Young woman killed in tragic motorcycle accident

April 19, 2013

Young woman killed in tragic motorcycle accident

Article provided by Kenneth W. Drake & Associates Law Offices
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California's mild climate makes riding on a motorcycle a year-round pleasure. However, motorcycles are involved in a significant number of accidents on California highways, often due to negligent drivers.

Woman motorcyclist thrown under truck while riding the curves of Trabuco Canyon Road

Recently, a 19-year-old woman was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident after her motorcycle collided with a two-axle commercial truck. The woman suffered numerous injuries after being pinned underneath the truck and was later pronounced dead. The young woman, a recent high school graduate, was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, while the driver of the truck was uninjured. The California Highway Patrol reports that the woman was riding along a route known for its numerous twists and turns. The accident shut down the entire roadway for approximately two hours. A 44-year-old male motorcyclist was killed just a few days later in an accident in this same area.

Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month reminds drivers to be alert

Unfortunately, as these two accidents illustrate, motorcycle tragedies are all too common. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration reported that almost 400 deaths on California roadways in 2009 involved motorcycles.

Additionally, the National Safety Council reports that traffic deaths involving motorcyclists increased 131 percent between 1998 and 2008. These grim statistics are not surprising, since motorcyclists are at a greater risk of an accident than drivers of other vehicles.

To bring attention to the inherent dangers motorcyclists face on the road, May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. During this time, the NSC reminds drivers that they share the road with motorcyclists and must be especially careful, since more motorcyclists are on the road during the spring and summer.

Blind spots and intersections are especially dangerous for motorcyclists

Blind spots are one of the greatest dangers to motorcyclists. Drivers often do not see motorcyclists because the motorcyclists are traveling in the car's blind spot. Drivers are responsible for doing a thorough blind spot check each time they enter traffic, change lanes or attempt to maneuver a turn.

Intersections are also especially hazardous to motorcyclists. Drivers who do not perform a thorough check of their surroundings often turn left in front of a motorcycle, causing a collision. Drivers are also required to maintain a greater following distance behind motorcycles. Failure to do so increases the cause of an accident. Passenger cars should also not share lanes with motorcycles, which require the entire width of the lane for maximum safety. Finally, the NSC reminds both drivers and motorcyclists to always be alert to one another's presence and always follow applicable safety rules. This is especially true for motorcyclists whose lives are more likely to be on the line if they aren't aware of the attentiveness or inattention of the drivers around them.

Motorcycle crash injuries and compensation

Motorcycle accidents that do not cause death often still result in substantial injuries for the motorcyclist, which can have a permanent and devastating impact. Motorcyclists who are injured in an accident need an experienced personal injury attorney to protect important rights of both motorcycle accident victims and their families. A personal injury attorney can help a motorcyclist who was injured through another driver's negligence by filing claims with insurance companies for benefits and helping to ensure maximum compensation for all damages.