Orrin Pierre Casey, 36, was killed in a Riverside car accident after he was struck by a 94-year-old driver attempting to exit a shopping center parking lot. According to a CBS News report, the accident occurred the morning of October 12, 2009 near the intersection of Indiana and La Sierra avenues. Casey was riding his 2002 Suzuki west on Indiana approaching the Nexus Towncenter shopping center when the elderly driver, who has not been identified, pulled out of the parking lot trying to go north across Indiana. The man's Ford Focus struck Casey's motorcycle. Casey was thrown onto the roadway. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The elderly driver was not injured.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Orrin Pierre Casey for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved this man. Please keep them in your prayers.

Riverside Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), five fatalities and 91 injuries involving motorcycle accidents were reported in Riverside, California. In Riverside County as a whole, 41 deaths and 562 injuries were reported as a result of motorcycle accidents in 2007. Also, during that same period, 279 deaths and 9,925 injuries were reported in Riverside County as a result of car accidents.

Based on this news report, it is not clear whether the elderly driver at the time was clear to go north across Indiana from the parking lot or if he made an illegal movement. There are many questions that need to be answered here. Did the elderly driver know where he was going? Was he making a legal turn and did he have the right-of-way? Or, did he fail to yield right-of-way to the motorcyclist? I would not be surprised if the motorist had cut across in front of the Casey's motorcycle. If that was the case, the elderly driver could be held liable for Casey's wrongful death. If this is the case a it may be in the families best interest to contact a Riverside personal injury lawyer.

Car Accidents Involving Elderly Drivers

In this particular case, given the age of the driver, I would look into whether he was qualified to be driving in the first place. According to California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) statistics, more than 48,000 re-examinations were filed in California in 2008 alone. The most common reason states for re-examination was "lapse of consciousness," filed 13,815 times. "Lack of skill" was cited as a reason for 5,220 re-examinations and "lack of knowledge/skill" accounted for 4,100 re-examinations. Sometimes, the DMV takes action, but in some cases, the seniors get their driver's licenses back. The question here would be whether this driver should've been driving at all.

Casey's family would be well-advised to consult with an experienced California personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of this accident and make sure that they receive fair compensation. In cases where there is negligence or wrongdoing involved, families of deceased car accident victims may be able to seek compensation to cover funeral expenses, loss of wages, loss of love and companionship and other related damages.

We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.