Young Motorcycle Rider Killed in North River Road Crash
According to police sources, a 25-year-old San Diego motorcyclist was killed in a collision that may have involved excessive speed. The rider was heading west on North River Road when he collided with a Toyota minivan turning left onto Festival Drive.
The driver of the van and a passenger suffered non-life threatening injuries and were transported to the Tri-City Medical Center. The motorcyclist died at the scene. An investigation into the circumstances of the crash continues.
Road Dangers for Motorcycle Riders
Motorcycle riding has become an increasingly popular activity in recent years. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were approximately 8.5 million motorcycles on the road in 2012.
NHTSA statistics also show that in 2012, 4,957 people died in motorcycle crashes in the US. This is a 7.1 percent increase from the 4,630 killed in 2011. NHTSA also reported that 93,000 motorcyclists were injured in 2012, an increase from the 81,000 injured in 2011. Experts conclude that motorcyclists are 26 times more likely to die in a crash than a passenger in a vehicle per mile traveled. Motorcyclists are also five times more likely to be injured per mile traveled than a vehicle’s passenger.
Many efforts to reduce motorcycle accident rates focus on the motorcycle riders themselves. Motorcyclists are urged to pay attention to their surroundings and avoid speeding or drinking and riding. Theoretically, this makes them far less likely to get into an accident.
Obviously, motorcycle riders should take all possible precautions to prevent accidents. However, many motorcycle accidents are caused by the negligence of a passenger vehicle driver, not the motorcyclist.
Fighting for Motorcycle Rider Rights
There is a prevailing attitude among some people that motorcycle riders are responsible for their own injuries, no matter what the circumstances of the crash. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may have been told that it was your own fault for riding a motorcycle in the first place. This attitude completely ignores the negligence of the driver who caused your accident, but unfortunately it is a powerful argument used against those who are victims of these crashes to prevent them from collecting compensation.
If you have been injured, you may be entitled to payment for those injuries. This could include reimbursement of your medical bills and other expenses as well as sums for your pain and suffering. In order to explore the possibilities, contact Dan Gilleon in San Diego today. With years of practical experience handling motorcycle accident cases, Dan Gilleon will help you stand up for yourself and hold the person responsible for your accident accountable.
