Driver Hits Motorcycle Attempting to Pass

Happy Holidays from the GoLaw Legal Network.  We wish you a Joyful, Healthy & Safe season with your family, friends, and loved ones. Thanks for the chance to have you as a “digital friend” on our social networks, and thanks also to GoMotorcycleCrash.com for sending us this month’s Safety Video Blog: Texas Driver Purposefully Swerves to Hit Passing Motorcyclist. 

Road Safety or Self Defense?

When we first watched the YouTube Video linked below, and saw through the eyes of the helmet camera cruising down the road on a bright sunny day, we found it very hard to believe. We all must be reminded me to Remain Alert, and to Always Drive Defensively.  No amount of Motorcyclist Safety School, however, can prevent another driver from committing negligence and poor judgement. In this case, it appears to be an intentional act of wrongdoing which caused this motorcycle/vehicle collision.

AutoBlog.com reports: “Two wrongs definitely don't make a right, especially on the road when lives are at risk. A motorcycle rider and his passenger in Texas were on the receiving end of that truism Saturday when a car they were attempting to illegally pass hit them, perhaps intentionally. Eric Sanders was riding on his motorcycle with his girlfriend Debra Simpson when they came up on some traffic, WFAA reported. Sanders says the driver was traveling 20 miles under the speed limit. They tried to pass the driver in a no passing zone, but that's no excuse for what happened next. The slow-moving car suddenly swerved into the motorcycle, sending the bike and its riders skittering across the blacktop.”

VIDEO: Driver Purposely Hits Passing Motorcyclist

According to Fox8.com: “Authorities are investigating after a car veered into a motorcycle on a rural North Texas road, an incident captured on video that left two people injured. The crash happened Saturday on a two-lane road about 5 miles north of Granbury, TX. Eric Sanders, the driver of the motorcycle, contends the car’s driver swerved intentionally. He suffered abrasions, and his girlfriend was taken to a Fort Worth hospital with a broken wrist and deep arm lacerations.”

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING VIDEO IS GRAPHIC AND CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE… PARENTAL GUIDANCE ADVISED...

YOUTUBE Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L13Z7Aa7ZXQ 

Published by Bikes_vs_Cops on Oct 17, 2015

Negligence or Attempted Murder?

Eric Sanders, the driver of the motorcycle, contends the car’s driver swerved intentionally. A video shows the motorcycle passing a car, which then veers left over a double yellow center line, upsetting the motorcycle and sending the riders into the roadway.

YOUTUBE Video Pt1:

Published by Mayhem Street-bikes on Oct 17, 2015

Video courtesy of : Eric Sanders

YOUTUBE Video Pt2:

Motorcycle Road Rage and Attempted Vehicular Homicide

The Fox8.com team continues the report: 

“The second motorcyclist, who captured the accident on his helmet cam, confronted the driver who can be heard on the video saying ‘I don’t care’ when asked what he was doing and why he hit the motorcyclist."

"The 68-year-old William Crum of Granbury was arrested Monday afternoon and charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Each felony count carries a punishment of two to 20 years in prison if convicted.”

GoLaw.com associated attorneys have many years experience in getting valuable settlements and awards for people injured in many different types of injury causing events including bike accidents, car wrecks, motorcycle crashes, public transportation injuries, semi truck accidents, slip & fall, and wrongful death. 

The Law offices of Mark A Doughty can be reached by calling 530-674-1440. Mark A Doughty has been practicing law in California since 1979. He has served the people of northern California and represented them without a fee (in accident cases) unless he recovers for them. For more information, please see http://GoLaw.com.

TBI: Traumatic Brain Injuries

Happy November from your friends at the GoLaw Legal Network.  We are Thankful for our Health & Safety, and for the chance to have you as a “digital friend” on our social networks.  Thanks to GoPersonalInjury.com for sending us this month’s Safety Blog on TBI: Traumatic Brain Injury. 

TBI: Traumatic Brain Injury

Many people are not aware that a motor vehicle collision can be a violent injury causing event, inflicting intense “G Forces” on the bodies of the occupants. These G-Forces, an effect of the acceleration of gravity at the earth’s surface, can in some cases cause TBI: traumatic brain injury. 

