Though automobile drivers are often the culprits of collisions with cyclists, sometimes the cyclist makes a poor decision that can result in extreme bodily harm and even death.

Glenn Thomas Brunck of Greensboro, North Carolina failed to yield the right-of-way while operating his moped on February 21, 2010. Mr. Brunck made a right turn onto High Point Road from a driveway and was struck by an oncoming vehicle. Mr. Brunck, who might have sustained only minor injuries, was lucky. Accidents involving cyclists often end in devastating harm.

In Reidsville, North Carolina, Talia Maria Mercado, 14, was taken by EMS to the hospital after her bicycle collided with an automobile on February 27, 2010. In this case, the rider stated that she had been wearing headphones, and as a result, did not notice the car approaching an upcoming intersection on her left. Only after it was too late did the rider attempt, unsuccessfully, to stop.

Then, on a recent Friday afternoon, I wrecked my bicycle while riding after nightfall on the Lake Brandt Greenway in Greensboro. I labored under the illusion that the headlight and taillight on my bicycle would adequately light the path. However, after seeing several deer cross the path up ahead, I collided quite unexpectedly with one of them. The deer struck me on the side and sent man, animal, and machine flying in different directions. Fortunately, I was not seriously injured.

Having had this experience, I suggest that riders invest in lighting that can be affixed to the helmet in addition to the usual headlight attached to the handlebar. While a handlebar-affixed light is a good thing to have, it is limited by its capacity to point only in the direction in which the bike itself is pointed. A helmet-mounted light can illuminate things that may not be in the path of the cycle; indeed, the rider can illuminate anything he can point his head toward.

We are trained to look for obstacles in the path ahead, but three accidents have taught me that dangers often approach from the sides. Cyclists must remain alert at all times and make careful decisions while operating their vehicles or risk bodily harm, as you can see in this video that depicts a case of failure to yield on the part of a moped rider:

www.youtube.com/watch

A couple of weeks ago I commented on the number of pedestrian accidents in San Francisco. Today, as an avid motorcyclist and bicyclist myself, as well as a San Francisco motorcycle accident attorney and bicycle accident attorney and dangerous roadway attorney I am happy to see the Saratoga News reporting that the State is actually addressing some serious problems particularly for bicycle riders, motorcycle riders and truck drivers. I point to motorcycles and bicycles specifically because, with no protection around us, they are most susceptible to the dangers of the roadway. Truck drivers, while well-protected in terms of being physically enclosed, are often involved in accidents that are primarily the result of dangerous roadway conditions. Moreover, truck accidents often result in more serious injuries and larger number of deaths than other traffic accidents.

While Highway 9 is a beautiful road and enticing to motorcycle riders and bicyclists and even automobile drivers, it has always been a challenging road to drive safely and these improvements should help to reduce bicycle accidents, motorcycle accidents, and truck accidents, we hope.

From Saratoga News (Powered by The Mercury News)

By Brian Babcock

In an effort to improve safety on Highway 9, the California Department of Transportation will be upgrading three dangerous curves on the winding roadway.

Caltrans has just wrapped up its comment period where residents could make their own suggestions on the proposed project, said Nick Saleh, regional project manager. Caltrans will now review the comments and reply within the next few months.

The $13 million project calls for improving sight distance and roadway and shoulder upgrades at the three spots, which are located near Hakone Gardens, Pierce Road and Saratoga Springs.

Forty-foot retaining walls will be constructed and trees and vegetation will be removed to improve sight distance for drivers, a Caltrans environmental report states. Metal beam guardrails will be constructed along the curves and a soft-median barrier will be constructed to warn drivers that they have moved into the other lane.

Warning signs will also be added along the stretches of road between Sixth Street and Highway 35 that will remind drivers to "share the road" with bicyclists.

"The improvements within all three locations is limited to areas having a concentration of cross- center line accidents," said Bernard Walik, public information officer with Caltrans.

The accidents could be being caused by vehicles that are traveling too fast around the curves or because of a lack of a clear view around the roadway, Saleh said.

There was no one particular accident that caused Caltrans to look into upgrading the three locations, he added.

The improvements are part of Caltrans safety monitoring program and were monitored by the department's Total Quality Control Management Team, Saleh said, which identifies areas of significant need of safety upgrades.

The transportation department's team reviewed accident reports collected from law enforcement officials, he added, and concluded that the three areas had the most potential to be improved.

The project is slated to begin late next year after Caltrans reviews resident comments and finishes its environmental impact report and designs for the improvements, he said.

"We 100 percent support the safety improvement project," said Cap. Terry Calderone of the Santa Clara County Office of the Sheriff—West Valley Division.

Calderone said that small grooves were drill into the ground in areas of Highway 9 about six months ago. The grooves seem to have helped lower accidents up in the hillside, he said.

He added that a similar project is being proposed in Los Altos Hills.

During construction Highway 9 will be turned into a one-way traffic road at those locations. The project is expected to take up to nine months to a year to complete, Saleh said.

"The project will have a minimum impact on residents," he said.

To review Caltrans draft environmental impact report for the Highway 9 safety improvement project, visit http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist4/envdocs.htm#route9

A motorcycle accident claimed the life of a motorcyclist, 51, today, when a black bear ran out in front of his motorcycle causing him to lose control on a Marion County road, according to Florida Highway patrol.

He was pronounced dead at Waterman Hospital following the crash, which occurred just after 9:00 p.m. on county Road 42 near Southeast 284 Terrace. His wife, riding another motorcycle behind him, was not injured.

The motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet, according to a report by FHP. Animal officials are unsure if the bear was injured.

For more information on motorcycle accidents, please refer to our Help Center where you will find several helpful articles on motorcycle safety and more.

The best way to find the right lawyer is to know the right questions to ask before you hire a lawyer for your case. These questions are a good start:

1. What experience do you have handling serious motorcycle accidents injury claims?
2. Have you ever written a book or educational documents on motorcycle accidents and insurance claims?
3. Have you ever spoken to groups of other lawyers and professionals about accident cases and insurance laws?
4. Do you have a website with information on motorcycle accident cases and free forms that I can print to make my insurance claims?
5. What kinds of settlements have you received for your clients?

The Michigan motorcycle accident lawyers at Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. will give you honest answers to these questions. Our firm has represented injury victims and their families throughout the State of Michigan for almost forty years. Our lawyers have the thorough knowledge, expertise, and experience in handling these cases and understand how to handle difficult cases and best represent our clients. Most of our clients are referred to us from other clients who have placed their trust in us to represent their family members, friends, and colleagues. We also receive many referrals from other lawyers and from medical professionals who recognize that we are the law firm to best represent their clients and patients.

If you would like more information about your rights after a Michigan motorcycle accident, you can order our FREE book, “The Ultimate Michigan Motorcycle Handbook” by clicking on the book link. We will send it out immediately along with other important information.

For more information about Michigan motorcycle accident cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com. If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan motorcycle accident attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

It really doesn’t matter if you say motorcycles helmets don’t work or are more unsafe then when you wear one. Once you’re in a crash and dead the debate stops for you. No one can tell me their head is harder than concrete or metal or anything else it’s bound to come into contact with after taking a spill.

Here we had on October 19, 2009 a story out of Grand Mound, Iowa where a car turned in front of three motorcycles. The car driver was a 70-year-old man. All four people were transported to the hospitals in the Davenport area.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g4fVduv2Rk

Do yourself and your family a favor and wear a helmet.