Couple Narrowly Survives Fiery Motorcycle Crash in Long Beach
LONG BEACH, CA — A Southern California couple is recovering after narrowly surviving a violent and fiery motorcycle crash in Long Beach earlier this month, an incident that left both riders hospitalized with serious injuries and facing overwhelming medical costs.
Details of the Crash
The crash occurred around 10:30 a.m. on January 10 near the intersection of Ocean Boulevard and Orange Avenue, according to reports from Long Beach police.
Ramon Acosta told KTLA that he and his wife, Michaele, were riding together on their motorcycle on the way to breakfast before meeting other riders for a group trip up Pacific Coast Highway. Before they reached their destination, a motorist allegedly made an illegal left turn directly in front of them.
The motorcycle collided with the vehicle in a T-bone crash and immediately burst into flames. The force of the impact threw Acosta onto the hood of the car, carrying him away from the fire, while his wife was ejected onto the roadway, narrowly avoiding the flames.
“If one of our pants got caught on the bike, we would have ended up engulfed in flames,” Acosta said.
Injuries and Family Impact
Acosta suffered a broken arm and internal bleeding, while his wife sustained severe injuries that required a full hip replacement. Both remain hospitalized but are expected to recover.
Between them, the couple has nine children, several of whom described the fear they felt when learning about the crash. Family members said the couple is improving but still faces a long road to recovery.
Adding to the strain, Michaele is being discharged before her husband due to a lack of health insurance. According to a GoFundMe organized by the family, the couple has incurred more than $200,000 in medical bills and is currently unable to work, placing significant financial pressure on the household.
Investigation Status
Long Beach police confirmed the cause of the crash remains under investigation. It is unclear whether any charges will be filed at this time.
Legal Rights After a Serious Motorcycle Crash
Under California law, victims of serious motorcycle collisions may have important legal rights:
Negligence & Duty of Care
Drivers must operate their vehicles safely and obey traffic laws. Making an illegal turn or failing to yield may constitute negligence (Civil Code §1714)
Personal Injury Claims
Injured riders may seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, future care needs, pain and suffering, and long-term rehabilitation.
Comparative Negligence
Even if multiple factors contributed to the crash, injured parties may still recover damages based on each party’s share of fault (Civil Code §1431.2)
Right to a Full Investigation
Victims may pursue accident reconstruction, witness statements, vehicle data, and surveillance footage to fully understand what happened.
Motorcyclist Attorney Is Here for You
At Motorcyclist Attorney, we stand with riders and families after catastrophic motorcycle crashes. We help clients investigate collisions, navigate insurance challenges, and pursue the compensation needed for medical care and recovery.
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