Timothy Fox, 20, was seriously injured in a Ventura motorcycle accident after he lost control and crashed the afternoon of May 14, 2010. According to a news report in the Ventura County Star, Fox was riding a motorcycle in the 1500 block of Channel Islands Boulevard, near Ventura Road, when he struck a tree. Fox was transported to an area hospital. Police say, after a preliminary investigation, that speed may have been a factor. The motorcycle apparently hit the tree with such force that Fox was thrown over 50 feet away. The motorcycle came to rest more than 60 feet away from the street, ending up in an empty parking lot. Anyone who witnessed this accident is asked contact the Oxnard Police Department at 805-385-7749.

My heart goes out to this injured victim. I hope he has not sustained catastrophic injuries and pray that he recovers quickly and completely.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

There was one fatality and 15 injuries involving motorcycle accidents in Oxnard, California. In Ventura County as a whole, motorcycle accidents claimed 11 lives and caused 227 injuries during the same year.

Circumstances of the Crash

Based on this news report, investigators suspect that Fox may have been traveling at an excessive speed, but an investigation is ongoing and they are still looking at other factors, which may have caused or contributed to this accident. One of Fox's relatives, who commented on the newspaper's web site states that Fox was not speeding, but "hit a rut in the road" and lost control of the motorcycle. The same commenter also says that Fox lost his leg in this accident.

Dangerous Roadway Condition?

I trust investigators are looking into whether there was a dangerous condition on the roadway, which contributed to this crash. Very often, eyewitnesses tend to assume that motorcyclists were speeding. In such cases, injured victims and their families would be well-advised to contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer, who will ensure that their legal rights are protected.

A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to determine whether a dangerous condition on the roadway caused this tragic accident. If that was the case, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining this roadway could be held liable. Please remember that any such claim against a California public entity must be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury.

What are some of the dangerous conditions you encounter on roadways as a motorist or motorcyclist?

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.