Motorcycle Accident in Elk Grove on Hwy 99 Halts Traffic
I’m Ed Smith, an Elk Grove motorcycle accident attorney. A motorcycle accident in the early morning hours halted traffic on California State Route 99 today. The area, according to the California Highway Patrol, was open to traffic by 7:00 in the morning.
Details of the Accident
According to official reports, the accident occurred in the lanes heading northbound near the Sheldon Road exit. Early reports indicate that a motorcycle flipped over, majorly injuring the rider. No information has been released as to the identity of the motorcycle rider or the nature of the injuries.
Motorcycle Crashes
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcycle accidents increased 8.3 percent nationwide in 2015, causing 4,976 deaths. According to statistics supplied by the California Office of Traffic Safety, Elk Grove experienced 14 injuries and deaths of motorcyclists due to collisions that year, with 421 injuries and deaths of motorcyclists countywide the same year. Nationwide, 88,000 motorcycle riders suffered injuries in accidents.
Vulnerability of Motorcycle Riders
The increased vulnerability of a motorcycle rider, particularly when involved in an accident with a motor vehicle or big truck, increases the likelihood of a fatality by 27 percent. The risk of injuries to a motorcyclist suffered in an accident are also five times higher than those suffered by occupants in motor vehicles. Wearing a helmet when involved in a collision has shown to increase the odds of survival for bike riders, since out of the fatality statistics, only 60 percent were wearing a helmet at the time the crash occurred.
Motorcycle Accidents Cause Serious Injuries
The risk of particular types of injuries suffered in a motorcycle crash are somewhat different than those suffered in a motor vehicle accident. According to the NHTSA, injuries to the lower extremities are most common, followed by injuries to the upper extremities. Head injuries are the next most common result with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and chest trauma, in addition to nerve compression, fractures or ruptured discs. Because of the seriousness of these injuries, a accident victim may be unable to work for an extended period of time and face high medical bills and hospitalization, rehabilitation and other expenses. Even after being released from a hospital, the victim may need home health care to ease the burden.
Reasons Motorcycle Flip Accidents Happen
The reason a motorcycle flips is when the biker applies strong pressure on the front brake with constant front tire traction, which locks the front wheel, causing the bike to flip. Braking in this way may be a response to stalled traffic or a sudden stop by a lead vehicle. It is important that bikers maintain vigilance over roadway conditions, preparing to brake appropriately. A flipped motorcycle may be the cause of subsequent accidents as other motorists try to avoid the motorcycle.
Other Reasons Motorcycle Crashes Occur
Up to 50 percent of motorcycle crashes occur when another vehicle is turning left. Lane splitting, which has been legal in California since January 2016, can be another reason for motorcycle accidents. According to the NHTSA, 43 percent of all motorcycle accidents are linked to impaired driving. Other reasons are hitting gravel, roadway debris or defects in the road, taking a corner too fast or being cut off by another vehicle. Rear-end collisions are another source of motorcycle roadway accidents.
Elk Grove Motorcycle Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, an Elk Grove motorcycle accident attorney. If a motorcycle accident caused by negligence was responsible for your injury or that of a family member, give me a phone call at (916) 694-0002 or (800) 404-5400. I am here with friendly and free advice for your situation.
I am a member of the Million Dollar Advocates, a national forum for trial attorneys who have obtained either verdicts or settlements of $1 million or more for clients.
For comments, ratings and reviews by previous clients who have used my firm, check out Google, Yelp and Avvo. I also maintain a verdicts and settlements page of prior cases and their results.
I am honored to have served the people of California as an injury lawyer for the past 35 years. My experienced legal team and I have represented many Northern Californians, including those in Elk Grove, in their wrongful death claims and traumatic injury cases.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/motorcycle-moto-bike-gopro-go-pro-345028/
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