Stephen Morris Killed in Kern County Motorcycle Collision on Bodfish Canyon Road
Kern County, California (November 3, 2021) – 29-year-old Stephen Sean Morris has been identified as the motorcyclist who died in a collision near Bodfish in Eastern Kern County on Tuesday night.
The fatal motorcycle accident happened on Bodfish Canyon Road at about 10:15 p.m. November 2, acc0rding to the California Highway Patrol.
Morris was reportedly riding a motorcycle when he crashed into an SUV in unclear circumstances.
Bodfish Man Killed in Motorcycle Crash Identified
Morris, a resident of Bodfish, was killed in the accident.
No additional information about the accident was provided.
The CHP is investigating the cause of the accident.
Motorcycle Accidents in Kern County
It is almost impossible to escape injuries in motorcycle accidents. Being involved in an accident can be a traumatic experience for the victims and their families. According to a report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 270 collisions involving motorcycles were reported in Kern County in 2020, resulting in the deaths of at least 38 people and causing injuries to 284 others. Statistics show that the leading cause of most of these motorcycle accidents is human error. This includes dangerous acts such as;
- Lane splitting – Lane splitting happens when a motorcycle drives between two lanes of stopped or slow-moving traffic. Lane splitting may lead to motorcycle accidents due to: the close proximity of the vehicles to the motorcycle, limited space for the motorcycle to maneuver, the presumption by other motorists that no cars or motorcycles will be passing them in slowed or stopped traffic.
- Unsafe turns – Vehicles making turns usually collide with motorcycles when the bikes are: going straight through an intersection, passing the car, or attempting to pass the vehicle. When these types of accidents happen, the drivers of the involved vehicles may be held accountable for the crash. However, it is good to note that the motorcyclist may also be partly to blame if, for example, they were speeding or riding in the wrong lane.
- Speeding – Riding at high speeds reduces the rider's ability to slow or stop safely in case of a hazard or slowed or stopped traffic. The rider ends up crashing into other cars or loses control of the motorcycle after applying emergency brakes.
Riders are therefore encouraged to wear helmets and safety gear all the time. Helmets save lives by reducing the severity of head injuries in the event of a collision. Should you be involved in a motorcycle accident, you are encouraged to notify the authorities as soon as possible.
Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in California
When you are involved in a traffic collision, you and your family may be forced to spend tens of thousands of dollars on medical bills, property damages, and maybe funeral services, while also enduring endless mental and emotional suffering.
Victims of traffic accidents have an enforceable right under law to full and fair compensation for the costs and losses they suffer. Whether they receive what the law provides for them or whether they receive any compensation at all depends on how well their attorneys can pursue their claims through the intricacies of the state civil legal processes.