A 51-year-old man was killed in a Los Angeles County motorcycle accident involving a big rig. According to a news report in The San Gabriel Valley Tribune, the fatal collision occurred on the Garfield Avenue on-ramp of the 10 Freeway in Alhambra, the afternoon of September 23, 2011. For unknown reasons, the victim’s 2008 Harley-Davidson Road King veered out of control on the on-ramp and struck a big rig. The motorcyclist was thrown from his vehicle and hit by a truck in the right lane. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

My heart goes out to the friends and family of the man killed in this truck accident. My thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.

Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), two people were killed and 14 were injured in Alhambra motorcycle accidents. During that same year, there were 83 fatalities and 2,719 injuries reported due to Los Angeles County motorcycle accidents.

What Caused This Fatal Collision?

In many onramp collisions involving motorcycles, the other driver usually fails to see the rider. It is common for motorists to change lanes without checking for motorcyclists, or to fail to yield to motorcyclists attempting to enter traffic. It is not clear, however, if the truck driver involved in this crash was responsible for the collision. The report suggests that the victim may have lost control of the motorcycle. It is not yet known if an auto defect or mechanical malfunction caused the rider to lose control of the motorcycle. I trust officials are looking into precisely what caused this crash, and also if the driver of the vehicle that hit the fallen motorcyclist had been negligent at the time.

Liability Issues

In such cases, family members of deceased auto accident victims would be well-advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of the incident and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.