Any California highway fatality is devastating and serves as a grim reminder of the impact of negligence. It is critical to recognize that the type of motor vehicle you operate may increase the chance of a fatal injury should an accident occur. Safely commuting requires a driver to be alert and other drivers to be aware of their surroundings to protect other commuters, which is a team effort. Unfortunately, many drivers fail to recognize motorcycle riders – leading to tragic consequences.

Highway deaths in California are costly, often leaving medical debt and other ongoing hardships in their wake. Working with a trusted California personal injury lawyer to file a wrongful death claim may help restore economic stability for a family. Curtis Legal Group recognizes that even with financial recovery, there is no replacement for the impactful loss of a loved one.

Car Deaths vs. Motorcycle Deaths in California

The number of car and motorcycle deaths has continued to climb over the years, with rare exceptions. According to the latest motor vehicle crash death count by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), there were 1,502 car occupant deaths and 586 motorcycle rider or passenger deaths in California reported in 2023.

The latest study by the National Safety Council (NSC) recognizes California as the state with the second-highest number of motorcycle accidents in the country. With motorcycles accounting for only 3% of U.S. registered vehicles, 14% of all motor vehicle fatalities are motorcyclists. The number of cars to motorcycles ratio compared to fatality rates by car vs. motorcycle drivers in California demonstrates the deadly impact of motorcycle accidents in our state.

Cars vs. Motorcycles on California Highways

motorcycle deaths As California’s population expands, increasing the number of cars on the highways, drivers seek more affordable ways to maneuver traffic congestion and long commuting times. One solution to this growing problem is motorcycle use. California’s number of registered autos, excluding trucks and trailers, significantly outweighs registered motorcycles.

The most recent report on vehicle registration in California lists 25,624,093 registered automobiles and 822,362 registered motorcycles in California. While the number of registered motorcycles has declined in California over the past seven years, the number of fatalities has almost consistently increased in that time.

Who is Most Likely to Suffer Fatal Injuries in Car vs. Motorcycle Accidents in California?

The demographics of those who suffer car vs. motorcycle deaths in California reflect acute similarities. According to statistics provided by the California Highway Patrol, the following individuals at greater risk of death in both car and motorcycle accidents are male drivers and passengers and individuals aged 25-34.

An IIHS study also supported these statistics, citing the following death rates for males killed in highway accidents across the U.S. annually:

Males account for 72% of car driver deaths.
Car passenger death rates for males are equal to 48%.
Of all the motorcyclists killed annually, 92% are males.

Behaviors such as speeding, driving while impaired, and not using seat belts were cited as top contributors to death.

Top Counties for Car vs. Motorcycle Fatalities in California

Highway fatalities in California mapped by the Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) have identified the following areas as the top counties in California for fatal accidents:

Los Angeles
San Bernardino
Riverside
San Diego
Kern
Sacramento

Data compiled in SafeTREC Traffic Safety Facts from UC Berkeley outline the top counties for California motorcycle deaths. These counties include:

Los Angeles
San Bernardino
San Diego
Sacramento
Riverside

Top Causes of California Car vs. Motorcycle Accidents

A vast majority of car and motorcycle accidents leading to death in California are preventable. Significant causes of vehicle collisions documented by the California Department of Motor Vehicles and motorcycle accidents documented in SafeTREC Traffic Safety Facts above include:

Unsafe speeds
Improper turning
Right-of-way violations
Driving while impaired

When California highway deaths occur due to negligence, working with a California personal injury lawyer allows you greater access to compensation rights through legal action. While auto insurance is required in California, minimum coverage amounts may not meet your compensation needs. Let a wrongful death lawyer in California at Curtis Legal Group navigate the legal process for you.

Other Contributors to California Motorcycle Accidents Leading to Death

Car drivers in California may contribute to an increase in motorcycle accidents and deaths when driving while distracted. Distracted driving occurs when any stimulus draws a driver’s eyes, thoughts, or hands away from operating a vehicle. These distractions can be cognitive, visual, or auditory.

