Motorcyclist Killed in Citrus Heights
I’m Ed Smith, Citrus Heights motorcycle accident attorney. On April 2, a motorcyclist was killed in Citrus Heights when his bike was struck by a vehicle making a turn. A spokesman for the Citrus Heights Police Department said that the other vehicle’s driver remained at the accident scene and cooperated with the investigation of the crash.
What Happened?
The motorcycle accident occurred about 6:30 p.m. on Sunday as the cyclist, traveling west on Greenback Lane, collided with a vehicle traveling east that began a left-hand turn onto Fountain Square Drive. The motorcyclist, who was identified by deputies from the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office as a Sacramento man, age 39, was declared dead at the site of the crash. The intersection where the accident occurred and several streets surrounding it were closed for a few hours while investigators from the local police department examined the scene.
Crash Statistics
According to the Insurance Information Institute, 2015 was a tragic year for motorcyclists because it showed a nationwide 8.3 percent increase in fatalities for bike riders to 4,976 from 4,594 the previous year. States with helmet laws, such as California, showed a 7-percent lower rate of fatalities. However, California motorcycle rider deaths are still high, second only to Florida, because of the high number of riders, according to a report by the Los Angeles Times.
Drivers of Motor Vehicles
Vehicles making left turns are a major cause of crashes with motorcycles. While this type of accident is common with other vehicles as well, the vulnerability of a motorcycle rider compared with the driver of a larger vehicle makes it more likely the motorcycle rider will suffer serious injuries or death from the collision.
Drivers can help by using caution when sharing the road with a motorcyclist. Using signals when turning or changing lanes, keeping a safe distance from motorcycles and watching for motorcyclists are some ways to help keep the roadways safe. Since lane splitting is allowed in California, giving the rider a full lane to ride in can also help avoid accidents. The California State Department of Motor Vehicles gives additional tips.
Motorcyclists can improve their safety on the road by wearing protective gear, an approved helmet and obeying the rules of the road, including staying within the speed limits. In addition, riding a bike while drinking or using drugs is illegal and puts a rider at serious risk for a crash.
Attorney Ed Smith
Sacramento Motorcycle Accident & Wrongful Death Lawyer
I am Ed Smith, a Citrus Heights motorcycle accident attorney. If you, or a loved one, have been injured in a motorcycle accident due to the negligence of another individual, please call me at (916) 921-6400 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice.
I started practicing law in California in 1982 and have helped many clients receive maximum compensation for their personal injuries, including wrongful death.
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Source of Motorcyclist Killed in Citrus Heights: http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article142366379.html
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/biker-motorcycle-ride-vehicle-407123/
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