California is a busy place and we lead the nation in many categories. One of those total registered motorcycles. With nearly 900,000 registered motorcycles, California leads all states.
Unfortunately, a recent Redlands motorcycle accident has highlighted just how many risks motorcyclists face on a daily basis.
Recently, a Riverside man riding on his motorcycle died in a head-on collision with a speeding car that had crossed the double-yellow lines on Live Oak Canyon Road.
Herbert Long was 74-years-old. Miguel Ochoa, an eighteen-year-old, drifted off the roadway, over-corrected, and crossed the lines into oncoming traffic. Ochoa proceeded to flee the scene on foot but was quickly apprehended by a San Bernardino Sheriff’s helicopter crew.
They expect to charge him with felony hit-and-run, felony driving under the influence, and gross vehicular manslaughter.
The Numbers
In the latest reporting year, California saw nearly 14,000 motorcyclist injuries. In Riverside, there were 159 motorcyclist injuries or fatalities in the same time period.
These accidents are particularly devastating because a motorcyclist simply does not have much protection against the force of a vehicle. They also have a second impact – one on the ground. That is why most motorcycle accidents result in some type of injury. While it is hopeful they are not severe, major injuries are common:
- Severe bone injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal organ damage
These types of injuries can result in long hospital stays and require rehabilitation for recovery. Often, victims are left with long-term disabilities that render them unable to work or enjoy the activities they love.
The Drivers
As in the case discussed above, alcohol is a major contributing factor in many motorcycle accidents. When a driver makes a decision to operate their vehicle impaired, they become a danger to others on the roadway as well as those near the roadway.
Another major problem is distracted driving, which commonly takes the form of drivers looking at their phones when they should be focusing on driving.
Anytime another driver’s negligent behavior causes major injuries, they should be held accountable. There may be times when insurance does not offer victims enough to cover their expenses.
That is when you need to seek legal assistance.
What You Can Do Now
At the Law Offices of Howard Kornberg, we know how scary motorcycle accidents can be. They often result in injuries and fatalities. Motorcyclists hope they never have to deal with an accident, but when they do, it can be hard to get enough compensation from insurance companies to cover all of the accident-related expenses.
We want to help ensure you get enough compensation to cover your medical expenses, any lost income you incur if you have to miss work, as well as pain and suffering damages. Getting hurt due to someone else’s negligence should not mean that you lose the ability to financially support yourself or your family. When you need a motorcycle crash lawyer, you can contact us by clicking here or calling 310-997-0904 for a free consultation.
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