In Modesto, motorcycle riders must obtain a license (Class M1 or M2), just like any other driver. They must obey traffic laws and they have all the same rights as any other driver on the road. Unfortunately, some four-wheeled drivers don't always pay attention to riders on two wheels and accidents do happen.
According to the State of California's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) estimates from 2008, more than 500 motorcyclists were killed in the state and thousands more were injured in accidents. Sadly, those numbers were on the rise for 2009. And most of the accidents could have been prevented with increased driver awareness, says Caltrans Director Will Kempton. Too many car drivers ignore motorcycles until it's too late, causing dangerous situations on highways and residential streets.
Sometimes, a car or truck driver will actually see a motorcyclist, and then pull out in front of the motorcycle like it's not even there. Occasionally this is intentional, but most times it's simply a lack of observation. Motorcycles are a fraction of the size of semi trucks and big SUVs and drivers simply discount the motorcycle's presence. Other times, careless drivers will discard debris out of their windows, causing a motorcyclist to swerve and collide with a tree or telephone pole. These cases can be especially devastating at high speeds.
If you've been involved in a motorcycle accident, contact an experienced motorcycle attorney today. An attorney can help you recover damages for broken bones, road rash and damage to your motorcycle caused by a negligent driver.
