Biker Thrown Through the Rear Windshield of Vehicle in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento motorcycle accident lawyer. A June 14th collision between a motor vehicle and motorcycle along eastbound U.S. 50 in South Sacramento ended in an injury to the biker. The motorcyclist was thrown through the rear windshield of the car that reportedly caused the accident. Authorities with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) said that the injured person was alert but had suffered an injury to an arm, which was bleeding. Emergency medical personnel with the Sacramento Fire Department were summoned to the collision site to assess the rider’s injury. It is unknown at this time whether the rider was transported to a hospital for treatment.
What Happened?
The accident happened shortly after 4:30 in the afternoon just west of the 15th Street off-ramp between an unidentified vehicle and a motorcycle. It was reported that the vehicle had cut off the rider, who was injured when he was thrown from the bike. The HOV lane and first lane were blocked by the accident for at least 30 minutes while awaiting EMTs and for the crash site to be cleared. No information was provided about the vehicle or its driver in the collision.
Driver Error That Causes Motorcycle Accidents
A driver who neglects to obey the rules of the road can cause a collision with a motorcyclist, who lacks the protection that of a motor vehicle. This can cause serious injuries to the rider or even a fatality. Some of the ways drivers are negligent are:
- Aggressive driving: Cutting off people, weaving through traffic, disobeying traffic laws and tailgating are all signs of an aggressive driver. California has laws against aggressive driving. It can be charged as a misdemeanor or as a felony, depending on the circumstances.
- Speeding: Speeding lessens the driver’s ability to control the vehicle, slow down quickly or stop in an emergency. It also increases the likelihood of more serious injuries and a higher risk of death to a motorcycle rider.
- Distracted driving: Texting or talking on a cell phone and other distracting behaviors may only take seconds but greatly interfere with a driver’s ability to see what is going on around his/her vehicle and react quickly.
- Drugged or drunk driving: Those who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol while driving exhibit poor judgment, control over the vehicle and less visual acuity.
- Driver fatigue: A sleepy driver may be daydreaming, have problems staying alert or actually fall asleep behind the wheel.
Driver Negligence
To obtain compensation for injuries or a death that was caused by the driver of a motor vehicle, negligence must be proved.
- The duty of the driver: It must be shown that the driver had a duty to be cautious while behind the wheel of a vehicle to avoid injuring others.
- The duty was breached: The driver acted in a negligent way such as running a red light, speeding or driving drunk.
- Harm to another individual resulted: It has to be shown that the driver was directly responsible for the harm caused to the other individual and that not acting in a negligent manner would have averted the collision.
- Damages: It must be shown that the injury or death to another individual was a direct result of the accident.
Sacramento Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento motorcycle accident lawyer. Motorcycle accidents with the driver of a motor vehicle can cause high medical bills, unpaid time away from work and other major expenses. If this happened to you or a loved one, you may be able to be financially compensated. Please give me a call at (916) 921-6400 in and around Sacramento or at (800) 404-5400 outside the area. I can offer you friendly, compassionate advice that is free of charge.
As a California member of the Million Dollar Forum, I join other trial lawyers who have obtained a case settlement or trial verdict of at least one million dollars for a client.
To learn more about my law practice, I invite you to visit the following links:
Photo Attribution: Depositphotos_144974633_l-2015
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