What Causes a Fatal Motorcycle Accident in California?

November 25, 2022November 25, 2022 sudarsan

Riding a bike is very popular in California, thanks to the scenic roads and beautiful weather. Unfortunately, motorcyclists face a great danger of serious injuries in motorcycle accidents.

If you ride a motorcycle too in California, legal experts at Demas Law Group, P.C, say that it is important to be familiar with the main causes of a motorcycle accident. Some of these causes include the following:

1. Speeding

This is one of the major causes of motorcycle accidents in the state. Many bikers and car driver speed because of traffic congestion, for the thrill, or running behind their schedules.

The high speed comes with great risks of losing control as well as a limited capability to brake on time when the traffic stops or slows down. Speeding can also increase accident risks and results in serious injuries compared to a low-speed collision.

2. A Car Making a Left-Hand Turn

A turning car can hit a bike rider if the driver is trying to overtake another car, passing a car, or heading straight through an intersection.

While a left-hand turn accident poses great risks for every motorist, a biker is at more risk since bikes are less visible and smaller than turning cars. In many cases, drivers hitting a biker could be at fault for the motorcycle accident.

3. Lane Splitting

This happens when a bike drives between rows of moving or stopped cars. Although this practice is not legal in other US states, it was legalized in California about five years ago.

There are different views on matters related to the safety of lane splitting, with a couple of drivers reporting that it decreases the risks of a rear-end collision. But others think otherwise because of the following factors:

Truck and car drivers not expecting bikers to overtake in stopped or slowed traffic
Limited space where a biker can manoeuvre
The nearness of bigger cars to bikes

4. Emotional and Physical Impairment

Alcohol is apparently not the only cause of impairment when driving. Although regulations and rules for OTC or prescription drug use differ from state to state, California’s laws indicate that an impact on bikers’ capability is a legal ground for arrests.

Riding a bike while low on sleep is considered dangerous too. Ideally, riding a bike requires a reflexive connection and strong cognitive skills. And although it will be great for stress relief, distraction and emotional distress are other great risk factors while riding a bike.

5. Inexperience

Too often, some Californians start riding bikes before they are well-trained. Their inexperience often leads to motorcycle accidents.

Inexperience is a very cause of motorcycle accidents. Basically, motorcycle riders spend many hours in training. So they must know how to respond to certain situations, gauge conditions, and operate on their bikes.

In a Nutshell!

Accidents involving motorcycles usually result in severe injuries, which may affect both you and your family for weeks, months, years, or decades. But the best motorcycle accident attorney in California can make a great difference to your case, thanks to their experience and skills in the field.