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California Motorcycle Accidents a Real Threat
Riding a motorcycle will always be dangerous, but much can be done to increase the chances having a safe ride.
January 19, 2012 /Law and Legal PR News/ -- California Motorcycle Accidents a Real Threat
With its spectacular scenery and year-round warm weather, California is a great place to ride a motorcycle, as reflected in its issuance of well over one million motorcycle licenses. The state has stepped up official efforts to increase motorcycle safety, but the physics of an unprotected body colliding with a vehicle or being thrown from a bike at high speed cannot be denied.
The California Highway Patrol's website tells the story:
-In 2005, California saw 411 motorcyclist fatalities plus 9,347 motorcyclist injuries. Not surprisingly, Los Angeles and San Diego counties are the top-two counties for motorcycle crashes.
-Cycles are 2.1 percent of registered California vehicles; yet cyclists are 9.4 percent of fatalities.
-From 1998 to 2005, motorcycle deaths increased a whopping 102 percent; serious motorcycle injuries 63 percent.
-Ninety percent of biker fatalities are men.
-Major factors for motorcycle accidents are speeding, unsafe turns and biking under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
For example, a 32-year-old male motorcyclist was killed in rural San Mateo county in September 2011 when he lost control at high speed, struck a tree in midair, flew off the bike and hit the pavement. Bikers are at risk of death, brain injury and skull fractures, back injury, paralysis, broken and crushed bones, road rash and more.
Be a Safer Biker
Riding a cycle will always be dangerous, but much can be done to increase the chances of safe trips:
-Take the California Motorcyclist Safety Program's safety courses, mandatory for riders under 21. A cyclist over 21 can take the course in lieu of the driving test for a motorcycle license.
-Be properly licensed.
-Obey the state helmet law; dress in protective clothing and eyewear.
-Watch your speed and driving technique; don't take chances, especially in heavy traffic.
-Never bike after drinking or using drugs.
-Take road and weather conditions into account.
-Be particularly aware of who has the right of way.
-Ride defensively.
-Don't follow too closely.
-Be as visible as possible including night illumination.
Talk to a Lawyer
No matter how carefully you drive as a biker, drivers of larger vehicles cannot always be counted on to do the same. Collisions with cars or trucks can be devastating and even fatal. If you have been in a motorcycle accident, or lost a loved one in such a crash, be sure to consult a personal injury lawyer with motorcycle-crash experience as soon as possible to discuss your potential legal remedies.
Article provided by Law Offices of Carcione, Cattermole, Dolinski, Okimoto, Stucky, Ukshini, Markowitz & Carcione, LLP
Visit us at www.carcionelaw.com
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