Ojai Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, an Ojai motorcycle accident attorney. Motorcycle crashes can be deadly, and one such accident occurred recently in Ojai. A California man was killed on Sunday, January 29, 2017 near Ojai, when the motorcycle he was riding collided with a vehicle at about 2:18 in the afternoon.
What Happened?
The man, identified as a 53-year-old resident of Northridge, was riding his motorcycle in the vicinity of Dennison Park along Route 150 when the collision occurred. Reportedly, the force of the collision threw the rider from his bike over a fence and for a distance of about 20 feet.
The man was pronounced dead by paramedics at the location of the mishap. The cause of death was reportedly the result of blunt force injuries, according to the medical examiner in Ventura County. No other injuries were reported in the accident. The crash remains under investigation by authorities as to the cause.
Incidence of Motorcycle Accidents
Both drivers and motorcycle riders are expected to obey the rules of the road to avoid accidents. When a driver or biker is negligent, it can result in serious traumatic injuries or deaths. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcycle accidents accounted for 4,976 deaths nationwide in 2015, with an additional 88,000 injuries. Statistics for the previous year showed a 27 times likelihood of a motorcycle being involved in an accident than a motor vehicle.
Safety Precautions for Motorcycle Riders
Motorcycle riders are much less visible to drivers and should take maximum precautions to lessen the impact of an accident. This can include wearing protective gear, including helmets, taking a safety course and avoiding the consumption of alcohol before going on the roadways.
Safety Precautions for Motorists
Many motorcycle accidents are caused by motor vehicles. Drivers of motor vehicles must exercise caution when driving near a motorcycle rider. Texting or talking on a cell phone while driving removes the driver’s attention from the road, and the motorist might miss seeing a motorcycle before it enters the driver’s blind spot.
Making a turn without carefully checking for the presence of a rider at an intersection can cause an accident. Keep in mind that motorcycles weave on the road at times. This is because hitting a pothole, oil spot or road debris can cause the rider to crash. In California, there are no laws against lane splitting. This means drivers must stay alert to riders passing on the lane line. In addition, a motorcycle can stop much faster than a motor vehicle, so keep at a safe distance to help avoid an accident.
Wrongful Death in a Motorcycle Accident
The loss of a family member in an accident can be emotionally and financially devastating. When that loss is due to the negligence of another driver, that compounds the emotional response the family may feel. Additionally, they may face hospital and funeral costs, loss of that person’s income and other damages. In such cases, an attorney can help by filing a wrongful death lawsuit.
Ojai Motorcycle Accident & Wrongful Death Lawyers
I am Ed Smith, an Ojai motorcycle accident lawyer. When serious injuries or even death occur from a motorcycle accident, please call me at (805) 372-0200 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice.
Since I began practicing in 1982, I’ve helped clients receive maximum compensation for personal injury, including wrongful death.
You are welcome to take a look at my client reviews on: Avvo, Yelp and Google.
I am listed as a California member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. I am proud to belong to this group of top trial attorneys who have had multi-million dollar case settlements and verdicts.
Please take a moment to review my Previous Verdicts and Settlements page to see the result of previous cases.
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