Speeding motorcyclist killed in Long Beach crash
A 57-year-old motorcyclist lost his life after crashing into a GMC SUV on Ellis Street in Long Beach. According to the police, John Blackwell Jr. was riding a 2014 Kawasaki at high speed when his motorcycle collided with an SUV that was making a turn into a parking lot. Blackwell suffered serious injury to the lower body and was pronounced dead at the scene. The SUV driver remained at the scene and there are no indications he was either distracted or intoxicated.
Speeding is, unfortunately, the leading cause of fatalities in motorcycle crashes. In 2020, 5,268 motorcycle riders were killed in crashes nationwide. About 34% of those fatal crashes involved speeding, By comparison, alcohol was a factor in only 27% of all fatal motorcycle accidents.
How fast can you ride a motorcycle in California?
Many young people dream of getting a bike and going at full speed on an open road. According to statistics, 45% of the bikers killed in crashes caused by speed were young, 24 to 29 years old.
What many young people ignore is that motorcyclists are not above the law. They must follow the same traffic rules as the rest of the motorists. This includes observing speed limits. The speed limits posted on a road apply to everyone.
Also, under California laws, motorcyclists should not drive more than 10 mph faster than the flow of surrounding traffic.
On the other hand, motorcyclists have the same rights as car or truck drivers.
A motorcycle rider injured in a crash should contact a good Long Beach personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Why is it harder for a biker to recover damages from a crash?
There’s a lot of prejudice against motorcyclists. Most drivers resent bikers for being able to move freely in a traffic jam. California is the only state where lane splitting is legal, although motorcyclists should only do that when the traffic is stalled or slowed, not when everyone is going at high speed.
Motorists should not try to block a motorcycle and should take steps to avoid a crash.
In California, drivers who block a motorcycle rider’s path on purpose are breaking the law. This includes opening a car door or keeping it open for longer than strictly needed. If a car driver does that to you, an experienced lawyer will help you hold him accountable for damages.
Can a motorcyclist recover damages if he wasn’t wearing a helmet?
Under California laws, wearing a helmet is mandatory for all bikers and passengers on their motorcycles. A motorcyclist riding without a helmet risks a $250 fine, but if he is injured in an accident he can still recover damages. According to seasoned California personal injury lawyers, it all depends on the location of the injury. If the biker breaks a leg in an accident, the fact that he was not wearing a helmet is irrelevant. If the car driver caused the crash, he will be liable for the biker’s damages.
Have you been injured in a motorcycle accident in California?
If you or a loved one were recently injured in a motorcycle accident in Long Beach or the Los Angeles area, contact the skilled attorneys at the Neumann Law Group. Our attorneys possess many years of experience in personal injury and wrongful death cases. Through our dedicated representation of accident victims and their families, we will help you bring the at-fault driver to justice. To schedule a free initial consultation, call our toll-free number at 800-525-6386. To contact our California office, call 213-277-0001.