Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable to the mistakes of careless drivers. The greater mass of an automobile means that the motorcycle driver will suffer greater injury in a collision between the two kinds of vehicles. A recent collision in Echo Park that was caught on a video camera demonstrates both the greater vulnerability of the motorcycle and the relative safety of the driver of the car or van that strikes the motorcycle. In this particular accident, the driver of the van raised the level of tragedy by fleeing the scene.
The accident
According to police reports, the accident occurred on Glendale Boulevard just south of Reservoir Street. A late model van was traveling south on Glendale when the driver pulled into the extreme right lane. The motorcycle was also traveling south on Glendale. As the motorcycle approached the intersection with Reservoir Boulevard, the driver of the van made an illegal u-turn into Glendale. The motorcycle struck the van slightly behind the driver’s side door. The motorcyclist was thrown from his bike by the collision. The van completed its illegal turn and fled north on Glendale. The bike rider was taken to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead from his injuries.
Consequences
Police are currently searching for the driver of the van. The fact that the collision was caught on a CCTV recording may ease their search. Also, the police report said nothing about witnesses to the accident.
The rider of the motorcycle was 29 years old. The police report said nothing about family members.
The driver of the van appears to have been very negligent in causing the accident by making an illegal turn. If the decedent left behind any family members such as a wife or children or siblings, they may wish to pursue a claim for wrongful death damages. An experienced accident attorney can provide significant assistance by evaluating the evidence and working to identify the driver of the van.