Motorcycle safety has become a priority of concern in San Diego, California with the numbers of motorcycle crash fatalities and injuries skyrocketing. If you need advice about your right to compensation for severe injuries suffered in a Southern California motorcycle accident, contact an accident lawyer at The McClellan Law Firm at 619.677.1641.
The message that appeared on electronic freeway signs in San Diego was intended to be innocuous and helpful. Instead, in some people it triggered resentment and even anger. The offending message? “Share the road. Look twice for motorcyclists.”
Edward Cartagena, a spokesperson for the San Diego Caltrans office told the San Diego Union-Tribune that none of the calls the office had received had been positive.
About a dozen angry callers complained that it wasn’t up to them to keep an eye out for motorcyclists. Said Cartagena, “Wow, I didn’t know there was a sentiment like that out there on the roadways.”
Motorcyclists Increasingly Endangered By Distracted Drivers
Motorcyclists told the newspaper that they welcomed the drive-by message campaign because they’re increasingly vulnerable on crowded streets and freeways. Drivers are less attentive than ever, distracted by cellphones and other electronics, as well as more traditional distractions such as music, food, conversation and rapid lane-changing.
The result is that California is experiencing a dramatic rise in injuries and fatalities among motorcyclists.
Between 1999 and 2008, motorcyclist deaths in San Diego County skyrocketed from 16 to 52: an increase of 225 percent. San Diego County motorcyclists also suffered 1,134 injuries in 2008, the most recent year for which figures are available. These statistics reflect broader trends throughout California; in 1999, there were 230 fatalities statewide, by 2008 this number had surged to 529.
The California Highway Patrol is conducting a two-year “Look Twice, Save a Life” campaign to reduce the rapidly rising number of motorcyclist deaths and injuries in the four counties with the worst motorcycle crash rates.
Ultimately, motorcycle safety is a shared responsibility. Clearly, motorcycle riders must obey the laws of the road—but even the most careful rider is at the mercy of other drivers on the road. All drivers must pay close attention to the road and the surroundings to avoid potentially catastrophic collisions with motorcyclists.
What to Do if You’ve Been in A Motorcycle Accident
If you have been injured in a motorcycle crash due to someone else’s negligence, contact a San Diego motorcycle accident lawyer who can assess the facts of your case and help you use the law to protect yourself.
Big Automaker Bankruptcies Leave Injured Without Recourse
Chrysler and GM’s bankruptcy protects them from any customers’ future personal injury claims, which means that anyone who purchased a car from the company prior to the bankruptcy and who is later injured or killed will not be able to sue the company. If you or a loved one has been injured due to an automotive defect, call a California product liability attorney from the McClellan Law Firm at 619.677.1641.
Teen Drivers at High Risk for Car Accidents
Across the nation, lawmakers are imposing a variety of restrictions on teen drivers in the hopes of stemming high crash rates. Teens are at a higher risk for car accidents, which is due to not only inexperience, but also distractions like passengers and cell phones. If you or a loved one has been injured due to a car accident, call a California car accident attorney from the McClellan Law Firm at 619.677.1641.
Toyota Not The First Automaker on Treacherous Terrain
Toyota’s recall of floor mats, instead of addressing what was most likely electrical issues, raised concerns that Toyota was valuing income over customer safety. However, Toyota was not the first car manufacturer who placed importance on the dollar. If you or a loved one has been injured due to an automotive defect, call a California product liability attorney from the McClellan Law Firm at 619.677.1641.