WHAT IS A TBI?

According to BrainLine.org and BrainInjury101.org, A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) can be defined as a blow or jolt to the head, or a penetrating head injury, that disrupts the function of the brain. Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a TBI, and the severity of such an injury may range from ‘mild’ (a brief change in mental status or consciousness) to ‘severe’ (an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia) after the injury. A TBI can result in short or long-term problems with independent function.

TBI FACTS:

• A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) occurs approximately every 15 seconds. 
• Nearly five million Americans currently suffer some form of TBI disability.
• Of the 1.7 million who sustain a TBI in the U.S. each year: 

• 52,000 die
• 275,000 are hospitalized
• 1.365 million are treated and released from an emergency department
• In the United States, TBI is a leading cause of death for people under the age of 45. 
• The Human Brain is perhaps the most complex object on earth, yet is soft and vulnerable with the consistency of a firm pudding. 
• The leading causes of TBI are Motor Vehicle Accidents, Falls, and Sports Injuries. 

TBI EFFECTS:

Physical symptoms of brain injury include:

• headaches
• difficulty coordinating balance
• blurred vision in one or both eyes
• milder vision problems
• seizures
• changes in sensory perception
• trouble speaking and swallowing
• changes in sleep patterns
• lack of bowel and bladder control
• changes in sexual function
• motor impairment (trouble moving body normally)

Functional/Emotional Changes:

• personality changes
• difficulty forming sentences or choosing vocabulary
• confusion
• trouble communicating
• difficulty with reason, focus and logic
• memory impairments
• depression
• poor concentration
• mood swings
• limited attention span
• disorientation
• difficulty remembering conversations/forgetfulness
• acting inappropriately

To adapt to these changes, it will help you and your loved one if you develop coping skills and find and use supportive resources.

GoLaw.com associated attorneys have many years experience in getting valuable settlements and awards for persons injured in many different types of injury causing events and accidents including bike accidents, car collisions, motorcycle wrecks, big rig truck crashes, and train collisions. 

The Law offices of Mark A Doughty can be reached by calling 530-674-1440. Mark A Doughty has been practicing law in California since 1979. He has served the people of northern California and represented them without a fee (in accident cases) unless he recovers for them. For more information, please see http://GoLaw.com.

DISTRACTED DRIVING LEADS TO CRASHES

Happy Halloween, everyone!  As the holidays approach, we at GoLaw.com hope you have a fun and stay safe. Thank you to AAA, AccidentDataCenter.com and GoPersonalInjury.com for this month’s Driving Safety Article: Friends or phones: Distracted driving a factor in 6 out of 10 teen crashes

Friends or phones: Distracted driving a factor in 6 out of 10 teen crashes

New idea for keeping teens safe: lock them up until they're 25.

OK, maybe that's not reasonable. But in a new report published by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, analysis of nearly 1,700 videos finds that 6 out of 10 moderate-to-severe crashes with teen drivers are caused by a distraction—either friends or phones. The foundation calls it "the most comprehensive research ever" into distracted teen driving. Teens in the U.S. have the highest crash rate of any group, and the AAA report shows that distraction is a much bigger problem than previously realized. Forbes writes,

For the study, researchers analyzed the six seconds leading up to a crash in 1,691 videos of teen drivers taken from in-vehicle event recorders. The results showed that distraction was a factor in 58 percent of all crashes studied. Previous estimates by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicated that distraction is a factor in only 14 percent of all teen driver crashes, the group said.

This is a jump from 1 in 10 to 6 in 10, indicating a huge public safety issue. While most countries have a minimum driving age of 18, the U.S. minimum age remains at 16 (or 15 with learner's permit). While many states have enacted laws about how many teens can be in a car at once, this research indicates that more states may want to follow suit—or pursue stronger laws—in the future. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says that, on average, graduated licensing reduces teen crashes 10-30 percent, and they even have a calculator where you can determine how graduated teen driving laws could lower rates of teen fatalities in your state. 

