Category: motorcycle accident

Our San Diego motorcycle accident attorneys were dismayed to learn about two recent fatal wrecks – one in Mission Valley and one in Oceanside.

According to news reports, on August 11th, a motorcyclist ran off the road and smashed into a fence on Village Drive, next to the Arrowhead Golf Course. Investigators believe the bike left the road at high speed. A bystander later found the man on the ground. Rescue workers tried to resuscitate him, but he died at the scene. If anyone witnessed the crash or has any other information, please call Sergeant Gabe Jimenez of the Oceanside Police at 760-435-4624.

Meanwhile, in Mission Valley, just five days later, 23-year-old Robert Michael Campbell died, when he rear-ended an Acura on I-15. The vehicle had slowed because of traffic that had backed up at the I-8 exit ramp. Rescue workers provided life support at the scene and took him to a local hospital, but he died in the ER, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s office. Mr. Campbell had been an active military service member; he is survived by his wife.

Learning from These Motorcycle Crashes

In both of these cases, investigators must confront an array of puzzling questions. Such as:

• What factors contributed to the crashes? (Possible examples include: weather, drug or alcohol use, speeding, negligent or careless driver behavior, mechanical problems with the bike, etc.)
• Did anyone see what happened? If so, what did the witness see, and how reliable is that person’s perspective?
• Did the motorcycle victim get adequate care from first responders and doctors?

Unfortunately, motorcycle victims and their families often lack enough information – both about their crash and about their legal rights – to make effective decisions.

If you or someone you know suffered serious injuries in a bike crash, please connect with experienced San Diego motorcycle attorney, Dean Goetz, to set up a free consultation. Call 858-481-8844 now. And please honor the memory of these two motorcyclists by paying extra attention to your safety and to the safety of others out there.

Our San Diego motorcycle accident attorneys were saddened to learn about the death of Karl-Heinz Kalbfell, an innovator in the automotive industry, who served as Chairman of BMW M GmbH. The 63-year-old had been an avid fan of vintage motorcycles. He was practicing to compete in a major racing event in England — “The Lansdowne Classic Series at Brands Hatch” — when he make a bad turn and fell. A competitor then struck Kalbfell, who died from his injuries while on the way to hospital.

An engineer by trade, Kalbfell played a pivotal role in designing and developing cutting-edge automotive technology, including the BMW V12. He got his company’s engines into elite vehicles, such as the McLaren F1, the Morgan and the Phantom. He also headed up world famous brands, such as Rolls Royce, Maserati, Fiat, and Alfa Romeo, and consulted for Paragon, the company that created the renowned Artega GT.

Lessons for San Diego Motorcycle Crash Victims and Their Families

A good way to honor the memories of people hurt or killed in motorcycle crashes is to transmit their lessons to the next generation. Here are 3 important thoughts to take away from this story.

1. Even intimate knowledge of your machine cannot protect you from freak accidents.

Few people in the world understood automotive engineering at an elite level better than Mr. Kalbfell. Yet a momentary unwelcome turn of events led to his fatal injuries. No matter how well you tune and maintain your bike – and how safely you drive – anything can happen on the road.

2. Bad accidents often involve more than just “one thing” going wrong.

In the case of Kalbfell’s crash, first he lost his traction, and then the competitor hit him from behind, causing the fatal injuries. Would he have survived – or even escaped unscathed – had the competitor avoided him? That speculation is impossible to answer. The point is that motorcycle crashes in San Diego (and elsewhere) are surprisingly dynamic. Do not assume that you know what caused your crash and who should be to blame.

3. Aggressive motorcycle driving is inherently dangerous.

The faster you ride, and the more risks you take on the road, the more likely you are to get into a serious crash. To minimize problems, avoid racing, showboating, or driving without your helmet and safety gear. Such precautions might not save you. But they will reduce your overall risk.

If you or a loved one got hurt in a San Diego motorcycle crash, connect with attorney Dean Goetz and his team now to schedule a free, confidential consultation. Call 858-481-8844 now.