Are motorcyclists safe in California?
Southern California boasts one of the nation’s best climates for riding a motorcycle at any time of the year. Many people cherish their time on two wheels as a break from sitting in cars and for the ability to enjoy the open air on special trips and outings. Other people find that riding a motorcycle offers them the ability to save money on their daily commute as a motorcycle often gets superior fuel efficiency compared to many standard cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles. Whatever the reason for hopping on a bike, riders should always be aware of the dangers that exist to them when sharing the road with other motorists.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration records, the state has experienced something of an up-and-down trend with the number of motorcyclist fatalities for the past several years. In 2015, there were 494 such deaths, down from the 522 recorded the prior year. However, that was followed by two successive increases in biker deaths first to 576 and then to 578 in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Last year saw a decline but there were sill 488 motorcyclists who died in accidents.
Between 2014 and 2018, Los Angeles County led the region with the most number of fatalities among bikers. There, 644 riders died in those five years. Neighboring San Bernardino and Riverside Counties recorded 437 and 434 deaths, respectively.
This information is not intended to provide legal advice but is instead meant to give residents in California an overview of the true nature of the risks they face when riding a motorcycle on the state’s roads and highways so they understand the importance of seeking proper assistance after any accident.
