A motorcyclist was recently killed in a collision with a car in Sacramento, representing one of the hundreds of California motorcycle fatalities that occur every year. Motorcycle riding can be fun, as well as cheaper and more fuel-efficient than driving a car, but it carries significant additional safety risks for everyone involved. Motorcycle accidents, and motorcycle deaths in particular, have been on the rise in California and across the country for 22 years. Read on for details about the motorcycle fatality epidemic in California, and contact a dedicated Stockton or Sutter Creek motorcycle accident attorney for help after an accident in California’s central valley.
Fatal Sacramento motorcycle crash symptom of deadly problem in California
Around 12:40 p.m. on a recent Friday, a motorcyclist was heading westbound on El Camino Avenue in the Ben Ali section of Sacramento. A Mercedes-Benz was heading southbound on Princeton Street when the two collided. The motorcyclist was severely hurt and later died from his injuries. The crash is emblematic of California’s continuing struggle with motorcycle-related injuries and death.
Motorcycles are dangerous at the best of times. Riders are directly exposed to any road hazard or accident without the protective shell of an automobile, and controlling a motorcycle requires constant attention and split-second decision-making. When motorcycle accidents occur, they are much more likely to be deadly. In fact, motorcyclists are 26 times more likely to be killed on a per-mile basis than auto drivers and passengers.
From 1994 to 2016, motorcycle fatalities rose from around 5.7% of the total traffic deaths across the country to over 14% of all traffic fatalities, despite motorcycles representing only three percent of registered vehicles on U.S. roadways. The total number of fatalities increased from 2,320 in 1994 to 5,286 in 2016. California is one of the most dangerous states for motorcycle riders: In 2016, there were 566 motorcycle rider fatalities, up 11% from 494 in 2015. Another 14,400 motorcyclists were injured in the state. The total number of fatalities dropped slightly to 541 in 2017, although there were 15,527 total motorcycle injuries.
Riding while intoxicated is a huge contributor to motorcycle death: Over 30% of motorcycle riders killed had a BAC of at least 0.01, and 24% had a BAC of 0.08 or greater, the legal limit for drunk driving. Additionally, the data shows around 75% of motorcycle accidents involving a crash between a motorcycle and at least one car. Motorcycle riding is extremely dangerous for both the riders and everyone else on the road.
If you need legal help after a motorcycle or car accident in California, contact the seasoned, knowledgeable, and driven Sutter Creek, personal injury attorneys, at Redkey Gordon Law Corp for a no-cost consultation at 209-267-1685.