San Fernando Valley: Two Killed, Two Injured in Separate Motorcycle Accidents

Within the span of an hour, two people were killed and two were injured in separate motorcycle accidents in the same San Fernando Valley location on Sunday, October 23. The incidents occurred in the northbound lanes of the 5 Freeway near Branford Street, the first involving a collision between two motorcyclists shortly before 10:30 a.m. that resulted in injuries to both riders. They were transported to a local hospital for treatment. About an hour later, while splitting lanes in heavy traffic, a motorcyclist and his passenger were fatally struck by a semi truck. Authorities believe the riders may have been participating in a charity event for Autism Speaks organized by the Love Ride Foundation and are investigating the accidents, explains a California personal injury lawyer. 

Los Angeles County accounted for 80 of the 383 fatalities and 2,709 of the 10,479 injuries suffered by motorcyclists in traffic collisions throughout California in 2009, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Record’s System. That year, motorcycle fatalities decreased by 29.6 percent, marking the end of an 11-year, 175 percent increase in the state. While the CHP does not track the incidence of motorcycle crashes involving lane splitting, it acknowledges that the practice is legal as long as done in a “safe and prudent manner.”

All of us at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis, and Leslie would like to offer our condolences to the families of the two motorcyclists who were killed in the crash with the semi last Sunday. We would also like to wish the two riders who were injured a full recovery.

The Los Angeles Times originally reported this San Fernando Valley accident.

Resources for accident victims and their families, including books and articles on the process of pursuing an injury or a wrongful death claim, are available to the public free of charge.

If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with a California personal injury lawyer, feel free to call 866-981-5596.