Donald Halverstadt, 45, was killed in a Sacramento car accident, after his motorcycle crashed into a pickup truck on the Interstate 80. According to a news report in the Daily Democrat, the fatal crash occurred the night of August 22, 2010 in the eastbound lanes of the freeway near Mace Boulevard. California Highway Patrol officials say Halverstadt suddenly swerved his Harley Davidson out of lanes and struck the rear of a 2002 Toyota Tundra. Halverstadt and his 41-year-old passenger, Dana Marie Halverstadt, were ejected from the motorcycle in the collision. Donald Halverstadt sustained fatal injuries while Dana Marie Halverstadt suffered injuries to her hands, knees and hips. The driver of the Tundra, 64-year-old Ronald Chiles, was not injured in the crash. An investigation is ongoing.

My deepest condolences go out to the friends and family of Donald Halverstadt. My thoughts and prayers are also with Marie Halverstadt. I wish her a complete and quick recovery from her serious injuries.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to CHP's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), in 2008, 17 people were killed and 530 people were injured in Sacramento County motorcycle accidents. Also, countywide, 84 people died and 7,874 were injured as a result of car accidents during the same year.

What Caused this Fatal Crash

Based on this news report, it is not quite clear what caused this tragic crash. Officials say Halverstadt swerved suddenly and crashed into the pickup. But it is not clear what caused him to swerve. Was there some type of mechanical problem or vehicle defect in his Harley that led to this accident? Was there debris on the roadway that he was trying to avoid? Was he cut off by another vehicle? I trust officials are looking into these and other factors in order to determine what occurred here and why.

Liability Issues

In such cases, it would be in the best interests of injured victims and their families to seek the legal counsel of an experienced Sacramento personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all facets of the incident and hold the negligent parties accountable. If the crash was the result of an auto product defect, the auto maker or the manufacturer of the defective product can also be held liable. If debris on the roadway caused the crash, then, the driver who dropped it on the roadway could be held responsible. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to advise victims and their families about how their car insurance policy applies to an incident where the at-fault party cannot be located or if that individual does not have insurance coverage.

In your opinion, what are some of the major hazards motorcyclists face on our roadways?

None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.

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