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the U.S., and the AAA report is telling us that most of them may be preventable through tougher restrictions on teen driving. Will legislators listen? 

YouTube Video by AAA: Distracted Teens Crash Causation

New research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety into distraction and teen crashes. (Courtesy AAA)

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Need to look up an accident report?

Check out Complete California Accident Reports and News @Accident Data Center

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YouTube Video by AAA: 58% percent of Teen Car Crashes Involve Distractions

A new study exposes a disturbing trend among teen drivers. AAA reports distraction was a factor in nearly six of 10 moderate or severe accidents involving teenagers. Car crashes are the leading cause of death for American teens. Wyatt Andrews reports from Washington with the sobering statistics.

The Law offices of Mark A Doughty can be reached by calling 530-674-1440. Mark A Doughty has been practicing law in California since 1979. He has served the people of northern California and represented them without a fee (in accident cases) unless he recovers for them. For more information, please see http://GoLaw.com.

NY Artist Attacked By Dogs

Dog and Animal Attacks have the ability to cause serious life threatening injuries. At GoLaw.com we have been helping people like you recover for medical bills, wage loss, plastic surgery and pain & suffering in Northern California since 1980. Thanks to GoPersonalInjury.com for finding this weekend’s safety article by CNN and the NY Daily News who reported the story of a New York Man Attacked by Dogs.

New York woman arrested after pit bulls maul man

New York (CNN) 

A pair of pit bulls left Francesco Bove so badly mutilated that a priest read him his last rites outside a New York church. "I think I'm going to die," the bloodied 62-year-old artist told the priest, Bove's son recalled Saturday. "But the priest made him promise that he will fight until the end."

The gruesome attack Friday was captured on video from the window of a tenement in the Bronx. The pit bulls are seen clamping onto Bove's arms with their jaws, shaking their heads violently, dragging him several feet toward the curb.

Good Samaritans try to stop the assault -- swinging a chain at the animals, spraying them with water. They attempt to encircle Bove, but the dogs swerve around to continue the attack. Still, the people probably helped save Bove's life.

"I got to the hospital and he was in pieces," Bove's son, Anthony Bove, said, describing gaping holes in his arms, a severed ear and the other split in half, and lacerations all over his body.

The horror began when the dogs' owner, Cynthia Oliver, 55, exchanged words with the victim, said NYPD spokeswoman Detective Annette Markowski. Oliver was holding the pit bulls and dropped the leash, she said. The dogs attacked.

But Anthony Bove said his father told him there was no altercation, no words exchanged.

Francesco Bove was walking to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church when one of the dogs pounced, followed by the other, according to the son.

"The dogs started biting," Anthony Bove said. "He's trying to push them away. They overpower him."

Oliver was taken to a hospital for a psychological evaluation before she was arrested on eight counts of assault and two counts of reckless endangerment, Markowski said. It's unclear whether she has an attorney.

In the video, another man steps in to help after Bove is knocked to the ground. The man uses his hands and legs, trying to keep the dogs at bay, but the animals find their way back to Bove.

The good Samaritan is knocked down. Screams are heard. "Let him go!" someone yells.

At least eight people on the street try to help as the pit pulls drag Bove away from the small crowd.

A woman can be heard off camera. It seems she is frantically calling 911. "These two dogs are outside attacking this man!"

One man is seen firing a stream of water at the dogs with a hose. Bove lies in a pool of blood.

"Hurry up, these dogs are attacking a man!" the woman yells off camera. "He's in the street bleeding!"

Man viciously attacked by pit bulls in Bronx; owner arrested (graphic images)

NY Daily News

KENNETH WILLIAMS/VIRALHOG | NY Daily News

Two pitbulls attack a man in the Bronx as a bystander tries to pull them off using their leashes.

Graphic cellphone video shows the dogs relentlessly lunging at Bove as he writhed on the ground in the middle of the street. Good Samaritan Emilio Ortiz, 46, tried to help, but the dogs kept at it and dragged Bove to the curb, their teeth clamped on his arms.

