Riverside Car Accident Proves Fatal for Motorcyclist
Ronald Phillips, 53, was fatally injured in a Riverside car accident after he struck the back of a stopped vehicle on a street in Temecula, California. The San Bernardino Sun reports that Phillips was southbound on Jefferson Avenue when his Harley Davidson hit the back of a stopped Mazda, the afternoon of December 29, 2009. He was taken to a local hospital and was pronounced dead a few hours after the accident. An investigation is ongoing.
My heart goes out to the family and friends of Ronald Phillips for their tragic loss. I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved this man. They will certainly be in my prayers.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
There were 12 injuries involving motorcycle accidents in Temecula in 2007, according to California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In Riverside County as a whole, 41 fatalities and 562 injuries were reported as a result of motorcycle accidents during the same year. Also, countywide, 279 deaths and 9,925 injuries occurred in 2007 due to traffic accidents.
Who or What Caused this Fatal Accident?
Based on this newspaper report, it's not clear exactly how or why this fatal motorcycle collision occurred. There are many questions still unanswered here. Where exactly on the roadway was the Mazda stopped at the time of the accident? Why was the Mazda stopped? Was it disabled? How fast was Phillips going at the time of the collision? Was there any other dangerous condition on the roadway such as a visual obstruction, which may have caused or contributed to Phillips' accident?
Liability Issues
If there was a dangerous condition on the roadway, other than the stopped car, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway could be held liable for the accident and wrongful death. Please remember that any claim against a California governmental agency must be properly filed within 180 days of the accident or injury. If the driver of the Mazda was negligent and caused this car accident, then he or she could be held liable as well.
An experienced California personal injury lawyer will look carefully at all aspects of this car accident, identify the negligent parties, and hold them accountable. Where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased traffic accident victims could seek compensation to cover medical or funeral expenses, loss of future earnings, loss of love and companionship and other related damages.
We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.
