Motorcyclist Killed in Head-On Crash Near Redding
The rider of a motorcycle died after a head-on crash on Sunday, July 23 near Redding, California.
What Happened?
The 55-year-old motorcyclist from Arcata, California was riding between the towns of Hawkins Bar and Salyer headed eastbound on Highway 299. As the unidentified rider was traveling along the highway, he drifted across the yellow lines and into the oncoming lanes.
The motorcycle drifted into the path of 26-year-old Cameron Hunt from Bayside who was driving an SUV, heading in the opposite direction. The two vehicles crashed head-on and the motorcyclist was discovered off of the roadway by arriving emergency personnel. The California Highway Patrol reported that the motorcyclist was declared dead at the scene. No reports of injuries to Cameron Hunt were given by officials.
How Did This Happen?
The stretch of Highway 299 that lies between Salyer and Hawkins Bar, California is, for the most part, a two-lane highway that twists and turns through the trees and hills along the Trinity River. The thick woods and many curves make seeing around bends very hard. It is likely that Cameron Hunt did not see the motorcycle and its rider until it was too late to maneuver out of the way to avoid a car accident. Also if it did happen on a turn, the 55-year-old motorcyclist could have misjudged the turn radius and drifted into the other lane as he either turned too sharply or not enough.
According to team-oregon.org, running wide while cornering is the leading cause of motorcycle deaths in the state of Oregon. What often happens in this situation is the rider freezes up and becomes fixated at the oncoming vehicle while letting off on the throttle.
The best thing to do is actually the opposite of this, you need to keep on the throttle and look at where you want to turn which will aim your body in the right direction. You can also add some counter-steer which will help you turn tighter. While leaning into a curve, if you turn the handlebars in the opposite direction it will actually put the bike into more of a lean and turn sharper in the direction you want to go. This can correct your line and help you stay in your lane or avoid a collision.
Looking to where you are going to turn is called target fixation. Looking at your target will help you hit your mark when throwing things and the same holds true for riding a motorcycle. If you are looking at a car or obstacle too intently, you may drift towards it. When turning, look ahead and into the turn and your body will naturally help you lean enough to make it.
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Attorney Ed Smith
Redding Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Redding Car Accident Lawyer. My thoughts and hearts go out to the family of the man killed in this tragic car accident. We also reach out to Cameron Hunt and anyone else involved. If anyone, of either side, needs someone to talk to for legal advice, please call our office at 530-392-9400 or toll-free at 800-404-5400.
My team of injury lawyers has served Redding and the surrounding area since 1982 with car accident, wrongful death, and personal injury cases. Check out my prior settlements and verdicts to see how we have helped people in the past. We have great client reviews and have been admitted as a member of the forum for Million Dollar Advocates.
I have founded autoaccident.com with a daily blog about news and helpful information about accidents and personal injury.
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Image Source: By Jack – Wikimedia Commons
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