Michael Weddle, of Cool, Killed In Rosemont Motorcycle Accident Involving Truck Near Manlove Road and South Watt Avenue
ROSEMONT, CALIFORNIA (April 12, 2022) – A motorcyclist identified as Michael Weddle has tragically died in a Rosemont truck accident by Manlove Road and South Watt Avenue.
Sacramento County officials are saying that the crash took place on Friday morning. Michael Robert Weddle was riding a motorcycle when he was involved in a collision with a commercial truck.
The exact circumstances leading up to the crash are unknown at this time. However, the victim did become trapped underneath the truck following the impact.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help Michael Weddle. Sadly, though, he died due to the severity of his injuries.
The driver of the truck remained at the scene and cooperated with police. A full investigation into the accident that killed Michael Weddle remains ongoing at this time. This accident comes just a few weeks after 13-year-old Andre Retana died in a Mountain View collision while riding a bicycle.
Liability In Rosemont Motorcycle Accidents
Thousands of motorcyclists are killed or seriously injured in collisions every year. According to the Insurance Information Institute, “In 2019, 5,014 motorcyclists died in motorcycle crashes, down slightly from 5,038 in 2018, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In 2019, motorcyclists were nearly 29 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash per vehicle miles traveled.” Motorcyclists are uniquely vulnerable to commercial trucks for a number of reasons.
- Semi-trucks have large blind spots that can obscure the presence of motorcyclists.
- Semi-trucks have a wide turning radius.
- Semi-trucks have a high center of gravity which makes underride collisions more likely.
Truck drivers must get a commercial license and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. Serious traffic infractions can jeopardize a truck driver’s ability to maintain their CDL. Many truck accidents are due to truck drivers that make dangerous lane changes and hit motorcyclists. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 22107, no person shall turn a vehicle right or left upon a roadway unless such a movement can be made with reasonable safety. If a truck driver makes an unsafe movement and collides with a motorcyclist, they could be held at fault through a civil claim.
Liability for a truck accident could potentially extend beyond an at fault driver. For example, if the truck driver was working as an employee for a company, that company could potentially be held at fault. A truck company could also be held at fault if they pushed their drivers further than they should in order to meet deadlines. There are federal regulations with respect to how many hours a truck driver can work each day. Ignoring these regulations to maximize profits could form the basis of a negligence claim.
The company responsible for vetting a truck driver could also potentially be liable for a collision. Though rare, companies do occasionally hire truck driver’s that do not have the necessary license or credentials to work. A bicyclist was recently killed by an unlicensed truck driver in Queens. The failure to properly vet a truck driver’s credentials is a major safety violation. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any truck accident.
- Surveillance footage of the accident should be sought.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
The family of any victim that died in a truck accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills, funeral expenses and loss of love. It is crucial that evidence is preserved after any accident. Evidence is what will ultimately be used to determine liability. A wrongful death attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Rosemont Truck Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Michael Weddle. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation for the sake of the victim’s family. It is our hope that measures are considered to help prevent additional collisions at this intersection.
Do you need more information about a Rosemont truck accident? Our team of motorcycle safety experts are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that negligent truck drivers are held accountable for their actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
