California Left Turn Motorcycle Crashes: Serious Accidents Cause Serious Injuries
In 1979, a paper known as "The Hurt Report" was published. It summarized a study called Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures. Forty years later, this is the only comprehensive study ever done about the causes of motorcycle accidents on American roads and highways. The author, Dr. Hugh H. Hurt, was a researcher at the University of Southern California and who studied motorcycle crashes.
According to Dr. Hurt's research, more than three-quarters of motorcycle accidents involve a crash with another vehicle, usually a passenger car. In two-thirds of these crashes, the driver of the larger vehicle causes the accident when he violates the motorcyclist's right of way. This often occurs when the driver makes a left turn while the motorcyclist is heading straight.
There are two common causes of left-turn motorcycle accidents:
- The driver of the passenger vehicle did not yield to the motorcyclist.
- The driver of the passenger vehicle did not see the motorcyclist and turned into the motorcyclist's path.
The collision occurs because the motorcyclist is unable to stop in time to avoid a crash.
When a motorcycle crashes into a car, the motorcyclist risks serious injury and even death. The average car weighs about 4,000 pounds. The average motorcyclist weighs about 180 pounds. The motorcyclist may sustain serious injuries even at low speeds. High speed crashes are often fatal.
Injuries commonly sustained by motorcyclists include:
- Head and brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries
- Fractures and broken bones
- Road rash
- Severe burns
The motorcyclist usually has the right-of-way in left turn motorcycle accidents. However, after a motorcycle crash, many insurance companies will do their best to place some or all of the blame on the motorcyclist even if he had the right-of-way.
An Orange County motorcycle accident attorney can help you get fair compensation for your physical injuries, emotional trauma, medical bills, lost wages, disfigurement, property damage and other losses. To learn more, contact Allen Flatt Ballidis & Leslie and ask to schedule a free legal consultation.
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