Firefighter Andrew Maloney died in a Modesto, California hospital after being involved in a tragic California motorcycle accident. The driver of the car that hit Maloney was reportedly using a cell phone and under the influence of marijuana and alcohol.
According to the California Highway Patrol, Maloney, 29, was driving his 2011 Suzuki motorcycle southbound on Highway 165 near Pioneer Road when 24-year-old Amie Chick, driving the opposite direction in a 2012 Jeep, made a left turn in front of the firefighter.
Maloney, who was off duty at the time, couldn’t avoid the crash. Chick didn’t suffer any injuries and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to the CHP.
Fatal Motorcycle Accident: The Victim
Maloney started his career in 2000 as a paid-call volunteer firefighter for the Merced County Fire Department in Los Banos, according to Mark Simmons, a captain for Cal Fire. During the summer of 2001, Maloney worked as a firefighter for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, according to Simmons. He became a firefighter with Cal Fire in 2003 and stayed in that position until his death.
This is a terrible tragedy, but this shows that even the most educated and skilled people are very vulnerable when riding motorcycles. Hopefully, Maloney’s family contacted a motorcycle accident attorney regarding their loss. They are entitled to a motorcycle settlement.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
A survey by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that motorcycle fatalities in California declined by almost 25 percent during 2009, most likely because of mandatory helmet laws. Prior to 2009, motorcycle-related deaths were increasing an average of 10 percent every year, between 1997 and 2008.
Most victims of fatal injuries were young males who accounted for 38 percent of fatalities. Safety experts believe that this particular age group is at higher risk in traffic accidents, because of their tendencies to be reckless and not wear a helmet. This firefighter does not sound like the reckless type, proving, once again, this type of tragedy could happen to anyone.
When to Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Los Angeles
If you, or someone you know, has been involved in a motorcycle accident, you need to seek medical care immediately, but you also need to contact a motorcycle accident attorney that will fight for you. Don’t accept any offer from an insurance company or think that you have to go along with whatever the other party’s lawyer says. You need your own motorcycle accident lawyer who will fight for you. please call 877-702-7274 to speak to one of our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers
today.