Police said Bove and the first man who jumped in to help -- an unidentified 46-year-old male -- were taken to St. Barnabas Hospital. The younger man, who suffered lacerations on his arms, was later released, according to Anthony Bove. Francesco Bove, an artist and restoration expert from Brooklyn, is in stable condition after undergoing surgery, according to his son. His severed ear was reconstructed. He will have another operation on Monday.

MICHAEL SCHWARTZ FOR NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Bove has stayed positive and joked to his son that at least he hadn’t been attacked by a lion.

"My father joked, 'If those were two lions, I wouldn't have made it,'" Anthony Bove said. "He's a really tough guy."

The elder Bove suffered nerve damage in his hands and hasn't been able to move his fingers, according to the son.

"He's an artist and does high-end restoration," Anthony Bove said. "He's very passionate about his art. If he couldn't move his hands I don't know how he would take that psychologically."

The pit bulls are now in custody of animal control authorities, Markowski said.

That worries the Boves, who own a pit bull named Gina as well as five cats.

"My father feels terrible that the dogs are probably going to be put to sleep," Anthony Bove said.

"The pit bull is not an inherently evil dog. But ... these pit bulls might have been trained as guard or attack dogs. He remembers the dogs licking his blood off the ground. They wanted to finish the job. That's very disturbing to him." CNN quoted.

The NY Daily News added: The attack was apparently not the first by the dogs. A neighbor, Marguerite Gauthier, 55, said one of the dogs bit her on the leg early last year, requiring her to get a tetanus shot. “The dogs are vicious,” she said, adding, “"When I go out, I always look to make sure they’re not around."

Meanwhile, Bove underwent five hours of surgery Friday night and is expected to stay in the hospital at least a week to undergo another surgery to move a nerve from his leg into his arm, his son said.

Bove… even showed some compassion for Oliver, who has been arrested 37 times since 1987, mostly on drug offenses. “She was a petite, weak lady. (The dogs) were dragging her wherever they go and she couldn’t hold onto (the leash),” he said. The two pit bulls were taken to a city Animal Care and Control facility, and may have to be euthanized, officials said. They may have treated him like a chew toy, but Bove is worried about the fate of his attackers. “I’m so sorry that they’re going to put them down,” Bove said.

* Caution: Images May Be Disturbing *

ON MOBILE? WATCH THE VIDEO HERE.

WATCH THE SECOND VIDEO HERE.

The Law offices of Mark A Doughty can be reached by calling 530-674-1440. Mark A Doughty has been practicing law in California since 1979. He has served the people of northern California and represented them without a fee (in accident cases) unless he recovers for them. For more information, please see http://GoLaw.com.

CHP Motorcycle Safety Video

#MotorcycleSafetyVideo: Listen to real-life stories of Motorcycle vs Car Accidents on California's Highway 99 and hear actual #CHP 911 Emergency Calls in “Motorcycle Safety - Thrill or Buzz Kill?” an Informational Video by the California Highway Patrol YouTube Channel.

“Motorcyclists need to be aware of the added danger they're in every day. 

This video will show you how to ride safer, and arrive alive.” -CHP

The California Highway Patrol promotes safe motorcycle riding. WARNING: The above video contains graphic views of the results of some motorcycle collisions. It's goal is to warn motorcyclists of the dangers that exist on the road every time you ride. If you're a motorcycle rider, you owe it to yourself to be careful.

The Law offices of Mark A Doughty can be reached by calling 530-674-1440. Mark A Doughty has been practicing law in California since 1979. He has served the people of northern California and represented them without a fee (in accident cases) unless he recovers for them. For more information, please see http://GoLaw.com.

Safety Road Review for Motorcyclists

It’s over halfway through Summer 2015 and our friends at GoMotorcycleCrash.com are ready to share more Motorcycle Safety Practices.  Thanks to Dennise Burbank at Farmers Insurance in Olivehurst, California for emailing us at GoLaw.com these important Motorcycle Safety Tips.

