Articles Posted in Motorcycle Accidents

nabeel-syed-2856-copy-300x200Lane splitting occurs when a motorcyclist travels between two lanes of traffic. Bikers typically do this when traffic has come to a complete stop or when it is slow-moving. This gives the biker an advantage over other vehicles because it allows them to move through traffic faster and exit a traffic jam. Lane splitting is one of the most controversial practices regarding motorcycles in California. While proponents of it say that the practice does not contribute to the amount of motorcycle accidents, others say it is extremely dangerous. So, what does California law say about lane splitting?

Lane Splitting Law in California

Many people think that California is the only state in which the law specifically allows for lane splitting. This is not entirely true. While bikers are not usually pulled over or discouraged from lane splitting, there simply is no law on the books that either allows it or prohibits the practice. However, in 2016, Governor Brown passed Assembly Bill 51, which gave the California Highway Patrol the authority to instate lane splitting safety guidelines.

igor-ovsyannykov-219657-copy-300x200On November 5, 2018, two chilling vehicle collisions in San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood that ended in fatalities remind all vehicle operators – but especially motorcyclists – to take utmost caution when on the road. While motorcycle accidents are not necessarily more common than other vehicular accidents, they do result in more fatalities and serious injuries. If you regularly ride your motorcycle around San Francisco, take the following precautions in order to keep yourself and those around you safe. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact the personal injury attorneys at Brod Law Firm so that we can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

  1. Watch where you are going.

This may sound obvious, but in a vast majority of collisions involving a motorcycle and other vehicle, the other vehicle strikes the motorcycle head-on rather than from the rear. Thus, paying attention to the road ahead of you can prevent head-on collisions from occurring and drastically reduce the number of motorcycle accidents and fatalities.

nabeel-syed-2856-copy-300x200If you were part of an auto accident while riding your motorcycle, you likely have to deal with a contributory negligence claim during your personal injury insurance claim or lawsuit. Due to negative stereotypes regarding motorcycle riders and an insurer’s constant fight to protect its bottom line, the insurer or other driver may allege that you were partially at fault for the accident. They may even claim that you were more responsible for the accident than the other driver. This is particularly common if there was any evidence that you were lane splitting. However, in California, lane splitting is legal and therefore, not inherently negligent.

If you were in accident while lane splitting, contact our experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyers from Brod Law Firm at (800) 427-7020.

California Law on Lane Splitting

igor-ovsyannykov-219657-copy-300x200A motorcycle driver passed away Monday, June 12 after colliding with a barrier on U.S. Highway 101 in San Francisco. The accident happened around noon near the Ninth Street off ramp after the rider failed to maneuver through a curve on the road, leading to her immediate death. It also blocked off multiple lanes of the highway for appropriately two hours.

This tragic accident highlights the need for caution and a focus on road safety for both motorcyclists and other drivers. Individuals injured in multi-vehicle or motorcycle accidents may have to seek compensation through personal injury claims. For those who lose loved ones in motorcycle crashes, wrongful death claims may be appropriate and necessary. To learn more about your rights after a motorcycle crash, contact the San Francisco personal injury attorneys of Brod Law Firm right away.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

Norton_MotorcycleTraveling by motorcycle is a fun, economical way to get where you need to go. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents are not uncommon. When a crash with a motorcycle occurs, the rider is often seriously injured, or even killed. The number of motorcycle deaths increased in California in 2014, even though the total number of traffic fatalities decreased overall.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

Motorcycle fatalities in California increased by about 12% in 2014 over 2013. This is according to statistics kept by the California Office of Traffic Safety, or OTS. In 2013 there were 463 motorcycle fatalities, while in 2014 that number increased to 519 deaths. Motorcycle deaths per 100,000 registered operators were 54 in 2013. This number increased to 60 in 2014.

motorcycleCWhether it is the feeling of the wind passing by, the improved gas mileage and ease of commuting, or the camaraderie among riders, motorcyclists are passionate about life on two wheels.  From teen motorcycle riders to riders in their senior years, the Brod Law Firm supports the right of motorcycle riders of all ages to enjoy their passion and be safe while doing so.  We also know that drivers must work to protect the safety of everyone on the road, no matter how many wheels on their vehicle of choice.  Our Sonoma motorcycle injury lawyer is honored to advocate on behalf of motorcycle riders injured or killed by negligent drivers in Northern California.

