Motorcycle Accident
Motorcyclists More Likely to Die on California Roads
| June 20th, 2016
Motorcycle enthusiasts know that California has some of the best roads for riding. Whether you’re looking for a scenic highway along the coast or an off-road adventure through the mountains, California boasts some of the best riding in the country. Safety is an important factor, which is why California requires every rider to wear a helmet, no exceptions. Unfortunately even the safest riders are still involved in accidents, many of which are not their fault. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists are 26 times more likely to die in a crash and 5 times more likely to be injured. In fact, more than 4,500 people were killed in motorcycle crashes in 2014, and negligent drivers caused many of those accidents. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we believe motorcyclists have the right to ride California without having to worry about negligent drivers, which is why we fight for the rights of motorcycle accident victims who have been injured by careless drivers. If you or someone you love was injured in a motorcycle accident that wasn’t your fault, call our San Francisco motorcycle accident attorneys today for a free consultation. We’ll fully investigate the cause of your accident and hold the responsible party accountable. You deserve to be paid for your injuries, and we’ll fight to make sure you are.6 Motorcycle Safety Tips for California Riders
| February 15th, 2016
As spring approaches, there will be lots of opportunities to get out on your bike, and California has the best roads to ride. But as you prepare to pull out your bike, it’s important to keep safety in mind. Here are 6 safety tips to consider before you get out on the road.- Always wear a helmet—No matter where you live or what the state laws are regarding helmets, you should always wear one. It is your best defense against traumatic brain injuries in the event of an accident.
- Know your limits—Staying within your riding comfort zone can help you avoid dangerous situations on your bike. Never push your limits.
- Keep a safe distance—Give cars in front of you at least 4-5 car lengths. This will give you plenty of time to stop if they have to slam on their brakes.
- Use both brakes—You have two sets of brakes for a reason. Use both the front and the back. Locking up your front wheel will almost certainly lead to a crash.
- Use Signals—Before turns, use your turn signals and hand signals. The more the drivers around you know of your intentions, the safer you will be.
- Know the weather—Before getting out for a ride, check the weather to make sure you don’t put yourself in a dangerous situation. If you do encounter inclement weather, get somewhere safe and wait it out.
Why Are California Motorcycle Accidents Increasing in the Bay Area?
| September 15th, 2015
The Bay Area has recently seen a dramatic increase in the number of highway accidents involving motorcycles. Our California motorcycle accident attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers explain that a recent investigation looked into the phenomenon in hopes of uncovering a cause for the string of crashes. It began at 5:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 3, when the first report of a San Francisco motorcycle accident was received. By 9 a.m, there were a total of 14 such collisions with eight involving injuries. As officials and experts began to look into the cause of the accidents, they found lane splitting at higher speeds may be to blame. Steven Guderian, a former highway safety specialist for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, explained in an article posted by CBS San Francisco that motorcyclists who split or share a lane while traveling at speeds of seven to 10 miles faster than other traffic significantly increase their chances of being involved in a serious accident. Guderian added that lane spitting is a practice that should only be used by motorcyclists traveling at lower speeds. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we know that not all motorcycle accidents can be prevented, but following a few simple safety suggestions can help to keep you safe while you ride. That’s why our California personal injury lawyers urge you to:- Always Wear a Helmet– Utilizing a helmet each time you ride can help you reduce your chances of injury in an accident by as much as 40 percent. It can also reduce your odds of being killed in a collision by approximately 65 percent.
- Only Split Lanes in Slower Traffic– Lane splitting is legal in California; however, caution should be used when riding in this manner. That’s why the California Highway Patrol suggests never splitting lanes when traffic is traveling faster than 30 miles per hour. Also never travel more than 10 miles per hour faster than the vehicles around you.
- Be Vigilant– It’s often difficult for drivers to spot oncoming motorcyclists, so be aware of the vehicles and drivers around you anytime you’re on a motorcycle.
