A 71-year-old man has been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident near Santa Barbara. Reports indicate that the accident happened just before 1 p.m. on May 25 at the intersection of Highway 154 and Cathedral Oaks Road.
Details are scarce, but it is clear that the man was thrown off of the bike in the crash. A spokesperson for the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, which responded to the accident, said that the victim flew around 20 feet. An American Medical Response vehicle was called to the scene. The victim was taken over to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.
The motorcycle hit a Honda, which was being driven by an elderly woman. That driver had three people with her in the car. None of them were hurt.
Police initially had to shut down the entire ramp. They re-routed traffic while they worked to save the man and clean up the scene. They are also carrying out an investigation, but they do not know at this time which driver caused the accident.
Accidents involving cars and motorcycles provide a much higher degree of danger to the motorcycle riders, even if they have the proper gear, as this incident shows perfectly. That’s why it is so important for those who are struck by cars and injured to know what rights they have to compensation. The same goes for the families of those who pass away.
Injuries can be life-altering, so compensation may go well beyond the immediate costs, such as the transportation to the hospital or the first medical procedures carried out upon arrival.
Source: Noozhawk, “Motorcyclist Transported to Hospital With Major Injuries After Vehicle Collision Near Santa Barbara,” James Fike, May 25, 2016