A biker was killed early Tuesday morning along Glenn Drive in Folsom when taking a corner too fast. The motorcyclist has yet to be identified.
A witness told police they saw the biker take a corner too quickly and it resulted in fatal injuries. Westbound Glenn Drive to Sibley Street to Folsom Boulevard were closed while police conducted their investigation. It was advised for motorists to avoid the area.
Authorities are still attempting to try to figure out the cause of the accident. At this time they do not believe that any additional vehicles were involved and it was just the single rider.
Top Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycles can accelerate quickly to high speeds and leave their riders open to vulnerability that passengers vehicles don’t experience. Because of these different variables, riders are exposed to different causes. Some of the top causes of bike crashes that riders need to be aware of are:
• Speeding
• Road hazards
• Riding while impaired or intoxicated
• Riding while tired
• Left hand turns
• Car changing lanes
• Lane splitting
• Opening of a car door
Speeding especially is a danger for both the rider but passenger vehicles as well. If a biker rapidly approaches a car, it’s likely the car won’t see them or they will have little to no time to react.
Safety Tips for Motorcycle Riders
Whether you’re a seasoned veteran on the bike or just beginning, it’s never a bad idea to brush up on safety tips to protect yourself as well as your passengers and other riders.
1. Take a class
Although not required by the state of California if you’re over 21, there’s nothing wrong with taking a motorcycle safety class. Even if you learn one new tip, it could prove the difference between life and death.
2. Wear the proper gear
The right gear will help protect you in a collision or skid and provide comfort while riding. Some items that you should look for are: a leather or sturdy jacket that fits snugly with reinforced elbow protection; long pants such as denim or chaps on top of jeans; over the ankle boots; leather and Kevlar gloves; a neck collar to protect against neck injuries.
3. Ride defensively
Bikers can be difficult to see. And to be safe, simply obeying traffic laws won’t always be enough. Assume that other cars can’t see you and ride with your headlights on. Use your turn signal and a hand signal to make sure other drivers spot you.
4. Stay sober and safe
It goes without saying that riding while intoxicated is illegal. But beyond drinking, it’s important not to be impaired by any type of over the counter or prescription medication or to be too tired to ride. It’s important to not only stay sober, but to make sure you’re alert and ready to react to your bike.
5. Keep your bike serviced and ready
Make sure to keep your bike in healthy, good running condition. This means making sure your tires are full of air without any cracks or bulges. Check all your lights so that they’re working properly. And make sure there aren’t any coolants leaking under your bike.
If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident and have questions about a potential claim, don’t be afraid to give us a call. We will go over everything with you and give our honest opinion. If we aren’t able to help directly, we always try to help people in the right direction.
We can be reached at (916) 619-5452 for a free case evaluation, fill out our form online or email us at info@hanecaklaw.com
