On May 28, a motorcyclist was killed in a hit-and-run crash in Northridge.
The accident occurred in the early evening when a dark BMW sedan made a left turn on Yolanda Avenue and hit a motorcycle. The driver left the scene of the accident.
According to first responders from the LA Fire Department, the motorcyclist was dead at the scene.
How to Be Safe on a Motorcycle
While riding a motorcycle can be exciting, it can also be dangerous. Motorcyclists are more likely to suffer fatal injuries in accidents because they don’t have the protection of a vehicle. Here are a few tips for staying safe on a motorcycle.
- Avoid distractions. Just like drivers of motor vehicles, motorcyclists need to focus on the road at all times. Otherwise, they may not have enough time to respond to hazards on the road. Don’t send text messages, talk on the phone or do anything else that may take your attention off the road.
- Make yourself more visible. Motorcycles are much smaller than vehicles, so they are more difficult to spot. As such, it is important to make yourself as visible as possible. Wear bright clothes, especially if you are riding at night.
- Avoid lane splitting. As a motorcycle accident lawyer can confirm, lane splitting is one of the most common causes of motorcycle crashes. When motorcyclists ride between lanes, motorists will be less likely to see them and may hit them.
- Don’t speed. When you’re riding your motorcycle on a nice day, it can be tempting to go a little faster. However, the legal professionals at Barry P. Goldberg advise against going above the speed limit. Doing so can lower your reaction time or force you to lose control of your motorcycle.
- Take a motorcycle safety course. Operating a motorcycle is different from operating a vehicle. Therefore, it is wise to take a motorcycle safety course before getting on a motorcycle. An instructor will teach you how to operate a motorcycle safely so that you are less likely to get in an accident.
- Wear the proper safety gear. Before you get on a motorcycle, make sure to put on the proper safety gear, like a helmet, riding boots, leather pants and gloves. If you do get in an accident, the safety gear could protect you against life-threatening injuries.
If you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident, you should schedule a consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. What happened to you wasn’t fair and you deserve to be properly compensated for it.
