California Injury Lawyer Blog

The Palm Springs Police Department is investigating a crash that killed one person and critically injured another Monday night in Riverside County. The solo motorcycle accident occurred on Northbound Gene Autry Trail in Palm Springs, about ¼ mile south of Tamarisk Road just before 10 p.m. on May 10th, the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner reported in a press release. Apparently, the driver of the motorcycle lost control of the bike and struck the center median, throwing the driver and passenger from the bike. The male driver of the motorcycle suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs. The female passenger, Valondra Lesher, 45, of Desert Hot Springs, died of her injuries at the scene of the accident.

Cause of the Accident

The cause of the crash is still under investigation and it is not clear what exactly happened. The Desert Sun reported that police were looking into the possibility that high winds played a role in the crash, but had also not ruled out possible drug or alcohol impairment. The news reports covering this incident offer limited information as to what happened. At this point, we don't know if the driver of the motorcycle was at fault, or if there was a dangerous condition in the road, or a mechanical defect in motorcycle. Investigators will look at these and other issues to determine exactly what happened.

Possible Liability Issues

In any motorcycle accident resulting in serious injury or death, victims and their families are always advised to contact a skilled, experienced California motorcycle accident attorney who can look into all legal issues related to the accident, and if negligence is involved, hold the liable parties responsible for the victim's serious injuries or the wrongful death of a loved one. If the accident was caused by a dangerous condition or defect in the road, the agency responsible for maintaining the roadway may be liable. Keep in mind that any claim against a government agency must be filed with six months of the date of the accident, so it is best to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. Damages awarded in a wrongful death claim can include compensation for funeral expenses, expected future earnings, loss of love and companionship, and other expenses related to the accident.