Motorcycles are a fun and fuel-efficient way to get around, especially during warmer months, but did you know that motorcyclists are approximately 26 times more likely to die in a crash than people in a car? Before you put the rubber to the road, take a moment to review these basic motorcycling safety tips:

Wear Protective Gear -- Always wear the proper riding gear, even for short trips, including a helmet with visor or goggles, leather or reinforced jacket, gloves, pants, and over-the-ankle boots.

Practice Defensive Driving -- Be extra alert to potential dangers. Always maintain a safe following distance, and avoid cars that are making erratic moves.

Pretend You Are Invisible -- Remember that to car drivers, you virtually disappear on the road. Be as conspicuous as possible by wearing bright clothing and riding with your headlights on, and always position yourself in the best spot to be seen.

Avoid Bad Road Conditions -- Avoid bad weather when possible. If you do get caught in changing conditions, be gentle with the brakes, throttle and steering, as the most dangerous time is right after precipitation begins when oil residue on roads rises to the top.

Learn Proper Techniques -- Take a motorcycle safety course in your area. Beyond the basic skills needed to obtain a motorcycle license, riders need to master evasive emergency maneuvers to stay safe from all of the other drivers on the road

GoLaw.com associated attorneys have many years experience in getting valuable settlements and awards for persons injured in many different types of injury causing events and accidents including bike accidents, car collisions, motorcycle injuries, big rig truck crashes, and train collisions. 

The Law offices of Mark A Doughty can be reached by calling 530-674-1440. Mark A Doughty has been practicing law in California since 1979. He has served the people of Northern California and represented them without a fee (in accident cases) unless he recovers for them. For more information, please see http://GoLaw.com.

Safe Motorcycle Riding Tips VIDEO

Watch this excellent Motorcycle Safety “Behind the Handlebars” Video by BlinkyCab on YouTube!

HOT TIPS FOR MOTORCYCLE RIDING SAFETY:

1.) DISTANCE

Always keep enough distance in front of your motorcycle and the vehicle in front of you.  It is also good to keep “Space Cushions” in the lanes to your left and right so as not to get boxed in by traffic.  Keep Safety Space around you and your bike at all times.

2.) LANE POSITION

Because a Motorcycle is smaller than a car, you have a choice of choosing between three (3) positions of your lane: left, center, and right.  Choose your safest lane position by paying close attention to traffic and your surrounding environment. Generally, It is best to avoid the center of the lane as it may be slick or slippery since that is where most vehicles leak fluids.

3.) BLIND SPOTS

Stay out of the Blind Spots of other drivers on the road.  Many vehicles have an area of the road that is difficult to see from the driver’s position.  These “Blind Spots” are usually about 45 degrees behind the driver’s left and right sides, and should be avoided by Motorcyclists.  Always make sure the other drivers on the road can see you!

4.) SHOULDER / MIRROR CHECK

Use the Shoulder and Mirror Check technique early and often to check your blind spots so that you can remain aware of vehicles driving close to you and your motorcycle. Make it a habit to check before changing lanes… EVERY TIME!

5.) SPEED

Every road has a speed limit.  Always obey the posted speed signs.  Drive Smart.  Drive Safe.  Arrive Alive!

6.) EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

Don’t get comfortable with how other cars and trucks on the road might be driving.  Always Drive Defensively.  Protect yourself at all times by staying alert and safe!

7.) UNSAFE LOADS

Unsafe Loads: Be alert for pickup trucks and Big Rigs that may have loose loads and unsecured items. A ladder or a loose box could cause a very serious collision for a motorcycle or scooter.

The Law offices of Mark A Doughty can be reached by calling 530-674-1440. Mark A Doughty has been practicing law in California since 1979. He has served the people of northern California and represented them without a fee (in accident cases) unless he recovers for them. For more information, please see http://GoLaw.com.