Safety Courses Help Reduce California Motorcycle Accident Numbers
| August 25th, 2015
Riding a motorcycle can be extremely dangerous because motorized bikes offer riders little protection from harm in the event of an accident. That’s why getting educated on how to properly operate a motorcycle before beginning to ride is so important. Our California motorcycle accident attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers believe one of the best ways to get a formal education on how to ride a motorcycle is to take one of the motorcycle safety courses being offered by the State of California. The course was recently offered at the East Campus of Modesto Junior College. It begins with six hours of classroom instruction, which typically covers the parts and make-up of a motorcycle, as well as a discussion of basic safety gear. Once participants have grasped these concepts, instructors take the students outside for 10 hours of hands-on instruction while riding along a closed track. Participants will learn the fundamentals of cornering, emergency braking, and the effects of impairment during these sessions. Most importantly, the class can benefit riders of all experience levels. An article from The Modesto Bee discussed how riders participating in the most recent class ranged in experience level from beginners to motorcycle veterans. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we know the impact these classes can have on motorcycle safety across our state. That’s why our California personal injury attorneys encourage all motorcyclists to sign up and take a motorcycle safety course as soon as possible.California Highway Patrol Focuses on Biker Safety and Avoiding Motorcycle Accidents
| May 12th, 2015
Data shows that the number of California motorcycle accidents, injuries, and fatalities is growing each year. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) indicates that in 2013, a total of 475 people lost their lives in motorcycle collisions in our state—eight more fatalities than in 2012. Similar increases were seen in motorcycle injury counts. With numbers pointing towards the dangers of riding motorcycles, our California motorcycle accident attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers explain many groups are working to raise awareness about the importance of motorcycle safety. The CHP is one of the organizations spearheading this movement and they are doing so in several different ways. According to an article from the Orange County Breeze, officers are not only working to strictly enforce motorcycle and traffic safety laws over the next several weeks, but they are also talking to bikers at several motorcycle-related events. Officers say they will be conducting patrols that focus on enforcement of traffic safety laws, such as ensuring riders are wearing the proper safety gear, are not intoxicated, and are legally registered and licensed to ride. Law enforcement will also be on hand to talk with the public at the upcoming Motorcycle Night with the River Cats in Sacramento and the West Coast Thunder Memorial Day Bike Run in Riverside, California. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we know the risks riding motorcycles can pose and our California personal injury lawyers are hopeful the efforts being made to reduce motorcycle numbers are a success.California Motorcycle Accident Claims One Life
| July 7th, 2014
Riding motorcycles can be a fun and exciting hobby, but taking one of these machines on the streets comes with inherent dangers, especially in California. Data from the California Highway Patrol shows the state has seen a 175 percent increase in the number of California motorcycle accident fatalities that have been recorded in the last two decades. These dangers were highlighted by a recent collision that occurred in Hayward, California. Reports from the San Jose Mercury News state a 28-year-old motorcyclist was killed recently as the result of a collision that occurred with a truck in an intersection. Investigators say that just before 8:35 p.m., the victim was traveling along Industrial Parkway when a tractor-trailer attempted to make a left turn in front of the bike. The motorcyclist didn’t have time to stop and the two vehicles collided, claiming the motorcyclist’s life. The incident shows just how quickly a motorcycle accident can take a life. That’s why our team of Alameda personal injury attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers would like to offer our deepest sympathies to the family of the victim. We would also like to offer these tips to help keep motorcyclists safe when riding along the roadways of Northern California:- Wear a Helmet- This single piece of safety equipment has been shown to reduce the chances of injury or death in the event of an accident by as much as 70 percent.
- Slow Down- Speed is one of the leading causes of fatal motorcycle accidents, so obey the posted speed limit.
- Don’t Drink and Drive- An alarming number of California motorcycle accidents involve alcohol, which is why it’s so important to refrain from consuming libations prior to getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.
California Motorcycle Accident Highlights Safety Concern From Bikers
| April 1st, 2014
With the weather beginning to warm in the Bay Area, more and more motorcycle riders are beginning to take to the street; however, as the volume of motorcyclists on the road rises, so will the number of California Motorcycle Accidents that occur. That’s why it is so important for bikers to remember that another driver’s moment of carelessness can have devastating effects. This point was recently highlighted by the arrest of a 23-year-old man accused of causing a fatal accident while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Reports indicate the crash happened at approximately 1:15 a.m. at the corner of Fremont Boulevard and Decoto Road in Alameda County. An article from CBS San Francisco News stated the victim was passing through the intersection on a motorcycle when the driver of a Mini Cooper failed to yield the right-of-way and crashed into the bike. The driver responsible for causing the crash then fled the scene, but was apprehended a short time later. He then admitted to investigators he had consumed several alcoholic beverages prior to the accident, on top of having taken prescription medications to battle a heroin addiction. Accidents like these leave many bikers wondering what they can do to protect themselves on the road. The California Personal Injury Lawyers with Berg Injury Lawyers suggest:- Wearing protective gear, such as a helmet, eye protection, gloves, and a sturdy leather jacket.
