Sunday, July 21st, around 8:30 pm, San Diego Fire Rescue and San Diego Police responded to a collision between a motorcycle and a vehicle in Pacific Beach. The accident occurred at the intersection of Grand Ave and Kendall Street and involved a 22-year-old male, riding a 2007 Suzuki motorcycle, and a 33-year-old male driving a Jeep Cherokee.
SDPD reported that the motorcyclist was traveling east on Grand Avenue in heavy, stop-and-go traffic. He illegally entered the designated bicycle lane to pass the stopped traffic. As he traveled through the intersection of Grand Ave and Kendall Street, the Jeep, which had been traveling west on Grand Ave, began a southbound turn onto Kendall Street, and struck the motorcycle.
According to police reports the man driving the Jeep did not see the motorcycle rider. The Jeep driver remained on the scene and has been cooperative with the investigation.
The motorcyclist sustained an open fracture to his left tibia and fibula and was transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation.
Police do not believe that drugs or alcohol were a factor in this collision.
The Dangers of Motorcycle Vs Vehicle Collisions
While this accident was not a fatal one, many motorcycle vs vehicle collisions are. When motorcycles are involved in collisions with other vehicles, they are more vulnerable to serious injuries and even death due to their lack of protection in comparison to vehicles. Additionally, cars and trucks weigh significantly more than motorcycles do, which causes the impact of the collision to be greater, and often causes motorcyclists to be thrown from their bikes.
Because there is a greater potential for injury and death when riding a motorcycle, it is important that motorcyclists drive safely to avoid causing unnecessary hazards for themselves.
Some safety tips for motorcyclists on the roads:
- Obey the laws of the road: travel only in designated lanes, only lane split when allowed, stop at posted stop signs and red lights, etc.
- Adhere to posted speed limits: speeding greatly reduces the amount of time you have to react to changing conditions and increases the potential risks associated with a collision
- Make yourself visible: this can be done by wearing brightly colored clothing, always having your headlights turned on, adding reflective tape to your bike, and more. This will help other motorists to see you on the road.
- Don’t drive under the influence: driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol reduces your reaction time, impairs your reflexes, and distorts your decision-making skills, thus increasing the chances of being involved in an accident.
It is important to note that drivers of other vehicles should keep an eye out for motorcyclists on the road and practice safe driving behaviors.
“The team at Singleton Schreiber is relieved to hear that the motorcyclist did not sustain life-threatening injuries in this accident. We are hoping for his full and speedy recovery from the serious injuries he sustained,” says Brett Schreiber, attorney at Singleton Schreiber, “With many years of personal injury experience under my belt, I’ve seen many incidents like this one end tragically. It is important that all involved in Sunday night’s accident know why may be able to take legal action and could consider speaking with a personal injury lawyer to learn more.”
If you or a loved one have been involved in a vehicle collision, contact Singleton Schreiber today to learn how a motorcycle accident lawyer in San Diego can help you. Call (619) 771-3473 or contact by email at info@singletonschreiber.com for more information.
Arthur Hartunian, a co-owner of Napa Valley Distillery, was one of the only people inside the building when the fire began on Monday. He recounts that her narrowly escaped. 
Authorities said the accident occurred around 9:40 am in San Clemente on the northbound side of Interstate 5. California Highway Patrol reported the incident took place near Avenida Palizada. CHP reported that the dump truck crashed into a sedan on the freeway on-ramp. 
San Diego Police Officer Sarah Foster said the accident took place on Rancho Peñasquitos Boulevard, between I-15 and state Route 56. The bicyclist was riding a mountain bike, heading east toward I-15 when an SUV also heading east, veered to the right and hit the victim from behind. 
County officials say the woman was last seen on her property attempting to protect her home with a garden hose. 
According to police, the accident occurred just before 8 pm near North River Road and Douglas Drive. The driver of a Volkswagen Passat was traveling northbound on Douglas Drive when they turned left into a gas station. Sargent Clint Bussey said that as the Volkswagen turned left, the motorcyclist, heading south on Douglas Drive, hit the car’s right fender. The collision caused the motorcyclist to be ejected from his motorcycle. He later died at the scene. 
