I was recently involved in an accident. I was almost finished making a left turn while there was a break in traffic - I had seen a car approaching from the other direction, but I had plenty of time to make the turn. Apparently. a motorcycle came from behind the oncoming car to pass on the right and laid the bike down (I never saw the motorcycle). The rider of the motorcycle was seriously injured and died a few days following the accident.
The police report and witness statements state that the motorcylcist was driving erratically and at 20 mph over the speed limit. The exact wording from the report narrative states:
"Unit One [motorcycle] was traveling southbound on [Main Street]. Unit Two [me] was making a left turn from [Main Street] onto [Elm Street]. Witnesses and evidence at the scene suggest that Unit One was traveling well above the posted speed limit. As Unit Two made the left turn onto [Elm Street], Unit One attempted to lay down his motorcycle. The driver of Unit One became separated from the motorcycle and struck the right rear tire of Unit Two."
The officer who reconstructed and investigated the crash later called me and personally told me I was not at fault (which I knew), and that the DA was not charging me with anything. I did not receive a citation.
I know that I did not do anything to cause this accident, but it has still been very traumatic. Can a civil suit be filed against me in this situation? I know that many times the person turning left is always considered to be at fault.
What are the possibilities? If a suit was filed against me, would there be a strong case against me, or do the evidence and witness statements make it less of a case? I am insured up to $100k for bodily injury liability.
Thanks for your thoughts.
The police report and witness statements state that the motorcylcist was driving erratically and at 20 mph over the speed limit. The exact wording from the report narrative states:
"Unit One [motorcycle] was traveling southbound on [Main Street]. Unit Two [me] was making a left turn from [Main Street] onto [Elm Street]. Witnesses and evidence at the scene suggest that Unit One was traveling well above the posted speed limit. As Unit Two made the left turn onto [Elm Street], Unit One attempted to lay down his motorcycle. The driver of Unit One became separated from the motorcycle and struck the right rear tire of Unit Two."
The officer who reconstructed and investigated the crash later called me and personally told me I was not at fault (which I knew), and that the DA was not charging me with anything. I did not receive a citation.
I know that I did not do anything to cause this accident, but it has still been very traumatic. Can a civil suit be filed against me in this situation? I know that many times the person turning left is always considered to be at fault.
What are the possibilities? If a suit was filed against me, would there be a strong case against me, or do the evidence and witness statements make it less of a case? I am insured up to $100k for bodily injury liability.
Thanks for your thoughts.
