A 21-year-old man who was killed in a motorcycle accident the morning of April 24, 2010 has been identified by local authorities as Nikolas Pavelic. According to a news report in The San Francisco Examiner, the fatal collision occurred the morning of April 24, 2010 at the intersection of Quintara Street and 48th Avenue. Pavelic's motorcycle was struck by an SUV. Pavelic died in an area hospital shortly after the crash. The driver of the SUV was not injured. An investigation is ongoing.
My heartfelt condolences go out everyone who knew and loved Nikolas Pavelic. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Accident Statistics
In 2008, there were 35 deaths and 3,577 injuries in San Francisco as a result of car accidents, according to California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). Also, eight people died and 349 were injured in motorcycle accidents in San Francisco during the same year.
Who Was At Fault?
Based on this news report, it is not clear who was at fault for this tragic accident. But we do know that this crash occurred at a street intersection. Did the driver of the SUV fail to yield right-of-way to the motorcyclist? Did he or she run a red light? Did the motorcyclist fail to yield right-of-way? Was there a dangerous condition at this intersection, which caused or contributed to this accident? I trust officials are examining these and other issues in order to make a determination.
Claim for Compensation
If the driver of the SUV is determined to have been at fault, he or she could be held liable for Pavelic's wrongful death. An experienced California personal injury lawyer will be able to better explain to victims about their legal rights and options in such cases. If this accident was caused by a dangerous intersection, the city or governmental entity responsible for maintaining the roadway could also be held liable. Under California Government Code section 911.2, any claim against a governmental agency must be filed within six months of the incident.
What precautions would you take as a motorcyclist to prevent such accidents at street intersections?
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.
