Hit and run accidents can happen to anyone, including motorcycle riders. Recently, a 60-year-old Pasadena man was killed in a motorcycle accident that officials believe involved a hit-and-run driver. According to the local newspaper, a preliminary investigation showed that a Tesla four-door sedan was heading north at night at a high rate of speed when it crashed into the motorcycle at a busy intersection. Devastatingly, the motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. In an even more tragic turn of events, the driver of the Tesla abandoned his car and fled on foot, not stopping to see if anything could be done to help the motorcyclist.
Fleeing the scene of an accident in which you were involved is against the law. If a driver hit you or a loved one and “ran off”, you have legal rights and may be able to recover financial compensation for your injuries and property damage. An experienced hit and run accident attorney will be able to explain your options in detail.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
According to the California Highway Patrol, more than 100 people died and 3,500 were injured due to motorcycle accidents in the greater Los Angeles area in 2013, the most recent year for which we have statistics. We have discussed the dangers of motorcycle riding in and around the San Fernando Valley in detail. Learn more about motorcycle safety tips here.
Liability Issues
Many hit and run accidents, especially those that occur late at night, involve speeding, drunk driving or drugged driving, and/or other forms of reckless driving. In the case of fatal car accidents caused by driver negligence, families of deceased victims may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver (or company employing the driver, if the driver was “on the job”). In a wrongful death lawsuit, a family member can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, pain and suffering and loss of love and companionship. Talk to an experienced accident attorney to determine if you are able to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Next Steps After Fatal Hit and Run
If your loved one was killed in a motorcycle accident, including one that involved a hit and run driver, know that the law is on your side. Reach out to Woodland Hills attorney Barry P. Goldberg today for a free consultation to discuss your next steps.
