The Top Mobile Apps for Bikers

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Go Digital to Enhance Your Riding Experience

It may not be something you immediately associate with riding a motorcycle—how you can be safer and have more fun using mobile apps on your phone or other device. But there are a number of useful mobile applications for bikers. Here are some of the best:

  • Eat Sleep Ride—Pretty much says it all, doesn’t it? That’s the focus of this “all in one” motorcycle app. The developers of this great tool looked at all the different types of apps motorcyclists have been using over the last few years and worked to combine them in a single place. The app allows you to track, save and share rides and gives you a wealth of data, including average and top speed, elevation and lean angle. It also has a feature called “Crashlight,” which detects if you have been in an accident and sends an emergency message to pre-selected contacts, giving them your exact location.
  • Best Biking Roads—If you’re looking for new places to ride, this is the ideal app, with nearly 10,000 routes recommended by other motorcyclists. Some even include photos and videos.
  • RoadTrippers—This app helps you plan multi-day rides, with information about lodging, places to eat and local attractions. The app has more than one million points of interest.
  • Waze—To help you anticipate potential road congestion or other problems, use Waze, which uses information provided by other drivers in real time to help you get to your destination as soon as possible.
  • FuelLog—With this app, you can track not only miles per gallon, but also vehicle maintenance costs. The app will help you determine gas costs per ride, per month or per year, as well as total distance driven. FuelLog is available only for Android devices.

Contact Weber & Nierenberg

At Weber & Nierenberg, we have more than 30 years of combined experience helping injured people in California, including men and women who have been hurt in motorcycle accidents. For a private consultation, contact Weber & Nierenberg by e-mail  or call us at 1-866-288-6010. There is no charge for your first meeting.

Motorcycle Accident Injuries—Does There Have to Be a Collision?

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In situations involving a “near collision,” where the wrongful act of another motorist causes you to take evasive action, there’s a big difference between the potential consequences when you’re on a motorcycle or an automobile. With an automobile, it’s much easier to maintain control of the vehicle and you’ll be protected by a few thousand pounds of steel. On a motorcycle, though, your only option may be to lay down the bike, putting you in direct contact with the roadway.

If you suffer injuries in a motorcycle accident where there was never any contact with another driver, can you still sue that person for injuries suffered? The answer is a clear “yes.”

Legal Responsibility for “No Contact” Motorcycle Accidents

There is no requirement that there be any actual contact between the at-fault party and a person injured in a motorcycle accident. Instead, a personal injury claim for losses sustained in a motorcycle accident will almost always be based on a legal theory of negligence. To successfully recover under a theory of negligence, you need to prove three things to a judge and/or jury:

  • That the at-fault person breached his or her duty of care—Under the law as it has evolved, all persons must exercise “reasonable” care in all their daily endeavors, whether it’s driving a motor vehicle, maintaining real property, or designing or manufacturing a product. In a lawsuit, a jury will review the facts as supported by the evidence and make a determination of whether or not the defendant exercised an appropriate amount of care. If not, the jury will move on to the second element of negligence.
  • The failure to exercise reasonable care “caused” an accident—Causation has two parts—actual cause and proximate cause. Actual cause requires a showing that the accident would not have occurred “but for” the breach of the duty of care. Proximate cause requires that the injured party show that the injuries sustained were reasonably foreseeable as a consequence of the breach of the duty of care.
  • There were actual losses—The plaintiff (the injured party) must also show that he or she suffered some actual loss, whether it’s property damage or personal injury. Personal injury can include lost wages and income, medical bills, loss of companionship or consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, and pain and suffering.

Contact Weber & Nierenberg

At Weber & Nierenberg, our attorneys bring over 30 years of experience to injured people in California, including men and women who have been hurt in motorcycle accidents. For a private consultation, contact Weber & Nierenberg by e-mail or call us at 1-866-288-6010. There is no charge for your first meeting.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

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Awareness of Causes Can Help Keep You Safer on the Road

If you love to ride a motorcycle, there’s good news and bad news. The good news—the number of fatalities tied to motorcycle accidents went down in 2017—approximately 300 fewer deaths resulted from bike crashes. The bad news—it’s still pretty dangerous out there, as nearly 5,000 people lost their lives while riding motorcycles last year.

But there are ways that you can improve the odds and keep yourself safe on the roads. One of them is knowing the most common causes of motorcycle accidents:

  • Head-on collisions—This is the single most frequent cause of a car-motorcycle collision. In fact, head-on collisions account for almost 80% of all car-bike wrecks. Compare that with 5%–the percentage of accidents caused when a motorist strikes a biker from behind. The message? Always keep your eyes on the road ahead of you and always be prepared to take evasive action if a motorist improperly fails to yield.
  • Motorists making left turns—The left turn from another motorist is also a significant cause of bike accidents. It can happen in a number of situations—where you intend to drive through an intersection and the other motorist turns in front of you; where a motorist turns left without a turn signal while you are passing; or where a motorist turns left as you attempt to overtake. To avoid these types of accidents, be careful not to pass or overtake another vehicle near an intersection, and always pay attention to oncoming cars at an intersection.
  • Accidents involving lane splitting—When you drive between lanes in slow traffic, there’s also an increased risk of collision.
  • Road hazards—On a motorcycle, there’s much greater risk of loss of control if you hit a pothole or loose gravel.

