Motorcyclist Struck by Pickup in Sacramento
Motorcyclist Struck by Pickup in Sacramento – A motorcyclist was struck by a pickup truck on southbound Watt Avenue and Wellington Drive in North Sacramento on August 21, which resulted in major injuries to the rider. According to the accident report by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the pickup was making a right-hand turn when it struck the motorcycle.
Additional Details
According to reports at the scene of the accident, the biker was able to stand after being struck. Despite this, paramedics were called to the accident site, and it was determined that the motorcyclist suffered serious injuries. At the time of this report, authorities have not elaborated on the nature of the injuries. No further information on the accident has been released, and the CHP is investigating how the accident occurred.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
In 2016, about 5,286 people were involved in motorcycle crashes. This figure is roughly 5 percent higher than it was in 2015. The number of motorcyclists killed on weekdays (2,556) closely follows the number killed on weekends with only a slight decrease on Saturday and Sunday (2,415). The highest number of bikers killed on weekends was from 3 p.m. to 12 midnight. On weekdays, more motorcyclists were killed between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. The number of bikers injured followed a slightly different pattern. On weekdays, the number of injuries is higher with a total of 5,000 people injured. Fewer bikers are injured on weekends (4,000) with the greatest number from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., while on weekends accidents happened from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. About 30 percent of those injured and killed were impaired by alcohol.
Reasons Motorcycles Are Dangerous
The two top reasons that motorcycles are so dangerous have to do with visibility and stability. Unlike other motor vehicles, motorcycles are not always visible to other drivers. One explanation for this includes the motorcycle’s small size and weight. When surrounded by bigger vehicles, drivers often say they did not see the bike after an accident happens. Another explanation is that drivers are not looking for motorcycles and don’t take extra care to look for them. Other reasons are:
- Lane splitting: While this is legal in California, too many bikers fail to slow down when they are doing it. This leads to a higher incidence of accidents.
- Riding too fast on unfamiliar ground: This is a problem because the motorcyclist is not prepared for such obstacles as loose gravel, potholes or oil slicks. Doing this during inclement weather is particularly dangerous.
- Riding above one’s skill level: Some bikers are prone to riding above their skill level, an invitation to accidents of all kinds. Inexperience with a new bike is especially troublesome. Taking a course in motorcycle safety is one way to deal with this problem.
- Riding with a group of other bikers: Whether the other bikers are experienced or not, statistics show that this heightens the risk of an accident.
- Not being prepared for bad drivers: The roads are full of bad drivers, and motorcyclists need to exert the most caution. Assuming that a driver will do the right thing can lead to an accident.
Ways to Stay Safe
There are different things a motorcyclist can do to stay safe on the roads. These include:
- Wear a helmet: Wearing a helmet is one of the best ways a motorcyclist can avoid having a head injury when an accident happens. Without a helmet, bikers have five times more risk of a head or brain injury.
- Obey the speed limit: Ride at the speed limit or below in bad weather. Speeding leads to more accidents primarily because it increases the time it takes to stop.
- Wear the right gear: It is important to wear clothes that protect your skin in case of a skid.
- Don’t Drink: Biking while impaired by alcohol means that cognitive abilities and judgment capabilities are lessened, resulting in more accidents.
Sacramento Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento motorcycle accident attorney. Being in a motorcycle accident with a negligent driver can result in high medical bills and lost time from work. Having an experienced attorney by your side can help. Reach out to me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. You can contact me online too.
I’ve helped numerous residents of Sacramento and the wider Northern California area with wrongful death claims and catastrophic injuries obtain the compensation they deserve.
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Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/motorcycle-road-speed-1827482/ Motorcyclist Struck by Pickup in Sacramento.
Source of Motorcyclist Struck by Pickup in Sacramento – AutoAccident.com
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