Using Technology to Minimize the Risk of a Motorcycle Accident-old

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New High-Tech Developments Enhance Biker Safety

When You're in a Motorcycle Accident Caused by a Road HazardEverywhere you turn, things are getting smarter—your television, your appliances… and now your motorcycle. A number of technological innovations have hit the market recently, all designed to help you maximize the enjoyment of your motorcycle while helping you stay safer. Here are some of the more popular new technologies:

  • Airbags—Airbag technology is applied differently to motorcycles—it’s in the clothing you buy, rather than the bike. The most basic airbags are tethered to your bike and deploy when a cord is pulled. The more sophisticated products have computerized systems that detect an impending crash.
  • Directional headlights—The single headlight on a motorcycle, pointed straight ahead, has always been less than adequate, particularly when you’re turning a corner at night. New adaptive headlights use sensors to pivot when you’re rounding a turn, so your headlights shine where you’re going.
  • Antilock braking—Slamming on your brakes is one of the least effective and most dangerous ways to try to stop your bike. Antilock brakes create a “feathering” effect by rapidly reducing and reapplying the brakes a number of times per second. Studies show that fatal crash rates are about one-third lower on bikes with antilock braking systems.
  • Electronic throttle control—This technology replaces the traditional accelerator cable with an electronic device that minimizes the risk of accidental sudden acceleration.
  • Smart helmets—A number of helmet manufacturers are incorporating Bluetooth technology into helmets, allowing riders to see GPS images and rearview cameras on thevisor of their helmet

Another technology in development, but not yet ready for release is vehicle-to-vehicle communication, which integrates sensors into a bike to accomplish two objectives: emitting a signal to nearby vehicles making them aware of the presence of the bike; and giving motorcyclists notification of the presence of nearby vehicles.

Contact Our Offices

At the law offices of Weber & Nierenberg, we have been successfully representing people hurt in motorcycle accidents for more than three decades. To arrange a free initial consultation, Send us an e-mail or call 1-866-288-6010

A Checklist for Bikers—More Safety Tips from the Open Road

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A Checklist for Bikers More Safety Tips from the Open RoadAs important as it can be to drive defensively and employ other safe driving practices, it’s just as critical that you don’t go out on the road on a bike that’s not road-ready. Here’s a checklist that you should go through every time you get ready to ride.

Before You Get on the Bike

Some of the most important safety measures come before you ever throw your leg over the bike:

  • Check the ground below your motorcycle—Is there anything suspicious on the ground—oil or gas spills or anything that’s fallen off the bike?
  • Are all your lights working properly?—Check your headlights, signals and tail lights, including high beams
  • Tires—Inspect the tread for signs of wear, and make certain there are no cracks or bulges anywhere
  • Fluid levels—Check fluid levels weekly to make certain there are no leaks and that you have ample fluids

After You Get on Your Bike

If everything looks good so far, climb on the bike and test the following:

  • Mirrors—Make certain mirrors are clean and free of cracks, and that they are properly adjusted
  • Clutch and throttle—Rev the engine and release—the throttle should snap back. Also confirm that the clutch engages smoothly.
  • Horn—Make certain it’s working correctly
  • Brakes—Before you pull onto the road, check the front and rear brakes (at a slow speed)

Contact Weber & Nierenberg

At Weber & Nierenberg, we bring over 30 years of experience to people in and around San Francisco Bay area who have been injured in a motorcycle accident. We built our practice on a strong commitment to personal service and attention. We’ll take the time to learn the unique aspects of your case, so that we can tailor our representation to get the outcome you want. When you hire us to help you pursue full and fair compensation for all your losses, Joe Nierenberg will work directly with you throughout the process.

To set up a free initial consultation with an experienced California motorcycle accident injury attorney, contact Weber & Nierenberg by e-mail or call our office at 1-866-288-6010.

In the Aftermath of a Motorcycle Accident Injury

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Aftermath of a Motorcycle Accident InjuryAny motor vehicle accident is frightening, but the risk of serious injury is far greater when you are operating or riding on a motorcycle. Here are some of the key things to remember to protect yourself when you have been involved in a motorcycle wreck.

Take Care of Your Health First

The most important thing, after a collision involving a motorcycle, is to get the medical treatment you need. It’s not the time to shake things off or be strong…it’s the time to make certain you don’t take any further unnecessary risk. If you don’t think you can move under your own power, don’t try to do so. Wait until emergency medical technicians arrive and tell them what’s going on. Let them decide whether you need to leave the scene in an ambulance or are able to get up and walk away.

Be sure to tell doctors, nurses and medical professionals about anything that is out of the ordinary. Don’t focus on the obvious injury and ignore the less apparent one. Often, it’s the injuries you can’t see—muscle pulls, connective tissue trauma—that will be the most debilitating. Make certain all medical assessments are documented in writing.

