58-Year-Old Motorcyclist Died In Car Accident With Nissan Utility Van Near The Intersection of M Street and West 25th Street
MERCED, CALIFORNIA (August 26, 2022) – A motorcyclist died in a Merced car accident with a utility van near the intersection of M Street and West 25th Street.
Merced County officials are saying that the collision took place around 4:30 a.m. on Monday. A 58-year-old man was riding a motorcycle when a Nissan utility van pulled into the intersection in front of the rider.
The force of the impact left the motorcyclist with serious injuries. Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim.
He was taken to the Mercy Medical Center in Merced where he died due to his injuries. The driver of the utility van remained at the scene by M Street and cooperated with authorities.
Liability In Merced Motorcycle Accidents
Car accidents remain one of the leading causes of serious injury and death in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “more than 32,000 people are killed and 2 million are injured each year from motor vehicle crashes. In 2013, the US crash death rate was more than twice the average of other high-income countries.” Motorcyclists can be particularly vulnerable. There are a number of steps that drivers should take in order to avoid hitting motorcyclists.
- All drivers should scan the road ahead of them for potential hazards.
- All drivers should check their blind spots before making turns.
- All drivers should abstain from alcohol and other intoxicating substances.
Every driver has a legal obligation to exercise due care in order to avoid hitting other vehicles. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 21800, the driver of any vehicle approaching an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle which entered the intersection from the opposite highway. If a driver entered an intersection into the path of a motorcyclist without yielding, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
If the driver of a utility van was working at the time of a collision, the company that they were working for could be held at fault. Generally speaking, companies are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. For example, the driver of a van may have been on their way to a service call. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any collision.
- Surveillance footage of the accident should be sought.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
When a driver is negligent and causes an accident, they can be held to account through a civil claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and funeral expenses. In order to win any civil claim, plaintiffs will have to demonstrate negligence. Sadly, though, companies will often fight to deny liability for any collision. This is why it is so crucial that evidence is properly preserved after any collision.
Liability In California Motorcycle Accidents
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of the motorcyclist killed in this Merced collision. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation for the sake of the victim’s family.
Do you need more information about a Merced motorcycle collision? Our team of motorcycle safety advocates are here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