Contact the Experienced Attorneys at Weber & Nierenberg

At Weber & Nierenberg, we have fought to protect the rights of injured bikers in California for more than three decades. We know that every accident is different, so we’ll take the time to carefully learn the details of your case, so that we tailor our representation to get the outcome you want. Contact our office by e-mail or call 1-866-288-6010 to arrange a free initial consultation with an experienced California motorcycle accident attorney.

Gathering Evidence after a Motorcycle Accident

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How to Make the Best Case for Full and Fair Compensation

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s carelessness or negligence, you have the right to sue for any losses you’ve suffered, from wages and income to unreimbursed medical expenses to loss of companionship and consortium and physical pain and suffering. But it’s rarely an open and shut case—you need compelling evidence to convince a judge and jury that the defendant acted unreasonably and that you suffered damages as a result.

There are a number of ways to gather the necessary evidence to prove your case:

  • The testimony of witnesses—If there was anyone traveling with you or any bystanders who saw the accident, you’ll want to get sworn statements from them as soon as possible after the accident. The longer you wait, the greater the risk that their memories will fade, or that that they may die or move away. Your attorney can prepare an affidavit for a witness to sign, but your lawyer will also want to schedule a deposition, where a court reporter can document the testimony.
  • Physical evidence—This can include photographs of the scene of the accident, skid marks, damage to vehicles or injuries suffered by anyone. Your lawyer will typically have a professional conduct a forensic inspection of the crash site.
  • Expert testimony—It’s pretty common practice to retain an accident reconstruction expert, who can gather data from the crash and reconstruct exactly what happened. A good expert will be able to use existing data to determine speed of any vehicle, whether the vehicle operator applied brakes at all and whether vehicles stopped at lights or stop signs.
  • Police reports—The police report can also provide valuable evidence.

Contact the Experienced Attorneys at Weber & Nierenberg

Contact our office by e-mail or call 1-866-288-6010 to schedule an appointment with an experienced California motorcycle accident lawyer. We have protected the rights of injured bikers in California for more than 30 years. We know that every accident has unique circumstances. We carefully investigate the facts and circumstances of your accident, so that we can aggressively pursue full and fair compensation for your injuries.

Motorcycle Safety Gear—A Guide for New Riders

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Motorcycle-Safety-Gear—A-Guide-for-New-Riders1

So you’ve just discovered the unmatched feeling that comes from cruising down the road on a motorcycle, wind in your face. You know there are risks involved, and you want to take the right steps to maximize your safety. But the sheer number of safety products can be overwhelming. Here are some of the things to look for in safety gear, particularly if you’re new to riding.

Why You Need Safety Gear

Safety gear provides protection from a number of risks:

  • Impact with objects, such as bugs, birds, bushes and other debris—your uncovered skin, bones and organs are not designed to withstand high-speed impact with most items
  • Road rash or abrasion—If you go down and drag your body along the pavement, you can expect to lose a millimeter of skin for every mile per hour you’re traveling over the speed of 30 mph.
  • Inclement weather—You’ve probably heard the term “wind chill.” The faster you travel, the more the actual temperature drops. It might be 55 out, but the real impact on your skin could be like 25°, putting you at risk for frostbite. Good gear can also help keep you cool when it’s hot out by promoting your body’s natural cooling process—sweating.

The Types of Gear You Need

To maximize your safety, you need five items:

  • A good helmet
  • A durable jacket that covers your arms, back, ribs and internal organs
  • Riding pants made of Kevlar, leather or some similar durable material
  • Boots with non-slip soles and good ankle support
  • Gloves that stay on your hands in an accident, that protect your hands, but that also have the flexibility you need to properly operate the bike

Contact the Experienced Attorneys at Weber & Nierenberg

For a free initial consultation with one of our knowledgeable and experienced lawyers, contact us by e-mail or call 1-866-288-6010 to schedule an appointment. We bring more than 30 years of experience to every case we take. Our attorneys know that every accident is different, so we’ll take the time to learn exactly what happened, so that we can help you pursue full and fair compensation for all your losses.

New San Francisco Ordinance Regulates E-Scooters

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Regulates-E-Scooters

As reported in our blog posted on April 30, 2018, the City Attorney in San Francisco issued a cease and desist order earlier that month, temporarily suspending operations of a number of “e-scooter” vendors in the city and impounding nearly 70 scooters. Just over a week later, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved and added a new provision to the city’s Transportation Code, an ordinance entitled “Powered Scooter Share Parking Restrictions.”

