Walter Guiterrez, 24, was killed in a Ventura car accident when a vehicle pulled out of a parking lot ahead of his motorcycle. According to a news report in The Ventura County Star, the fatal motorcycle accident occurred on Pacific Coast Highway, near Point Mugu State Beach, the afternoon of July 4, 2011. Gutierrez was travelling on his Suzuki motorcycle, when a 2011 Dodge Challenger driven by Mindee Martinez, 37, pulled out of a beach parking lot in front of him. Gutierrez suffered fatal injuries when he struck the driver's side of the vehicle. It is not clear at the moment if Martinez will be cited for the fatal crash.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Walter Guiterrez following this horrific motorcycle accident. According to the report, Gutierrez was married and the father of a 5-month-old baby. Tragic! My thoughts and prayers are with Gutierrez's grieving family.

Ventura County Motorcycle Accidents

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), seven people were killed and 117 were injured in car accidents in the unincorporated areas of Ventura County. During that same year, Ventura County motorcycle accidents claimed 11 lives and injured 227 people.

What Caused This Fatal Collision?

It appears from the report that the driver of the Dodge Challenger failed to yield right-of-way to the motorcycle as she left the parking lot. According to California Vehicle Code Section 21804 (a): "The driver of any vehicle about to enter or cross a highway from any public or private property, or from an alley, shall yield the right-of-way to all traffic." Vehicles entering traffic "shall continue to yield the right-of-way to that traffic until he or she can proceed with reasonable safety."

Liability Issues

If the driver in this case is determined to have been at fault, she could be held liable for Gutierrez's wrongful death. In cases where negligence is involved, families of deceased car accident victims can seek compensation for medical and funeral expenses, lost future income and benefits, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages. An experienced Ventura personal injury lawyer will be able to better advise families in such cases about their legal rights and options.

Lost a family member in a Ventura County car accident? Want to know your rights? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation? Want justice? Want to ensure the same thing doesn’t happen to another family?

Call your best friends in the legal industry after a fatal Ventura motorcycle accident. Call 866-990-8787. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.

Call a BISNAR | CHASE Ventura wrongful death lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your rights by attorneys who have been representing families of deceased accident victims since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a compassionate and understanding law firm in a comfortable environment.