A 26-year-old woman, who was fatally injured in a Los Angeles car accident, has been identified by officials as April E. Stirton. CBS News reports that the fatal motorcycle crash occurred the morning of April 6, 2010 on the westbound 101 Freeway, in Studio City, when Stirton's motorcycle struck a pickup struck. The motorcycle then, slid across two lanes of the freeway and became wedged under a big-rig. California Highway Patrol officials are investigating this fatal crash.

My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved April Stirton for their devastating loss. They will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Motorcycle Accidents

There were 42 fatalities and 1,289 injuries involving motorcycle accidents in Los Angeles, according to CHP's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In Los Angeles County as a whole, motorcycle accidents claimed 114 lives and injured 2,934 people in 2008.

Accident Causes and Liability Issues

It is not entirely clear based on this report how or why this accident occurred. There are several questions here. How did the initial collision between Stirton's motorcycle and the pickup truck occur? Did the driver of the pickup truck make a sudden maneuver or did he or she fail to see the motorcyclist on the roadway? Was the driver of the pickup truck driving recklessly? Was there a dangerous condition on the roadway, which caused or contributed to this crash? These are some of the questions that must be answered in order to determine how this accident occurred.

Where negligence or wrongdoing are factors, families of deceased car accident victims would be well-advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will advise them about their legal options. If the driver of the pickup is determined to have caused the crash, then he or she can be held liable for the accident and Stirton’s wrongful death. If there was a dangerous condition on the roadway, the governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could be held liable as well. Under California Government Code 911.2, any claim against a governmental agency must be properly filed within six months of the accident or injury.

None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.