As a fellow motorcycle enthusiast and Bay Area Motorcycle Accident Attorney, I cringe every time I read about a serious motorcycle accident with severe injuries. On Thursday, May 31, 2012, a motorcycle injury accident occured in San Jose about 6:00 p.m. when an SUV struck the motorcycle traveling southbound on I-280 near the Meridian Avenue off-ramp, causing serious personal injuries to the motorcyclist.
The injured motorcyslist was taken to Valley Medical Center. According to the CHP, the crash is still under investigation. Initial reports did not indicate that drugs or alcohol played a factor.
Why do I report motorcycle accidents? By reporting motorcycle collisions, I hope to raise public awareness and encourage all motorists to be extra careful around motorcyclists, particularly when making lane changes, entering the freeway or making a left turn.
I hear too often car or truck drivers casually saying they do not see motorcycles on the road, as if that could possibly excuse crashing into a motorcycle. While motorcycles are more difficult to see than automobiles or trucks, they certainly are not invisible.
As an operator of a car or truck, it is important to maintain a proper lookout for all users of the road whether that includes other cars, trucks or motorcycles–and let’s not forget bicycles and pedestrians. Collisions can be avoided if drivers remain aware of their surroundings. You have to actually look for other users of a road. That is a driver’s job.
It is true that motorcyclists should be extra cautious since they are far more likely to suffer injuries than other motorists should there be a collision. Regardless of the rules, being a defensive driver–as a motorcylist–is highly necessary.
To the injured motorcyclist in this San Jose motorcycle crash, I send my sincere best wishes and hopes for a speedy recovery.
About the author: Claude Wyle is an aggressive advocate for San Francisco Bay Area motorcylists, bicyclists and pedestrians. Claude has decades of experience representing those harmed by the wrongful conduct of others, and, as a San Francisco motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian accident attorney, has fought to protect the rights of those injured throughout his legal career. Claude is also an avid cyclist and motorcyclist himself and member of the Marin County Bicycle Coalition, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition and Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition and is a sponsor of Safe Routes to School. This year, Claude is going to lecture to End Distracted Driving. Please follow this blog for more details on future events aimed at ending distracted driving in California and nationally.
