Motorcyclist Severely Injured in Merced Car Accident
A motorcycle accident in the Merced area left 53-year-old Wallace Dunn with major injuries the afternoon of May 27, 2010. The Merced Sun Star reports that the accident occurred when a car made a left turn in front of Dunn's motorcycle. Dunn was going west on Highway 140 when a 1999 Ford Mustang driven by 24-year-old Teresa Ledesma turned left into a private driveway in front of him. Dunn was taken to an area medical center with severe injuries.
My heart goes out to Dunn and his family. I hope his injuries were not catastrophic and pray that he recovers quickly and completely.
Car Accidents in Merced
There were six deaths and 399 injuries involving car accidents in Merced, according to California Highway Patrol's 2008 traffic accident statistics. In Merced County as a whole, 51 people died and 1,166 were injured as a result of car accidents during the same year.
Left Turn Laws
California law is very specific when it comes to vehicles making left or U-turns. California Vehicle Code section 21801 (a) states: "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."
Liability Issues
In this particular case, it is not clear why Ledesma turned in front of the motorcycle. Was she impaired, distracted or otherwise negligent? If Ledesma is determined to have caused this accident, then she could be held liable for Dunn's injuries and damages including medical expenses, loss of wages and cost of hospitalization. The best California personal injury lawyers will always offer a free and comprehensive consultation to injured victims and their families.
What are some of the precautions motorists can take at intersections to avoid collisions with motorcyclists or other oncoming vehicles?
None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.