Motorcyclist Drug Under A Truck And Survives

Thanks to http://GoMotorcycleCrash.com for a dramatic and heroic True Story of a group of Good Samaritans who helped rescue a Southern California Motorcyclist that was trapped under a moving Truck on the 1st day of this Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.  As reported by #ABC7Eyewitness and CBS Los Angeles: a Motorcyclist was hit by a car while changing lanes on the eastbound 91 freeway, just west of the 71 in Corona, CA. Another driver, who thought he saw a bumper being drug beneath the vehicle, flagged down the truck driver so they could rescue the motorcyclist. Fortunately, the driver of the motorcycle received only minor injuries because he was wearing protective clothing and a quality helmet. 

A motorcyclist was rescued after being trapped under a pickup truck in Corona, CA, May 1, 2015. 

BYRON HOLEMAN/CBS LOS ANGELES

VIDEO: #DrugUnderATruck 

CBS Los Angeles tracked down the man who shot the video.

"I walk up to the guy, I put one knee down, I can see he's kind of groggy, everybody gets out, we're trying to figure out how to help him out, do we lift the car up, do we get jacks?" said Byron Holeman, one of many who came to aid the cyclist.

CBS VIDEO EMBED

According to witnesses and Corona Fire Department Spokesman John DeYoe, the motorcyclist was trapped and drug under the red Ford F-150 truck at freeway speeds. Another witness and rescuer included a local firefighter, Andrew Hubbard, who got a jack and was able to help lift the truck off him with the help of some Good Samaritans. Incredibly, the man was pulled free and hospitalized with only minor abrasions, DeYoe said.

Holeman said once paramedics were called, he started recording the rescue scene, which he then posted to Facebook. As of Memorial Day May 25th, the viral Facebook video had been viewed more than 7,226,000 times.

**Warning, the following video may be disturbing for some to watch.**

FACEBOOK VIDEO EMBED

So I'm commuting home today in the famous 91 freeway traffic. I see a pick up truck east bound just past Green River dragging what I thought might be a bumper. I take a closer look and realize it is a human body underneath the truck.  #Abc7eyewitness
Posted by Byron Holeman on Friday, May 1, 2015

Amazingly, the man escaped the ordeal in Riverside County with only minor injuries, largely thanks to his protective gear.

Screenshots from a video showing the rescue of a motorcyclist by a group of concerned citizens. Credit: Byron Holeman.

An ambulance arrived on the scene a short time later. The man, who was in full protective gear, suffered only minor injuries, but was taken to a local trauma center as a precaution. This story underscores the importance of staying alert while driving, and being extra careful to watch out for Motorcyclists. Thanks to the Good Samaritans and the Motorcyclist’s protective equipment for the positive conclusion to this serious event.

The Law offices of Mark A Doughty can be reached by calling 530-674-1440. Mark A Doughty has been practicing law in California since 1979. He has served the people of northern California and represented them without a fee (in accident cases) unless he recovers for them. For more information, please see http://GoLaw.com.

Sources: abc7, cbs los angeles, localnews7, facebook, patch, youtube

Related Tags: 91 Freway, Byron Holeman, Corona, Good Samaritans, Motorcycle, Rescue

MAY IS MOTORCYCLE SAFETY MONTH

As the weather is getting warmer, many people will be taking to the open road on their motorcycles.  Since the Month of May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, your friends at http://GoLaw.com and MyMotorcycleCrash.com have put together a few Tips about how to stay safe out there on the road.

Whether you drive a Honda or a Harley, a street bike or a road bike (or a street legal dirt bike), it is always important to remain alert and drive defensively.  The Motorcycle Driving Safety page on the NHTSA website reminds motorists “to safely ‘share the road’ with motorcycles and to be extra alert to help keep motorcyclists safe. Motorcyclists are reminded to make themselves visible to other motorists… (and) to always ride smart and sober.”

