Mainstream Social Inclusion

Earlier this month, a 50-year-old San Jose resident was killed in an accident on Highway 87 when he was rear-ended as he rode his Suzuki motorcycle.  He was declared dead at the scene after being thrown from his bike, and this has San Jose motorcycle accident attorneys extremely concerned.

Heather Baxter was arrested shortly after the crash on suspicion of misdemeanor manslaughter and felony, however she has yet to be charged.  There is no indication thus far that drugs or alcohol were involved in the accident, which was first reported to be a one vehicle accident.  It was later confirmed that the catastrophe did involve another vehicle.

The California Highway Patrol report states that Baxter was traveling at about 70 mph and was unable to stop her car from plowing into the back of the motorcycle.  She has no criminal history, and the accident is quite puzzling to this point.

The majority of motorcycle accidents are caused by motorists who fail to yield the right of way to motorcyclists.  Those motorists who drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol or drive in a reckless manner make the roads much more dangerous for those who ride bicycles and motorcycles.  Motorists are often negligent when it comes to motorcycles, and feel that the motorcyclist has no rights.

California motorists have little reason to be negligent when it comes to motorcyclists and their rights.  With the increasing number of motorcycles on the roads nationwide, people should be getting well accustomed to driving in a safe manner when motorcycles are in the area.

Distracted driving is becoming a problem that not only puts motorcyclists in danger, it puts all motorists at greater risk of accidents and serious injuries.  California motorcycle accident lawyers know that distracted driving is a huge safety concern.  In fact, at least 30% of accidents that take place each year are due to distractions while driving.  There are countless ways a driver can be distracted, including passengers, cell phones, GPS systems and even billboards.

Now, distracted driving will only increase as a new infotainment system rolls out on some cars this year, which according to automakers will only allow internet access when the vehicle is placed in park.  However, motorists can still look at 3-D maps and restaurant reviews while driving down the highway, which simply puts all other motorists, including those riding motorcycles, at an increased risk of accidents.

Motorcyclists are often seriously injured in accidents because of the minimum protection they have while riding.  Often, the results are catastrophic and may include spinal cord injuries, brain injures, serious trauma and even amputations.

The Reeves Law Group has offices across California and is dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including victims of motorcycle accidents.  Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.

Fatalities to motorcyclists seem to be on the increase, while fatalities in other automobile accidents prove to be steadily declining.  This issue continues to be a concern, and Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorneys know all too well that stronger enforcement of motorcycle safety rules must be implemented.  Recently, the LAPD announced that it will begin ramping up motorcycle enforcement activities, especially in areas that seem to attract fatal accidents in motorcyclists.

A few of the areas that will be patrolled more frequently are Topanga Canyon, Pacific Coast Highway, Crenshaw Boulevard and the San Fernando Valley.  Not only will they be on the lookout for traffic violations in motorcyclists, they will be closely observing for violations made by other motorists as well, who often feel that they have more rights than those who ride motorcycles.  Los Angeles motorcycle crash lawyers are very aware that many motorcycle accidents can be traced to a motorist’s failure to yield right of way to a cyclist.  The LAPD is making efforts to crack down not only on those who ride motorcycles, but motorists as well.  In truth, those who drive cars and those who drive motorcycles are often equally guilty of practicing unsafe behaviors.

All around the country, fatalities related to motorcycle crashes have been on the rise.  This includes California, where there has been an alarming rise in the incidence of motorcycle fatalities between the years of 2000 and 2008.  According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, these fatalities increased by an almost unbelievable 91 percent, and something must be done.  The agency recently granted $100,000 to the LAPD to conduct more enforcement activities, which will run through September 30th of 2010.  Time will tell if this increased enforcement will help reduce the fatality rates of Los Angeles, which rose by 62% between 2004 and 2008.

We are now in the midst of the holidays, and safety issues are more of an important concern than ever.  As people travel to visit family, shop and other activities associated with Christmas and New Years, the risk of accidents increase.  This often results in serious injuries to motorcyclists.  Unfortunately, too many motorists do not respect the rights of motorcyclists.  Motorists should respect all right of way rules, and watch closely when making turns or changing lanes when a motorcycle is in close proximity.

The Reeves Law Group has offices across California and is dedicated to representing Los Angeles personal injury victims, including victims of motorcycle accidents.  Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.