According to a recent Public Opinion Survey by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), 74.2% of California residents identified distracted driving as a significant safety concern. Cell phones continue to remain at the forefront of driver distractions, threatening all California commuters.

Other distractions may include interacting with navigational systems and radios, talking with vehicle occupants, and eating while driving. California’s ongoing expansion of highways, with confusing signs and continual lane changes, may also contribute to distractions on the road.

Vehicle Safety in California Car Deaths vs. Motorcycle

With each year’s production of cars, safety features continue to provide better protection in motor vehicle crashes. Car drivers and passengers not only benefit from safety features continually being built into vehicles, but the use of the following safety features keeps car accident victims in California safer than ever:

Seat belts, required by California law
Child safety seats
Airbags, both front and side

Features, such as automatic crash notification (ACN), allow emergency medical services to locate and address injuries at the crash site in record time. Meanwhile, motorcyclists remain in a vulnerable position on California highways.

Key Safety Features Are Lacking on Motorcycles

Unlike passenger vehicles, most motorcycles are not equipped with the safety advances most cars possess. Features like electronic stability control may be found only on high-end performance motorcycles. Tire pressure monitors that sense changing pressure are not yet required as standard safety components.

Death or Serious Bodily Injury Is More Likely in Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists mainly rely on helmets and safety suits to protect against the impact of moving vehicles. Car drivers and passengers benefit from the barrier created by a vehicle, while motorcyclists remain vulnerable to collisions that often result in fatal motorcycle injuries.

Steps to Take Following a California Highway Wrongful Death

Feelings of confusion, loss, and anger often overwhelm surviving family members following the passing of a loved one in a California highway accident. Still, it is up to the party filing a wrongful death action to prove that negligence led to death. California state statutes dictate who can file a wrongful death claim.

The most critical step to take following a highway death is to reach out to a California wrongful death lawyer who will take up the fight for you. Securing documentation and meeting critical legal deadlines must still occur. Curtis Legal Group can take care of these duties for you.

Documenting Car Deaths vs. Motorcycle Deaths in California

Documenting any accident plays a crucial role in determining liability. Accessing this information in the depths of loss may seem impossible. When you work with an experienced Sacramento wrongful death attorney, a primary goal will be to collect the following information:

Medical records
Photographs of the crash site
Video surveillance footage of the accident
Phone records
A vehicle’s black box information
Eyewitness testimony
Expert witness testimony

Through documentation, a story of the events leading up to a California highway death can be created. Legal action may be required to secure certain documents, videos, or data. A comprehensive investigation is paramount to compensation.

Motorcycle accident victims in California highway deaths are often viewed and portrayed as drivers bearing more fault in a motor vehicle accident. A motorcyclist’s claim may be significantly impacted for the better when experienced legal representatives thoroughly document a claim to protect each individual’s rights to access California roadways. Car drivers often overlook or miss commuting motorcyclists because of distractions, leading to a heightened vulnerability for motorcycle drivers and their passengers.

Time Limits for Legal Action in Car Deaths vs. Motorcycle Deaths in California

If you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident or your loved one was killed, you must file an insurance claim within the appropriate time limits to seek a settlement for damages. Filing a timely claim does not mandate a quick settlement. All damages in a California wrongful death claim should be considered before a settlement offer is accepted.

Filing a lawsuit in California for car deaths vs motorcycle deaths is often critical to cover the extensive damages from these losses. Eligible individuals must file their California wrongful death claim within two years of the date of death. However, beginning the documentation process is critical, and you must take civil action in car deaths vs. motorcycle deaths as soon as possible for the best chance at success.

Curtis Legal Group has a proven record of representing clients seeking justice for the loss of a loved one in wrongful death claims in California. We work for each client to provide critical support and seek fair compensation while allowing you time to work through your inevitable grief and loss. Let us take on the legal work and begin the compensation process when you schedule a free case evaluation with a Sacramento wrongful death lawyer at Curtis Legal Group.

An Overview of Car Deaths vs Motorcycle Deaths in California