Motorcycle accidents are potentially deadly and all-too-common; that’s something that few people can dispute. However, do most motorcyclists realize the numbers that back that statement? Knowing the statistics concerning motorcycle accidents can be a helpful way for a motorcyclist to remain aware of threats on the road, hopefully avoiding them. This primer is intended to assist you in understanding the dangers of riding a bike.

The most common type of accident:

Most frequently, accidents involving motorcycles involve another automobile, usually a car. This type of accident comprises approximately 75 percent of motorcycle accidents. Often, the automobile driver was unaware of the presence of the motorcycle because of the low visibility of motorcycles.

The most common location of accidents:

Surprisingly, despite slower rates of speed, 91 percent of two-vehicle motorcycle accidents occur not on the interstate but on non-interstate roads. Half of those occurred at intersections.

The effects of alcohol on motorcycle accident statistics:

Alcohol involvement results in 2.5 times the number of fatalities in a motorcycle accident than happen in automobile accidents. While blood alcohol content (BAC) is considered 1 percent for intoxication, 69 percent of the motorcycle fatalities involving alcohol recorded over 8 percent BAC, 8 times higher than the illegal level in all states. Simply put, combining alcohol and motorcycles is deadly.

The role of speed in motorcycle accident statistics:

While many may assume that high-speed has a role in most motorcycle accidents, the opposite is actually true. In two-vehicle accidents, only 27 percent of the motorcycle accidents involved considerably higher rates of speed than posted speed.

Weekend versus weekday driving and motorcycle accident statistics:

Not surprisingly, two-vehicle motorcycle accidents are more likely to occur on weekends rather than weekdays with the likelihood for accidents being 1.5 more likely on a weekend. Night time accidents are also more frequent on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with 55 percent of nighttime accidents occurring on those days.

Crash position frequency in motorcycle accidents:

The most common position of two-vehicle accidents involving motorcycles and an automobile is that of a front-to-side crash. This type of accident results in 57 percent of all two-vehicle motorcycle accidents, with the next most frequent position being much less frequent at 18 percent for head-on accidents.

Passenger vehicle versus motorcycle accident and driving violations:

Statistically, according to the NHTSA, 30 percent of car drivers who were involved in motorcycle accidents are charged with a driving violation in 2005. Of those accidents, there were no violations assigned to the motorcyclists as you cannot charge someone who was fatally injured.

Crash avoidance maneuvers and their role in motorcycle accidents:

No attempts to maneuver the vehicle or motorcycle to avoid an accident are taken in over 35 percent of accidents. However, when motorcyclists attempt to maneuver to avoid an accident, that rate is over 55 percent versus 42 percent by the other driver. Braking maneuvers to avoid an accident by the driver are 3 times more frequent for motorcyclists than car drivers.

The most common killer of motorcyclists in accidents:

The most common fatality of motorcyclists is that of a motorcycle versus car accident with a 90 percent of motorcycle accident fatalities resulting from this type of accident.

The usefulness of statistics for the motorcyclist:

Statistics help the motorcyclist to understand that while motorcycles are fun, driving them is serious business. The motorcyclist should constantly be aware of everything going on around him and drive defensively. A motorcyclist should never assume that the driver of the car by him sees him as motorcycle accident statistics show that this is more often not the case. By being aware of visibility limitations, his own vulnerability, and safety precautions, hopefully the motorcyclist can enjoy more safety on the road, and less danger.

Where to seek help if you are in an accident:

If you or your loved one is the unfortunate victim of another’s negligence and have been involved in a motorcycle accident, Michael Ehline of Ehline Law Firm, PC, can help. Michael Ehline has not only a high success rate specifically with motorcycle-versus-automobile accidents, but also a personal knowledge of motorcycles and the motorcyclist lifestyle as he is a long-time motorcyclist. His status as a Marine assures that his clients will have a tough but ethical attorney on their side to protect their rights and fight for fair recompense. Ehline Law Firm has offices conveniently located throughout California, including Orange County, Los Angeles County, and San Diego. If you would like more information on how Michael Ehline can help you and your cause, please call Los Angeles personal injury attorneys today at 1-888-400-9721.

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There are some factors that can cause motorcycle accidents, like weather, uneven pavement, debris, gravel or oil on the roadway, and other vehicles. Riding a motorcycle in Los Angeles can be fun, it is an easier way to travel in congested traffic, and it is more dangerous than other types of vehicles. According to the statistics that have been done approximately three quarters of the motorcycle accidents that occur involve other vehicles.  But you may need to hire a motorcycle lawyer Los Angeles, or in San Bernardino, depending on where the injuries happened, and where you reside.

One of the other factors that can cause motorcycle accidents is a malfunction in the design of the motorcycle or after market parts. This can cause the rider to lose control of the motorcycle, through no fault in their ability to ride.

Individuals at the University of Southern California have studied large factors that can cause motorcycle accidents with funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In the Los Angeles area the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the University of Southern California’s researcher Harry Hurt did a study on 900 motorcycle accidents in the area. The study showed that three quarters of the accidents involved collisions, one quarter of the accidents was single vehicle accidents that involved the riders colliding with the roadway. Prior to the crash in 62 percent of the accidents there was fuel leaks and spills on the roadway. This presents a hazard to the motorcycle rider at any speed and can cause the rider to lose control of the bike.

