Motorcycle Accidents and Injuries
I’m Ed Smith, a North Highlands personal injury lawyer. With California leading the nation in the number of registered motorcycles at 828,883 in 2015, it isn’t surprising that motorcycle accidents and injuries are common.
Motorcycle Accidents in Sacramento County
In 2014, the most recent statistics for Sacramento County supplied by the California Office of Traffic Safety, there were 568 injuries and deaths of motorcyclists during this period. This ranks Sacramento County as number 17 among the total number of counties in California.
Motorcyclist Fatalities
Even though only 3 percent of vehicles registered in the United States were motorcycles in 2015, these riders have a fatality rate six times higher than drivers of motor vehicles. The higher rate is also represented in California where riders have a much higher traumatic injury and fatality rate than those in passenger vehicles. During 2016, 4,976 riders died in crashes across the county. This represents twice the number of fatalities from 1997.
Wearing a Helmet Lowers Accident Risk
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety points out ways for a motorcycle rider to lower the risk of accidents. California has a mandatory helmet law for motorcyclists and their passengers. It has been shown that helmet use can lower the risk of death in an accident by 37 percent, and riders without a helmet risk are three times more likely to suffer a traumatic brain injury.
Safety Measures for Motorcyclists
While wearing a helmet is mandatory, there are other ways a rider can lower the risk of a serious motorcycle accident.
- Wear protective clothing: Gloves, boots and other protective gear can help lower the risk of serious injury.
- Learn riding skills: This can include braking safely and how to handle riding on soft shoulders, gravel and handle potholes.
- Be highly visible: In many accidents with a motor vehicle, the driver reports that he/she never saw the motorcycle. Wearing brightly colored clothing and using the bike’s high beams can help, according to a report by Cruiser.
- Don’t drink and drive: Riders who have been drinking stand a 40-percent higher risk of crashing.
- Slow down on curves: Testing how well a motorcycle will hug a curve is a good way to crash into a tree or other object.
Injuries in a Motorcycle Crash
Severe injuries are common in a motorcycle crash and can include traumatic injuries such as brain injuries or spinal cord damage. The period of rehabilitation can be long, with high medical bills and other expenses resulting. Following are the most frequent injuries suffered in a crash. The study was performed over a seven-year period by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Lower extremities: The lower extremities such as the feet and legs represented the highest number of injuries at 30 percent.
- Neck and head: These areas incurred 22 percent of injuries.
- Upper body: The upper trunk area, including the chest, back and shoulders, suffered the third-highest injuries.
- Upper extremities: The hands and arms were in fourth place in the number of injuries.
- Lower trunk: Although this area of the body came in last with regard to injuries and encompasses the pelvis and hips, fractures can be severe and result in lifelong problems.
North Highlands Personal Injury Lawyer
I am Ed Smith, a North Highlands personal injury lawyer. When you or a loved one suffers harm due to negligence, a personal injury lawyer can help you recover the compensation you need. Just call me at (916) 921-6400 in the North Highlands area or (800) 404-5400 nationwide. You can use my online contact form if you wish.
I’ve assisted clients in Northern California, including North Highlands, since 1982. Whether wrongful death or motorcycle accidents, I’ve eased their burden in a time of emotional and physical trauma.
If you want to know how former clients felt about my practice go to:
Million Dollar Advocates only allows membership of trial attorneys who have won $1 million or more in verdicts and settlements. I belong as an attorney from California.
If you want to see what I’ve done for clients, go to my settlements and verdicts page.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/spiti-himachal-pradesh-india-2792125/
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