Los Angeles Injury Lawyer Blog

A man took his friend’s motorcycle for a test run in Baldwin Park, CA last fall and collided while attempting to pass a tractor-trailer truck that was concurrently making a left turn into a parking lot. As the truck turned, the rider lost control of the bike and became entangled underneath the trailer’s tires. At the time of the crash, the man was not wearing a helmet. He died instantly.

Although wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle is required by law in the state of California, many drivers often fail to do so – either out of laziness or pure recklessness. As evidenced by the story of the Southern California Baldwin Park man, the consequences can be fatal. Studies published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show a significant correlation between helmet use and head injuries among those fatally injured in motorcycle collisions. 51% of un-helmeted motorcyclists suffered a head injury, compared to only 35% of those that actually wore a helmet. Furthermore, a study conducted by the Harborview Injury Prevention Center found an 88% reduction in brain injury for riders who used a helmet. Because motorcycles lack the physical protection that enclosed automobiles and trucks possess, riders should take every precaution possible to protect themselves from bodily injury.

Data shows that the road is becoming an increasingly dangerous place for motorcyclists. While the number of registered vehicles continues to increase, the number of registered motorbikes on the road continues to climb as well. As a result, roads are becoming more congested, and motorcycle riders are often less visible than their larger car and truck counterparts. Furthermore, motorcyclists are more vulnerable to external hazards such as the weather and road conditions than automobiles.

Although motorcycles only make up approximately 3% of all registered vehicles in the United States, they account for more than 11% of total fatalities related to vehicle crashes. The latest study published by the NHTSA finds that the number of motorcycle crash fatalities across the nation have increased every year for the past nine years. Looking at the individual state level, California has also experienced an increase in motorcycle fatalities. In addition, it is among the top 3 states with the highest number of absolute increases. The study concludes that motorcycles are therefore 35 times more likely to die and 8 times more likely to be injured in a motor vehicle related traffic accident than those driving in passenger cars and trucks.

Victims of motorcycle crashes are often left with debilitating and severe, if not fatal, injuries. The effects on the victim and loved ones are devastating. During this difficult time, an experienced and smart personal injury lawyer is critical to ensure that you are fully taken care of. If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle-related accident, the Law Offices of Greenberg & Rudman LLP are here to help you. Contact us at 1-800-ALAWPRO (1-800-252-9776) for your free consultation.