San Diego motorcyclist dies after crash with hit-and-run driver on Mission Road.

California – November 12, 2022

A multi-vehicle crash in Fallbrook ended with a fatally injured motorcyclist and a hit-and-run driver fleeing the scene.  The crash occurred in the 4500 block of South Mission Road according to law enforcement reports.  California Highway Patrol was investigating the crash but indicated that a vehicle had collided with the motorcycle. When criminal negligence causes an untimely fatal injury to a motorcyclist, a California accident attorney may be able to help families recover compensation to defray funeral and burial costs, as well as changes to a family’s financial stability.  They may also initiate wrongful death litigation.

Deadly hit-and-run.

A hit and run driver that causes serious bodily injury to another may be charged with a misdemeanor, or a felony.  If individuals are convicted of a misdemeanor violation under CVC 20001(b)(2), they may face a hit and run punishment of:

• A minimum of 90 days and up to one year in jail,
• A fine between $1,000 and $10,000 dollars, or
• Both, imprisonment and a fine.

If individuals are convicted of a felony violation under CVC 20001(b)(2), they may face a hit and run punishment of:

• Two, three or four years in prison
• A fine between $1,000 and $10,000, or
• Both, imprisonment and a fine.

Accidental death benefit.

Motorcycle insurance policies may have an accidental death benefit rider, whereby the victim’s loved ones may be able to recover compensation to pay for medical treatment and funeral expenses.  A motorcycle accident attorney can review the policy to check the personal injury protection coverage (PIP) that includes death benefits which may address funeral expenses, medical bills, and beneficiary amounts.

California insurance fault state. 

Blatant negligent acts in the State of California may have added to the over 3,500 lives lost to accidents in 2020, resulting in criminal and civil lawsuits.  California is a “fault” state with regard to accidents, meaning that a victim can bring a claim against the responsible party before they file a claim against their own “no-fault” insurance, and there is a two year time period to file a suit after an accident.

Consult with motorcycle accident lawyer.

A California accident attorney can be instrumental in damage recovery to cover unexpected expenses related to untimely death, and to ensure future financial stability for dependents of the person who died.  They can work with insurance companies to expediently pay costs related to funeral and burial expenses, and address losses sustained to property, medical bills, lost wages, or future expenses incurred by the estate of the person who died.  The Law Offices of Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates can assist surviving loved ones with insurance claims after a fatal injury caused by a motorcycle accident.

Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates, a Professional Law Corporation

501 West Broadway, Suite 1650

San Diego, CA 92101

Phone: 619-233-8021

Fax: 619-233-3730

Sources:

1. Motorcyclist Struck, Killed by Hit-and-Run Driver in Fallbrook – Times of San Diego
2. https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.dot.gov/files/documents/california_fy2017_ar.pdf
3. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&sectionNum=23103.
4. State by state (iihs.org)
5. Law section (ca.gov)