California news reports that a Sacramento man has died in an Elkgrove motorcycle collision. The accident occurred when the 63-year-old man riding the motorcycle collided with the side of a minivan at the intersection of Elkgrove Boulevard and Bradshaw Road. The man died at the scene from injuries sustained in the motorcycle crash. The driver of the minivan, a woman, received minor injuries in the accident. The children who were passengers in the van were not injured. While the motorcycle accident remains under investigation, no indication exists that alcohol or any other substance was a factor in the collision.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a California motorcycle accident or other type of motorvehicle crash, it's a good idea to consult with an experienced Sacramento accident attorney right away. A skilled Sacramento personal injury lawyer can begin an investigation into all of the factors surrounding a particular incident and ensure you receive all of the compensation you are entitled to. Even where an injured party is partly at fault for an accident, under California's comparative negligence law it may be possible to recover damages.
This accident serves as a tragic reminder about motorcycle safety and precautions all drivers and riders should keep in mind. Statistics reveal that more than 100,000 motorcycle accidents occur each year. Further, more than two-thirds of deaths from motorcycle accidents involve motorcycle collisions with another car on the road - often because the car doesn't see the motorcycle at all or is unable to avoid the crash once they do see the motorcyclist. Whether the minivan didn't see the motorcyclist is certainly an issue raised by this accident.
In an effort to improve safety on the road and prevent more serious motorcycle accidents and deaths, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has created rider safety initiatives including:
• Don't forget your helmet. Despite California's mandatory helmet laws, many motorcyclists leave their helmets at home. This is a big mistake - wearing a helmet is the number one way to prevent serious injuries and deaths. NHTSA statistics reveal that in 2008 (the latest years' statistics available), more than 1800 lives were saved as the result of wearing a helmet.
• All drivers need to share the road - whether your driving a car, operating a motorcycle or riding a bike - everyone has the same rights and privileges to use California's roadway.
• Avoid "distracted driving." Anyone operating any type of motorvehicle whether a car, truck or motorcycle should avoid "distracted driving" and put away his or her cell phone.
• Don't drink and drive. Just as in drunk driving car accidents, alcohol plays a large role in motorcycle fatalities. Alcohol affects those skills essential to riding a motorcycle - balance and coordination - which contributes to statistics showing that the percentage of intoxicated motorcycle riders in fatal crashes is greater than the percentage of intoxicated drivers on our roads.
For more information, or if you or a loved one has been injured in a Sacramento motorcycle accident, please contact a dedicated Sacramento personal injury lawyer at the Law Offices of Frederick J. Sette for an immediate consultation.