A California motorcyclist died on July 8 following a crash on Highway 223 near Arvin. While the causes of the accident remain under investigation, preliminary reports would seem to indicate that a big rig pulled into the road in front of the eastbound motorcycle, driven by a 49-year-old Tehachapi man, while the smaller vehicle had the right of way.

According to the California Highway Patrol, a big rig left the Arvin Gravel Plant around 12:20 p.m. and entered the highway in the path of an oncoming motorcyclist. Although the motorcyclist saw the upcoming hazard and attempted to avoid it by dropping his bike to the side, he hit the truck and died. Police do not believe that the 77-year-old Bakersfield man who was driving the truck was under the influence of either alcohol or drugs.

Many fatal accident victims leave behind family members who relied upon them for emotional and financial support. After the loss of a loved one in traffic collision, a family may be left to cope with all of the resulting expenses, including funeral and memorial costs, while having lost a source of income. By determining liability for the crash and holding the responsible party accountable, it may be possible for a lawyer to help alleviate the family's financial concerns.

The crash investigation should determine how the incident transpired. If a driver involved in a deadly crash with a motorcyclist was distracted or otherwise negligent when the incident occurred, he or she could potentially be held liable and made to provide compensation to the victim's family.

Source: The Bakersfield Californian, "Motorcyclist killed in collision with big rig," July 8, 2014

Source: Bakersfield Now, "Motorcycle rider killed in crash near Arvin", July 08, 2014