Be Careful What You Say to Insurance Companies

You need to notify your insurance company of the accident, but you want to be careful how much you say. Your insurer has a vested interest in paying as little as possible to settle your claim. You will often be better served to hire an attorney as soon as possible and let your attorney be your liaison with insurance company personnel.

Contact Weber & Nierenberg

At Weber & Nierenberg, we bring over 30 years of experience to people in and around the San Francisco Bay area who have been injured in a motorcycle accident. We built our practice on a strong commitment to personal service and attention. We’ll take the time to learn the unique aspects of your case, so that we can tailor our representation to get the outcome you want. When you hire us to help you pursue full and fair compensation for all your losses, Joe Nierenberg will work directly with you throughout the process.

To set up a free initial consultation with an experienced California motorcycle accident injury attorney, contact Weber & Nierenberg by e-mail or call our office at 1-866-288-6010.

Bikers Beware – California Highway Patrol Beefs Up Enforcement Efforts

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California Highway PatrolIt’s summer in California and, for many, there’s no better feeling than flying down the coast on a motorcycle with the wind in your face. Let’s face it—the scenic beauty and amazing terrain in California are like no other place on earth. Unfortunately, when you’re on a bike, you’re just not as visible as you are in other motor vehicles, and it’s a lot easier to lose control in an emergency. Though statistics show that most motorcycle accidents are caused by the negligence or carelessness of car and truck drivers, the California Highway patrol has indicated that it will be increasing its efforts to ensure that bikers don’t violate speed limits or other traffic laws.

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, local offices of the California Highway Patrol will begin increased enforcement of aggressive driving or speeding laws among motorcyclists, beginning on August 1 and continuing until the end of September. Funding for the program comes from a grant through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The program will be implemented statewide.

Contact Weber & Nierenberg

At Weber & Nierenberg, we bring over 30 years of experience to people in and around the San Francisco Bay area who have been injured in a motorcycle accident. We built our practice on a strong commitment to personal service and attention. We’ll take the time to learn the unique aspects of your case, so that we can tailor our representation to get the outcome you want. When you hire us to help you pursue full and fair compensation for all your losses, Joe Nierenberg will work directly with you throughout the process.

To set up a free initial consultation with an experienced California motorcycle accident injury attorney, contact Weber & Nierenberg by e-mail or call our office at 1-866-288-6010.

CDC Says Universal Helmet Law Would Reduce Injury

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CDC Says Universal Helmet Law Would Reduce InjuryThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that research shows an effective way to reduce the number and severity of injury sustained by motorcyclists and their passengers—get all states to adopt a universal helmet law. In a study conducted by the CDC, motorcycle-related fatalities were reduced anywhere from 20 to 40 percent by the use of a helmet, and brain injuries in some places were lowered by up to 70% when bikers opted to wear protective headgear. The CDC looked at more than 60 studies, all of which showed a positive impact from wearing helmets. The CDC also said that the more reliable studies tended to show the maximum benefit from wearing helmets.

CDC research also indicated that one of the most effective ways to ensure that motorcyclists wore helmets was to enact state laws mandating helmet use. They say that, as more states have implemented mandatory helmet laws, the percentage of bikers nationwide choosing to wear helmets has steadily increased, reaching a level of approximately 70% in recent year (and even higher, if the percentage of bikers wearing non-compliant helmets is counted). They found that states with a universal helmet law had almost 90% compliance, whereas just more than half (55%) of motorcyclists in states without helmet laws chose to wear one.

The CDC study also found that states that repealed a helmet law consistently saw a dramatic rise in motorcycle-related fatalities. In Florida, for example, when legislators did away with the universal helmet law, there was an 80% increase in deaths in motorcycle accidents.

Contact Weber & Nierenberg

At Weber & Nierenberg, we bring over 30 years of experience to people in and around the San Francisco Bay Area who have been injured in a motorcycle accidents. We built our practice on a strong commitment to personal service and attention. We’ll take the time to learn the unique aspects of your case, so that we can tailor our representation to get the outcome you want. When you hire us to help you pursue full and fair compensation for all your losses, Joe Nierenberg will work directly with you throughout the process.

To set up a free initial consultation with an experienced California motorcycle accident injury attorney, contact Weber & Nierenberg by e-mail or call our office at 1-866-288-6010.

Motorcycle Fatalities Climb Nationwide, Down in California

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Motorcycle Fatalities Climb Nationwide, Down in CaliforniaAccording to data compiled by the Governors Highway Association, the number of deaths tied to motorcycle accidents jumped nearly 10% in 2015, with more than 5,000 fatalities reported. It’s only the third time since officials started keeping statistics that the number has topped 5,000. Surprisingly, though, during the same period in California, the death toll from motorcycle crashes dropped 7%.