A 40 year old bicyclist was struck by an SUV in Los Angeles recently, resulting in serious injuries.  The accident took place at the intersection of Archwood Street and Laurel Canyon Boulevard, and the motorist who was thought to be driving a Nissan Pathfinder left the scene.  Los Angeles police continue to search for the motorist.

It is likely that the driver of the SUV realized that they had struck the cyclist, according to detectives, but chose to drive off anyway leaving the seriously injured cyclist lying in the road.  Anyone in the public who witnessed the accident or has any information are being asked to come forward by detectives, as the bicyclist remains in serious condition at a hospital.

Hostility between motorists and those who ride bicycles has been of huge concern recently.  Just last month, road rage that resulted in two bicyclists being seriously injured caused a Los Angeles doctor to be convicted after pulling out in front of the two as they were riding.  He is expected to be sentenced in December, and the two injured cyclists have made it known that they believe stricter punishments are called for when it comes to motorists who do not respect that those who ride bicycles do have rights.

Commuting by bicycle has become more common and extremely popular in California, largely due to the fact that gas prices were so high last summer.  Now, with the economic downturn, more people are riding bicycles as a way to get to work and to enjoy leisure time.  It saves a substantial amount on fuel expenses, and is simply a more efficient way of getting around town.  Unfortunately, it also means that California’s congested streets are becoming a frequent place for road rage to take place, which Los Angeles personal injury lawyer have noticed.

To increase safety and make risks less likely, bicyclists are encouraged to:

* Wear clothing that is brightly colored so you are easily seen at night.

* At night, keep front and rear lights on

* Try to ride where motorists can easily see you

* Avoid tricks and stunts where motorists are present

* Do not ride against the direction of traffic

* Obey traffic rules

* Remain calm if a motorist becomes aggressive

* Try to avoid congested areas such as intersections, and take the back roads to your destination when possible

* Always wear a helmet to protect from head injuries

The Reeves Law Group has offices across California, and is dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including victims of bicycle accidents.  Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.

An individual’s chance of surviving a motorcycle crash increases significantly when the rider wears a helmet, and California motorcycle accident lawyers are well aware of this fact.  The NHTSA has recently conducted a study that examines how the use of a helmet decreases the risk of varying degrees of TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury.)  Hospital expenses in those who do wear helmets and those that don’t are another area of the study.  The study has shown, to no one’s surprise, that those motorcyclists that do wear a helmet experience less risk of TBI, and also have less hospital expenses.

This study was conducted using data from the years 2003,2004 and 2005, which included 104,472 motorcyclists in 18 states.  In this study, 43% of the motorcyclists did not wear helmets, and 57% did at the time the accidents occurred.  Across both groups, an interesting fact was proven:  Whether they were or were not wearing a helmet, 40% of the motorcyclists received severe injuries or died due to the accident.  California personal injury attorneys realize that a large portion of those who ride motorcycles are victims of serious injuries or death when a crash occurs.

In the study conducted by the NHTSA, 6.6 % who did not wear a helmet suffered moderate to severe injuries to the face or head.  In those motorcyclists who did wear helmets, only 5.1% experienced severe injuries.  As far as Traumatic Brain Injury, only 15% of helmeted riders experienced this, compared to 21% in those who did not wear a helmet.  The study showed a very distinct difference in those who suffered a serious brain injury, depending on whether or not they wore a helmet.  This study does prove the difference in the occurrence of severe TBI based on motorcyclists who did wear helmets versus those that did not.

Not surprisingly, statistics prove that motorcyclists who do wear a helmet have a much lower chance of being the victim of either head or face injuries, brain injury or death.  Hospital costs were also measured in the study, which concluded that expenses for those who suffered TBI were substantially higher – in fact 13 times higher than for those motorcyclists who did not suffer TBI.  Non TBI patients had a hospital bill averaging $2,461, while those that did suffer a TBI had charges of approximately $31,979.

Naturally, those who did not suffer TBI went home much quicker, and were not as likely to die while in the hospital, or to spend time in a long term care or rehab facility.  Over half of the motorcyclists who were hospitalized with TBI died.  Fatalities caused by motorcycle accidents continue to increase, and the NHTSA conducted this study as part of ongoing efforts to lower the incidence of fatalities in motorcycle crashes.

The Reeves Law Group has offices across California, and is dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including victims of motorcycle accidents.  Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.