Cincinnati, OH — May 26, 2025, a motorcyclist was injured in a truck accident at about 3:45 p.m. at the intersection of River Road and Anderson Ferry Road.

Authorities said a 2024 Kenworth semi-truck was heading east on River Road when it turned left and hit a 2024 Kawasaki motorcycle.

The 20-year-old man who had been riding the motorcycle was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after the crash, according to authorities. His name has not been made public yet.

The truck driver was not injured in the crash, authorities said.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash near the Ohio River. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When folks hear that a semi-truck struck a motorcyclist in an intersection, they understandably want to know: What went wrong? Was the trucker careless? Was the motorcyclist speeding? Did someone ignore a signal? These are fair questions, but they can't be answered without a closer look at the facts that, so far, have not been made public.

Authorities say the semi-truck was turning left onto Anderson Ferry Road when it hit the motorcyclist, who was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. What’s missing from that report, and what matters most from a legal standpoint, is who had the right of way.

It’s not clear whether the truck had a green arrow or was yielding on a solid green. It’s also unknown whether the motorcyclist was traveling straight through on River Road with the right of way, or possibly attempting to beat a yellow. These aren’t minor details. They form the foundation of any case about fault and responsibility.

In a situation like this, there’s no substitute for hard evidence:

• Traffic camera or dashcam footage might reveal signal patterns, vehicle speeds and whether either driver made a sudden move.
• ECM (engine control module) data from the truck could show how fast the truck was going, whether it slowed or stopped before the turn and whether the turn was made sharply or cautiously.
• Cell phone records can confirm whether distraction played a role.
• In-cab cameras, if available, may show the truck driver’s line of sight and reaction leading up to the crash.

Then there’s the broader picture: Did the trucking company screen the driver properly before hiring? Did they provide adequate training for high-traffic or complex intersections like River Road and Anderson Ferry? In past cases I’ve handled, I’ve seen companies use the bare minimum screening, then act shocked when their underqualified drivers cause devastating injuries.

Until more facts come to light, it’s too early to place blame, but not too early to start asking questions. Thorough investigations don’t just clarify what happened; they also reveal whether any party failed to meet their responsibilities and whether the crash could have been avoided.

Key Takeaways

• The key legal question is whether the truck had the right of way while turning left.
• Critical evidence includes traffic signals, dashcam footage, ECM data and driver distraction records.
• Investigators should also examine the truck company’s hiring and training policies.
• Without more facts, assigning fault is premature, but gathering evidence now is essential.
• Motorcycle collisions with left-turning trucks often hinge on split-second decisions and signal timing, both of which are documentable.