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Motorcyclist in Critical Condition Following Crash
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2010/may/09/simi-valley-man-critically-injured-in-motorcycle/?print=1
Bill Williams, of Simi Valley sustained serious injuries in a motorcycle crash on Sunday, the Ventura County Start reports. Williams, age 35, was operating an off-road motorcycle on the 2500 block of Angela Street when he collided with a parked car and injured his head, leg, and arm.
Witnesses state that Williams was attempting a wheel stand when the accident occurred. He was not wearing a helmet.
According to the NHTSA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2008, “5,290 motorcyclists were killed—an increase of 2 percent over the 5,174 motorcyclists killed in 2007. There were 96,000 motorcyclists injured during 2008”. Further, “NHTSA estimates that helmets saved 1,829 motorcyclists’ lives in 2008, and that 823 more could have been saved if all motorcyclists had worn helmets.” These staggering statistics substantiate the need for helmets to protect motorcyclists during accidents.
May 2010 is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and we at the Law Office of Renee J. Nordstrand urge both motorcyclists and vehicle drivers to be aware of motorcycle safety during this time. For example, motorcyclists may benefit from taking rider-training programs dedicated to lowering crash rates. Vehicle drivers and the general public can prepare for the summer months where the number of motorcycle riders will increase on busy highways and roads, necessitating an attitude of all drivers and riders to be willing to share the road.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact experienced motorcycle attorneys today for a free consultation.
Stuntwoman Killed in LA Motorcycle Crash
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/04/stuntwoman-28-killed-in-freeway-motorcycle-crash.html
April Erin Stirton, a 28-year-old stuntwoman from North Hollywood, was killed on Tuesday in a motorcycle crash on the 101 Freeway near Laurel Canyon Boulevard. According to the Los Angeles Times, Stirton attempted to pass a tow truck ahead of her in the same lane when she lost control of her motorcycle and fell, hitting the back wheels of the truck she was attempting to pass. Stirton’s motorcycle then crossed two lanes and became stuck underneath the wheels of another truck.
According to a recent Los Angeles Times article (http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-motorcycle-safety18-2009oct18,0,6000706.story), there are about 100,000 motorcycle crashes annually in the United States. In 2008, 5,290 of these crashes resulted in death. In 2007, there were 85 fatalities resulting from motorcycle crashes in Los Angeles County alone, according to the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System.
If you ride motorcycles, please be aware of the added precautions and risks you take when riding. If you are injured in a motorcycle accident due to another driver’s negligence, protect your rights by contacting experienced attorneys. At the Law Office of Renee J. Nordstrand, we waste no time in beginning our own independent investigation of the accident by visiting the scene, preserving evidence, identifying and interviewing potential witnesses and working with experts to determine both the cause of the collision and the full extent of the injuries suffered by our clients.
University Researchers Study Motorcycle Crash Deaths in Los Angeles
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-motorcycle-safety18-2009oct18,0,6000706.story
Oklahoma State University researchers have undertaken the largest comprehensive study of fatal motorcycle crashes since USC’s 1981 Hurt study, the LA Times reports. The $3.1 million dollar study is funded by the highway reauthorization bill, the National Traffic and Highway Safety Administration, the American Motorcyclists Association, and various individual states. Researchers aim to explain the growing number of motorcycle crash fatalities in the past decade.
The study, which commenced last December in Los Angeles, will examine a sample size of 300 crashes to decipher the determining factors of the growing number of crashes. Initial theories include the repeal of helmet laws in many states, and the increasing average age of the motorcycle rider (41 years).
According to the LA Times article, there are about 100,000 motorcycle crashes annually in the United States. In 2008, 5,290 of these crashes resulted in death. In 2007, there were 85 fatalities resulting from motorcycle crashes in Los Angeles County alone, according to the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System.
Hopefully, this study will shed light on the causes of motorcycle crashes and allow motorcyclists as well as other drivers on the road to develop an awareness of the major risk factors involved in riding in order to prevent future accidents.
If you or a loved one is injured in a motorcycle crash, contact a California motorcycle injury attorney, to find out how you can receive compensation for medical expenses, lost time from work, and pain and suffering.