Around 12:25 am on Monday, September 30, motorcyclist John Nealis was struck by two vehicles on state Route 94 near College Avenue resulting in his death. According to a news release from Officer Jared Grieshaber, the first collision occurred when a dark-colored sedan traveling at high speed hit Nealis’ motorcycle from behind and ejected him into traffic lanes. Nealis was then hit by a gray, four-door sedan. 

According to officials both drivers who struck Nealis fled before officers arrived on the scene. Officials said that Nealis died at the scene.

What Makes Motorcycle Hit-and-Runs So Dangerous?

In 2022, California reported nearly 4,500 fatalities from traffic accidents, with 634 of those deaths involving motorcyclists. In San Diego County alone, there were more than 1,600 hit-and-run crashes that caused injuries and fatalities in 2021. 

Hit-and-run accidents pose a significant safety threat in California, especially for motorcyclists who face a disproportionate risk of injury or death. These collisions are not only frequent but often result in severe injuries or fatalities.

Due to their exposure and lack of protection, motorcyclists are significantly more vulnerable to catastrophic injuries compared to passengers in enclosed vehicles. When a driver flees the scene, this vulnerability is amplified, as any delay in receiving medical attention can lead to fatal consequences.

Additionally, when the crash occurs at a high rate of speed, it further increases the likelihood of fatal injuries upon impact. 

“The heartbreaking incident that occurred on Monday morning highlights the extreme dangers motorcyclists face on the roads, especially in hit-and-run accidents,” says Gerald Singleton, attorney of Singleton Schreiber, “Without the protection of a vehicle’s frame, motorcyclists like John Nealis are extremely vulnerable to catastrophic injuries when struck by reckless drivers, especially when drivers fail to stop and render care afterward. This can lead to delayed medical care and an increased likelihood of fatal outcomes.” 

Legal Options for Families of Victims of Fatal Motorcycle Hit-and-Run Accidents

Families of victims who died in motorcycle hit-and-run accidents may choose to pursue a wrongful death claim to obtain compensation for their losses, which may include:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of financial support that the deceased would have otherwise provided
• Loss of companionship and emotional support
• Pain and suffering
• Any medical bills associated with life-saving care the deceased received before dying
• And more

In California, wrongful death laws allow specific relatives, such as spouses, children, or domestic partners to file these claims within the statutes of limitation time period. 

If you’ve lost a loved one in a motorcycle hit and run accident contact the team of personal injury lawyers at Singleton Schreiber to learn more about your options. Call today at (619) 771-3473 or  email at info@singletonschreiber.com to get started today. 

Just after 4:30 am on Monday, September 30, 2024 20-year-old Jose Ruan Lopez rear-ended a box truck while riding his Kawasaki Ninja on Enrico Fermi Drive in Otay Mesa. The box truck had stalled in the road way before Lopez came upon it. 

According to the California Highway Patrol, Lopez died at the scene. 

The Dangers of Motorcycle Accidents 

Motorcycle accidents are often serious, and can result in severe injury and even death. The reason for this is due to the overall lack of protection provided to riders. In a car, passengers have a metal framework that protects them, and seat belts to hold them in their seats, however, motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable and have no metal frame or seatbelt to help protect them. 

Often, even at low speeds, motorcyclists will be thrown from their bike when they collide with another vehicle on the road. This can cause them to suffer extensive injuries, and oftentimes leads to their death. 

Common causes of motorcycle accidents include: 

• Inattention – other drivers on the road may not see motorcyclists, which can lead to collisions, especially at intersections or when changing lanes. 
• Speeding – traveling at excessive speeds reduces the time a driver has to react to changing road conditions, increasing the risk of being involved in an accident. 
• Poor weather conditions – poor visibility can make it harder for vehicles to see motorcycles on the road, and creates less stable conditions for motorcyclists to drive in.
• Mechanical failures – lack of proper maintenance can lead to tire blowouts, brake failures, engine issues, and more which can cause or contribute to the cause of an accident.
• And more

Potentially Liable Parties for Motorcycle Accidents

There may be several potentially liable parties in motorcycle accidents, including:

• Other drivers – if they were driving recklessly or negligently
• Municipal entities – if unsafe road conditions or lack of signage contributed to the cause of the accident
• Vehicle maintenance providers – if maintenance personnel or repair shop responsible for servicing the vehicle conducted negligent maintenance which may have contributed to the accident they may be held partially responsible

Depending on the circumstances of the accident, and who is determined to be at fault, the family of the deceased may choose to file a wrongful death claim to obtain compensation for losses such as funeral and burial costs, loss of income the deceased would have otherwise provided, emotional turmoil, and more. 

“Motorcycle accidents, like the one that led to the death of Jose Ruan Lopez, are stark reminders of the vulnerabilities motorcyclists face on the road each day and the inherent dangers that riders face, particularly unexpected obstacles like the stalled vehicle in Monday’s accident,” says attorney Gerald Singleton of Singleton Schreiber, “Our thoughts are with Mr. Lopez’s family in this devastating time, and we are confident that local authorities will conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.”

If you’ve lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, contact the team of San Diego motorcycle accident attorneys at Singleton Schreiber to learn more about your options. Call today at (619) 771-3473 or email info@singletonschreiber.com to get started.

Just before 2 pm on Saturday, September 28, 2024, 30-year-old Karl Trayvilla was riding his motorcycle northbound on South Coast Highway when he struck another northbound motorcycle. This collision caused Trayvilla to fall off his bike and onto the road where he was hit by a southbound car. Oceanside police said paramedics took him to Tri-City Medical Center. He was pronounced dead upon arrival. 

The Dangers and Impacts of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents are highly common on California roadways and nationally fatal accident rates have been increasing. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2022 motorcyclists killed made up 15 percent of all traffic fatalities in the United States. 

What typically causes motorcycle accidents to occur?

• Distracted driving – if either the motorcyclists or drivers in cars are distracted by their phones, in-car technology, or other things, they may fail to see their surroundings and cause a collision
• Speeding – if either the motorcyclist or driver is speeding they greatly reduce their reaction time to potential sudden changes on the road and increase the chance of a severe accident
• Driving under the influence – if either the motorcyclist or driver drives while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, their judgment may be significantly impaired and their reaction times may be reduced, which can increase the likelihood of being involved in a serious accident
• Road hazards – uneven pavement, potholes, debris on the road, and more pose a serious risk for motorcycles and can cause them to lose control 
• And more

Who can be held liable for causing motorcycle accidents? There can be several potentially liable parties when a motorcycle accident occurs. Potentially liable parties may include: 

• Other drivers – if they were acting negligently and thus caused the accident
• Motorcyclist – if they were acting recklessly or negligently and their actions caused the accident
• Government entities – if the accident occurred due to dangerous road conditions, a government entity may be held responsible
• Vehicle or motorcycle manufacturers – if a defect in either vehicle caused or contributed to the accident, the manufacturer may be held liable

“Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents often result in severe or fatal injuries,” says Gerald Singleton, attorney at Singleton Schreiber, “The death of Karl Trayvilla is heartbreaking and we send our sincerest condolences to his family. Surviving family members who lose loved ones in motorcycle accidents should know they may have legal options.” 

Legal Options For Family Members

Family members who have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident may have legal recourse, depending on the circumstances of the accident, and may choose to file a wrongful death claim to obtain compensation for things such as funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support, and more, 

If you have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, contact the Singleton Schreiber office today to get started. Call (619) 771-3473 or email  info@singletonschreiber.com to learn more about your options.