James Harold Lynch vs. County of San Diego

Case Background

On May 26, 2020, Plaintiff  James Harold Lynch filed a motorcycle accident lawsuit in the San Diego Superior Court, California (Case number: 202000016745). Judge Timothy B. Taylor presided over this case.

Cause

James Harold Lynch suffered severe injuries on July 6, 2019, while riding his motorcycle southbound on Riverford Road in Lakeside, California. Jon A. Santich, a third-party driver, made a dangerous left turn at the intersection of Riverford Road and North Woodside Avenue. This maneuver created a hazardous situation due to dangerous conditions on public property. The road’s poor design, limited visibility, and lack of proper traffic control devices contributed to the accident. The County of San Diego allegedly failed to maintain and design the roadway according to safety standards, creating unsafe conditions for motorcyclists and other drivers.

Injuries

The accident left the Plaintiff with severe spinal injuries, multiple fractures in his right leg and ribs, and a painful condition in his right leg caused by dangerously elevated muscle pressure. He also suffered an acute kidney injury and extensive skeletal muscle damage. The collision shattered over 40 bones in his body, requiring extensive medical treatment and ongoing care.

Damages

Lynch sought compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages. The injuries severely impacted his quality of life, requiring continuous treatment for long-term recovery. The Plaintiff argued that defective road conditions and inadequate maintenance by the County of San Diego played a pivotal role in his damages.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal representation

  • Plaintiff(s): James Harold Lynch
    • Counsel for Plaintiff: Robert J Pecora | Lara Deitz | Jansen Hyatt | Norma Jessica Lujan | Brian R. Mason
  • Defendant(s): County of San Diego
    • Counsel for Defendants: Matthew O’Sullivan

Claims

Lynch brought legal claims against the County of San Diego for negligence and violation of a mandatory duty under 23 Code of Federal Regulations 655.603. This federal regulation requires proper maintenance and implementation of traffic control devices. The County’s failure to comply allegedly created a “trap” for unsuspecting motorists and motorcyclists, leading to foreseeable accidents and injuries. He settled with Santich but pursued claims against the County, asserting that dangerous road conditions blocked the drivers’ views of each other.

Defense

The defense maintained that the collision resulted from several factors. They argued that Santich failed to adequately check for oncoming traffic before turning and that Lynch rode too closely behind an SUV in front of him. By doing so, Lynch obscured his presence, making himself less visible to Santich. This unsafe positioning left Lynch without a sufficient safety cushion as he entered the intersection. The defense asserted that the alignment of the vehicles, rather than any obstruction from nearby foliage or the bridge railing, caused the collision.

Jury Verdict

On November 5, 2025, the jury delivered a verdict in favor of the defense. They concluded that the County of San Diego bore no liability for the motorcycle accident lawsuit.

Court Documents:

Documents are available for purchase upon request at jurimatic@exlitem.com