Auto Mechanic Rescues Trapped Motorcyclist in Fullerton Crash

An auto mechanic rescued a man who was injured in a motorcycle accident in Fullerton the morning of October 23, 2017. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the incident occurred when a motorcycle and a Toyota Sienna minivan collided at the intersection of Highland and Chapman avenues. Auto mechanic Robert Mott came across the accident scene.

He reportedly used a jack and a piece of wood to lift the minivan so its weight was no longer on the victim. Firefighters said they appreciated Mott’s efforts because he gave the victim a better chance of survival while they were still in the process of responding to the incident. The motorcyclist was transported to an area trauma center in critical condition. The minivan’s driver was not injured. Fullerton police are investigating the cause of the crash.

We commend the actions of Robert Mott, which shows amazing presence of mind and resourcefulness. We also wish the critically injured motorcyclist the very best for a quick and full recovery.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2014 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were three fatalities and 50 injuries reported as a result of motorcycle accidents in the city of Fullerton. In Orange County as a whole, 39 people died and 991 were injured due to motorcycle accident during the same year.

Causes and Liability Issues

Based on this news report, it is unclear as to what caused this major injury motorcycle accident. There are still a number of unanswered questions here. How did the crash occur at the intersection? This is an intersection that is monitored by traffic lights. Did the driver of the minivan fail to yield the right-of-way to the motorcyclist? Did alcohol or drugs play a part? Was the driver of the minivan distracted or inattentive at the time? These are just some of the questions that must be answered in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.

If the driver is determined to have been at fault, the motorcyclist can seek compensation from the at-fault motorist for damages including medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, rehabilitation, pain and suffering and emotional distress. Injured victims would also be well advised to contact an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer who will stay abreast of the official investigation and help protect their legal rights.