San Diego Personal Injury Attorney Blog

CLAIREMONT MESA - A 60-year-old Oceanside man was very tragically killed Monday morning in a multi-vehicle crash involving a Lexus SUV, a BMW motorcycle, and a big rig on a rain-slicked Interstate 805, the North County Times reported. The accident was reported in the far-left southbound lanes of the freeway near Balboa Avenue, shortly before 6 a.m. on Monday, March 21, 2011. According to the California Highway Patrol, a motorist was driving a Lexus SUV at about 80 mph when he came upon slower moving traffic in front of him, which caused him to lose control and strike a big rig. The impact of the collision with the big rig caused the SUV to cross directly into the path of the motorcycle, driven by Paul Palika, 60, of Oceanside.

Cause of the March 21st Crash

If news reports are accurate, it appears almost certainly to be the case that the driver of the SUV was responsible for this fatal collision. However, the incident remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. It was not clear whether the driver of the SUV, who was not identified, will be cited or charged for the fatal accident.

This accident comes in the wake of a number of fatal and serious injury accidents involving San Diego County motorcyclists. This March 21st accident was the fourth motorcyclist fatality this month in San Diego County. Fatal motorcycle accidents were reported March 18th in Escondido, March 17th in Lakeside, and March 10th in Casa De Oro. Additionally, a motorcyclist was seriously injured in a hit-and-run crash on Thursday March 3rd; another motorcyclist reportedly suffered a leg fracture in a Poway intersection accident on Monday, March 1st.

Wrongful Death Liability

If the CHP determines that the driver of the Lexus SUV caused this crash, he may be liable for the wrongful death of Paul Palika, in addition to possible criminal charges he could face for negligent driving. While this incident remains under investigation, the family members of the victim may benefit from speaking with an experienced and knowledgeable San Diego motorcycle accident lawyer. A skilled attorney with many years of experience representing victims of motorcycle accidents on San Diego freeways can help the family members understand and protect their legal rights to hold the at-fault driver - and any other parties that contributed to this accident - fully accountable.