A motorcycle accident in the downtown Santa Barbara area left a 55-year-old man with injuries the morning of May 11, 2010. KSBY News reports that the man was riding his motorcycle in the 3900 block of State Street when a vehicle that was exiting a shopping center broadsided him. The injured motorcyclist was taken to a local hospital for treatment of injuries, which were not life-threatening.

It is indeed fortunate that the motorcyclist in this case doesn't appear to have sustained any major injuries. I pray that he recovers quickly from his injuries.

Traffic Accident Statistics

There were six fatalities and 85 injuries as a result of motorcycle accidents in Santa Barbara County in 2008, according to California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). Also, countywide, 35 deaths and 1,952 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents during the same year.

Who Was at Fault?

It is not clear based on this report as to what may have caused the driver to broadside the motorcyclist. We do not know if the driver of the vehicle exiting the shopping center failed to yield the right-of-way here. A majority of motorcycle accidents occur when a vehicle is making a turn – whether it is at a traffic light or when motorists are trying to get back on the roadway from a parking lot. As they pull out, motorists tend to look out for bigger passenger vehicles. Most of the time, they fail to see the smaller vehicles such as motorcycles, bicycles or even pedestrians. In this particular case, I would also be interested to find out whether the driver was under the influence, distracted or otherwise negligent at the time of this collision.

Liability Issues

An experienced California personal injury lawyer will not only analyze this incident and advise victims about legal rights and options, but also help determine who else could be held liable. Was there a dangerous condition on the private property, which led to this crash? The property owner could then be held liable for the motorcyclist's injuries. If there was a dangerous condition on the public right-of-way then the city could be held liable. Any claim against a California public entity must be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury.

Do you believe motorists should be "extra conscious" while looking for motorcycles and smaller vehicles/pedestrians while making movements such as turns or exiting a parking lot?

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.