Officials have identified a 26-year-old man who was fatally injured in a Riverside car accident as Michael Hughes. According to a news report in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin the fatal motorcycle crash occurred the afternoon of November 11, 2009 on the Highway 62 after the driver of an SUV turned in front of Hughes' 2007 Yamaha motorcycle. Hughes lost control of the motorcycle, veered into opposing lanes of traffic and crashed into a Toyota Sienna. Hughes died at the scene, California Highway Patrol officials said. Alcohol or drugs were not a factor in this deadly accident.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Michael Hughes for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. They will certainly be in my prayers.

Riverside Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 22 deaths and 257 injuries involving California motorcycle accidents in unincorporated areas of Riverside County. In Riverside County as a whole, 41 people died and 362 were injured as a result of motorcycle accidents in 2007. Also in Riverside County, car accidents claimed 279 lives and caused 9,925 injuries during the same year.

Car Accident Liability Issues

Based on this news report, it appears that the driver of the SUV may have turned in front of the motorcycle, causing the fatal crash. In California, the driver of a vehicle who is to turn left or make a u-turn is required to yield right-of-way to oncoming vehicles. According to California Vehicle Code section 21801 (a): "The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left or to complete a U-turn upon a highway, or to turn left into public or private property, or an alley, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to the approaching vehicles until the left turn or U-turn can be made with reasonable safety."

In this case, it's important to look into what caused the driver to make that unsafe turn. Was he distracted, driving recklessly or negligently at the time? If there was a dangerous condition on the roadway that hampered the motorist's view of Hughes, then the governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could also be held liable. Please remember that any claim against a governmental agency in California must be filed within six months of the accident or injury. Experienced California personal injury lawyers will be able to provide victims and their families with the information and guidance they need to pursue their legal rights.

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.