Motorcyclist Killed in Santa Barbara Crash on East Cota Street and Salsipuedes Street near Ortega Park
Santa Barbara, California (November 28, 2021) – A motorcyclist died following a multi-vehicle collision in Santa Barbara on Saturday afternoon, according to the authorities.
The incident happened on East Cota Street and Salsipuedes Street at around 1:55 p.m. November 27.
Authorities said a motorcyclist was southbound on Salsipuedes Street when he was rear-ended by a Jeep.
The impact ejected the motorcyclist, throwing him several feet, while the motorcycle collided with a parked pickup.
The Jeep then collided with a pickup truck.
Motorcyclist Dies in Santa Barbara Collision
Emergency crews responded to the incident and found the motorcyclist unresponsive in the roadway.
The rider was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The driver of the Jeep, Raul Gonzalez, 48, of Santa Barbara, was arrested on suspicion of DUI.
Gonzalez was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail on charges of gross vehicular manslaughter and DUI causing injury/death. His bail was set at $1,000,000.
Motorcycle Accidents in California
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. 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 losing 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.