Motorcycles are a great way to get around, whether you use them to get to work or for a fun trip or vacation. Motorcycle safety is of great importance. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) recently announced that the California Motorcycle Safety Program (CMSP) is celebrating 30 years of education for motorcyclists this month. In addition to turning 30, the program has proudly educated more than one million California motorcycle riders.

California Motorcycle Safety Program
The CMSP is provided through the California Highway Patrol and is the state’s official training program. It started in 1987 in Sacramento and has expanded and grown over the years to accommodate the continuing interest in motorcycles. The course is now offered at more than 100 locations across the state.

The Motorcyclist Training Course (MTC) is a 15-hour class that provides five hours of classroom instruction along with 10 hours of hands-on experience riding a motorcycle. The course is required for anyone under the age of 21 wanting to ride a motorcycle. It is also a great way for those of any age to learn more about how to safely ride a motorcycle and is ideal for new riders. Anyone who wants to get a motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s license must complete this course.

Motorcycle Statistics
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) publishes an annual report on fatal crash statistics across the country. In 2015, the date of the most recent report, there were 456 motorcyclist deaths on the roads. This number represents 14% of all fatalities on California highways that year. In 2014 the number of deaths on motorcycles across the country was more than 27 times that of fatalities in cars.

According to the report, helmets are 67% effective in the prevention of brain injuries and 37% effective in the prevention of motorcycle fatalities. In 2015, more than 25% of those who were killed did not have a motorcycle license. For that reason, training programs like those offered by CHP are so important. Of all motorcycle crashes in 2015, 59% were due to accidents with multiple vehicles while only 41% were single-vehicle accidents. 49% of motorcycle fatalities happened on weekends and were most likely to occur after 6 p.m. Accidents were just as likely to happen in rural areas as in urban locations.

Help After a Motorcycle Accident
Unfortunately, many motorcycle accidents are caused by the inattentiveness of other drivers on the road. Regardless of how safe a motorcyclist is, there is always a risk of an accident when riding. When an accident is caused by the negligence of another driver, you may be entitled to compensation. After an accident, it is advisable to seek medical treatment, even if you feel fine. Some injuries can show up later and internal injuries may not be immediately apparent but could be life-threatening. Make a police report and take photos of the accident scene if it is possible to do so.

Contact an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss the details of your case before you settle with an insurance company. Call the legal team at the Law Office of Patrick G. Shea to schedule a consultation today.

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