Four Dead as Two Motorcycles Crash Head On
Four people were killed over the Fourth of July weekend as two motorcycles collided head-on in Silverado Canyon. The crash occurred on July 7 as a Harley Davidson traveling north attempted to pass a car at a bend in the road, swerved over the double yellow lines and crashed into a Honda motorcycle traveling south, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). CHP officials termed the accident “one of the worst we’ve seen.”
The collision happened on East Santiago Canyon Road, just south of Lake Irvine at approximately 4:30 p.m. The victims were identified as Regina Michelle Crowder, who was 48 and lived in Fountain Valley; Jon Michael Schwarz, who was 50 and lived in Tustin; David Mark Terman, who was 59 and lived in of Santa Ana; and Edith Mae Hegy, 62, of Elko, Nevada. All were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.
The CHP emphasized to motorists the dangers of trying to pass a vehicle on a blind curve. Warning signs are posted about the danger of collisions in the area.
Liability in Motorcycle Accidents
The July 7 accident in Orange County is a sobering reminder of how important it is to drive safely. CHP reports indicate that one motorcyclist attempted to pass on a blind curve – in other words, before the driver could have known whether anything was up ahead. It is imperative that drivers never make any moves when they can’t tell what they will find ahead of them. It should never be assumed that the road will be clear if you can’t see it. In addition, the driver apparently swerved into the lane with oncoming traffic. Both errors cost the life of multiple people, according to reports.
All drivers need to follow basic traffic safety principles as well as all applicable laws about operating a vehicle. Those principles include ensuring your visibility at all times – and not making a move if you don’t have visibility.
If accidents happen as a result of a driver disobeying traffic safety principles or the law, that driver is responsible and can be liable for deaths or injuries that result.
While all drivers need to operate their vehicles with safety in mind, motorcycle accidents can be particularly dangerous. Motorcyclists are unprotected compared to car and other vehicle drivers, and their injuries in the case of a crash can be severe. Indeed, all too many motorcycle crashes are fatal.
Do You Need a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles?
If you or a loved one have been hurt or killed in a motorcycle accident in Southern California, contact an attorney at our firm to discuss your case. At Ellis Law Corporation, we have been fighting for the rights of victims of accidents for more than 20 years. Our initial consultation is always free.
Call us today at 310-300-7777 to speak with a courteous and knowledgeable Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer.
Additional Resources:
- 4 Dead After 2 Motorcyclists Collide in Orange County. CBS Los Angeles. July 7, 2019. https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2019/07/07/4-dead-after-2-motorcyclists-collide-in-orange-county/.
- CHP: Silverado Canyon Motorcycle Crash ‘One of the Worst Ones We’ve Seen’. CBS Los Angeles. July 8, 2019. https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2019/07/08/silverado-canyon-motorcycle-crash-santiago-oc-orange-county-chp/.