California Motorcycle Accident Lawyers » Latest News

Rider of Fatal Motorcycle Accident Identitfied

ANorman — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 03:24:40 +0000

The identity of a 49-year-old male who was killed in a motorcycle crash on the I-405 freeway earlier today was finally revealed. Victim Raymond McQueen, a resident of Mission Viejo, was pronounced dead on the scene in Westminster after his cycle and body was found this morning just South of the Goldwest Street exit. McQueen, who had been riding a white Suzuki sport bike, hit the center divider at 8:14 a.m. A white Volvo was also involved in the same collision and sported visible auto damage as well. The driver stopped and was on the scene when authorities arrived. He was unharmed. Details on what caused the crash are unknown but preliminary reports seem to indicate that the driver of the Volvo had drifted into the carpool lane shortly before the motorcycle wreck.

With the above information, it is just as likely that the white Volvo caused the motorcycle accident to occur, especially if the cyclist was already in the lane prior to the wreck. This would mean that loved ones could pursue the Volvo driver in court regarding McQueen’s wrongful death.

Have you lost a motorcycle lover to a careless and reckless automobile driver? We are here to help. Contact our veteran wrongful death lawyers right away for a free legal consultation and learn what we at Slaughter and Slaughter can do to obtain reparation for your family member’s untimely death.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Motorcycle Rider Rear Ends Vehicle, Blocks Traffic

ANorman — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:12:47 +0000

A Sig-Alert was posted in Anaheim this morning after a motorcycle apparently ran into the rear end of a passenger car in front of him. The motorcycle accident transpired on the 91 freeway and created a traffic Jam that hindered the movement in two lanes of Westbound traffic. The car versus motorcycle crash was reported at 8:08 a.m. and the sig-alert was canceled at 8:44. The motorcycle rider was injured and taken to a local hospital for treatment but the extent of the motorcycle rider’s injuries are unknown.

Many people assume that an individual who hits someone from behind is automatically at fault. While this could be the case a good percentage of the time, modern day investigators often look for signs that indicate if the driver that was hit was actually the negligent party For instance, a car can stop suddenly for a number of reasons, catching even a careful motorist unawares. This can be especially dangerous for a motorcycle rider. Skid mark analysis may often reveal if this was indeed the case, and an injured rider may be able to receive compensation via a personal injury lawsuit.

Even if you hit someone in the rear, call our law offices for a free consultation and explain your case. There are certain circumstances that may enable you to still obtain financial compensation for your injuries. Don’t guess, know for sure. Contact us today and get the financial reparation you could be entitled to.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Motorcycle and Road Safety Promoted at Candlelight Vigil

ANorman — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 04:14:43 +0000

Family members used a candle vigil for motorcycle accident victim Dana Watkins, to shed light on road safety this week, in the hopes that their efforts would spare other people from the pain of losing someone they loved.

24-year-old Dana Watkins was killed Sept. 10, 2008 after a collision with a minivan. Pronounced dead at The Western Medical Center in Santa Ana, the young man’s death left a gaping hole in the lives of Don and Kathy Watkins, his doting parents.

Motorcycle and Road Safety and Awareness

Don and Kathy decided that their son’s death was not going to be in vain. In an effort to bring greater awareness to other motorists, they have begun a campaign to promote road safety for bikers.

Unlike most people, they understand that most tragic motorcycle accidents occur because passenger car drivers are not paying attention and often do not see motorcyclists. They also fail to give them the right of way, culminating in deadly accidents that are most likely to kill the biker.

With these facts in mind, the parents of the slain motorcycle rider decided to start a campaign to raise funds that would be applied towards educating other motorist about how to look out for motorcycle riders. The fund would also assist family members in paying funeral expenses for loved ones killed in motorcycle related accidents.

Successful Memorial Bike Run

A November 2008 event held in Trabuco Canyon honored Watkins and helped to raised $1,700 dollars for families who lost loved ones in Similar circumstances. Dana, who was also survived by sisters Dionne and Debbie; and brothers Donald, David and Dale, was certainly loved and will always be missed.

