Motorcyclist Killed In San Jose Accident

A Fremont woman has been killed in a motorcycle accident on a freeway in San Jose.

According to MercuryNews, 57-year-old Kathryn Marie Marotta was riding a motorcycle, and seems to have lost control or hit an object. According to witnesses, she was ejected from the motorcycle which was on Story Road ramp, to highway 101. Marotta was ejected several dozen feet away from the motorcycle, and sustained fatal injuries. According to the California Highway Patrol, no other vehicles were involved in the accident. CHP investigators say it's not yet clear what caused the accident. There is no information if alcohol or drugs were a factor in this accident. Toxicology tests will likely be conducted, as is routine in fatal accidents, and it will be several weeks before we find out the results.

There are several reasons why a motorcycle accident may occur. Eight percent of motorcycle accidents can be traced to the fault of other motorists. Studies show that close to two-thirds of motorcycle accidents involve motorists violating a motorist's right of way, objects falling out of a car causing a motorcyclist to lose control, a motorist crossing the lane in front of a motorcycle, and other such factors.

The statistics speak for the kind of dangers motorcyclists face on the roads. Motorcyclists are up to 27 times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident than passenger cars. On this California motorcyclist accident lawyer blog, we have expressed concern at the high number of motorcycle accident fatalities in California, and rest of the country. While fatality rates for other accidents have been dropping over the past decade, fatalities in motorcycle accidents have actually increased during the same period of time. In fact, motorcycle accident fatalities now comprise 14 percent of all accident fatalities. The numbers of motorcycle accident fatalities have increased steadily over past 11 years.

Besides motorist negligence, motorcycle accidents can also occur because of dangerous road conditions. A road that contains potholes, or is strewn with debris, has uneven surfaces or is slippery can cause a motorcyclist to lose control. A motorcycle driving at excessive speeds is more likely to lose control of the bike, causing an accident. An improperly maintained motorcycle can malfunction while on the road, with devastating consistence. There can be engine, brake and tire failure, and other problems. An inexperienced motorcyclist may not be able to maintain control over the vehicle. Motorcycle accidents are also caused because of poor weather conditions. A motorcyclist riding and driving in heavy rain, stormy conditions, snow or fog is more likely to be involved in an accident.

Whatever the cause of the accident, a motorcyclist can be severely injured or killed in a crash. These riders have no protection during a collision with a stationary or moving vehicle. Impact can throw a motorcyclist dozens of feet away from the point of the accident. In most cases, motorcyclists suffer serious head injuries, multiple and severe body trauma, amputations, fractures, broken ribs and other injuries.