Orange County residents who own motorcycles may choose to ride for any number of different reasons. Motorcycles can be a less expensive and convenient method of transportation than larger vehicles. On the other hand, some people just like to get on the road and ride for recreation. Regardless of the person’s reason for riding, however, motorcyclists should always take all possible safety precautions when on a motorcycle.
Recently, a rider died following a motorcycle and car accident in Costa Mesa. The accident took place at about 9:15 a.m. when the car and motorcycle collided in the westbound lanes of the Coast Highway. Authorities pronounced the motorcyclist dead at the scene of the accident.
Motorcycle accidents that result in fatalities or serious injuries are all too common in Orange County, and throughout the country. When these accidents occur, the rider is usually the one who suffers the most because a motorcycle is simply no match for a larger vehicle. Moreover, even the best safety gear is just not enough to protect a motorcyclist in an accident. For example, a helmet is not always sufficient to protect a rider from head injury if the person hits something at a high rate of speed.
Drivers is larger vehicles must do their part to look out for motorcyclists and avoid hitting them. People driving cars and trucks can easily fail to see a motorcycle because they are not as large as other vehicles.
Although the cause of this fatal motorcycle accident is not yet known, many of these accidents are the result of an inattentive driver in a car. A driver’s failure to yield to another vehicle is always a dangerous situation, but even more so when a motorcyclist is involved.
When a motorcyclist suffers injuries or death due to another driver’s negligence, victims or their families should understand their legal rights for getting compensation.
Source: Orange County Register, “Motorcyclist killed in Costa Mesa crash,” Salvador Hernandez, July 14, 2014
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