On the roadways of San Fernando Valley, motorcycle riders are more likely to be seriously injured because of their size, in comparison to other vehicles, and the way other motorists share the roadways. More than eighty percent of all motorcycle crashes result in death or serious injury to the rider. Motorcycle accidents can have significant negative financial, emotional, and physical effects on the rider and his or her loved ones. Contact The Law Offices of Howard Kornberg at 310-997-0904 for a free consultation with our distinguished motorcycle accident attorney. With over three decades of experience and an award-winning trial attorney, The Law Offices of Howard C. Kornberg give our clients above par representation with excellent litigators.
MOTORCYCLE STATISTICS AND DANGERS
- In the United States, one out of every thirty-six people you meet has a motorcycle.
- California is the third leading state in motorcycle deaths.
- Left-hand turns being made by other vehicles are the cause of forty-two percent of all motorcycle accidents.
- Forty-three percent of motorcycle accidents are the result of drunk driving.
- Motorcyclists account for over 2,100 fatalities and 56,000 injuries annually.
- The fatality rate per mile traveled for motorcyclists is sixteen times that of car occupants, and the injury rate is about four times that of car occupants.
- A Motorcycle rider’s risk of a fatal crash is thirty-five times greater than drivers of any other motor vehicle.
- According to the CDC, thirty percent of non-fatal motorcycle injuries happen to the legs and feet. Head and neck injuries follow closely at twenty-two percent of all injuries from motorcycle accidents. Head injuries can include a concussion or even brain damage. While concussions can range from mild to severe, brain damage can be debilitating or fatal.
The State of California has set no law dictating an age restriction for passengers on motorcycles. However, California has motorcycle rider safety restrictions including:
- All riders must wear a U.S. Department of Transportation compliant motorcycle helmet.
- Passenger seats must be securely fastened to the motorcycle behind the driver’s seat.
- Passengers must have footrests in place, which must be used while the motorcycle is in motion.
MOST REPORTED CAUSES
In a good percentage of cases, the reason for a motorcycle accident is due to careless drivers. In fact, research conducted by the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA), found that in all motorcycle accidents occurring between motorcyclists and cars, the motorcyclist was either not at fault or less at fault than the other driver eighty percent of the time. The ten most common reported causes of motorcycle accidents are:
- Unsafe lane changes
- Car doors
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence
- Lane splitting
- Sudden Stops
- Inexperienced drivers
- Left-turn accidents
HOW TO AVOID A LEFT TURN MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT
To avoid this type of accident, motorcyclists need to be able to predict the other driver’s next move. Predicting the other driver’s next move helps to keep the motorcyclist safe. There are certain types of indicators that motorcyclists can search for to predict that the driver in front of them is about to make a turn. These indicators include:
- Whether a car is at an intersection waiting to turn
- If there is a gap in the traffic in front of the motorcyclist while another driver is waiting to move
- If a driver does a last “look both ways” head maneuver.
If motorcyclists notice any of these indicators, it is in their best interest to slow down. Another safe action to take is moving over to the farthest lane away from the car and preparing to brake or take defensive action. Even if the motorcyclist does not notice a car waiting to turn, motorcyclists should assume that another driver will attempt to fill in that gap.
HOW TO AVOID MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS INVOLVING UNSAFE LANE CHANGES
One way to avoid this type of accident is for the motorcyclist to make sure that the other driver can see the motorcyclist in their mirrors. If this is not possible, motorcyclists should look for these signals that indicate that a car is switching lanes:
- The car is using turn signals
- The car’s wheels are beginning to turn
- The driver is beginning to check their mirrors
- The driver is moving their head, switching back and forth between checking their blind spots
HOW TO AVOID A MOTORCYCLE LANE SPLITTING ACCIDENT
Lane splitting is a phenomenon that occurs when a motorcyclist drives between two lanes of slow-moving or stopped vehicles, either at destinations like a traffic light or in traffic congestion. When it comes to a lane splitting accident, the liability of the motorcyclist or the motor vehicle driver depends on whether lane splitting is allowed in that state. Many states avoid motorcycle lane splitting accidents by advising motorcyclists not to do it.
However, motorcyclists who are allowed to lane split, motorcyclists want to make sure that there is enough room to safely move without striking another vehicle in the process. Motorcyclists also want to remain aware of any gaps in the stopped vehicles, observe any head movement by other drivers, and keep aware of the direction of the tires and turn signals.
HOW TO AVOID MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY SPEEDING
The reason why people learn how to ride motorcycles is the same reason why motorcycle accidents are very deadly: for the speed. Although it is tempting to speed on a motorcycle, motorcyclists can avoid these types of accidents by traveling at the speed limit or traveling at a safe speed on the road.
If motorcyclists want to increase the thrill while riding, they can travel on roads with elevation changes and many turns. There are also many destinations that allow motorcyclists to travel at faster speeds. These destinations are usually areas that are closed off to the public and encourage speeding in a safe area away from other motor vehicles.
WHAT TO DO AFTER
If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident in San Fernando Valley, contact The Law Offices of Howard Kornberg at 310-997-0904 or email us to request a free consultation. Our clients are under no obligation to pay for our fees or costs upfront and in fact, we do not get paid if we do not win for our clients.
