Stockton Injury Lawyer Blog

According to Recordnet.com, a collision between a bicyclist and a motorcycle in Lodi ended tragically after a bicyclist attempted to cross the road and was hit by a motorcyclist.

The motorcycle was unable to maneuver quickly enough to avoid the accident. Tragically, the bicyclist died from his injuries and the motorcyclist sustained critical injuries.

With the increasing popularity of bicycles as a mode of transportation, we all need to increase our awareness of each other on the road. Further, while it is unknown the exact circumstances surrounding this accident, it serves as a important and frightening reminder to all motorists and bicyclists to follow some basic safety tips to help keep California roadways safe.

These tips include:

For all drivers - motorcyclists, car drivers, truck drivers and bicyclists - avoid distracted driving. Texting while driving is illegal in California and has been shown to increase the risk of accidents and death significantly.

Further, whatever your mode of transportation, follow safety precautions. Whether this means wearing a helming, wearing bright clothing or following the rules of the road, taking simple actions can save your life and prevent injury.

Finally, use common sense and be aware of your surroundings. Taking time to anticipate another's movements can often avoid an accident completely.

Unfortunately, even with precautions and safety measures accidents do happen. Hopefully though, by working together we can improve the safety of California roadways.

Continue reading "Tragic Lodi Bicycle/Motorcycle Collision Kills One" »

This week, Los Angeles Mayor Antonia Villaraigosa joined the ranks of numerous public officials calling for drivers to stop texting while driving.
The State of California banned texting while driving over a year and a half ago, but many drivers throughout Marin County, Stockton and all of California still continue to text while driving.

Texting can be deadly. In fact, some statistics estimate that you are 23 times more like to be in a car accident if you text while you are driving.

A bill is currently pending before the Sacramento state senate that seeks to increase first time fines from texting from $20 to $50 for violations and from $50 to $100 for each additional offense.

Bicyclists would be fined $20 for texting while bicycling.

The current law is being ignored by many, especially teenagers. According to the Pew Research Center's Internet and American Life Project, 26 percent of American teens admitted driving while texting.

Continue reading "Texting While Driving On The Rise In California " »

The week provides a great opportunity to raise awareness among California bicyclists - as well as drivers - regarding bike safety. In conjunction with National Ride to Work Week, professional bike racers emphasized the need for safety after Lance Armstrong crashed in the Tour of California, causing him to drop out, and David Zabriskie, a bike/car collision survivor, won Stage 3 of the Tour from San Francisco to Monterey and took the overall lead.

Armstrong's injuries include a large gash below his eye and a severe bruise.

Zabriskie's injuries occurred several years ago, during a training ride.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), 540,000 bicyclists end up in the emergency room after suffering bicycling accidents.

In 2003, Zabriskie was injured when a car turned suddenly in front of him. He was hospitalized with a shattered leg. After his accident, Zabriskie started "Yield to Life," an organization dedicated to raising bike-safety issues, emphasizing drivers and cyclists sharing the road.

Zabriskie states that safety is really about using common-sense. Car drivers need to be more patient. Even a "tap" from a car can make a cyclist fall, shattering bones or causing substantial injuries, such as brain, back or head injuries.

At the same time, cyclists need to follow the rules. They need to wear protective gear and pay attention to the rules of the road.

Zabriskie also notes that too often cyclists and drivers are pitted against each other. Instead they need to work together. Drivers should remember that cyclists have a right to the road, and cyclist need to remember that just because they have a right to the road, they don't own the road.

Continue reading "Tour Of California Underscores Need For Bike Safety" »

A popular member of the Stanislaus County Bicycling Club died Monday after being struck by a pick-up truck. According to the Modesto Bee, William Foltz, 73, was an easygoing man who "always rode with a smile on his face." Foltz was in the right lane and put his hand out to signal before attempting to cross the left lane. Unfortunately, the lane was not clear and he was hit from behind. The investigation is ongoing, but the driver has not been cited.

Foltz' accident underscores the hazards of bicycling. Despite the prevalence of bicycling on California roadways, many motorists fail to share the road with cyclists. Unfortunately, in car vs. bike accidents, the bicyclist often suffers serious injuries such as broken bones, brain injuries and head trauma.

Some simple safety tips can help reduce your risk of injury. These include:
• Always wear a helmet
• Wear bright colors
• Obey traffic controls
• Ride your bike near the right-hand edge of the road
• Use hand signals when turning or stopping
• Be careful when checking traffic

Although bicyclists need to take precautions, motorists have to do their part and allow bicyclists room to maneuver. As a result of this latest accident, some cyclists are calling for Modesto to enact a "3-foot rule" such as that adopted in other cities requiring drivers yield at least 3 feet to bicyclists on the road.

Continue reading "Modesto Bicycling Accident Ends In Tragedy" »