The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that there were 5,290 motorcyclist fatalities in motorcycle crashes in 2008. Additionally, there were approximately 96,000 motorcyclists that were injured in accidents during the same year. California had the highest number of motorcyclist fatalities per state in the U.S. in 2008, with 537 motorcyclist deaths occurring.
Many factors can cause a Santa Cruz motorcycle accident, including:
- A motorist’s inability to see a motorcyclist, which is the most common cause for a motorcycle accident.
- Failure to check blind spots before changing lanes.
- A motorist neglecting to alter their driving to weather conditions.
- The road’s quality; if there is debris, potholes, roadside barriers, uneven roads, or unexpected curbs, this can cause motorists and motorcyclists to suddenly swerve.
- A motorist’s speed; if a vehicle is traveling at greater speeds than the law or weather calls for, a motorist may be unable to stop in time before crashing into a motorcyclist.
There are various injuries that can result from a Santa Cruz motorcycle accident. Common injuries include brain damage, often caused by a traumatic brain injury (TBI); concussions; skin and muscle damage, often referred to as road rash; bone or joint breakage—the most common breaks are the shoulder and the pelvis; neck and spine injuries; as well as severe nerve damage to a person’s upper arm, which is a condition that is commonly referred to as “biker’s arm” that results in a motorcyclist suffering permanent paralysis of arm movement.
One of the most crucial things a motorcyclist can do to help reduce the seriousness of injuries is to wear a helmet. In California, 12 percent of motorcyclists that were killed in 2008 were not wearing a helmet, even though California law requires all motorcyclists to do so. The NHTSA estimates that a motorcyclist who is not wearing a helmet is 40 percent more likely to die in a crash than one with a helmet. Wearing other protective gear such as a jacket, pants, gloves, boots, vests, and goggles can also help reduce severe injuries.
The Santa Cruz motorcycle crash attorneys at Van Der Walde & Associates can help you seek compensation from a negligent motorist who has caused your motorcycle accident and any injuries you have suffered. Call us today at 877-862-6288 for a free consultation.