Under the new law, a rented power scooter in the city of San Francisco may not be parked, left standing or left unattended on any street, sidewalk or right-of-way without first obtaining a permit from the SFMTA (San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency). Before obtaining the necessary permit, scooter rental companies must:

  • Provide proof of insurance
  • Have the capacity to share trip data with city officials
  • Implement a privacy policy to protect user information
  • Provide education to persons who rent scooters
  • File a proposed service area plan (to be approved by the city)
  • Have a low-income rental plan in place

The law also states that any scooter left unattended may be considered a public nuisance and may be impounded. The city may also levy fines on the owners of the scooter.

Effective May 1, 2018, the city’s Municipal Transportation Agency has instituted a one year pilot program to determine the effectiveness of the new ordinance. During that time period, only 1,500 permit requests will be granted.

Contact Weber & Nierenberg

At Weber & Nierenberg, we have fought for the rights of motorcyclists for more than three decades. To schedule a meeting with an experienced California motorcycle accident injury attorney, contact Weber & Nierenberg online or call us at 1-866-288-6010. Your first meeting is free of charge.

At Weber & Nierenberg, we place a premium on personal service and attention. We’ll take the time to learn the details of your situation, so that we take the right steps to get the outcome you want. When you hire us to protect your rights after a motorcycle accident injury, you’ll have access to one of our partners at all times.

California Highway Patrol Partners in Effort to Reduce Number of Motorcycle Accidents

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Motorcycle-Accidents

In partnership with the California Office of Traffic Safety, the California Highway Patrol has developed and implemented a new motorcycle safety program, known as Have A Good Ride IV (HAGR IV). The program calls for enhanced motorcycle safety enforcement along roadways in California where bike accidents are statistically more common. Those officers will concentrate of the enforcement of those infractions that are most likely to lead to an accident, including speeding, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, lane splitting and making illegal turns.

The program also includes a year-long series of public service campaigns targeted at improving safety and visibility for motorcyclists in California. The program designates May as “Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month” and addresses such issues as the use of helmets and strategies for road-sharing with other motorists.

The initiative is a response, in part to data gathered by California DMV officials showing nearly a million registered motorcycles in the state, and about 1.4 million residents licensed to ride motorcycles. Records show that, in 2017, more than 500 bikers were killed and nearly 15,000 suffered injuries in traffic collisions.

The California Highway Patrol offers training to all motorcyclists through the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. There are training facilities across the state. To learn more or to find a place to enroll in the training, go to californiamotorcyclist.com.

Contact the Experienced Attorneys at Weber & Nierenberg

To arrange a private consultation with one of our knowledgeable and experienced lawyers, send us an e-mail or call our office at 1-866-288-6010. We have more than 30 years of experience protecting the rights of injured people, including individuals who have been hurt in motorcycle accidents. We understand that every claim is unique, so we’ll take the time to learn the details of your accident, so that we can help you recover full and fair compensation for all your losses.

A Bike or a Scooter – What’s Right for You?

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Man driving on scooter

You’re looking for wheels and you know you want to feel the wind and the freedom that comes on two wheels. But you have options–maybe you know you’re meant to ride a Harley, but maybe your budget is limited or there are other reasons you don’t want or need a motorcycle. Here’s some valuable information to help you decide whether a motorcycle, a scooter or moped is best for you.

What’s the Difference between the Three?

As a general rule, a motorcycle has an engine with at least 150 cc, though purists will insist that if it doesn’t have at least 250cc, it’s not a motorcycle. With that type of power, a motorcycle can often reach speeds of 110 mph or higher.

A scooter, on the other hand, typically has an engine with a 50cc to 150cc range, but may have an 250cc engine. A 50cc engine typically has a top end speed of about 40 miles per hour, while a 250cc scooter can hit 75 mph.

Technically, the difference between a scooter and a moped has to do with propulsion. With a scooter, the engine propels the vehicle all the time. With a moped, the engine generally assists a rider who’s pedaling, providing only a portion of the propulsion. A moped can have the same engine size as a scooter, so can attain the same speeds.

With respect to fuel efficiency, scooters and mopeds far exceed motorcycles, though motorcycles are a cheaper way to travel than automobiles. The average motorcycle gets approximately 45 miles to the gallon, but can get upwards of 85 mpg. With a scooter, you can reasonably expect to travel more than 125 miles on a single gallon of gasoline. Scooters and mopeds have significantly smaller fuel tanks, though, so are ideally suited for commuters and not for lengthy trips.

Not surprisingly, the cost of a new motorcycle is customarily heftier than a scooter or moped. A new bike will likely cost at least $2500, whereas you can get a new scooter for under a thousand dollars. There are, however, luxury scooters that run more than $10,000.

