San Diego Personal Injury Attorney Blog

A motorcycle rider was seriously injured Wednesday afternoon when an elderly driver made a left turn in front of his motorcycle, the San Diego Union Tribune reported. The accident occurred at the intersection of Waring Road and Orcutt Avenue just after 4 p.m. on Wednesday, November 17, 2010. According to news reports, the motorcyclist was travelling northbound on Waring Road at Orcutt when a 90-year-old woman driving a Toyota pulled in front of him. The motorcyclist, identified only as a man, was not able to avoid colliding with the Toyota and struck the vehicle on its side. The motorcyclist suffered a fractured pelvis and other broken bones and was taken to a hospital.

San Diego Police have turned the woman's license over to the DMV. In order for her to be allowed to continue to drive, she will have to pass both a written and driving test.

Cause of the Accident

The cause of the November 17th San Diego motorcycle accident remains under investigation by police. However, based on the news reports, it appears that this crash may have been caused by the elderly driver making an unsafe left turn. The law pertaining to left turns is stated in California Vehicle Code Section 21801: "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."

Motorcycle Accident Personal Injury Liability

Motorcycle accidents such as this one often result in serious, even life-changing injuries. When an accident resulting in serious injury is caused by the negligence of another driver, the victim may be entitled to compensation for his injuries, including medical care costs and future medical expenses, lost earnings and wages, pain and suffering, and other accident-related expenses. While this accident remains under investigation, it would be advisable for the victim's family to speak with an experienced San Diego motorcycle accident injury attorney about the unique legal issues arising from this accident, and the victim's rights to compensation for his injuries.