Motorcyclist Died In Contra Costa County Collision On Highway 242 South of Willow Pass Road
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA (September 28, 2022) – A Harley Davidson rider has tragically died in a Contra Costa County car accident on Highway 242 by Willow Pass Road.
Contra Costa County officials are saying that the accident took place around 11:10 p.m. on Tuesday. A person was riding a Harley Davidson when they were rear-ended by a Toyota.
The force of the impact ejected the motorcyclist into the roadway. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the accident in order to help the victim.
The Harley Davidson motorcyclist was transported to the hospital. Sadly, they died due to the severity of their injuries.
A full investigation into the collision remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Contra Costa County Car Accidents
Car accidents remain one of the leading causes of serious injury and death in the United States. According to the IIHS, “There were 35,766 fatal motor vehicle crashes in the United States in 2020 in which 38,824 deaths occurred. This resulted in 11.7 deaths per 100,000 people and 1.34 deaths per 100 million miles traveled. The fatality rate per 100,000 people ranged from 4.9 in Massachusetts to 25.4 in Mississippi.” There are a number of common causes of car accidents including:
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Inclement weather
- Poor road conditions
All drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care in order to avoid causing accidents. Many collisions are due to drivers that follow the lead vehicle too closely. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 21703, “The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicle and the traffic upon, and the condition of, the roadway.” There is a rebuttable presumption of negligence on the part of any driver that rear-ends a vehicle in their own lane. There are many steps that should be taken after any collision.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Photos of the accident site should be taken.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- An independent investigation should be conducted.
The family of any person that is killed in a car accident may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Potential beneficiaries will typically include a victim’s spouse and children. If a person survives for some period of time after an accident, family members may also be able to pursue a survival action claim.
Investigating A California Motorcycle Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of the motorcyclist killed in this Contra Costa County accident. This was a preventable tragedy that should not have taken place. Any person with more information about what happened should reach out to the CHP.
Do you need more information about a Contra Costa County motorcycle accident? Our team of motorcycle safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that negligent drivers are held responsible for their actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need more information about a crash we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
