Lane Splitting in Richmond Accident
I’m Ed Smith, a Richmond motorcycle accident lawyer. There was a multiple vehicle crash including a motorcycle in Richmond recently along Interstate 80. A minimum of six vehicles were involved in the crash.
Details of the Accident
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that the crash happened around 5:30 in the early hours of the morning. It occurred along the highway westbound near Cutting Boulevard. The rider of a motorcycle, who was lane splitting, crashed into a motor vehicle. All the westbound lanes of the highway were shut down while cleanup occurred. The incident is being investigated by the CHP.
Lane Splitting in California
Lane splitting is legal in California. However, according to the California Motorcyclist Safety Program, the following guidelines make it safer for motorcycle riders.
- Do not ride faster than 10 mph over that of other vehicles on the road. Faster speeds slow reaction time.
- Try to stay within the first and second lanes. Other drivers are accustomed to lane splitting between these lanes.
- Do not attempt lane splitting when traffic is moving at over 30 mph. Reaction time takes longer, and accidents will cause more severe injuries.
- Stay alert. A motorcycle rider has to anticipate movements by other vehicles.
- Take the weather conditions and roads into account. Damaged road surfaces, narrower roads and the size of the bike should dictate whether or not to try lane splitting.
- Do not lane split in the immediate vicinity of on and off ramps.
- If another motorcyclist is lane splitting, don’t do it in the same area. Motor vehicles often make way for one but not necessarily two bikes.
Ways to Make Lane Splitting Safer
It is important that other motor vehicle drivers are aware that a motorcyclist is sharing a lane with them. Wearing bright colored clothing or gear makes a biker more visible. Since darkness often diminishes visibility, avoid lane splitting at night. Use high beams during the day to increase visibility. Stay away from drivers who are not paying attention to the road. Stay away from blind spots. Don’t ride on the line between lanes.
Statistics Are Not Kind to Motorcyclists
The number of motorcyclists killed nationwide in 2015 showed an 8 percent increase over 2014. There were 4,976 fatalities. During the same period, 88,000 bikers were injured. In Richmond, 12 motorcyclists died or were injured in traffic accidents, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety. When compared to other cities in the state of comparable size and population, this places Richmond in a high risk category.
Crash Characteristics
Motorcycles were involved in crashes with fixed objects more often than other vehicles. When a two-vehicle crash does occur, frontal collisions are seen in 74 percent of the accidents. Rear end collisions happen in only 7 percent.
Causative Factors
Speed is a causative factor in 33 percent of all motorcycle crashes. The greatest number of fatalities were in bigger bikes. In 2015, 39 percent were seen in the 501 to 1,000 cc engine displacement range. In contrast, only 7 percent of bikers were killed in sizes below 500. Cycles with an engine displacement of 1,500 cc or higher were involved in 19 percent of fatal crashes.
Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents
The highest number of injuries suffered by bikers are to the lower extremities. In fact, these make up 30 percent of non-fatal injuries. Twenty-two percent of serious injuries involved the head and neck, including traumatic brain injury. Upper trunk injuries follow closely. These include chest trauma. Those to the lower trunk area include pelvic fracture and femur fracture.
Richmond Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Richmond motorcycle accident lawyer. Motorcycle accidents are often devastating. If you are injured or if a close family member died due to another’s negligence, you need the advice an injury lawyer can provide. Call my office at (510) 631-0200 or 800) 404-5400 anytime. My friendly advice is free of charge.
Some find it easier to fill out my online contact form. Find it on my website AutoAccident.com, which I own and operate.
I’ve been helping clients in Northern California, including those in Richmond, for 35 years. I assist in resolving catastrophic injury and wrongful death claims. I’m a member of the Million Dollar Advocates. This is a forum where only trial attorneys with $1 million compensations are allowed.
You might be interested in reviews by individuals I represented in the past. Turn to Yelp, Avvo, the legal site, and Google. Also, take a tour of my settlements and verdicts page to see resolutions of former cases.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/monument-valley-harley-davidson-2902313/
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