there were 33 fatal motorcycle, motor scooter, and moped accidents. Of those 33 fatalities:

• 22 of the riders were not properly licensed to operate the vehicle
• 18 tested positive for alcohol, drugs, or both in preliminary toxicology screens
• 19 of the fatal accidents had speed as a contributing factor
• 24 riders were not wearing helmets at the time of the crash

“Our hearts go out to the family of the motorcyclist involved in the fatal accident that occurred on Saturday morning,” says Paul Starita, Attorney at Singleton Schreiber, “as a personal injury lawyer, I’ve seen firsthand how a devastating accident like this one can affect all those involved. It is important that the victims involved and their families know that they may have legal recourse and could consider contacting a personal injury lawyer to learn more.”

Unfortunately, fatal motorcycle accidents are not uncommon on Hawaii roads. Some of the most common causes include:

• Speeding: traveling at excessive speeds can reduce the motorcyclist’s ability to react to hazards and traffic flow changes, and increase the severity of collisions when they occur. Similarly, vehicles traveling at excessive speeds significantly decrease the driver’s ability to react, and increase the force of impact should they collide with a motorcyclist. 
• Alcohol and Drug Use: being under the influence of drugs or alcohol can cause impaired judgment and delayed reaction times in both vehicle drivers and motorcyclists, and can contribute significantly to motorcycle accidents. 
• Road Hazards: potholes, uneven pavement, debris, and other road hazards can cause motorcycles to lose control more easily than cars.
• Distracted Driving: both motorcyclists and other vehicle drivers who are distracted by activities like texting, eating, or using other in-car technologies increase their risk of being involved in an accident
• And more

Possible Course Of Legal Action For Those Involved

Those involved in accidents like the one that occurred on Saturday may be able to file claims such as:

• Wrongful death claims: if the motorcyclist’s death was a result of another person’s negligence. For example, if the car that slowed down for the previous accident did not have functioning brake lights, or if government entities failed to adequately signal to slow down for the accident, or their delayed response to the initial accident played a role in the fatal crash. The family may be able to obtain compensation to cover funeral and burial costs, along with other damages. 
• Personal injury claim: if the driver of the vehicle that stopped for the initial accident sustained injuries or damage due to the rear-end collision.

If you have been injured, or tragically lost a loved one, in a motorcycle or car accident, contact the personal injury lawyers at Singleton Schreiber by calling (808) 582-8062 or by emailing us at info@singletonschreiber.com.