Police Officer Crashes Motorcycle into Crowd Leaving 10 Injured – Holiday Parade Incident Attorneys
Reviewed by a STAFF ATTORNEY
A motorcycle crash involving a Palm Springs police officer left 10 people, including the officer, hospitalized. This incident occurred during an annual holiday parade over the weekend. The incident occurred at approximately 6pm on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at the 32nd Annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade.
Video posted on social media showed the officer losing control of his motorcycle before he barreled into a crowd nearby. There were initial reports that the officer’s hand was severed during the incident.
The injuries to bystanders have been reported to be non-life-threatening.
The California Highway Patrol is conducting a traffic investigation, which will be followed by an administrative review by the Palm Springs Police Department.
Recent Updates – according to the police chief, the officer was doing crowd control and demonstrations when he lost balance, and his motorcycle slammed into the crowd. The officer who crashed has been identified as Kenney Merenda. Video footage shows the motorcycle speeding up just seconds before the collision. According to Police Chief Mills, the officer “lost his balance on the bike…his foot slipped off the peg and it caused him to have to grip the handlebars, which caused the bike to accelerate at a rapid speed.” Reportedly, 11 people sustained injuries and the officer fractured his hand.
$1.93 Million
$2,287,495
$54 Million
$22 Million
$600,000
$965,000
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$1,975,000
Without a doubt, whenever any vehicle crashes into a crowd, innocent people can suffer a host of injuries. Some of the injuries that victims could suffer could potentially include the following:
- Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Fractures and dislocations
- Sprains and strains
- Crushing injuries
- Lacerations
- And more
This is a very important question. In general, victims could have the right to file a lawsuit if they sustain injuries while attending a holiday event, like a holiday parade. The question now is who can I sue? In general, victims injured in events could have a claim against the event organizer. In this case, victims may have a claim against the City of Palm Springs. However, victims may also have a claim against the Palm Springs Police Department – as the actions of the officer ultimately led to the incident. Of course, before establishing liability, the incident must be properly investigated.
If you find yourself with questions about liability for the harm that you suffered and unsure about whether you can pursue a claim, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team as soon as possible. Our accident attorneys are more than ready to handle your claim and help you recover the compensation that you are owed.
Victims of personal injury accidents could be eligible to recover compensation. Although every situation is different, victims could potentially be eligible to recover compensation for some of the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
- Legal costs
Here at our law firm, our experts are more than ready to provide you with the guidance that you need to recover the maximum payout available for your claim. Whether our lawyers have to negotiate a settlement or take your claim to trial to reach a fair verdict, you can trust that our team is ready to do everything necessary to secure the best possible outcome for your injury claim.
To learn more about the possible value of your claim and what you could be awarded, contact us today.
The Downtown L.A. Law Group is Here to Help!If you or a member of your family suffered harm in the incident discussed above or in a similar incident, it is important that you seek legal assistance as soon as possible. Based on the details surrounding the incident and the harm suffered, you could have the right to sue and receive compensation for the damages that occurred. To explore the legal options available to you and your family, contact the Downtown L.A. Law Group at your earliest convenience. Our team has decades of experience and is ready to provide you with the guidance that you need to fight for your rights.
Our team offers free case reviews, including free consultations and free second opinions. During these free case evaluations, our experts will be available to answer all your questions, address all your concerns, and essentially provide you with all the information that you need to begin or continue your holiday parade injury claim. To schedule a free case review, contact our firm today.
Zero-Fee Guarantee: you will not be required to pay upfront legal fees for any of our legal services. In addition, our law firm works on contingency, meaning that you will not be responsible for any legal costs if your claim is not successful. If you do not win, you will simply not pay anything at all. Do not hesitate to reach out to our law firm to learn more about how our team can help you!
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