The number of motorcyclists in California is growing, in part because of the escalating gasoline prices, but primarily because of California's warm climate. Many people want to feel the outdoor air against their skin while they travel as evidenced by the popularity of the convertible in the state. However, less than 5 percent of the registered passenger vehicles are motorcycles, but of California's vehicular fatalities, 10% are motorcycle riders.

The fatalities continue to grow. Currently, motorcyclists are in 12,000 accidents per year, resulting in 429 fatalities. In 67.1% of the fatalities the motorcyclists was at fault. Of the motorcycle accidents involving one other vehicle, 36.2% resulted in fatalities and 91.6% were the fault of the motorcyclists. Since 1998, the year with the fewest deaths, the numbers have been steadily climbing, but fatalities grew over 164% from 1998 to 2008.

The biggest challenge with motorcycles is the rider has no real protection from impact. Unlike cars that have air bags, there's nothing to protect a motorcyclist. There's not even fuselage to protect the rider. With more than half the deaths of motorcyclist resulting from collisions with cars, not having protections almost guarantees significant injuries because the human body is colliding directly with a one and one half ton vehicle. Statistics show that when a motorcycle crashes into a heavy vehicle, the motorcyclist is likely to be killed, suffer an amputation or at the very least receive multiple broken bones and lacerations.

The accident between a car and a motorcycle is often a complex scenario of mistakes conducted by both drivers. The right accident attorney can filter through the evidence and determine where the bulk of the fault lies. Unfortunately, in America to prove vehicular fault, genuine evidence needs to be presented in court. This is especially important when a death results from the accident. The economic life of a family is negatively affected for a lifetime and it's very important to identify what factors led to this tragedy.

As the number of motorcycle riders continues to grow, the likelihood of fatal accidents involving motorcyclists will also continue to grow. Legislation may be made to reduce the unnecessary loss of life, but many of the deaths simply cannot be avoided. It doesn't lessen the loss, but getting proper representation in a fatal accident lawsuit is the first step in bringing a family peace.