Motorcycle Accident Claims

Every year, thousands of motorcycle riders like Dana are killed by careless drivers who do not think to look twice before making turns or moving over into another lane. The Watkins’ have their work cut out from them in this regard but will hopefully help at least spare one life by their efforts.

When the unthinkable occurs however, surviving family members can look into wrongful death litigation in an effort to hold the negligent driver accountable for their actions.

The law firm of Slaughter and Slaughter can help, providing financial reparation and modicum of closure to grieving families who have lost a loved one in a tragic motorcycle to car accident.

Contact us today for a free consultation. After speaking with an experienced wrongful death lawyer you will understand your legal options and perhaps gain a measure of satisfaction in knowing that there is something you can do to obtain justice for your deceased love one.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Motorcyclist’s Severs Toes in Gaslamp Collision

ANorman — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 23:54:04 +0000

A motorcyclist was taken to a local trauma center shortly after an injury inducing accident where his toes were severed. The accident occurred Thursday at around 11:50 a.m. near a Gaslamp Quarter intersection. The motorcyclist had been traveling westbound when he ran a red light at Sixth Avenue and Broadway. He smashed into a Toyota Camry that was heading southbound after which three of his toes were severed. Police closed the intersection to clean up the wreckage and investigate the scene.

So many scenarios could have created the tragic circumstances above. In one, the man simply was not paying attention, ran the red light and hit the Camry. In another, he tried to stop, realized his brakes had failed him and had an unavoidable collision. In the latter instance, the motorcyclist may be able to sue the motorcycle manufacturer via a product liability lawsuit.

It is the duty of bike makers to ensure that their products are safe and will not cause injury. When an individual is hurt because of defective parts the victim has the right to pursue the manufacturer in court. Slaughter and Slaughter can help you not only file a claims against the motorcycle company that caused your injury, we will aid you in obtaining the compensation you need for your debilitating injures.

Contact us today for a free case review and begins proceedings that will help you both financially and emotionally after your devastating motorcycle accident.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Motorcyclist Killed in San Bernadino Car Accident

ANorman — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 23:53:45 +0000

25-year-old Stephen Jackson Steiner was killed after a debilitating motorcycle accident involving an SUV. The collision occurred August 29^th near Mojave Drive and Amethyst road in Victorville. Steiner was traveling eastbound on Mojave when he was struck by an SUV that was turning onto Amethyst. The young biker was airlifted to a hospital but eventually succumbed to his injuries. Authorities are still investigating the accident to see what caused the fatal collision.

Cops and officials working on the case know that their information can help surviving family members in a number of ways. Not only will they obtain the closure they need, they may be able to obtain justice if they find that their loved one was killed needlessly via wrongful death litigation. Since most car-to-motorcycle accidents are the fault of the passenger car driver, the family may find that the wreck was caused by the other motorist’s negligence.

Have you lost a loved one because of a car driver’s careless disregard for a motorcyclist safety? Then take your case to court and obtain the financial reparation you deserve.

Contact our law firm today for a free case review and speak with one of our compassionate and experienced wrongful death lawyers. The road to justice is long and hard but with the right representation you can achieve the closure and compensation you need after a loved ones untimely death.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Early Morning Motorcycle Accident Results in Injury in Anaheim

ANorman — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 05:23:06 +0000

A 7 a.m. car versus motorcycle collision took place in Anaheim and involved a Honda Goldwing Motorcycle and a black Acura. The accident occurred on Orange Avenue at Venada Drive slightly West of Knott Avenue. The fender of the Black Acura was torn off and the motorcycle rider was thrown to the curb. The extent of the rider’s injuries are not known nor was the exact hospital location revealed.

A great portion of car and motorcycle collisions appear to occur in the early morning hours. Why this is the case has no simple answers and numerous theories. What we do know is that the after affects of such accidents can be devastating and have life long consequences. Motorcycle accident victims can then be left in a financial crisis, dealing with mounting medical costs as they attempt to rehabilitate and heal. The solution of course, is to pursue the responsible party in court for financial compensation after your auto wreck.

