Safety Tips, Legal News, and Updates on your rights from Personal Injury Attorney Mark A Doughty. If you need more information about accident law, or if you need a lawyer, go to http://GoLaw.com
A biker narrowly escaped a violent crash with a large cargo truck at an intersection in China, and it was all caught on camera!
A CNN Video from April 30, 2016 shows how important it is for Bicyclists, Motorcyclists, and riders of Scooters/Vespas to wear protective equipment, maintain a safety space bubble around you, and to stay defensively aware of your surroundings at all times! Last month, an alert biker narrowly escaped a near-fatal collision with a large cargo truck while waiting for the light to change at an intersection in China. This incredibly dangerous truck crash and near injury-producing event was all caught on camera. CNN affiliate CCTV has more.
Northern California Accident Injury Attorney Mark A Doughty’s Law Offices can be reached by calling 530-674-1440. The Law Offices of Mark A. Doughty have been practicing serious Motorcycle collision and other personal injury law such as: automobile crashes, truck crashes, and big rig collisions, in California since 1979. If you or loved one have suffered an injury due to the negligence of another, please contact the law offices of Mark A Doughty. 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.
Baltimore Ravens cornerback Tray Walker died Friday from injuries sustained a day earlier in a motorcycle accident in Miami, his agent Ronald Butler confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. Walker suffered head and other injuries when his dirt bike collided with an SUV on Thursday night. His family was at his bedside when he passed at about 5 p.m. ET in Friday, according to Butler. "He had the type of injuries that — unless he was treated within minutes of the accident — the survival rate is slim to none," Butler said. "He was not responsive the entire time he was transported to the hospital. I was able to see him this morning and I could kind of tell (the injuries could prove fatal)."
Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco said he was devastated by the news.
“Tray was a young man who was full of energy and promise,” Flacco said. “This is very hard to wrap my head around. As a parent, I cannot imagine what his family is going through right now. All of my thoughts are with them. My hope is that we can be a little bit of help by being a second family for them.”
Rookie Tray Walker, cornerback, Ravens' 4th round (136th overall) pick, talks with news media after first day of rookie camp at Under Armour Performance Center. Walker died Friday, March 18, 2016 from injuries sustained in a motorbike accident the previous night. (Kenneth K. Lam / Baltimore Sun)
"Tray was a young man with a good and kind heart," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said in a statement. "He was humble and loved everything about being part of the Ravens' team. He loved his teammates, the practice and the preparation, and that showed every day. He was coachable, did his most to improve and worked to become the best.
"I'll never forget that smile. He always seemed to be next to me during the national anthem; then we would give each other a big hug. May he rest in the Peace of Christ Jesus forever."
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell offered his condolences in a statement: "The loss of this young man is a terrible tragedy, and this is a sad day for everyone in the NFL. Our thoughts are with Tray's family and friends, his teammates, and the entire Baltimore Ravens organization."
Police said the dirt bike Walker was riding had no lights and he was not wearing a helmet. He was also wearing dark clothing at the time of the crash, police said. Police are continuing their investigation of the incident.
Riding motorcycles can be dangerous even if you wear protective equipment andobserve all laws. If you or a loved one is injured in a motorcycle accident, contact the Law offices of Mark A Doughty which can be reached by calling 916-979-1917. 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.
Expertise.com recently mentioned The Law Office of Mark A Doughty as one of the Best Personal Injury Lawyers in Sacramento, California. The Seattle, WA firm “…looked at 325 Personal Injury Lawyers in Sacramento and picked the Top 25”. Read more about how Expertise highlighted the top twenty-five experts out of hundreds of personal injury lawyers that were reviewed, and how they analyzed and scored each business on more than twenty-five variables across six categories to create a hand-picked list of the Best Personal Injury Lawyers in the Northern California Sacramento Area.
1. Reputation: A history of delighted customers as a signal of outstanding service.
2. Credibility: Building customer confidence with licensing, industry accreditations, and awards.
3. Experience: Masters of their craft, based on years of practical experience and education.
4. Availability: Consistently approachable and responsive, so customers never feel ignored.
5. Professionalism: Providing customers a seamless experience both online and off.
6. Engagement: Actively engaged with their customers across a number of platforms.
The mission at Expertise.com is to revolutionize the way consumers and experts connect. They want to make choosing the right expert simple. Once the businesses are ranked, their team manually reviews the highest scoring results to ensure that they can proudly stand behind each of the selections. Expertise gathers all of the relevant contact information, and writes detailed descriptions to give online viewers a clear overview of each business.
