motorcycle accidents

January 24, 2020

Should I File a Claim if I Was Partially at Fault for My Rancho Bernardo Motorcycle Accident?

Getting hurt in a motorcycle crash in Rancho Bernardo can be devastating. When motorcyclists are involved in collisions with cars or trucks, the motorcyclist often is the one who sustains particularly severe injuries. As the Insurance Information Institute (III) explains, “motorcycles are by their nature far less crashworthy than closed vehicles,” making motorcyclists more vulnerable in the event of an accident. While motor vehicle drivers often are at fault for motorcycle crashes in Southern California, motorcyclists can also bear some responsibility for the collision. If you were involved in a motorcycle accident and you think you may have been partially to blame, you may be wondering: Should I still file a claim even if I am partially at fault?

Generally speaking, it is extremely important to file a claim even if you think you may bear some responsibility for the crash. Yet perhaps even more importantly, you should know the proper steps for moving forward with your claim to give yourself the best chance at obtaining full compensation for your losses.

Do Not Admit Fault—Even if You Think You Might be Partially to Blame

April 18, 2019

Motorcycle Crash Rates Increase in Southern California (and North County)

by Walton Law Firm

Whether you are in North County or another part of San Diego County, it is important to know that motorcycle crashes, and auto accidents more generally, are on the rise. While California does not have the deadliest roads in the U.S., it certainly does not have the safest ones, either.

According to a recent report in the Patch, traffic collisions are the leading cause of death for Americans under the age of 55. Motorists in California should know that there were 3,623 deaths in motor vehicle crashes in 2016—one of the highest rates in the country—and that the road death rate is 9.2 per 100,000. Those figures place California at a rank of 38th in terms of the deadliest state roads in the country. Many of those collisions could be prevented, and the numbers are even worse when we look at motorcycle accident fatalities.

Motorcycle Accidents are Common in California

May 23, 2017

Motorcycle Awareness Month in Valley Center

by Walton Law Firm

If you live in Valley Center or elsewhere in Southern California, now is a great time to learn more about motorcycle safety. According to a recent article in the Patch, May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in California, and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is taking steps to prevent serious and deadly motorcycle accidents throughout the state. Although the weather is warm enough year-round for motorcyclists to enjoy the streets and highways of Southern California, it is a fact that more bikers are on the road in the spring and summer months. As such, it is an important time to assess previous motorcycle safety problems and to institute better practices going forward.

High Rate of Motorcycle Accidents Last Year in California

As the article explains, we are not seeing a noticeable reduction in the rates of motorcycle accidents in California. In 2015, there were 494 motorcycle accident fatalities and more than 13,500 accident-related injuries. By 2016, the number of nonfatal accidents had increased to more than 14,000, while the fatality rate dropped, although not considerably, to 476.

January 1, 2016

Motorcycle Safety Enforcement in California

by Walton Law Firm

If you are riding on a motorcycle in San Diego, are you at higher risk of suffering injuries in an auto accident than other motorists? According to a recent article in the Ventura County Star, law enforcement officials in our state are concerned about motorcyclist safety and are conducting motorcycle safety enforcement operations in Southern California. It is important to know the risks associated with motorcycle accidents, and it is essential for bikers to understand the ways in which we can all work together to prevent deadly crashes.

Safety Enforcement Operation Targets Common Motorcycle Accident Areas

According to the article, earlier this month the Ventura County sheriff’s office planned an operation to “patrol areas frequented by motorcyclists and where motorcycle crashes have occurred.” The law enforcement officers planned to keep a close eye on traffic violations committed by automobile drivers, but also by motorcyclists who share the roadways. While not all motorcycle collisions occur during daylight hours, more auto accidents happen during the daytime work week than you might think. As such, the enforcement period focused on the hours between 7:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.