Deadly Motorcycle Accidents and Safety Measures

Fallbrook Man Dies in Fatal Crash

Motorcycle accidents can be extremely serious, and in many cases they result in fatal injuries. According to a recent article in U-T San Diego, a 46-year-old man from Fallbrook died in a motorcycle crash late last month. What happened? Based on testimony from the group members with whom he had been out riding and the California Highway Patrol officer who responded to the accident, the motorcyclist rode ahead of the others and “entered a curve at high speed, braked, and lost control of his motorcycle.” The rider “was thrown from the bike and hit his head [on] the metal guard rail.”

The force from the collision was so extreme that the motorcyclist’s helmet was knocked off, and the other riders found him “lying in the road, unconscious.” The accident occurred around 11:20 p.m. The motorcyclist was rushed to a hospital in Escondido by emergency responders, but he later died from the traumatic head injury he sustained in the crash.

What caused the crash? The initial California Highway Patrol report suggests that aggressive driving—speeding, specifically—led to the deadly accident. This crash, as with numerous other motorcycle accidents, likely could have been prevented. What do you need to know to prevent fatal motorcycle injuries?

Motorcycle Safety: Preventing Deadly Accidents in Southern California

According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motorcycle crashes result in more than 4,500 deaths each year. Thousands more produce debilitating injuries, making motorcycle accidents “a growing public health concern.” To be sure, the financial cost of motorcycle collisions has grown in recent years, totaling about $12 billion annually. It’s more important now than ever to take note of these facts, given that “motorcycle ownership is at an all-time high,” particularly in sunny California. What can you do to ensure that you or someone you love avoids a devastating motorcycle crash?

The CDC emphasizes that we should know the risk factors for a deadly motorcycle collision:

• Age is a major factor, and the age of many motorcycle accident victims has shifted in recent years. While young people used to be the ones who were most susceptible to a crash—making older drivers, perhaps, consider themselves safer on their bikes—more than 50 percent of all deadly motorcycle accidents in recent years have involved drivers aged 40 and up.
• Helmets are extremely important for motorcycle safety. To be sure, more than 40 percent of motorcycle operators and 50 percent of motorcycle passengers who sustain fatal injuries in accidents weren’t wearing helmets.
• Riding under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs drastically increases your risk of being involved in a deadly collision. Nearly 30 percent of motorcyclists who sustain fatal injuries in accidents have blood alcohol concentrations above the legal limit.
• Believe it or not, the type of motorcycle you ride can be a risk factor for a fatal crash. Most people who suffer life-threatening injuries, according to the CDC, “are riding sport motorcycles with mid-size engines designed to maximize speed and agility.”

If you recently lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, you may be eligible to file a claim for compensation. Many deadly accidents occur because of another driver’s negligence. Contact an experienced San Diego motorcycle accident attorney today to learn more about how we can assist you with your case.

Photo Credit: itarugra via Compfight cc See Related Blog Posts: More Hit-and-Run Accidents in San Diego Dangerous Motorcycle Accidents in Southern California