These types of motorcycle accidents can end in severe injuries that if the roadway in Los Angeles did not have fuel leaks, oil and other substances on the highway would not cause motorcycle accidents.

When a motorcycle accident does occur, because of another vehicle or the condition of the roadway the injuries can have lasting effects and requiring long term medical care, loss of employment or the need for training in a different profession. This is a difficult time for a rider that has been involved in a motorcycle accident, and it is also a time when a motorcycle accident attorney can help build a case that can result in the maximum recovery.

In Los Angeles the percentage of motorcycle accidents means that it is possible at anytime while riding to be involved in an accident and without the protection of a Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney getting a fair settlement is not possible. Insurance company’s, city and county agencies are impossible to deal with alone and without knowing the laws that protect the injured motorcycle rider in Los Angeles.

Contact Motorcycle Lawyer Michael Ehline at Ehline Law Firm PC | Injury Lawyer:  Michael Ehline michael@ehlinelaw.com Address: 633 West Fifth Street, 28th Floor, Los Angeles, CA, 90071 ; 6700 East Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 275, Long Beach, CA 90803; 201 Wilshire Blvd, Second Floor, Santa Monica, CA, 90401; 620 Newport Center Drive, Suite 1100 Newport Beach, CA, 92660. Phone: 888-400-9721; 213.596.9642.

There are many attorneys in the Los Angeles area and Orange County and while not every one of them have motorcycle accidents expertise to handle motorcycle accidents, Ehline Law Firm PC., has the experience that is needed when a motorcycle accident occurs.

Knowledge of the law is not enough when there are injuries from a motorcycle accident, and these injuries can be far worse at much less speed than a person involved in an auto accident. The rider involved in an accident also wants to know that the attorney they place their confidence in has a real knowledge of motorcycles and not just from seeing them whiz past on the freeway.

The importance of obtaining the expert motorcycle attorney who also knows about riding motorcycles cannot be stressed enough when an accident has happened for the rider’s protection to ensure they receive the proper information and representation.

Motorcycle injuries require motorcycle accidents expertise due to the often long lasting injuries such as brain injuries or severe scars from the road, this takes a motorcycle accident personal injury attorney with a proven track record and one that will not only listen to your story but also be able to make you feel at ease with his knowledge.

An accident victim also wants the comfort of knowing that their attorney not only is an expert in these type cases but also gives his clients the comfort of being beside them every step of the way during their case.

What an attorney who has the expert knowledge of motorcycle accidents like the Ehline Law Firm PC. will do to gather the needed information for an accident case is to gain a comprehensive amount of information in the case from all the insurance companies involved, each witness will be interviewed and re-interviewed when necessary. Pictures of injuries will be taken because over time these can fade and should be documented, along with the clothing, and accident scene.

• If not injured badly, stay calm; this is not a time for temper.
• Trade information with each driver involved; note the time, the location and names of any witnesses.
• Refrain from making conversation about the accident with anyone involved, only give your version of what happened to the police at the scene.
• Contact your insurance company to inform them you have been involved in an accident.
• After the accident do not speak with insurance companies of those involved, leave this to the expert, your attorney. Most importantly do not sign anything for any of the insurance companies.
• Seek medical treatment; records of this can be released to your attorney.
• One of the other things that may be done in some motorcycle accident cases to enable a judge and jurors to understand the accident scene is to enlist the services of a accident reconstruction specialist.This is the type of expert attention that can be expected from an attorney who understands motorcycles and what occurs when they are involved in an accident and need the advice and help of a knowledgeable attorney who is on your side.

This means that when it is time to decide what a case should consist of that the average person would not be able to do alone much less in an upset and injured condition will be to determine the damage, medical costs and other items that will affect the injured person.

• Damage to the motorcycle and other items; the helmet, gloves and leathers
• Medical bills that have been incurred and ones that may be incurred in future treatments, therapies or surgeries
• Monetary concerns, lost wages, loss of future wages and overtime or bonuses
• Pain and suffering is also part of determining what should be asked for and this can only be competently determined by an attorney that specializes in motorcycle accidents to be certain it is the correct amount to ensure complete rehabilitation of the accident victim.

Many of these items while you may feel you could decide them on your own is not a wise idea, it takes experts that have seen these types of accidents and know how long it may take for an accident victim to recover fully. In the case of a victim that has injuries that will last a lifetime and will need medical treatment for an extended amount of time only experts can determine what possible costs may be involved.

If you were seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles or Orange County, contact lawyers with motorcycle accidents expertise at:

633 West Fifth Street., 28th Floor. Los Angeles, CA, 90071 USA

6700 East Pacific Coast Hwy, Suite 275, Long Beach CA ;

14007 Palawan Way Marina del Rey, CA, 90292USA;

201 Wilshire Blvd, Second Floor, Santa Monica, CA, 90401;

620 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA, 92660 USA.

Phone: 888-400-9721