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.
A number of members of the GoLaw family drive Toyota vehicles and have had good results with respect to longevity and ease of maintenance. Even so, one of our vehicles (a 2009 Toyota Yaris) received a number of IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICES during the past year, including:
- Toyota Driver Side Seat Track Assembly: In the seat rail of the driver seat of the subject vehicles, the springs used for the mechanism which locks the seat rail in its adjusting positions could break. This can happen if the seat is adjusted forward and/or rearward with high frequency. If a seat rail spring breaks, the seat may not lock into the adjusted position. If the vehicle is operated with a broken seat real spring, the seat could move in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
- Toyota Steering Column Spiral Cable Assembly:The steering column assembly in the involved vehicles contains a spiral cable assembly with electrical connections to the driver’s airbag module that could become damaged when the steering wheel is turned. If this occurs, the air bag warning lamp will illuminate. In addition, the driver’s air bag could be come deactivated, causing it to not deploy in the event of a crash. This could increase the risk of injury to the driver in certain types of crashes.
Either one of these issues could create a dangerous situation, and if both occurred together, the result could be fatal. The above described Automobile Safety Recall Notices were sent to us “in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act”, and each applied to more car models than just ours, including certain:
- 2009-2010 Model Year Corolla and Corolla Matrix Vehicles
- 2008-2010 Model Year Highlander Vehicles
- 2009-2010 Model Year Tacoma Vehicles
- 2006-2008 Model Year RAV4 Vehicles
- 2008-2010 Model Year Scion xD
- 2006-2010 Model Year Yaris Hatchback and Sedan Vehicles
It was a fairly straightforward process for us to get the URGENT SAFETY RECALLS performed FREE OF CHARGE, but if you have other questions about the above recalls, click: Toyota.com/Recall or search your auto manufacturer/model and the term “recall” in your preferred online search engine such as Bing/MSN, Google, and/or Yahoo!. If you believe a dealer has failed or is unable to remedy the defect within a reasonable time, click: SaferCar.Gov
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.
Happy New Year! We at the GoLaw Legal Network and our friends at GoPersonalInjury.com have made a resolution to share more Auto Safety Tips and Best Practices with our “digital friends” like you through our Online Social Networks. Thanks to Dennise Burbank at Farmers Insurance near Marysville, California for emailing us at GoLaw.com this important article about Auto Safety Recalls.
What to Expect When an Automaker Finds Defects
Buying a new car doesn't guarantee the vehicle will be without problems. Manufacturers issue recalls when an automotive defect is found that could pose a danger to drivers or passengers. In fact, 2014 was a record-breaking year for car recalls in the U.S., with more than 60 million vehicles affected by approximately 700 announcements.
The Recall Process
Any number of problems can incite a recall -- from malfunctioning accelerators to defective steering parts and everything in between.
Once issues are discovered, automakers are legally required to send recall letters to the registered owner of each vehicle detailing what's wrong, the risks posed, and where the vehicle can be serviced. The notice will also include a list of potential warning signs to help determine if a vehicle requires immediate attention.
When the problem is less serious, the automaker sends a service bulletin to dealers, notifying them of the concern and outlining how to resolve it. Often referred to as "secret warranties," these announcements usually go unpublicized since the issues don't pose a threat to safety.
A manufacturer who issues a recall notice to drivers or a service bulletin to dealers accepts the financial liability for the recall-related repairs as long as a designated dealership or repair site services the vehicle.
How to Stay Aware of Recalls
Before buying a car manufactured in the last 10 years, check for recalls online. Search the recall database maintained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to determine if recalls have been issued or if a particular vehicle has missed necessary recall-related repairs.
If you think your vehicle has a safety defect, report it to the NHTSA so potential safety hazards can be investigated and addressed. If the NHTSA receives enough complaints on a specific make and model, the government agency will launch an investigation.
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.
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...
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.
“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.”
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.
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 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.
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?
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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
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.
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.
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.
"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
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.”
“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.
