Highlighting the Dangers for Motorcyclists on California’s Roads
Barry Weiss, the former celebrity star of the hit television series Storage Wars, was recently in a terrible motorcycle crash in Los Feliz, California, near Los Angeles.
The accident left him in the Intensive Care Unit at a local hospital in Los Angeles and his passenger in the hospital with multiple broken bones. Weiss appeared on Storage Wars, which featured auctions of the contents of storage units that had been abandoned, from seasons 1-4 of the hit A&E show. He then went on to star in the spin-off series Storage Wars: Barry Strikes Back, which ran for a single season.
His accident, which occurred when the motorcycle he was riding on struck a car that was backing out from a parking space, highlights how dangerous motorcycle accidents can be, much more dangerous than motor vehicle accidents for a number of factors that are unique to these types of accidents.
The Accident in Which Barry Weiss Was Injured
According to an accident report from the People’s website, the 68-year-old Weiss and his friend were riding on his motorcycle near Los Angeles. A car pulled out of a parking space straight into the path of the motorcycle that Weiss and his friend were riding on, apparently without seeing Weiss’s motorcycle.
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Flashy 750 #triumph with none other than Barry Weiss under the helmet. #lacalendarbikeshow
Weiss and his friend then ran into the back of the vehicle and were both severely injured, Weiss more so than his passenger. Weiss suffered several broken bones in addition to some internal injuries, including what some media reports said was serious chest trauma as a result of the accident.
The friend posted pictures to Instagram and reported he “got lucky, only a broken knee, elbow and wrist” and advising that Weiss had suffered much more severe injuries.
Why Motorcycle Incidents Can Be Particularly Dangerous
In the case of the recent accident involving Barry Weiss, some of the particular safety concerns that make motorcycle crashes more likely to feature serious injuries than crashes between two cars or other types of motor vehicle accidents were present.
Safety statistics bear out that those involved in motorcycle accidents have a much higher chance of being involved in a fatal accident than do those who are riding in a regular passenger motor vehicle.
For example, according to traffic safety data for 2016 from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a federal regulator charged with ensuring safety on the nation’s roads, motorcyclists are much more likely to be killed in a motor vehicle accident than those riding in cars.
They are also much more likely to suffer serious injuries like closed head injuries resulting in brain damage, concussions, broken bones, road rash, and many other injuries.
Many factors contribute to the higher fatality rate and more serious injuries that motorcyclists often suffer in collisions than those suffered in collisions between two motor vehicles. Because they are smaller and have a lower profile than other motor vehicles, motorcycles can be difficult to see, particularly for vehicles that may have the driver sitting up higher like a truck or sport utility vehicle.
This may have been a factor in the accident in which Barry Weiss and a friend were injured; the car that backed out and directly into the Weiss’s path simply may not have seen the motorcycle. Motorcyclists also do not have the built-in protection that regular passenger vehicles and trucks do.
Someone riding in a motor vehicle is enclosed and protected by thousands of pounds of steel and other materials, whereas a motorcyclist is protected (at best) by only a helmet in the event of an accident.
Finally, in many cases, motorists who are driving a car simply may not give the motorcyclist enough space or the right of way even in a situation where the law is clear the motorcycle has the right of way. In the case of the recent accident involving Barry Weiss of Storage Wars, some of the particular safety concerns were present, resulting in the injuries he suffered from the collision.
Those safety issues are the same ones that make motorcycle crashes more likely to feature fatalities and/or more serious injuries than an accident between two motor vehicles.
What you should do if you have been in a motorcycle accident
Secure the scene and call for medical help
If you were lucky enough to be able to walk after a motorcycle accident, the best thing to do would be to secure the scene and call for 911.
Taking care that no one has any serious injuries or even hidden injuries that can be triggered a few hours later is the priority in any vehicle accident. However, just because you survived with a couple of scratches and bruises, it does not mean you are safe.
Your accident will more likely cause some problems in traffic, and the last thing you need is another reckless driver running into your scene of accident. Take the proper signalization equipment and scones and place around the scene to ensure safety for both you and the other traffic participants.
Contact the police and your insurance company
Do not fall for that ‘’we will work everything out between ourselves’’ phrase that most drivers tend to say when faced with a possibility of an accident liability. They don’t want the police, or the insurance involved because they know that the accident is their fault or they do not have insurance coverage.
Make no agreements with the other driver involved and proceed with calling the police and your insurance company.
Stay calm and refrain from arguing or admitting fault
Whatever you must be feeling after the accident, it is best to try to stay calm. Try to avoid getting into a conflict, arguing, and yelling at the other driver. It will not make anything better or fix the situation and it will leave you feeling stressed and exhausted.
In addition, if you end up in court, the other driver may use your aggressive behavior to defile your character and make you look as a problematic individual. However, this doesn’t mean that you should bow down and apologize, God forbid, take the fault for the accident. Never admit to anything or sign anything without consulting your attorney first.
Collect the evidence of the scene of the crash
To successfully prove your case and recover compensation, you will need as much evidence as possible. Sometimes police reports will have insufficient evidence to prove your version of events, so make sure to write everything down while still fresh in your mind. Take as many photos of the scene from different angles and talk to as many witnesses as possible.
Contact the motorcycle accident attorney as soon as you can
No matter if you are conscious right after the accident, or wake up in a hospital, after checking that you will, in fact, survive this, you should call your attorney. If you don’t have an attorney, many experienced attorneys specialize in motorcycle accident cases.
You cannot count on insurance being your friend and giving you a fair compensation. To achieve a max compensation, prove your case, and avoid expensive losses is only possible with a good lawyer who will represent you and your rights and interest and seek justice for you.
Contact the Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys at JT Legal Group if You or a Loved One Were Injured In a motorcycle Accident in Los Angeles or Elsewhere in Southern California
Where you, or someone you love, injured in an accident in Los Angeles or elsewhere Southern California? This is a widespread occurrence in Los Angeles and surrounding counties, and drivers in California are known as one of the most reckless in the country.
Our experienced personal injury lawyers have successfully pursued personal injury claims against dozens of negligent drivers who have injured or killed pedestrians, bicyclists, or innocent bystanders in Los Angeles. We also specialize in hit and run accidents, and we will fight tooth and nail to recover every element of damage for our clients that they are entitled to under California law.
With the help of a trusted personal injury law firm like JT Legal Group, you will avoid your claim being pushed to the side or completely rejected. Whether you have suffered an injury in a hit and run in Los Angeles or anywhere else in California State, we will represent your rights, pursue justice, and get that compensation that you or your loved ones deserve.
For more information and a free consultation regarding your particular situation, contact our firm at a suitable time. We are looking forward to an opportunity to help you with your case.
Your no cost case evaluation with a reputable attorney is available by calling:
888-LAW-3111
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