A 60-year-old Riverside County man suffered very serious injuries Sunday afternoon in a crash on Highway 76 near Pala Casino, the Fallbrook Village News reported. According to reports of the incident, the motorcyclist, Martin Davidoff of Wildomar, was riding his 2002 Yamaha motorcycle eastbound on State Route 76 west of Magee Road in the Pala area when he rear-ended a stopped 2008 Chevy Colorado pickup truck at 1:29 p.m.
According to CHP reports, the gas tank of the motorcycle then ruptured and sprayed fuel onto the roadway and also onto Davidoff, engulfing him in flames. A Pala Tribal Law Enforcement officer used a fire extinguisher to put out flames. Davidoff was taken by Mercy Air to UCSD Burn Center with possibly life-threatening injuries and burns to the majority of his body. The driver of the Chevy, a 33-year-old Santa Ysabel woman, was not hurt in the accident.
According to the Fallbrook Village News, witnesses of the crash left the scene before investigators could talk to them about what happened. Witnesses are asked to call the Oceanside area office with any information they have on this collision: (760) 757-1675. The Fallbrook Village News stated that the CHP could not understand why the gas tank ruptured and ignited right away, as it did in this May 2 accident. Witness information could be very important in determining the cause of the crash.
Based on the news reports of this incident, it is not clear why this crash occurred. It is possible that a part in the motorcycle malfunctioned or was defective, causing the tank to easily rupture. While the investigation, the family of Martin Davidoff would be well-advised to speak to a San Diego motorcycle accident lawyer who can arrange to have the bike inspected to determine the cause of the crash. An attorney can also stay on top of the official law enforcement investigation and once it is complete, advise the victim and his family of their legal rights in a personal injury claim. If the bike was defective, the victim may be entitled to substantial compensation for his injuries, including medical bills, lost earnings related to the accident and pain and suffering endured as a result of his injuries.
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