Teens Injured in Northern California Motorcycle Crash

The families of two teens know all too well the damage a driver can do to a motorcycle in a crash.  On Sunday, according to a report in the Press Democrat, two 15-year-old boys were injured in a motorcycle crash in Clearlake.  Police believe that a man in a pickup truck followed behind a car as it crossed a double yellow line and attempted to pass the motorcycle carrying the teens.  When the motorcycle attempted to turn left onto 33rd Avenue, the truck slammed into the bike and both boys were thrown off the motorcycle.  The motorcycle passenger incurred major injuries and was taken to a hospital via helicopter.  The motorcycle’s driver suffered moderate injuries and was taken to St. Helena Hospital for treatment.

Most drivers have seen the bumper stickers that read: “Look Twice Save a Life – Motorcycles Are Everywhere.”  Tragically, many drivers fail to heed this warning.  Motorcycle accidents and motorcycle fatalities are far too common and often a careless or inattentive driver is to blame.  As an Oakland motorcycle accident attorney, Greg Brod advocates for riders and families whose lives are forever altered because of a driver’s negligence.

Two Motorcycle Rider Killed in Highway 113 Crash

CBS SF reports that two motorcycle riders died after a crash on Highway 113 near Dixon this past Saturday.  At around 6:48 PM, California Highway Patrol officers were called to the scene of an accident near Hay Road in unincorporated Solano County.  Police believe that a 36-year-old woman was making a left turn in a 2010 Dodge Charger and failed to yield the right of way to two oncoming motorcyclists.  The riders, who were travelling at around 55mph on separate motorcycles, crashed into the car and both were ejected from their bikes.

Every year, the National Transportation Safety Board (“NTSB”) releases what it calls its “Most Wanted List.”  This list represents the NTSB’s top advocacy priorities for the year, improvements to safety that the NTSB believes can make the biggest difference in preventing transportation accidents and saving lives.  Our San Francisco injury law firm shares the NTSB’s commitment to transportation safety and, while we advocate for injury victims in California every day, we know that prevention is always the best goal.

The following items are on the NTSB’s 2016 Most Wanted List:

  • Reduce Fatigue-Related Accidents: It is impossible to know exactly how many car accidents are due to drowsy driving, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration believes anywhere from 2% to 20% of yearly traffic fatalities are due to drowsy drivers.  The problem also extends to other areas of the transportation field and the NTSB identified fatigue as a probable cause in 20% of the Board’s 182 major investigations between 2001 and 2012.

At The Brod Law Firm, we are proud to work with motorcycle riders who’ve been injured by negligent drivers and we have long supported the motorcycle riding community.  However, ultimately our job is to help the wrongfully injured or those grieving the wrongfully killed.  While it is less common than pedestrian accidents caused by cars, pedestrian accidents caused by motorcycles are a threat.  When a negligent motorcycle rider harms a pedestrian, our San Francisco pedestrian accident attorney is, as always, prepared to fight for the wrongfully injured.  We know that most riders are as committed to safety as they are to the open road and suspect they’d support our efforts to help the victims of motorcycle riders who failed to appreciate the power two wheels can have.

Weekend San Francisco Motorcycle Crash Leaves Pedestrian Dead

Over the weekend, the San Francisco Chronicle reported on the arrest of a motorcycle rider on hit-and-run charges.  A police spokesman told reporters that a 67-year-old woman had been crossing 24th Street mid-block in the vicinity of Noriega Street shortly before 7 PM on Friday when a motorcyclist passed around a double-parked vehicle and hit the pedestrian.  The woman was transported to San Francisco General Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

In many ways, injury law comes down to a question of cause and effect.  Our San Francisco motorcycle accident attorney and his support team work diligently to determine (and prove) what caused the accident, the question of fault, and what has and will happen as a result, the question of damages.  The “effect” inquiry looks at both today and tomorrow, an especially complex inquiry in the case of the serious injuries or loss of life that are far too common in motorcycle accidents.  That is, however, a question for another day.  Today, we discusses the “cause” inquiry, the question of what happened in the moments before the crash, looking at a recent tragedy in San Ramon and the leading research on the cause of motorcycle accidents.  Ultimately, the cause and effect inquiries may be complex but our team is well-equipped to uncover the truth in order to help injured riders and grieving loved ones recover compensation for their losses.

Multi-Part San Ramon Accident Leaves Motorcycle Rider Dead

A multi-vehicle accident led to the death of a motorcycle rider in San Ramon on Monday.  CBS San Francisco reports that the crash occurred around 4:40 A.M. on Highway 680 South just past Bollinger Canyon Road.  The incident began when a Honda rear-ended a big-rig truck and the impact caused the Honda to spin before coming to a halt in the middle of lane three.  A motorcycle then struck the disabled vehicle and the 39-year-old rider was ejected.  Moments later, another big-rig truck hit both the motorcycle and the rider before catching aflame.  The motorcycle rider was pronounced dead at the scene.  CBS’s article does not note the status of any of the other individuals involved in the complex accident.

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