Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in San Bernardino, CA
There is nothing quite exhilarating as a bike ride. The speed, the view, and the wind blowing through the hair are enough to convince anyone that this is the absolute best that life has to offer.
But then you run a red light or come face to face with a drunk driver, and reality changes forever.
There is no denying that dozens of lives are lost in motorcycle accidents across San Bernardino. Some of the popular routes here are the CA-18 and the CA-330/CA-18, and these also happen to be pretty dangerous for motorcycle riders.
But that doesn’t mean you should stop riding a bike altogether. All you need to do is understand your rights and duties as a responsible driver. Also, save the number of a motorcycle accident lawyer in San Bernardino as your emergency contact if you are ever in an accident and need legal help.
Now let’s explore the type of accidents in San Bernardino county and why.
5 Most Common Types of Motorcycle Crashes
Around 15% of all fatal accidents in California involve motorcycles. These include:
- Misjudged left turns – These happen when another vehicle takes a turn in front of you (either cut-off or hits you head-on)
- Sideswipes and broadsides – These occur when another driver changes lines at blind spots before carefully observing the traffic flow coming out from the other invisible end
- Laying down/dumping/ditching – It’s when you run off the road to save yourself from a crash
- Rear-enders – It’s when you’re hit by another vehicle from the back, either at an intersection, railroad gates, sudden traffic halts, etc
- Sudden turns – It’s when another car or you take the U or Y-turns before looking at the traffic coming from exists
If you have been in any of these accidents and are reasonably sure that it wasn’t your fault, contact a San Bernardino motorcycle accident lawyer at your earliest.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
The common causes of motorcycle accidents in San Bernardino are:
Speeding
Speeding increases the risk of a motorcycle crash exponentially. So even when testing the speed limits, never lose control of your bike, so you have a faster reaction time in case a sudden impediment shows up on the road.
You can’t trust others on the road to be responsible and stay within speed limits, and you can only rely on yourself to ensure your safety.
Drunk Driving
Every 50 minutes, a person dies in America because of drunk driving – that’s around 29 deaths a day. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs violates California Vehicle Code 23153 and is a criminal offense.
If you are in a DUI accident and it’s clearly the other party’s fault, you may be eligible for damages or compensation. Talk to your local motorcycle accident lawyer ASAP.
Distracted Driving
Texting is the root cause of distracted driving accidents. But other acts like eating while driving, taking in the view, using GPS, or talking (to passengers or on a cell phone) can also be deadly.
Anything that sidetracks the drivers’ attention visually (eyes off the road), cognitively (mind off driving), or manually (hands off the steering) from the road causes road accidents. Unfortunately, motorcyclists often get affected by such reckless collisions.
Road Debris/Driving Conditions
Flying debris and poor roadway conditions are a matter of concern for motorcyclists as they are one of the major causes of motorcycle crashes. These accidents happen at or around:
- Construction sites
- Poorly lit roads/intersections
- Invisible driveways
- Unmarked lanes
- Unmarked curves/merging sections
- Unsafe joints
- Unidentified dividers
- Low-hanging trees
- Guardrails
- Excessive gravel or sand
- Flowing water
- Other unaddressed pavement defects (uneven, grooved, resurfaced, potholes, etc.)
If you crashed due to any of these causes, take your case to a motorcycle accident lawyer in San Bernardino before reaching out to the insurance company so that you get legal guidance and representation if necessary.
What are the Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries?
Even with helmets, motorcyclists are susceptible to these injuries:
- Burns
- Road rash
- Whiplash
- Amputations
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
How to Avoid Motorcycle Accidents
To help reduce crashes and make you and your motorbike more visible to others, here are some safety tips from the “Motorcycle Handbook,” California Department of Motor Vehicles:
- Use bright-colored vests, jackets, and helmets
- Use brake lights before slowing down so that other drivers get informed
- Use turn signals before taking turns or lane changes
- Avoid blind spots
- Use high headlights during the day
Though bikers can save themselves from collisions to an extent, other vehicle drivers also need to do their part.
Arrowhead Accident Attorneys can Represent You Better
After a motorcycle accident in San Bernardino, you will first worry about the finances. Right?
You’re fooling yourself if you think you can talk to insurance adjusters directly; they are trained to negotiate for the lowest claims possible.
But an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer from Arrowhead Accident Attorneys knows how to counter those tactics; don’t worry, we are affordable enough to be hired.
A free consultation is just a call away. Contact today to set up an appointment with your lawyer.
in San Bernardino for free; file your injury lawsuit now.