Motorcycle Riding Safely According to California Law
California Motorcycle Safety Laws
There are strict requirements for motorcycles in California. The reason for these requirements is clear: motorcycle riders are more vulnerable in collisions. Of course, properly riding a motorcycle requires more skill than driving a typical car. But on top of that, driver of cars are often ill-informed about how to safely share the road with motorcycles. Car drivers frequently fail to spot motorcycles nearby, often leading them to shift into their lane or turn in front of them.
For these reasons, helmets that meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety standards must be worn by all those on a motorcycle. In addition, a motorcyclist must have a special M-1 endorsement on his driver’s license. To get this endorsement, the driver has to pass a written exam and a skills test. There are additional requirements if the driver is under the age of 21.
70% of Crashes Between Motorcycles and Cars At Intersections
It is perhaps not surprising that 70% of car crashes involving motorcycles and automobiles occur at intersections—much like the accident that struck on Sunday. Intersections can be very dangerous when a motorcycle is involved because the motorcycle is easily obscured by other cars or even the road itself. In addition, when accidents do strike, motorcyclists are usually the ones seriously hurt. Statistics show that riders of motorcycles are roughly 26 times more likely to die in an accident than a passenger in a car.
San Francisco Motorcycle Accident Highlights Dangers
According to an article in SF Appeal, a man riding a motorcycle was killed when he collided with a car in San Francisco in June. A passenger on the motorcycle, a woman in her early 40s, was thrown from the crash and had critical injuries.
The crash occurred in the Richmond District on Fulton and 30th Avenue around 6:30 pm on Sunday. The motorcyclist who died was identified as Jeffrey Davis, a resident of San Francisco. The crash occurred when the motorcycle was on Fulton headed west and collided into an Audi driving southbound on 30th Avenue. After the collision Mr. Davis became trapped under the car. His passenger was thrown from the crash.
At this point it is not believed that alcohol caused the accident, and the police have not made any arrests or issued a citation for the accident. Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the crash. While police are still investigating who is at fault in the motorcycle accident on Sunday, in the vast majority of cases these collisions are caused by some combination of negligence.
Contact Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Our San Francisco motorcycle accident attorneys have helped many Bay Area residents hurt in accidents involving motorcycles. If you or someone you know is in one of these accidents, it’s crucial to seek out experienced legal advice as soon as possible. Our Bay Area accident lawyers specialize in personal injury law and are well-versed in working through legal cases involving motorcycles, car, trucks, bicycles, and pedestrians.
Click now to request a free no-obligation consultation or call 415-541-0300 to speak with experienced motorcycle accident attorneys in San Francisco.
Boone Callaway is a personal injury & medical malpractice lawyer in San Francisco who has been working with clients in the Bay Area for over 25 years. Mr. Callaway is one of only a few personal injury litigators in San Francisco who is a Super Lawyer, AV Rated and is also a member of ABOTA – American Board of Trial Advocates.
