Motorcycle riders in the state of California enjoy a wide range of bike-friendly destinations. Whether taking in the beauty of the Big Sur Pacific coastline or driving through the vineyards in the Napa Valley, be aware that motorcyclists are involved in more accidents than any other form of drivers in California. California is one of the nicest places in the United States to ride a motorcycle but it can also be one of the most dangerous.

Because of its many winding highways and weather conditions that allow for biking almost year-round, California has close to 1 million registered bikes. Add to that the motorcyclists that flock to California from the rest of the nation and you have a substantial number of bikes on the road daily. Considering that many of California's freeways are already clogged with cars and large trucks, this sets the stage for dangerous riding conditions.

Accidents involving motorcycles constitute 10% of the road accidents in California, with over 10,000 injuries occurring yearly as a result of these accidents. 500 people each year suffer a fatality due to a motorcycle accident. Upwards of 75% of these accidents occur in situations where the biker is riding safely and is at no fault. Bikes are difficult to see and California drivers are often in a hurry to get to their destination.

The typical motorcycle accident in California is caused by negligence on the part of the person driving the other vehicle involved in the incident. Drivers of cars and trucks often don't see the motorcycle rider until it is too late. They change lanes or turn right into the path of the rider, who more often than not has no time to react before they are hit.

In cases where the other driver is determined to be negligent, California law allows the injured rider to demand compensation for the damages caused by the incident. Damages can include payment for lost time at work and medical bills. California law allows for the biker to ask for compensation even if it determined that the biker is partially to blame for the accident. Since bikers are more easily injured in an accident, the negligence theory indicates that other drivers need to take more caution to ensure they do not hit someone riding a motorcycle.