If you have been hurt in a motorcycle collision, the law office of Slaughter and Slaughter can assist you. Call our personal injury attorneys today at 888.222.8286 for a free consultation to learn how you can safeguard your finances and get the medical attention you need to get back on your feet again.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Are Helmet Laws Useful in Saving Lives?

ANorman — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:45:31 +0000

Like lane splitting there has been much debate about the usefulness of helmet laws when it comes to saving lives. While many argue that helmets should be used to increase the chances of survival after a motorcycle crash, others feel the law is just another extension of the “nanny state” mentality that seeks to tell adults how to conduct their lives. No matter ones personal stance on the matter however, one cannot argue with statistics. In states where helmet laws were repealed, motorcycle death rates went up, with over with 42 percent of biker fatalities being those who did not wear head gear. Middle aged riders seem to be the most susceptible to this trend as well with nearly half being 40 years old or older.

Interestingly, statistics indicate that in 1996, 5.6 motorcyclists were killed for every 10,000 registered motorcycles, but by 2006 the rate had risen to 7.3. That means the annual death toll rose from 2,160 to 4,810 over that same period. This trend was occurring while fatality rates for all other passenger vehicles fell steadily.

Even with these alarming statistic however, it should be noted that wearing a helmet will not guarantee you won’t die, it just mitigates the chances . You can still also be seriously injured and most likely, the accident won’t even be your fault. If you have been hurt in an motorcycle collision, do not hesitate to fight for your rights whether you were wearing a helmet or not. Contact out law offices to learn more about motorcycle accident lawsuits and what you can do to get the money you need for your devastating injuries.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Orange County Motorcycle Accident Results in Injuries

ANorman — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:44:30 +0000

An early morning Orange County auto accident involving a motorcycle and a scooter resulted in injuries and caused one woman to be taken to the hospital. Police responded to the call about the collision at around 8 a.m. which had occurred on Cannon Street and Carver Lane and involved a blue and white Harley Davidson Motorcycle and a silver scooter. The female motorcycle rider was taken to the hospital with minor injuries and is expected to be okay. The scooter rider, also a woman, was not injured in the wreck.

It is thankful that no one was seriously injured in the collision; but that is not often the outcome. In many cases, a bike rider can be hospitalized or fatally wounded after a wreck. In a large portion of these accidents, the cyclist isn’t even to blame. When a biker finds themselves in this type of situation, they can rely on an experienced personal injury attorneys to help them obtain financial compensation for their injuries.

Contact the law offices of Slaughter and Slaughter today if you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident. After a free case evaluation we will be able to determine the best course of legal action to take in regards to your collision. If you have been hurt your deserve financial reparation. Call right away and fight for your rights.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Supersports Motorcycle Accidents and Your Legal Rights

Legal Staff — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:44:38 +0000

A supersport motorcycle is one that has been built on a racing platform, but modified for the highway and sold to the general public. Supersports motorcycles are especially popular with riders under the age of 30. They typically have more horsepower per pound than other types of vehicles on the road. Their low profile makes them particularly harder to see on the road than traditional motorcycles, which themselves are often difficult for the driver of another vehicle to detect while driving. California motorcycle accident lawyers discuss the various types of accidents involving these high-powered vehicles.

Sport and unclad sport motorcycles have more upright riding positions than supersport motorcycles, and have more legroom between the seat and the foot pegs. Unlike supersport motorcycles, sport and unclad sport motorcycles have lower power-to-weight ratios and can be equipped with a rear trunk or side bags. Unclad motorcycles are modeled after sport and supersport motorcycles in design and performance, but do not have the full body panels, fairing covering, or windscreens typically found on sport and supersport motorcycles.

