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Statistics Show Increase in Number of Motorcycle Accidents in Los Angeles

There’s bad news for Los Angeles’ motorcycle lovers – California Highway Patrol statistics say that the number of motorcycle accidents in the city has doubled over the past eight years.

According to a report in SGVTribune.com, the number of people dying in motorcycle accidents in Los Angeles County in 2001 was 51. In 2008, that number had shot up to 96. The pervious year, 85 people died as result of motorcycle crashes in the county.

One of the worst places a motorcycle rider could be riding on is Glendora Mountain Road in the Angeles National Forest. That stretch of road has seen some severe accidents that have involved fatalities. People who died there have included seasoned, experienced motorcyclists who have been riding for years, followed all safety precautions and wore helmets. There have been several biker versus biker collisions here too. A 5-mile stretch on the west 10 Freeway is also another motorcycle crash hotspot. Most of the accidents reported there have either resulted in severe injuries or deaths.

So, what’s causing the increased number of motorcycle accidents? Blame the prices of gas. Motorcycle crashes are more commonplace now simply because there are more licensed motorcyclists on the roads, as a result of high gas prices. As of now, 1.2 million people in California have a license to ride a motorcycle. That is an increase of about 300,000 in the past seven years. As the gasoline crisis peaked over spring and summer of 2008, people began looking for alternative, cheaper modes of transport. Walking, cycling, and motorcycling became the three popular options for getting around. Unfortunately, the increase in people choosing these forms of transportation has meant that there are more of them on the roads than there used to be in years past, and therefore, they are involved in more numbers of accidents than before. Like with pedestrians and bicyclists, there has been a backlash against the increasing number of motorcyclists on the road. The public continues to battle with the idea of a person choosing to ride his way to work or elsewhere as a “biker gang type,” which can translate into aggressive driving or road rage against these people.

A collision between a motorcycle and another vehicle almost always ends up weighed heavily against the rider. Statistics show that compared to a person involved in a car accident, a motorcycle rider is 37 times more likely to die as a result of the accident. A majority of these accidents can be traced to the fault of motorist involved in the crash. Besides, there are dangerous roads that are often responsible for motorcycles skidding out of control. More than passenger cars, motorcycles need a well-maintained, smooth, and even surface to ride safely on. Motorcycle crashes are more frequent in the absence of a good road surface, sufficient lighting, or barriers or signage that warn of dangers ahead. Agencies responsible for building and maintaining the roads can be held liable for injuries in such cases. Motorcycle accident lawyers may be able to help determine the liability of the parties concerned, so that victims receive full compensation.

The Reeves Law Group is a law firm with offices throughout California dedicated exclusively to the representation of personal injury victims, including victims of motorcycle accidents. Please visit our website at trlglaw.com. If you desire a free consultation on a personal injury matter, please call us at (800) 644-8000 or email us.

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