Motorcycle Fatality Statistics

A June 2014 study on Motorcycle Traffic Safety by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that:

• “In 2012, 4,957 motorcyclists were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes—an increase of 7% from the 4,630 motorcyclists killed in 2011. There were 93,000 motorcyclists injured during 2012, a 15% increase from 81,000 in 2011.“
• “In 2012, motorcyclists accounted for 15% of all traffic fatalities, 18% of all occupant (driver and passenger) fatalities, and 4% of all occupants injured. Of the 4,957 motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes, 93% (4,625) were riders and 7% (332) were passengers.”
• “Motorcycles made up 3% of all registered vehicles in the United States in 2012 and accounted for only 0.7 percent of all vehicle miles traveled. Per vehicle mile traveled in 2012, motorcyclists were more than 26 times likely than passenger car occupants to die in motor vehicle traffic crashes and 5 times more likely to be injured.”
• “Per registered vehicle, the fatality rate for motorcyclists in 2012 was 6 times the fatality rate for passenger car occupants. The injury rate for motorcyclists was about the same as the injury rate for passenger car occupants.”

Helmet Use and Effectiveness 

NHTSA estimates that helmets saved the lives of 1,699 motorcyclists in 2012. If all motorcyclists had worn helmets, an additional 781 lives could have been saved.

According to a May 6, 2014 article by the LA TIMES, the NHTSA found: "There were 10 times as many unhelmeted motorcyclist fatalities in states without universal helmet laws, compared to states with universal helmet laws, in 2012."  Kendell Poole, GHSA chairman, added: “By far, helmets are the single most effective way to prevent serious injury and death in the event of a motorcycle crash.”

That’s good news since motorcycle deaths had been steadily rising for ten years between 1998-2008, according to a January 11, 2013 UT San Diego article. “California’s annual motorcycle death toll peaked at 560 in 2008”, perhaps because of the downturn in the economy, then began rising again in 2011.  “An official with the California Office of Traffic Safety reported that most fatal motorcycle accidents happen on the weekends when people often take to the open road for pleasure, rather than during weekday commutes.”

The Los Angeles Times article quotes “Dr. James Hedlund, a former National Highway Traffic Safety Administration official who authored the study: “More universal helmet laws, reduced alcohol impairment, better motorcycle rider training and licensing, and more driver awareness of motorcycles could all help to cut motorcycle rider deaths.”  According to Hedlund: “There is a mathematical correlation between helmet laws and rider deaths: ‘When helmet use goes down, rider fatalities go up,’ he said.”

“Driver education would also help”, Dr. James Hedlund said. “A high percentage of fatal motorcycle accidents occurred ‘when a car [driver], typically, doesn't see the motorcyclist and turns left in front of the motorcycle’.”

The California Highway Patrol “also strongly encourages all motorcycle riders to sign up for the California Motorcyclist Safety Program, which is administered by the CHP as California's official motorcycle safety and training program. The Program offers courses for new and experienced riders. Find out more about the California Motorcyclist Safety Program.”

California residents who find themselves injured in a motorcycle crash or who have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident may wish to research their options for filing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. A civil action may provide an accident victim the opportunity to pursue monetary damages in court that may help cover medical bills, lost income, funeral costs and other related expenses.

The Law offices of Mark A Doughty can be reached by calling 530-674-1440. Mark A Doughty has been practicing law in California since 1979. He has served the people of northern California and represented them without a fee (in accident cases) unless he recovers for them. For more information, please see http://GoLaw.com.

CALIFORNIA WRONGFUL DEATH LAW

You may have heard the term “Wrongful Death”, but how much do you know about the State of California’s Laws regarding the negligent death of an Adult?  According to LegInfo.Ca.Gov, The Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60 - 377.62 states that a Wrongful Death is defined as: “A cause of action for the death of a person caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another”.  Basically, “Wrongful Death” allows a deceased accident victim’s family to seek damages and compensation under California Law.

The AccidentDataCenter.com’s article What Every Family Needs To Know About A Wrongful Death Case states: ”When someone is killed because of the carelessness or misconduct of another person, the surviving members of the victim's family may bring a "wrongful death" lawsuit.  Wrongful death lawsuits can also be filed against Corporations and Governmental Agencies for their negligence… (and) may arise out of a number of situations, for example: Automobile Accident, Defective Product, or Medical Malpractice.”

WrongfulDeathCaseLaw.com’s Ultimate Guide Article asks: “COMPENSATION CANNOT BRING MY LOVED ONE BACK. WHY SHOULD I SEEK IT?”

