While researchers point out that wearing a helmet won't prevent a bicyclist from getting involved in an accident, it may result in he or she suffering only minor injuries. They note that is the same logic that applies to motorists who use seat belts versus those who don't.
]]> If more bicyclists were to wear helmets, it would significantly reduce the incidence rate of TBIs and injuries in general. One reason this is believed to be the case is because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that less than 50 percent of all bicyclists don't wear helmets.Considering that nearly 900 bicyclists were killed and just less than 500,000 were injured in 2013 in the United States, you can easily see the impact that the wearing of helmets could have had.
Another study, commissioned by the American College of Surgeons (ACS), compared the rate of TBIs and deaths among helmeted versus nonhelmeted riders. Researchers found that nonhelmeted bikers were 52 percent more likely to suffer the most severe type of TBI than their helmeted counterparts. They were at least 44 percent more likely to die in a bike accidents than them as well.
Nonhelmet-wearing bikers were also at least 31 percent more likely to suffer facial fractures than those who wore helmets. The more common types of fractures that bicyclists suffer from include ones to their jaw, eye sockets and noses.
Researchers working on the ACS study also determined that at least 75 percent of bikers don't wear helmets, at least 25 percent more than what the CDC claimed was the case. Among the bikers most likely to wear helmets, the ACS determined that they are white, insured female bikers or those ages 60 to 70. Kids ages 10 to 20 were the least likely to wear a helmet while riding their bike.
If you were seriously injured or have lost a loved one while out riding a bike, then a Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney can advise you of your right to file a lawsuit in your respective case.
Source: Reuters, "Helmets prevent severe head injuries in bike accidents," Linda Thrasybule, Oct. 19, 2017
]]>Witnesses to the fatal bicycle crash reported seeing the decedent riding his bike in the southern direction along Western Avenue right before he was about cross over San Marino Street. It's then that they saw a motorist strike the rear end of the man's bike.
]]> Despite immediately having disabled the bicyclist, the motorist who struck him failed to stop and render any type of assistance. Instead, he continued on. Fortunately witnesses were astute enough to capture a description of the motorist's car and potentially his license plate.Although it's unclear how long after the crash it occurred, a spokesperson with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) reported having arrested an unidentified male believed to have caused the man's death. It's unclear what charges the defendant will face in addition to hit-and-run and when his next hearing in the case may be.
Cases involving bicyclists being struck by motorists are unfortunately not all that uncommon. Bike accidents often occur because motorists have difficulty in visualizing bicyclists or fail to respect their space. They also occur when motorists speed, impairing their ability to properly control their vehicles. Driver intoxication, either from drugs or alcohol, can cause a motorist to make poor judgments as well.
The nighttime is particularly poor in terms of visibility and the potential for impaired driving.
If your loved one suffered permanent disabilities or died after being struck by a motorist, then a Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney can guide you in recovering medical, funeral costs and more damages.
Source: Los Angeles Daily News, "Bicyclist killed in Koreatown hit-and-run, driver arrested," Oct. 25, 2017
]]>If you need to fly, try to fly with carry on only. Limiting your clothes and gear can allow you greater flexibility in transportation to and from the airport and give your ride more accurate information as you do not have to wait at the baggage carousel. Furthermore, bringing less baggage can reduce your stress as you have less bags to monitor.
Lastly, never forget to breath. Travel can be stressful, but it does not have to be this way. Pick out a couple albums to enjoy or bring the book you have been meaning to read. All too often, people get anxious and frustrated over inconsequential issues. When driving this can manifest as road rage and cause serious accidents with catastrophic injuries. Keep calm and travel on. In the end, everyone just wants to get to their destination safely and enjoy time with friends and family.
]]>Motorcycles offer riders significantly less protection than other motor vehicles. As such, riders should always ride defensively and always wear proper safety gear. In Butler's position, it may have been impossible to react fast enough to avoid going over the hood of the colliding vehicle. Wearing a helmet and other protective articles may have saved Butler's life. In Southern California, warm weather may make riding with full protective gear less comfortable at times, but the greater risk of catastrophic injury is never worth it.
]]>The woman, who was mother to six kids, was driving along Golden Valley Road, fast approaching Valley Center Road immediately prior to the crash. At that same time, there was a 22-year-old, driving in the opposite direction along Golden Valley Road.
