Riverside Police Sgt. Matt Lewis Died In Motorcycle Accident With Pickup Truck By The Intersection of Pico Avenue and Santa Rosa Road Near Perris
RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA (August 6, 2022) – An off-duty police sergeant identified as Matt Lewis was killed in a Riverside motorcycle accident by Pico Avenue and Santa Rosa Road.
Riverside County police officials are saying that the accident took place around 7:15 p.m. on Monday. Officer Matt Lewis was riding a motorcycle when he was hit by a pickup truck hauling some type of trailer.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim. Despite life-saving measures, officer Matt Lewis died due to the severity of his injuries.
More than a dozen officers led a brief procession as the officer’s body was taken to the coroner’s office. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Riverside Motorcycle Accidents
Thousands of motorcyclists are killed or seriously injured every year in car accidents. According to the IIHS, “A total of 5,579 motorcyclists died in crashes in 2020. That is the highest number recorded and an 11 percent increase from 2019. Motorcycle deaths accounted for 14 percent of all motor vehicle crash deaths in 2020 and were more than double the number of motorcyclist deaths in 1997.” There are a number of factors that could potentially contribute to a motorcycle accident.
- Many motorcycle accidents are due to drivers that make dangerous lane changes.
- Motorcyclists are much more likely to be overlooked, especially at night.
- Nearly a third of all fatal collisions involve an intoxicated driver.
All drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care in order to avoid causing accidents. A large number of car accidents are due to speeding. According to California Vehicle Code 22350, no person shall operate a motor vehicle at a speed greater than what would be reasonable or safe given the prevailing conditions of the roadway. If a driver hits a motorcyclist while they are speeding, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
Pickup trucks are often used for commercial purposes. If the driver of a pickup truck was working at the time of a collision, their employer could be held at fault. Generally speaking, companies are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. For example, a pickup truck driver may have been delivering packages or hauling goods when they crashed. There are a number of steps that should be taken after a car accident.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- A thorough investigation should be conducted.
The family of any victim that died in a car accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. In order to win any civil claim, plaintiffs will have to demonstrate negligence. This is why it is so important that evidence is properly preserved after any collision.
Investigating A Riverside Motorcycle Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of officer Matt Lewis. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the Riverside Police Department. There needs to be some accountability for the sake of the victim’s family.
Do you need more information about a Riverside motorcycle accident? Our team of motorcycle safety advocates are here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims get the support and resources that they need in order to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
