Motorcyclists always travel at the mercy of drivers who make careless and reckless decisions. Drivers should be scanning the road forward and behind so they are aware of any motorcyclists who may be nearby. But when they become unfocused or distracted, they can miss spotting a rider either beside them or even right in front of them.
A lane change or a turn when the coast isn’t clear can leave a motorcyclist with no space or time to react and avoid a devastating impact. Motorcyclists often suffer traumatic injuries when they are thrown from their bikes in a collision. They can easily suffer life-threatening injuries and even be at risk of being struck by another motorist approaching the scene unaware of what’s happened.
Motorcyclist Tragically Struck Twice and Killed in Merced County
A young motorcyclist was killed after being hit by two vehicles Monday night in Merced County. KSEE-TV reported that the tragic accident happened at the intersection of Highway 140 and Buhach Road on July 24, 2023.
The California Highway Patrol responded to the scene, west of Merced, at around 10 p.m. They determined that a 24-year-old driver from Atwater in a Nissan Sentra attempted a left turn onto southbound Buhach Road. The turn was in front of a motorcyclist on a Yamaha motorcycle traveling eastbound on Highway 140. The rider struck the Nissan and was ejected from the motorcycle.
The victim was then run over by a 20-year-old woman from Merced driving a Ford Mustang. The motorcyclist did not survive his injuries. The victim’s identity has not been released.
The driver in the Nissan fled the scene on foot but was located a short time later. He was arrested and charged with felony hit-and-run and Vehicular Manslaughter.
Support for Families After a Tragic Merced County Motorcycle Accident
Families forced to say goodbye to a loved one after a careless driver’s mistake may risk a financial disaster when faced with the bills that often follow a tragedy. Families can receive invoices for a funeral and burial and also be charged for emergency response and medical care provided in an effort to save a victim’s life.
A wrongful death claim filed against an at-fault driver’s car insurance provider can ask for assistance with these expenses and more. This civil claim demands help for the family in the future when close relatives will have to continue life without the emotional and financial support the deceased had always provided.
In a hit-and-run incident where the driver is apprehended, families may file a wrongful death claim as soon as they are ready. Victims do not need to wait on the outcome of a criminal trial. Their claim will be a civil matter and the case will be decided separately from the criminal proceedings.
Contact a Merced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If your loved one fell victim to a careless driver’s mistake please discuss your case with a skilled Merced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer. Motorcyclists and their families often need strong legal protection when confronting car insurance companies representing at-fault drivers.
Insurance adjusters can refuse to accept the blame in an accident, or even try to shift blame to a rider. Families must demand this support and request help to protect close relatives like a spouse, or children, from suffering financial harm in the future.
Contact Maison Law for a free case consultation. There’s no obligation, but if you think we can help your family earn more in support, you won’t need any upfront money. We don’t get paid unless we earn settlement money for your family and then our fee comes out of that settlement award.