]]> That young woman reportedly lost control of her car after colliding with a curb. It's then that the woman's car grazed the side of one vehicle before entering into oncoming traffic. The new mom's car was struck head-on by the 22-year-old woman's car.The young mother reportedly suffered blunt force injuries in the crash. She had already expired by the time Los Angeles county paramedics arrived on the scene.
As for the 22-year-old, she was transported by ambulance to an area hospital for treatment for undisclosed injuries.
In investigating the crash, police found various open alcohol containers in her vehicle. It's believed that she may have been intoxicated at the time of the crash.
Police are awaiting final toxicology results before pressing any charges against her. A spokesperson for the Santa Clarita Valley Police Department has noted that she will face vehicular manslaughter charges if toxicology results reflect that she was drunk at the time of the crash.
When a loved one dies in a car crash, especially if he or she is a parent of minor children, he or she often leaves behind family that don't just grieve their loss, but that have to find a way to make ends meet financially as well. A Los Angeles motor vehicle accident attorney can advise you of your rights to recover funeral expenses, lost wages and more in your case.
Source: The Signal, "Alcohol suspected in crash that killed Saugus mother of six," Jim Holt, Oct. 09, 2017
]]>The 25-year-old bartender is alleged to have been driving along Brookhurst Street shortly before 1:00 a.m. that morning. It's as he reportedly neared that roadway's intersection with Ellis Avenue that he is believed to have struck a 41-year-old Fountain Valley man. That victim had been riding his bicycle in the roadway at the time.
]]> The impact of the crash caused the bicyclist to be thrown at least 50 feet in front of his bike. The motorist, however, made no attempt to stop after allegedly striking the man. By the time emergency responders arrived at the scene of the crash, the biker had succumbed to his injuries.Area business' surveillance video footage was instrumental in helping police identify the color and model of car believed to have caused the crash. It lead them to suspect that a mid-1990s, red colored Ford Mustang had been struck the man. Police searched vehicle records in the area for this type vehicle and later went to the bartender's home where he was arrested for felony hit-and-run charges. He was later booked at the Orange County Jail.
Even in the absence of bicycle lanes, in California, motorists are still expected to keep a safe distance from bikers in order to avoid crashing into them. If you've been hurt or have a loved one that has lost his or her life because of someone else's negligence, then a Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney can advise your right to file a lawsuit in your case.
Source: NBC 4 Los Angeles, "Huntington Beach bartender arrested for fatal hit-and-run of Fountain Valley resident," Marin Austin, Sep. 13, 2017
]]>On October 6th, 4 people were killed in an accident believed to cause by street racing. The driver of the BMW lost control of vehicle, hit a light pole after entering oncoming traffic, eventually striking a nearby tree. The speed at which the car struck the tree dislodged the engine from its compartment and left the vehicle in flaming rubble.
While driving, check your surroundings for vehicles rapidly approaching. Street racers often drive recklessly with excessive speed. Report reckless drivers to local authorities to help police track down dangerous drivers and prevent further fatalities. These accidents are entirely preventable if drivers use highways and city streets at reasonable and safe speeds.
]]>Car crash fatalities have significantly been reduced in the past few decades. One of the reasons this has occurred is because new safety features, including airbags, seat belts, reinforced manufacturing and on-board warning systems, have been added to them.
]]> Significantly less time and effort has gone into making motorcycles more safe though. An Israeli company, Autotalks, believes they might have finally found a way to keep motorcyclists safe though.Autotalks previously released a car-to-car WiFi enabled communications software. It has made it possible for cars with similarly installed programs to alert one another of potentially dangerous driving conditions or drivers within a certain distance of them, even if they're outside of their sight. This can allow a motorist to take necessary precautions to avoid a crash.
They've recently adapted this software to create a bike-car, or B2V, system that they're slated to start testing on Ducati sports bikes this year. So far, it's garnered them a lot of attention. It's small, light and uses very little power, all necessary considerations that ensure it won't detract from the overall look or performance of the bike.
