Motorcyclist killed in California accident
Authorities say that a 22-year-old man was killed when a Nissan Pathfinder turned left into the path of his motorcycle at about 8:20 p.m. on July 17. The crash took place 3400 block of Santa Maria Way in Orcutt when the motorcycle traveling westbound collided with the vehicle.
Police say that the SUV driver was a 31-year-old male who was taken into custody on a charge of driving while intoxicated causing injury or death. While the man on the motorcycle passed away at the scene of the accident, the driver of the Pathfinder was not injured. Authorities say that alcohol likely played a role in the accident, but that they were also trying to determine how fast the motorcycle was going at the time of the crash.
In serious accidents, it is possible that one or more people may pass away. When an individual passes away in a motor vehicle crash, it may be possible for a family member to file a wrongful death suit against the driver who caused the accident. A motorcycle crash attorney may be able to help establish that the other driver’s negligence led to the crash taking place.
For instance, if that driver was intoxicated at the time of the wreck, that could be perceived as negligent behavior. As part of a wrongful death suit, a family member may be entitled to compensation for final expenses as well as lost future earnings of the deceased. Compensation may also be available to family members for loss of consortium or loss of affection because of wrongful death. Depending on the desires of the family and other facts in the case, it may be possible to settle outside of court instead of through a formal trial.