In other regions of the country, motorcyclists may have put their bikes away for a few months due to poor weather. But here in Southern California, good riding weather is almost never a problem. Therefore, people in other vehicles should always be on the lookout for motorcyclists on the road, and help to ensure their safety. However, that is not always the case.
Recently, a motorcyclist in Orange County lost his life when a driver in an SUV crashed into him. The accident victim, who was a 40-year-old man, was on his motorcycle at about 6:20 p.m. on a Friday when the SUV made a left turn in front of him. The impact ignited the motorcycle into flames, which caused burn injuries to a teenager who was riding in the SUV.
Emergency responders took the motorcyclist to UC Irvine Medical Center, but doctors could not save his life. The teenager from the SUV also went to the hospital, but his burn injuries were only minor. Police were continuing to investigate the accident.
Motorcycle accidents like this are an all too common occurrence. In some cases, the driver in the other vehicle simply does not see the motorcycle coming because they are more accustomed to looking out for larger vehicles like cars and trucks. Even under those circumstances, though, the driver in the other vehicle would likely be at fault and bear legal responsibility for the accident damages.
No matter the time of year, Orange County residents should always drive safely. This not only means adhering to all traffic signs and signals, but drivers must also watch out for anyone else who may be sharing the road with them.
Source: The Orange County Register, “Motorcyclist killed in fiery crash,” Art Marroquin, Oct. 31, 2015
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