Contact Weber & Nierenberg

At Weber & Nierenberg, we bring over 30 years of experience to people in and around the San Francisco Bay area who have been injured in a motorcycle or scooter accident. We built our practice on a strong commitment to personal service and attention. We’ll take the time to learn the unique aspects of your case, so that we can tailor our representation to get the outcome you want. When you hire us to help you pursue full and fair compensation for all your losses, Joe Nierenberg will work directly with you throughout the process.

To set up a free initial consultation with an experienced California motorcycle and scooter accident attorney, contact Weber & Nierenberg by email or call our office at 1-866-288-6010.

What to Look for in a Motorcycle Helmet

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Motorcycle helmets

When it comes to motorcycle safety, your first consideration will typically be your helmet. But there are literally hundreds of different kinds of helmets to choose from, with a wide range of features. How do you know what you need and what’s just window dressing?

First, let’s be clear about what a helmet is and what it can do. It’s essentially a shell around protective material with a hole in the front so that you can see where you are going. The material in the shell can vary, and the inner lining, usually made of Styrofoam, can have multiple layers with varying degrees of density.

Studies have shown that there’s little correlation between the cost of a helmet and how much protection it will provide. Simply put-an inexpensive helmet can provide just as much, if not more, protection than an expensive one. So, instead of looking at the price of a helmet, consider instead the safety standards the helmet meets, as well as whether or not the helmet fits and doesn’t obstruct your view. You’ll want a helmet that you can wear for hours at a time without any discomfort. You’ll also want one that isn’t going to move on you, so put the helmet on and try to twist it. If you can get it on without any tight spots, an it won’t turn, it’s the right size.

Try on every helmet-don’t assume that sizes will be the same from one manufacturer to the next-they’re usually not.

There are two standards that are prevalent with motorcycle helmets-Snell M2010 and ECE 22.05. Independent testing shows that the ECE 22.05 standard offers a lighter, softer and somewhat safer helmet.

In addition, it’s generally in your best interests to get a full-face helmet, as opposed to the 3/ 4 or half helmets many riders wear. Nearly half of all head impacts in a motorcycle accident involve the facial part of the body..Full-face helmets won’t obstruct your view.

Contact Weber & Nierenberg

At Weber & Nierenberg, we bring over 30 years of experience to people in and around the San Francisco Bay area who have been injured in a motorcycle accident. We built our practice on a strong commitment to personal service and attention. We’ll take the time to learn the unique aspects of your case, so that we can tailor our representation to get the outcome you want. When you hire us to help you pursue full and fair compensation for all your losses, Joe Nierenberg will work directly with you throughout the process.

To set up a free initial consultation with an experienced California motorcycle accident injury attorney, contact us online or call our office at 1-866-288-6010.

Safety Gear for Bikers – Money Well Spent

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Motorbike on the road in nature landscape

Whether or not you choose to use a lot of safety gear when you’re on a motorcycle, one thing you can agree on-it ain’t cheap!! Motorcycle safety advocates say that you can expect to spend anywhere from $1,200 to $1,500 or more on initial safety gear-a good helmet, boots and protective clothing-when you get your first bike. And, for most, it’s money very well spent.

Your Body Isn’t Built to Ride Unprotected

It may feel great to have the wind blowing off your arms at 70 mph, but your body simply isn’t designed to take that kind of pressure and resistance. In fact, according to most scientific authority, our bodies are built to travel a maximum of 25 mph without some form of protection. Once you exceed that speed, your bones, skin and organs will be stressed beyond capacity. Something that wouldn’t faze you at 10 mph-a pine cone or a large bug-can cause serious injury at 55 mph.

Here’s another scientific fact to consider-if you lose control of your bike and hit the road, you can lose up to an inch of flesh if your bare skin hits the pavement. Never mind the pain-those types of injuries are always highly susceptible to infection.

Still think the cost is too much? Did you hear about the crash Marc Marquez, World Champion MotoGP racer had, when he lost control of his bike while traveling at 210 mph? He walked away from the accident with minor bruises and scrapes. Okay, so his safety equipment cost nearly $7,000. That seems like a small price to pay, given what could have happened.

Contact Weber & Nierenberg

At Weber & Nierenberg, we bring over 30 years of experience to people in and around the San Francisco Bay area who have been injured in a motorcycle accident. We built our practice on a strong commitment to personal service and attention. We’ll take the time to learn the unique aspects of your case, so that we can tailor our representation to get the outcome you want. When you hire us to help you pursue full and fair compensation for all your losses, Joe Nierenberg will work directly with you throughout the process.

To set up a free initial consultation with an experienced California motorcycle accident injury attorney, contact Weber & Nierenberg by e-mail or call our office at 1-866-288-6010.

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