[09-12-2023] Lake County, CA – 43-Year-Old Male Motorcyclist Killed Following Pickup Truck Collision Near Lucerne

A 43-year-old motorcyclist male, identified as James E., was killed after a pickup truck collision near Lucerne, Lake County, on Tuesday evening, September 12, 2023.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the incident occurred on the eastbound lanes of State Route 20, east of Rosemont Drive, at around 7:06 p.m.

CHP Officer Ryan E. was notified two minutes later of a collision between a 2005 Harley-Davidson motorcycle and a 2020 Dodge 5500 truck. The pickup was driven by 33-year-old Redding resident Spencer L., who had 26-year-old Cottonwood resident John T.

CHP personnel were dispatched to the scene, and upon arrival, they found both vehicles in the eastbound lane and on the south shoulder. A preliminary investigation suggests that the rider was traveling west on the highway at an undetermined speed when he veered over the solid double yellow lines into the opposite lane.

Despite all three men wearing safety equipment, James E. was pronounced dead at the scene, while Spencer L. and John T. were uninjured. As of the moment, it is unclear whether injuries will surface later on.

Officer Ryan E. and Sgt. Joel S. will handle the investigation, with the latter assuming incident command.

Dedicated Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Lucerne, Lake County, CA

Riders and their families experience emotional and financial distress when they are involved in motorcycle accidents. These types of accidents usually result in serious injuries and higher recovery costs.

Motorcycle accident victims and their families are entitled to compensation for their injuries or deaths. Our seasoned legal team will thoroughly examine your case before taking legal action.

You can rely on our dedicated Lake County motorcycle accident lawyers at Arash Law, led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., to help you with the insurance claim or effectively represent you in court proceedings.

Our firm has recovered over $500 Million for California clients and is widely acknowledged for its experience and success as one of California’s leading personal injury law firms.

If you want to speak with one of our lawyers, please call (888) 488-1391 or fill out the “Do I Have a Case?” form.

What to Do After A Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycle accidents are traumatic and can permanently alter a person’s life in a negative way. You should seek legal counsel if you are injured as a motorcyclist or have lost a loved one due to an accident. The following steps will help you protect your interests:

1. Keep calm and do not admit fault.
2. Check your body for injuries. Examine the condition of the other individuals involved.
3. Wait on the side of the road or in a safe place until the authorities arrive.
4. Do not try to resolve the conflict with the other driver. Inform the police of the collision and request a copy of the official report.
5. Gather information such as the other driver’s name and insurance provider.
6. Take pictures of everything you think is essential, including the scene, the road, your injuries, the other car, and your motorcycle.
7. Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
8. Keep a file with all accident-related paperwork and information.
9. Discuss your accident with an experienced California motorcycle accident lawyer.

I HAD AN ACCIDENT

Fatal Motorcycle Accident Statistics

Motorcycle crashes accounted for 14% of all traffic fatalities and 17% of all occupant deaths in 2021. Motorcycle accidents also caused 3% of occupant injuries.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were over 5,500 reported motorcycle fatalities in the United States in 2020 alone. Furthermore, more than 180,000 motorcycle accidents resulted in injuries requiring emergency department treatment.

There was an 8% increase in motorcycle fatalities between 2020 and 2021. Over the past decade, motorcycle-related deaths have risen by 19%, and the death rate has increased by 29%. The death rate is 5,932, translating to 30.05 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles.