Motorcyclist Killed on 405 Freeway in Seal Beach – Is Caltrans Liable?
On November 10, 2022, a traffic crash occurred on the northbound San Diego (405) Freeway resulting in the death of a motorcyclist in the carpool lane. The location was situated near Belmont Shore. Let’s explore the details of the news with Ehline Law and our Seal Beach motorcycle injury attorneys.
Crash on 405 Freeway in Seal Beach Area Leaves Motorcyclist Dead
According to the California Highway Patrol, the accident occurred on the northbound freeway at 4:45 AM near Seal Beach Boulevard, causing a blockage on two freeway lanes and resulting in a massive traffic pileup.
Motorcyclist Pronounced Dead at Accident Scene, California Highway Patrol Reveals
The motorcyclist was heading north on the 405 freeway when it collided with a Caltrans vehicle. When the police arrived at the accident scene, the fatally injured person succumbed to their injuries, and the motorcyclist was pronounced dead.
Motorcycle Accident Involved a Caltrans Attenuator Truck, City News Service Confirms
Ironically, the motorcycle collided with a 2017 Ford F650, an attenuator truck designed to address work zone safety and act as the crash barrier. Law enforcement officers re-routed the traffic flow before investigating the incident.
The Motorcyclist Heading on the Northbound Side of the Freeway Identified Was a Costa Mesa Resident
According to the county coroner’s office, the motorcyclist killed on 405 freeway in Seal Beach was Richard Mendoza, a 37-year-old Costa Mesa resident. The Orange County Sheriff’s spokeswoman reported the incident to Mendoza’s next of kin. The California highway patrol has requested witnesses or anyone with information to contact the CHP Westminster Area office.
Could the Caltrans Be Responsible for the 405 Freeway in the Seal Beach Boulevard Accident?
So far, no information on the motorcyclist killed Thursday morning in the crash on the 405 freeway near Seal Beach boulevard is available. However, most accidents happen due to negligence, and there could be negligence on behalf of the motorcyclist or Caltrans.
If the Motorcyclist Was Negligent
Drunk, distracted, or reckless driving are some examples of motorcyclist negligence. If the motorcyclist was completely at-fault for the accident, the surviving family members might be unable to pursue legal action to recover compensation.
If the Caltrans Employee Was Negligent
It could be possible that the Caltrans driver was responsible for the accident. Motorcycles are small vehicles that may be less visible to other drivers on the road, especially those in large vehicles such as the attenuator truck.
Suppose the Caltrans driver was distracted or did not see the motorcyclist on the road and ran over them. In that case, the surviving family members may be able to pursue a personal injury claim against the California Department of Transportation to recover damages.
How Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help with a Wrongful Death Case?
In such situations, an experienced personal injury attorney can help investigate the accident to determine the liable party.
After identifying the responsible party, an attorney will gather the necessary evidence to prove the wrongful death lawsuit and recover the damages the surviving family members suffered.
About Ehline Law
Ehline Law is a premier personal injury law firm with more than 15 locations in California, including San Diego, Huntington Beach, and Los Angeles. Our Greater Los Angeles personal injury attorneys have successfully represented over 3,000 injured victims and recovered over $150 million in compensation/verdicts for their loss.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Ehline Law
If you lost a loved one in an accident due to another’s negligence, contact us at (833) LETS-SUE for a free consultation, as you may be eligible for compensation. Our attorneys will help investigate the incident, gather evidence (including a police report), and hold the responsible party accountable for your loss.
