May is behind us but the lessons from the California Highway Patrol’s Motorcycle Safety Awareness month will be with us for years to come. At The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker we have worked with many victims in motorcycle accidents. In that time, we have learned just how serious these accidents can be and what steps can be taken to reduce the risk. Read on to learn more and then contact us at 800-333-0000 if you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a motorcycle accident.
Just How Deadly Are Motorcycle Accidents?
Before we get to the rest of the statistics, it is important to understand just how common fatal accidents are on motorcycles. According to the latest CHP statistics, fatalities are 28 times more common in motorcycle accidents than they are in other vehicles. This means that if a motorcycle accident happens, the person on the motorcycle is 28 times more likely to die than a person who was in a car.
Facts About California Motorcycle Accidents
There were nearly 17,000 motorcycle accidents in California in 2018. Those accidents resulted in the death of 460 people. This is actually a decrease from 2017 when there were more than 17,000 crashes in total and 577 people killed in those accidents. According to the most recent statistics, there are upwards of 900,000 registered motorcycles in the state and nearly 1.5 million licensed riders.
The May Move to Increase Motorcycle Safety Awareness
In May, both the California Highway Patrol and other groups worked together to look at the safety issues motorcycle riders face. They started a program called Get Educated and Ride Safe – GEARS for short. There were various outreach efforts to both drivers and motorcycle riders throughout the month.
They also sought to raise awareness about the existence of their California Motorcyclist Safety Program (CMSP). It has more than 100 training sites across California and trains about 55,000 motorcyclists each year. Finally, the groups worked to increase awareness of the importance of not just wearing helmets and protective gear, but wearing gear that has is complaint with the recommendations of the United States Department of Transportation.
Do You Know What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in California?
Many people have no idea what to do after they are involved in a motorcycle accident in California. The first step of course is to get medical care if needed. Even if you are not seriously injured and do not go away in an ambulance, it is still generally a good idea to go to your own doctor to get checked out. Some injuries are not immediately obvious but can be serious.
The next step is to contact a personal injury attorney who can help you understand your legal options. You can reach The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 now for your free legal consultation.