- Driving defensively and assuming others can’t see you.
- Obeying all traffic signals and signs.
- Traveling at or below the speed limit.
Study Shows Derivers’ Perception Problem May Be To Blame For Some Collisions
| December 16th, 2013
December 16, 2013 Each year, hundreds of Californians are injured or killed as the result of accidents involving motorcycles. Too often though, a motorist in another vehicle who fails to recognize or yield the right-of-way to an oncoming motorcycle causes these crashes. The California Motorcycle Accident Lawyers with Berg Injury Lawyers explain that a new study may shed some light as to why these accidents are so common. According to an article published in a recent issue of Current Directions in Psychological Science, a team of researchers from Texas Tech University found that humans tend to judge smaller objects as being further away than larger objects at the same distance. Due to the fact motorcycles are much smaller than cars, the error in perception may cause motorists to inaccurately judge the distance of a bike, especially when turning left. Despite the cause of a crash, California law states that a driver may be held liable for damages that are the result of an accident they cause. These damages may include compensation for lost income, medical bills, and other expenses related to the crash. Berg Injury Lawyers and their team of California Personal Injury Lawyers recognize the serious hazards riding a motorcycle can pose and encourage anyone who is injured while riding because of the negligence of another motorist to discuss their legal rights with a qualified attorney immediately.California Motorcycle Accident Claims The Life of “Curb Appeal” Host
| December 9th, 2013
December 9, 2013 The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that in 2008, motorcycle accidents accounted for roughly 14 percent of all highway fatalities. The California Motorcycle Accident Lawyers with Berg Injury Lawyers point out that such a collision recently resulted in the death of the host of a popular television program. NBC-Bay Area News reports that Bill Beckwith, the 38-year-old host of the HGTV show “Curb Appeal”, was riding a motorcycle near the intersection of Oak and Steiner streets in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of the city at approximately 8:30 p.m. when he was struck by another vehicle. The 30-year-old driver who was responsible for causing the crash immediately stopped the vehicle and rendered aid to the victim, but the impact of the collision resulted in the victim sustaining serious injuries. Rescue crews were called to the scene to transport him to a local hospital for further treatment. The victim died shortly after arrival though. Investigators are continuing to examine what contributing factors may have played a part in the crash. Berg Injury Lawyers and their team of California Personal Injury Lawyers are aware of how difficult it can be to overcome the loss of a loved one due to an accident caused by another person’s negligence. That is why the firm would like to send their deepest condolences to the family of the man who was killed in this tragic accident.San Francisco Firefighter May Lose Job For Causing Motorcycle Accident
| July 22nd, 2013
July 22, 2013 A 43-year-old San Francisco Fire Department veteran may lose his job after causing an accident that left a motorcyclist injured. Investigators believe the firefighter may have been under the influence of alcohol when he struck the motorcyclist with a ladder truck while responding to an emergency call. Reports indicate the San Francisco Motorcycle Accident happened on the night of June 29 at the corner of 5th and Howard Streets. The firefighter was driving the truck through the intersection when he struck the motorcycle, leaving the biker with broken ribs and a punctured lung. According to an article from the San Francisco Gate, the firefighter was instructed to stay in the truck until police arrived because he would have to undergo testing for drug or alcohol consumption. Instead, the firefighter walked away from the scene and went to a local bar. While there, he consumed two pitchers of water. Two hours later, he returned to the firehouse, where testing showed he had a blood alcohol level of .13. The department is moving to have the employee fired. However, attorneys for the man say an investigation should be completed before such moves are made. The California Personal Injury Lawyers with Berg Injury Lawyers are aware of how devastating injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident can be. That’s why the firm is here to help any motorcyclist who has been hurt in a crash that was no fault of their own.