Much like the car-to-car system, it alerts motorcyclists of vehicles heading in their direction, including their speed and if they're braking. If the software detects that a biker might be in peril of being struck, then the software will begin sending both visual and audio warnings to the motorcyclist to warn him or her.
Preliminary evidence suggests that this system could reduce as much as 33 of all fatal motorcycle crashes. It's, however, only possible to achieve such success if virtually every car is installed with the same technology. Without all cars having it, many cars that pose danger to motorists will go undetected. The passing of a government mandate requiring all vehicles to have this technology would be necessary for this to happen.
While this technology is promising, government mandates that would be needed to ensure motorcyclists are protected from becoming involved in crashes could take years to get approved. Unfortunately, many motorcyclists will be hurt or lose their lives during this time.
If you've been injured in a motorcycle crash, then a Vista, California, motorcycle accident attorney can advise you of your right to sue for lost wages, medical expenses and other damages in your case.
Source: Wired, "To prevent motorcycle crashes, make riders 'talk' to cars," Eric Adams, accessed Sep. 29, 2017
]]>While nothing has been accepted by city or state officials, the design represents a greener, more efficient traffic flow. But will this streamlined approach truly help communities free themselves of traffic gridlock? The car culture of Los Angeles may not change overnight, but every step towards safer and less congested streets will make LA a better place to live.
]]>The police report for the wreck reflects that there was apparently an SUV that had become disabled in one of the freeway's southbound lanes some time before the crash occurred. Soon thereafter, it's alleged that a Honda sedan smashed into it from the rear.
]]> Not too long after the collision between those two vehicles, the police car crashed into both the Honda and the SUV. A fire then ensued. It was as the fire burned on that yet another motorist collided with the now-three disabled vehicles.The motorist driving the SUV that spawned the crash was fortunate in that he was able to move away from his vehicle long before it was crashed into by the Honda. The two police officers and their charges were also lucky in that they only received minor injuries once they struck the Honda and it caught on fire. It appears that the fourth motorist to become involved in the wreck also fared well.
However, the same cannot be said for the driver of the Honda. That motorist's vehicle reportedly was significantly burned. Police continue investigating the incident in hopes of determining whether it was the impact, fire or both, that resulted in the driver's death.
If you've been seriously injured in a chain reaction crash, then you may be entitled to compensation for damages such as hospital bills, loss of consortium or employment prospects. In learning more about your case, a Los Angeles motor vehicle accident attorney can advise you of your right to file a claim for these damages.
Source: CBS Los Angeles, "5 freeway in Sun Valley reopens after fatal crash," Sep. 15, 2017
]]>For Parents, never lose eyesight of your small children. As you already know, kids can exhibit impulsive and at times irrational behavior. Adding their favorite candy and superhero costume to the mix will likely not help this issue. Be sure to watch for drivers maneuvering in or out of driveways and distracted drivers at intersections. Small children are not easily seen in the rearview mirror and many vehicles are not equipped with modern safety features such as the backup camera. Hold your child's hand when appropriate to avert an otherwise avoidable accident. To increase your child's visibility, add fun colored reflective stripes to their costumes. Lastly, go trick or treating earlier in the day. Here in Los Angeles, we see daylight longer than just about everywhere else in the country during this time of year. Beginning your evening haunting earlier means you can explore your haunted neighborhood with higher visibility.
Drivers need to take their time going through neighborhoods. Drive at slow speeds to give yourself ample time to react to darting superheroes, spooking ghosts and even anthropomorphic animals. Put your headlights on earlier than usual to help parents spot your vehicle from further away. When driving, remember to put safety above all else and enjoy the haunted holiday.
]]>In the man's lawsuit, which he filed jointly with his wife, he accused both the state and county of having neglected to properly maintain the city's roadways. They noted that the pothole upon which he lost control of his bike was nothing more than a "concealed trap" destined to injure bicyclists.
]]> The couple also outlined how the man suffered injuries so significant that doctors expect him to face some degree of permanent disability for the remainder of his life.In responding to the vote, the victim and his wife noted that they were happy that the city had decided to take responsibility for what they referred to as the man's life-changing injury. As for the city council, they note that their hope is that the settlement will allow the man to live a higher quality life than he otherwise would have, even despite his injuries.
