Motorcycle Accident Injury in Sacramento
A Sacramento motorcycle accident injury happened along Gold Express Drive on March 16 that resulted in serious harm to the rider. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the accident occurred shortly before 8:00 in the morning along eastbound Gold Express Drive just west of Gold Meadow Way. The area is located near Fair Oaks and north of the Lincoln Highway. It occurred when a black motorcycle was involved in a collision with a Hyundai. The roadway was blocked for a short time by the crash. The CHP did not report what hospital the rider was transported to, nor was there any information on what caused the accident.
Issues With Motorcycle Safety
Motorcycles are not as crashworthy as other motor vehicles. The biker is unprotected and lacks safety devices built into today’s vehicles. The average motorcycle is difficult to see on the road for some drivers and does not lend the same degree of stability. Weather and road conditions take a bigger toll on motorcyclists than they do on drivers of larger and more stable motor vehicles. In addition, drivers often do not see motorcycles or expect to see them. All of these factors must be accommodated for by the biker.
Motorcycle Fatalities
Although motorcycles account for roughly 3 percent of all motor vehicles on the road, they have a much higher risk of being involved in a fatal accident. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, out of 100,000 cars on the road, 13 will be involved in a deadly accident. Motorcycles, on the other hand, have a much higher incidence with 72 bikes out of 100,000 similarly involved in a fatal crash.
Causes of a Motorcycle Accident
There are certain situations which are commonly involved in a motorcycle accident. These are:
- Lane splitting: This is legal in California and can cause accidents due to the close proximity between vehicles. It is also a problem because other motor vehicle drivers are not expecting the motorcycle to be there.
- Car making a left turn: This is one of the major causes of motorcycle accidents. It is involved in 42 percent of all collisions between cars and motorcycles. It often happens at intersections or when a biker is trying to pass.
- Hitting a fixed object: About 25 percent of all motorcycle accidents occur when bikers collide with a fixed object.
- Driver impairment: Drugs and alcohol use account for many motorcycle accidents.
- Speeding: Approximately 50 percent of all motorcycle accidents involve speeding.
- Hazards on the road: Because of their smaller stature and instability, motorcycles are affected by potholes, debris on the road and slick roads.
Legal Help Following a Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle accidents can cause devastating injuries. Many times, they are caused by a negligent driver. A personal injury lawyer with experience in handling motorcycle accident cases can tell you whether you have a case and what options are available to recover financial compensation. Whether dealing with the insurance company on your behalf or building a strong case for compensation in civil court, a lawyer is the best way to obtain the money you need to pay for your injury expenses and the pain and suffering you have experienced.
Sacramento Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento motorcycle accident attorney. Please call me at (916) 921-6400 for my free and friendly advice if you or your loved one was injured in a motorcycle accident. If you are in another Northern California location, I can be reached toll-free by using (800) 404-5400. Others prefer to use our “contact us” form on my website, AutoAccident.com.
Having information about a legal practice is a good way to help you decide who to call for free advice. On the following sites are reviews and comments by my clients and a synopsis of some cases my firm has handled and how they were resolved:
Since 1982, I have worked as an injury lawyer, defending the rights of Sacramento residents and those from elsewhere in Northern California. Some of the areas in which I practice include all kinds of motor vehicle crashes, brain injuries, and pedestrian accidents.
I’m a Million Dollar Forum member, which permits only trial lawyers to join who’ve garnered more than one million dollars for a client. Additionally, I belong to the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. This group only allows members by invitation whom they believe uphold the law to the utmost degree.
Ed Smith: Motorcycle Accident Injury in Sacramento
Photo Attribution: Depositphotos_187948540_l-2015
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