While no amount of compensation can restore a lost life, and no award of damages can replace the love you received from a family member who died, Monetary Compensation — an award of money — is the method by which our civil justice system dispenses justice. If you are entitled to compensation, there are several reasons why you should seek it.

• Replacing Financial Support of the lost loved one
• Deterring future misconduct and negligent acts
• Promoting product safety
• Personal satisfaction / Closure

Compensation in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit may help to cure the Financial Loss of losing a loved one.  Medical and Funeral Expenses, Lost Prospect of Inheritance, and Loss of Support and Services are all weighed by the court to provide a “Fair and Just” compensation to the surviving family.  In some states, Punitive Damages may also be awarded in cases of serious or malicious wrongdoing to punish the defendant and deter others from repeating similar bad behavior.

The Statute of Limitations is the time limit for bringing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit and varies from state to state.  One state’s statute of limitations might only be one year, while another’s might be as long as three years, so it’s very important to Contact an Accident Injury Attorney in your state early to determine your legal rights.

The Law offices of Mark A Doughty can be reached by calling 530-674-1440. Mark A Doughty has been practicing law in California since 1979. He has served the people of Northern California and represented them without a fee (in accident cases) unless he recovers for them. For more information, please see http://GoLaw.com.

How Hitches Affect Rear End Collisions

It’s time for another one of our Driving Safety Tips from your friends at GoLaw.com

Did you know that your vehicle’s Trailer Hitch has the ability to Increase the Risks of Injury to you and your occupants? The impact of a Rear End Vehicle Collision can cause painful injuries including soft tissue damage, and can be much worse on occupants if a trailer hitch is installed since it is attached directly to the frame.  Most modern vehicles are designed to protect their passengers from the impact energy of a Car Crash with "crumple zone” safety features.  However, when the hitch is inserted into the receiver so the "g forces” (Forces of Gravity increase the injuries) are transferred directly to the frame of the vehicle and the occupants bodies, there is the possibility for greater trauma since the impact could not be absorbed in the crush zones. For this same reason, it is typical to see the Property Damage be less severe with a lower cost to repair than it would have been had no hitch and ball been installed in the receiver.

As reported in the National Safety Commission Alert: “the most frequent vehicle accident (in the United States) is the rear end collision” and “a vehicle equipped with a receiver hitch (tow bar) increases the risk of whiplash by 22% if it is hit in the rear”.  According to the article: “A receiver hitch completely changes the crash dynamics.”

Continuing: “It has been shown that the occupants of the "target" vehicle will move forward at 2.5 times (or more) then that of the "bullet" vehicle. So a small 5 mph impact will send the occupants of the target vehicle flying forward at 12 – 13 mph – certainly enough force to hurt people. This change in acceleration or "Delta V" is what influences Whiplash.”

Interesting Rear End Vehicle Collision facts:

• Approximately 75% of all rear end collisions are less than 10 mph, and Low speed Rear End Collisions (less than 10 mph) accentuate the Whiplash more than High speed ones.
• 94% of all rear end collisions occur on straight roads while 56% of all rear end crashes are straight on.
• Only 14.2% of the people that hit you in the rear will miss your receiver hitch entirely.
• 48% of the people that hit you in the rear – are not slowing down.
• 80% of all rear end collisions are caused by driver inattention.
• Women are twice as likely to end up with a whiplash injury as Men.

The Law offices of Mark A Doughty can be reached by calling 530-674-1440. Mark A Doughty has been practicing law in California since 1979. He has served the people of northern California and represented them without a fee (in accident cases) unless he recovers for them. For more information, please see http://GoLaw.com.

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If you or one of your family or friends are involved in a car accident, motorcycle wreck, slip and fall, or other injury producing event caused by the negligence of others, call the Law offices of Mark A Doughty at 530-674-1440. Mark A Doughty has been practicing law in California since 1979. He has served the people of northern California and represented them without a fee (in accident cases) unless he recovers for them. For more information, please see http://GoLaw.com.