A motorcycle accident on Highway 99 in Lodi caused major injuries to 50-year-old Rodney Tate. The Lodi News-Sentinel reports that the major injury crash occurred the afternoon of June 7, 2010, when Tate attempted to merge on to the highway from another roadway. His 2008 Harley-Davidson motorcycle was struck by a 1991 Acura Integra driven by Maria Serreira, 31. She was driving without a valid driver's license, California Highway Patrol officials said. Authorities are trying to determine the exact cause of the accident.

I sympathize with Tate and his family members for what they are going through. Apparently Tate almost died in another accident two years ago. I hope he did not suffer any catastrophic injuries in this accident and wish him the very best for a quick and full recovery.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

There were three fatalities and 222 injuries involving car accidents in Lodi, according to CHP's 2008 traffic accident statistics. In San Joaquin County as a whole, 81 people died and 3,577 were injured as a result of car accidents during the same year.

Causes and Liability Issues

It is not really clear from the news account what caused this tragic accident. I trust officials are looking into whether the driver, Serreira, was impaired, speeding, distracted or otherwise negligent. This is an example of a case where a motorist did not consciously look for a motorcyclist. These types of accidents involving vehicles and motorcycles often occur at intersections, during lane changes or merging into traffic lanes. Officials have said that the driver here not have a license, but it is not clear whether she never had a license or if it was suspended for some reason. If Serreira is determined to have been at fault, she could be held liable for the accident and resulting injuries.

An experienced California personal injury lawyer will stay on top of the accident investigation and ensure that the victims' legal rights are protected. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to advise accident victims about how their own car insurance policy might apply to a case where the at-fault motorist is uninsured or underinsured.

What precautions do you take as a motorcyclist especially when you are traveling through intersections or while merging on to a highway or freeway?

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.