New Years Day Brings California Motorcycle Accident Fatality
Motorcycle accidents continue to be more deadly than other types of traffic accidents in California, and this year is starting out as no exception. The first day of this year resulted in a 53 year old man crashing his motorcycle on Friday afternoon, killing him. The victim, a Porterville man, lost control wile attempting to negotiate a right turn according to news reports. He was ejected from the motorcycle when it overturned, resulting in fatal injuries. No one knows yet what caused the man to lose control, but investigations are on going.
Motorcycle accidents are often due to several factors, including:
* Reckless behavior like speeding or driving under the influence
* Not wearing an approved helmet while riding
* Failure of motorists to stop for motorcycles
* Defective and poorly maintained roads, or roads that are not designed for good visibility
* Poor lighting on the roadways
* Motorcyclists who are inexperienced
* Motorcycles that are not well functioning or properly maintained
With some motorists, there seems to be a certain amount of rage when it comes to motorcyclists. They believe that those who ride motorcycles should have no rights, and that all simply want to drive fast or “show off.” This is not a fair picture, and California motorcycle accident lawyers know that motorists have huge changes to make in order to make our streets safe for those who ride motorcycles. Sure, motorcyclists may ride at speeds that are too fast, or engage in other dangerous practices. This certainly does not mean they all do; in fact, many motorcyclists abide by the rules of the road.
One major area of concern in California is lane sharing, which is perfectly legal in the state. If done at slow speeds, lane sharing can be completely safe; however motorists who object to lane sharing tend to be rather hostile. California personal injury attorneys know that the rage that exists between motorists and motorcyclists is responsible for a large number of motorcycle fatalities that occur in California. The growing age of motorcyclists is another factor. Many who ride motorcycles all over the nation are 50 and older. Sometimes they do not have the skills and techniques necessary to operate a heavy motorcycle on busy and congested streets. Other times, they do not realize how lightweight and powerful the motorcycles of today really are. In both instances, fatalities often occur.
Across the United States, the incidence of motorcycle fatalities has been steadily increasing over the last 11 years. In 2008, 14 percent of all fatalities in traffic accidents were motorcyclists, as unbelievable as it seems.
The Reeves Law Group has offices across California and is dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including victims of motorcycle accidents. Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.