During the same time period, motor vehicle accidents also escalated, leading researchers to speculate that the nationwide rise is tied to lower fuel prices and a stronger economy. They say that, to a degree, it’s simple mathematics. When gas prices are lower and the economy is stronger, bikers have more disposable income and there’s more incentive to get on the road. If accident rates remain unchanged, the number of accidents (and deaths) will likely rise, because of the greater numbers of bikers on the roads. Officials also say that a milder winter across the United States most likely put motorcyclists on the road earlier, also leading to a rise in accidents.

Officials say that motorcycle deaths are still a disproportionate part of the number of fatalities on California roads, accounting for 17% of the fatal motor vehicle accidents, with only 3% of the registered drivers and about one percent of the miles driven.

Contact Weber & Nierenberg

At Weber & Nierenberg, we bring over 30 years of experience to people in and around the San Francisco Bay Area who have been injured in a motorcycle accident. We built our practice on a strong commitment to personal service and attention. We’ll take the time to learn the unique aspects of your case, so that we can tailor our representation to get the outcome you want. When you hire us to help you pursue full and fair compensation for all your losses, Joe Nierenberg will work directly with you throughout the process.

To set up a free initial consultation with an experienced California motorcycle accident injury attorney, contact Weber & Nierenberg by e-mail or call our office at 1-866-288-6010.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

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car-bike-acident

Safety experts have long known that motorcycle accidents are far more deadly than other types of motor vehicle accidents, with statistics showing the fatality rate to be 35 times that of other motorists per mile driven. You can never fully protect yourself from the carelessness or inattention of other drivers, but understanding the most frequent causes of car-motorcycle accidents may help you anticipate and avoid potentially dangerous situations. Here are the most common factors leading to motorcycle crashes.

Head-On Accidents

In nearly four of every five (78%) of car-motorcycle collisions, an automobile strikes the bike from the front. Such an impact is deadly, accounting for more than half of the deaths in motorcycle accidents (56%). More than half of those accidents happen when the driver of another motor vehicle makes a left turn into the path of the oncoming motorcyclist. When questioned after such an accident, most motorists contend that they never saw the biker until it was too late.

Lane Splitting

Lane splitting is an extremely dangerous tactic, where a motorcyclist passes cars or other motorists by riding between lanes of traffic. Lane splitting makes it extremely difficult for a biker to maneuver, and bikers who are lane splitting may not be visible in a driver’s side-view mirror.

Road Hazards

With just two wheels, a motorcycle is generally less stable than a car. Accordingly, when you unexpectedly hit loose gravel, a pothole or detritus on the road, you can easily lose control and crash.

Contact Weber & Nierenberg

At Weber & Nierenberg, we bring over 30 years of experience to people in and around SF Bay Area who have been injured in a motorcycle accident. We built our practice on a strong commitment to personal service and attention. We’ll take the time to learn the unique aspects of your case, so that we can tailor our representation to get the outcome you want. When you hire us to help you pursue full and fair compensation for all your losses, Joe Nierenberg will work directly with you throughout the process.

To set up a free initial consultation with an experienced California motorcycle accident injury attorney, contact Weber & Nierenberg by e-mail or call our office at 1-866-288-6010.

Las Vegas Dispute leads to Deadly Auto Crash

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A dispute that began in a Las Vegas Hotel ended in a deadly shooting and car crash. As a result, three people were killed and at least three people were injured. The cars involved in the crash were a silver-gray Maserati and a black Range Rover SUV. The Maserati sped off and the SUV had followed at high speeds. Then at around 4:30 a.m. at a stoplight, gunshots were shot from the SUV and hit into the Maserati. As a result, the Maserati crashed into a taxi cab that exploded on impact. The cab driver and passenger were killed at the scene, while the Maserati driver was pronounced dead at a hospital, and a passenger in the Maserati was injured. The SUV that sped away is currently on the lookout by police authorities in three states and is considered to be armed and dangerous. Read more: Full article.

When a loved one dies suddenly because of an accident, the family faces extraordinary grief and a wide range of legal matters to settle. If your relative was killed in a wrongful death accident, turn the legal matters over to a wrongful death attorney at the Weber & Nierenberg law firm.

Driving Cars and motorcycles rashly at high speed can cause severe accidents resulting in grievious injuries to motorcyclists and car passengers. Many motorcycle accidents and Auto Crashes are caused by public transportation drivers, hit and run accidents, right hand turn accidents, and poorly maintained roadways. Motorcyclists should know their rights. For example, under the California Vehicle Code Section 21801, any driver making a left turn have to yield the right of way to all vehicles (including motorcycles) which lawfully come from the other direction and are close enough to constitute a hazard.

The attorneys of Weber and Nierenberg offer free initial consultation for those affected by personal injury, car accident matters, and wrongful death. Our attorneys represent clients on a contingency basis in wrongful death claims. If you are a victim of a wrongful death claim, please contact Weber and Nierenberg for a consultation at 1-866-288-6010.

 
 
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