The Mercury News reports that a 28-year-old motorcyclist was killed in an accident on the Capitol Expressway. The deadly collision as the rider was attempting to split lanes. The motorcycle collided with a pickup truck and the rider was thrown from his bike before being struck by another vehicle.
Catastrophic highway accidents are on the rise in San Jose, California, and throughout the United States. Here, our San Jose motorcycle accident lawyer discusses the rise in catastrophic automobile crashes and the heightened risks that motorcyclists face.
Public Health Crisis: Catastrophic Motor Vehicle Accidents are on the Rise
The COVID-19 pandemic is not the only public health crisis currently affecting our communities. Over the last 24 months, there has been a sharp rise in the rate of catastrophic and deadly crashes throughout the United States. The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that 2020 saw the steepest spike in the per-vehicle-mile-driven car accident fatality rate in nearly a century.
The preliminary data for 2021 is alarming. Earlier this year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released its initial estimates for road safety for the first half of 2021. The NHTSA estimates that 20,160 were killed in car crashes nationwide between January 1st, 2021 and June 30th, 2021—a nearly 19% jump from the same period the previous year.
Northern California is seeing similar traffic death increases as the rest of the country. The San Jose Police Department reports that the fatality is the 59th reported on the city’s roads this year. The record high for traffic fatalities in a single year in San Jose is 60, it was set in 2015. Unfortunately, San Jose remains on a pace to match or exceed its city record for motor vehicle accident fatalities.
Motorcyclists Face Heightened Safety Risks
As motorcycle riders are classified as vulnerable road-users, it is imperative that they take the proper precautions to protect their health and well-being. A report from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) that more than eight in 10 multi-vehicle collisions involving a motorcycle result in an injury to the rider. Many of these injuries are quite serious. Here are four motorcycle safety tips to help keep you safe:
- Always Wear a Helmet: Motorcycle helmets are required in California. Helmets reduce brain injuries and save lives. Riders without an approved safety helmet are at much higher risk of a serious injury.
- Do Not Assume Motorists Can See You: Too many drivers fail to recognize the presence of motorcycles. Be careful around full-sized cars. Try to make yourself visible. Defensive riding can make a dramatic difference.
- Slow Down: Not only does speeding increase the risk of a collision, it makes any crash that does occur all the more likely to result in serious injuries (or worse).
- Maintain Your Bike: Proactive vehicle maintenance is a must. A significant share of motorcycle crashes happen because of inadequate vehicle maintenance.
Get Help From a Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorney in San Jose
Alexander Law Group, LLP attorneys are available to answer questions and share our knowledge of the law and the results of our research and experience. Our goal as personal injury lawyers is to make a difference for our clients. Every day we deal with a range of health and safety issues that most people do not encounter until after an injury occurs. We are safety lawyers committed to sharing with our clients, colleagues, and the public information for safe and healthy living. Call 888-777-1776 or contact us online to schedule a consultation to see how we can help you.
