A Riverside County man was hospitalized Monday, May 1, 2010, with serious injuries due to a motorcycle accident on State Route 76 (SR-76) in the Pala area of San Diego County. He is reported to have burns over almost all his body.
Around 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 30, 2010, 60-year old Martin Davidoff was driving eastbound on his 2002 Yamaha motorcycle. According to the California Highway Patrol, Davidoff hit the rear of a 2008 Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck that was stopped in traffic near Magee Road. As a result of the collision, the gas tank and fuel line began spraying fuel onto the roadway and Davidoff. A subsequent spark lit the fuel on fire which seriously burned the motorcycle and Davidoff’s body. Davidoff was transported to UCSD Medical Center where he was admitted to deal with serious burns over most of his body.
We wish Davidoff a speedy recovery and hope he returns home soon. Is unclear from the news story why Davidoff came to strike the rear of the stopped pickup truck. From the sounds of the news story, it appears that Davidoff may have failed to pay attention to traffic slowing and then stopping in front of him. Drivers should always remember that they should keep enough space between their vehicle and traffic in front of them. On the other hand, if the pickup truck driver came to an unreasonable or quick stop without warning—for example if they do not have working brake lights—then Davidson may have a right of action against the pickup truck driver.
Ross Jurewitz is a Riverside County motorcycle accident lawyer and the managing attorney of the Jurewitz Law Group, a California law firm dedicated to representing people seriously injured and the families of people killed by the negligence of others. If you or a loved one has been killed in a bike crash in California, please order your free copy of Mr. Jurewitz’s book, The Ten Biggest Mistakes that can Destroy Your California Accident Case. It is full of helpful information that will help you protect your legal rights and it is free to all California residents.
