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.