This lawsuit is not the first of its kind to be filed against the city of Los Angeles. Instead, they've been plagued in recent years with a number of different lawsuits having to do with area residents suffering injuries in horrific crashes.
Just as recent as last spring, the Los Angeles City Council agreed to pay another resident, this time a 56-year-old man, $4.5 million. In that case, the man was killed after being catapulted off his bike after he came upon uneven pavement in the neighborhood of Eagle Rock. In fact, to date the city has paid as much as $15 million toward bicycle accident settlements.
As for the victims' families, they hope that these large settlements will send a message to the city that they need to do more to ensure bicyclists' safety on the city's streets.
If you've been injured in a bike crash, then a Los Angeles bike crash attorney can advise you as to whether you may be entitled to file an injury claim in your case.
Source: Los Angeles Times, "Los Angeles OKs $6.5 million to settle lawsuit after cyclist hit a pothole," Emily Alpert Reyes, Sep. 06, 2017
]]>In 2015, 186 people died in crashes in Los Angeles. That number rose to 260 by 2016. As for this year, that number is projected to increase yet again.
]]> California Department of Transportation (CalDOT) argues that there are a number of factors at play that contribute to the city's high traffic-related death rate. Most notably there is drunk, distracted and drugged driving. They note that the increase in cars on the road has resulted in higher crash rates as well.For an increase in over 50 percent from one year to the next though, they emphasize something more has to be at play. They're determined that it must have to do with speed.
California's High Injury Network has determined that the approach of CalDOT has always been to try to get motorist to places faster. In light of the discovery that speeding is to blame for many traffic crashes, state and city lawmakers have shifted their attention to getting speed limits reduced.
Since 2015, the CalDOT has been successful in reducing the speed across 80 miles of the Los Angeles' city streets. They've also reprogrammed them to make them more visible. They've also extended curbs and added bike lanes to many of the city's streets.
Studies have shown that removing at least one traffic lane and replacing it with heavy planters to separate motorists from bikers slows motorists down. It also protects bikers from unnecessary injuries.
Despite the promising results that have been seen along the 80 miles of roadway that's already been converted, a lack of influx of money has slowed progress. Motorists, pedestrians and bikers will all continue to risk their lives until the project is implemented on a larger scale.
If you've been seriously injured after having been struck by a speeding motorist or because of some other type of driver negligence, then a Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney may be able to help in your case.
Source: Los Angeles Magazine, "Inside the audacious plan to eliminate traffic deaths in L.A.," Susan Carpenter, Aug. 21, 2017
]]>At the end of the day, this accident serves as a reminder to us all. Even though we may feel comfortable riding in many circumstances, we must remember where our limitations lie. Riding defensively, riding with full awareness of your surroundings and anticipating other motorists actions can help keep California and U.S. motorcyclists safe on our highways and byways.
]]>According to witness reports taken at the scene of the crash, the decedent had been traveling along southbound Freeway 5, just a short distance south of the Freeway 215. It's soon after the man had passed the freeway's intersection with Roxford Street that he came upon a Toyota T100.
]]> The driver of that pickup had previously made contact with the freeway's center divider just minutes before and was still stretched across its carpool lane. Moments later, the motorcyclist made contact with the pickup.By the time that an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department had arrived at the scene of the crash six minutes later at 4:30 a.m., the motorcyclist was unresponsive. By 4:40, he had been pronounced dead.
Crash scene investigators ultimately determined that two factors appeared to be responsible for causing the fatal crash. One one hand, they noted it was dark outside. They determined that, aside from the darkness, the fact that the truck was turned sideways without any lights illuminated on it made it difficult for the motorcyclist to see it.
In the case of motor vehicle accidents like this, if it can be proven that someone else's negligence resulted in an individual's death, then it may be possible to file a wrongful death lawsuit in the case. In filing a legal case such as this, the decedent's loved ones may be able to wage a claim for the reimbursement of medical expenses, funeral costs and future wages.
You may wish to discuss the details of the crash your loved one was involved in with a Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney. In doing so, you will be able to gain a better understanding as to whether negligence is clear enough in your case to file a wrongful death claim.
Source: Los Angeles Daily News, "Pierce and Valley College employee dies in motorcycle crash on 5 Freeway," Wes Woods, Aug. 29, 2017
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