According to the Highway Loss Data Institute, supersport motorcycles are among the highest type of motorcycle involved in accidents, more than six times higher than cruiser motorcycles and almost four times higher than touring motorcycles. (Supersport biks are also the most frequently stolen type of motorcycle.) Figures released by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reveal that, while supersport motorcycles account for less than 10 percent of all registered motorcycles, over 25 percent of motorcyclist deaths can be attributed to supersport motorcycles. 57 percent of supersport motorcycle fatalities are due to speed and driver error. Speed and driver error were significant factors in fatal sport and unclad sport motorcycle accidents (46 percent), while they were factors in only 27 percent of fatal cruiser and “regular” motorcycle accidents, and only 22 percent of fatal accidents involving touring motorcycles.

Because supersport motorcycles are built for speed and performance and are slung low to the ground making them harder to see, and because drivers of this kind of motorcycle tend to be young and a bit of risk-takers, they are involved in a significant number of accidents with other vehicles. Even where the driver of the other vehicle is to blame for the accident, juries are often put off by the reputation of supersport motorcyclists for speeding, driving in and out of traffic, and general disregard for other vehicles on the road and recklessness.

In a motorcycle case in which the riders of a supersport bike are injured because of another driver’s carelessness (“negligence”), juries tend to assess a percentage of the fault for the accident to the driver of the supersport motorcycle. This is known in law as the doctrine of “comparative negligence,” in which each driver was partially to blame for the accident. For instance, in a collision involving a supersport motorcyclist, the jury is often likely to find that the supersport bike’s driver was, say, 25 percent at fault for the accident. This means the driver of the supersport bike would be entitled to recover only 75 percent of his or her medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other injuries and damages.

If you have been seriously injured or a loved one has been killed while riding a supersport motorcycle, you should contact an experienced motorcycle law firm such as ours to determine what rights you have. The accident may have been the other driver’s fault or the accident could have happened because of a defect in the bike itself.

Many drivers of supersport motorcycles do not have a license to drive a motorcycle and/or do not have insurance. In California, when the injured driver does not have liability insurance, he or she is entitled to recover only so-called “economic” damages, such as medical expenses and lost wages; the driver is not entitled to recover “non-economic” damages such as pain and suffering, inconvenience, physical impairment, disfigurement, or other “nonpecuniary” damages. Non-economic often make up a significant portion of the damages recoverable in the typical personal injury case. An injured motorcyclist is also barred from recovering non-economic damages if he or she was convicted of driving while under the influence (unless the driver of the other vehicle was convicted of such offense as well).

Note that, if there was a passenger on the motorcycle who was injured or killed, the amount of damages he or she (or the family if the passenger died as a result of the crash) could recover generally would not be reduced under the comparative negligence doctrine unless the other party could prove that the motorcycle passenger did something to cause the accident. Also, the injured passenger (or the survivors of a passenger killed in a motorcycle accident) is not barred from recovering non-economic damages for his or her pain and suffering, etc.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Motorcycle Crash in Eastbound 91 Carpool Lane Injures Rider

ANorman — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:55:42 +0000

A La Palma motorcycle crash briefly shut down the eastbound carpool lane of the 91 freeway this Friday morning. Authorities rushed to the scene after a call came in at approximately 9:30 a.m. indicating that a vehicle had “gone airborne” and crashed on the 91 Freeway. A later report revealed that the auto in question was a motorcycle, which was down in the car pool lane. Although the extent of injuries were not known, an ambulance was radioed to the scene. The California Highway Patrol is investigating the incident currently investigating the incident — the name of the driver had not been released.

Judging from the preliminary information gathered, the motorcycle accident could very well not be the fault of biker, especially since it went airborne. This could indicate the bike hit an obstruction in the road. The motorcycle could also have succumbed to malfunctioning auto parts that made the bike hard to control. In any case, if the motorcycle rider is able to prove that the accident was not their fault, they could receive damages for their injury.

Don’t make assumptions when it comes to your motorcycle accident. When you suspect there is underlying cause for your solo collision, sniff it out then take the responsible party to court. If you have questions regarding your motorcycle related personal injury case, contact us today for a free case assessment and get the financial reparation you are entitled to.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.