Northern California Accident Attorney Blog

James Walter Murphy, 55, of Wilton, was killed in a motorcycle accident Tuesday, November 9th on Highway 99, the Modesto Bee reported. The fatal crash occurred at about 9:55 a.m. north of 47th Avenue. According to news reports, a 17-year-old boy driving a Mercury Sable lost control of his vehicle and overcorrected into northbound lanes and collided with the motorcycle. Murphy was ejected from the bike. He was taken to UC Davis Medical Center with major head injuries, where he died at about 11:30 a.m.

The 17-year-old driver of the Mercury fled the scene and ran south on 47th Avenue. CHP officers went to the teen's home in unincorporated Sacramento County. The teen was taken to the CHP office, where he was questioned and later released to his sister. According to news reports, alcohol or drugs do not appear to have played a role in the fatal accident. Charges against the teen are still pending, but may include vehicular manslaughter and felony hit and run.

Cause of the Sacramento County Motorcycle Accident

The cause of the incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information about the fatal Highway 99 motorcycle accident is asked to call the South Sacramento CHP Office at (916) 681-2300, or CHP dispatch at (916) 861-1300. Regardless of what happened, the teen driver should not have left the scene of the crash - not stopping is against the law. Under the California Vehicle Code § 20001, "The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident."

Motorcycle Accident Wrongful Death Liability

In accidents such as this one, if it is determined that the other driver caused the crash, the at-fault party or any other party responsible for the accident may be held civilly liable for their actions in a wrongful death claim. While the incident remains under investigation, he family of the victim of this accident would be well-advised to seek a consultation with a knowledgeable northern California motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. Hit-and-run accidents have unique legal issues. It would be advisable for the victim's family to not delay in contacting an attorney, so that evidence can be preserved, and witness statements can be taken while witness recollections are most accurate. The family may be entitled to compensation for the victim's final medical care expenses, funeral and burial costs, anticipated future earnings, benefits and financial contributions the victim would have made, and loss of love, care, affection and companionship.