According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 36 Orange County, California motorcycle deaths last year--a 44% increase from the 25 motorcycle fatalities that occurred in Orange County in 2007. This increase becomes even more significant number-wise when you consider that there were less total traffic deaths--163 fatalities in 2008--compared to the 194 Orange County, California motor vehicle deaths in 2007.
The California Highway Patrol says the common causes of motorcycle accidents in the state include:
• Improper turning
• Riding at an unsafe speed
• Improper passing
• Unsafe lane changes
• Lane splicing
California is the only US state that doesn't ban lane splitting, which involves a motorcycle driving between two lanes of traffic. Under California law, lane splitting is allowed as long as the maneuver is done safely. The California Department of Motor Vehicles handbook for motorcycle riders, however, acknowledges that lane splitting is not safe.
Last Wednesday, motorcycle rider Jason R. Doerr was killed on the 405N at the 22 freeway when his 2006 Harley-Davidson bumped into a Toyota Matrix. Doerr fell off his bike and was run over by a Buick sedan. He died at the crash site. The California Highway Patrol believes that Doerr was lane splitting when the catastrophic Orange County, California motorcycle crash happened.
Lane Splitting
Lane splitting can be dangerous because it allows motorcycles and cars to travel at such close proximity to one another. This gives both drivers less time and space to maneuver to avoid a potential traffic accident. Although it may seem that the motorcyclist would be held responsible for the motor vehicle crash by choosing to split lanes, there are cases when Orange County, California traffic accidents involving lane splicing were caused by a trucker or a car driver or a bus driver who acted negligently.
Motorcyclists reflect on lane-splitting after death, OC Register, August 17, 2009
CHP: Rider killed in crash may have split lanes, OC Register, August 12, 2009
Motorcycle Accidents: Lane Splitting, Nolo
Related Web Resources:
NHTSA
California Motorcycle Handbook, DMV (PDF)
Our Anaheim personal injury lawyers know how to prove liability in your Orange County, California motor vehicle accident case. Contact Howard Nassiri, LLP today.
