Another California Police Pursuit Ends in Motorcycle Crash

Just a couple of weeks after the California police pursuit that killed a pedestrian, another police chase that occurred in Santa Rosa, California last Friday night severely injured a motorcyclist.

According to reports, a man trying to avoid a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer broke his back and sustained other minor injuries following a motorcycle accident.

CHP officials claimed that the man who was identified as Alexander Ketcham, 43, was spotted over speeding in his motor vehicle along River Road just west of Santa Rosa at around 9:46 in the evening last Friday.

Upon seeing the motorist accelerating to speeds in over 90 mph, the officer pursued the motorcycle south into Fulton Road and then west of Guerneville Road for about 4 miles and up until south in Frie Road before finally heading onto state Highway 116 wherein the motorcycle failed to overtake another car and then sideswiped the same.

Ketcham apparently lost control of his motorcycle and struck into a raised embankment and road sign. He was then ejected from his motorcycle and came to a stop on the north shoulder of the highway.

Ketcham broke his back and sustained cuts on his hands and arms. He was immediately transported to the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. However, it did not exclude him from being arrested on suspicion of reckless evasion and possession of false license plate on his motorcycle, according to CHP officials.

Admittedly, driving around in an open vehicle such as a motorcycle can be extremely fun and exciting. However, just like in any other extreme activities that pose a lot of safety risks, motorcycle accident can happen.

Perhaps, Ketcham became overwhelmed by his motorcycle’s ability to accelerate faster than one can ever imagine, that is why he was not able to help himself from pushing its speed to the limit, speculated by a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles.

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Rider Performing Stunt Dies in Motorcycle Accident

A 39-year-old motorcycle rider was killed in a motorcycle accident after performing a dangerous trick for his family.

According to reports, the incident happened at around 2:15 in the afternoon in 1100 block of First Place, just southwest of Pioneer Parkway West and Centennial Boulevard intersection.

Authorities said that the man, identified as Jeremy Kenneth Gale, was performing a motorcycle stunt called “wheelie” in his 2006 Yamaha motorcycle for his family, which includes his 9-year old nephew, when he lost control of his bike and slammed into a pole.

Although Gale was wearing a helmet at the time of incident, he possibly suffered “blunt force” injuries upon hitting a utility pole that caused his death, according to Sgt. Richard Jones.

Wheelie is a common motorcycle stunt wherein the front wheel of the motorcycle comes off the ground due to extreme twisting force being applied to the rear wheel. Usually, the driver primarily uses his or her body weight and steering to control the direction and the inertia of the spinning front wheel acting as a balance.

Based on the initial investigation, speed is apparently a major factor in the accident. Sgt. Jones further said in a news report that the California man was going fast enough that he was not able to control his vehicle to avoid the utility pole. Furthermore, authorities found out that Gale came from the city of Norco in Los Angeles and was just visiting his relatives who live in First Place, near the accident scene.

Obviously, in such kind of accident, there is no one to be blamed for. Although it might be distressful that someone had to die in order to learn his lesson, a Los Angeles bike accident lawyer is somehow grateful that nobody from the rider’s family incurred injury from the incident. However, he is likewise bothered for the victim’s nephew, who at his early age witnessed how a tragic motorcycle accident claimed the life of one of his family members.

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Head-on Collision of two Harley Davidson Injures two Motorcyclists

A motorcycle accident in San Diego has resulted in two people being sent to the hospital for major injuries.

According to police, the head-on collision between two Harley Davidson motorcycles happened at about 6:20 pm Friday night.

Reports said that the first motorcycle, which was being driven by a 21-year-old male, was going at a very high speed when it lost control and slid into the path of the second motorcycle, which was being driven by a 25-year-old male.

The first motorcyclist sustained severe injuries including a collapsed lung and lacerated liver.

The second motorcyclist, on the other hand, suffered serious leg and foot injuries.
The second motorcyclist should be able to file a personal injury claim against the first motorcyclist to collect compensation for medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering.

However since the first motorcyclist’s life is clearly in danger, the question will be, what would happen to the claim if he dies?

Although any possible criminal charges will no longer be applicable, it will not affect the personal injury claim.

Besides, the claim will be handled by the insurance company and not by the defendant anyway.

However, once the claim is approved, the second motorcyclist can only collect up to the limit of the car accident insurance policy of the first motorcyclist.

He will have to shoulder the other expenses if the coverage of the policy is insufficient.

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Motorcyclist Dies in Crash

Compared to other vehicles, motorcycles are smaller and offer less protection to riders than four-wheeled vehicles. Inexperienced riders often get injured in accidents caused by their lack of protection and stability in motorcycles.

Though this is the case, many still choose motorcycles, rather than cars or automobiles, as their means of transportation because it gives them the power to navigate through traffic as motorcycles occupy lesser space than four-wheeled vehicles.

However, in a recent motorcycle accident, a 66-year-old man from Kingsburg failed to control his vehicle and drift onto the pathway of an oncoming Ford Taurus along Trimmer Springs Road.

James Reese was riding his 2009 Harley-Davidson when the accident happened. Reese was thrown from the motorcycle and died as he was being treated at a hospital.

The 54-year-old driver of the Ford, however, was not injured. Authorities ruled out alcohol as a factor in this accident and so it is likely that Reese really just lost control of his Harley-Davidson.

Motorcycle riders should be aware that each time they ride their bikes, they are at a much higher danger as compared to riding other vehicles and so they ought to be more careful.

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