Motorcycles are powerful machines that require skill to handle safely. Riders must also have good balance and coordination in order to maneuver without laying down their motorcycles. California motorcycle safety courses provide the knowledge and training needed to ride safely and reduce the risk of motorcycle accidents, injuries, and fatalities in San Diego, CA.
However, training will not prevent all motorcycle collisions. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash, Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today at (858) 551-2090 for a free consultation with a San Diego motorcycle accident lawyer.
How Can Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers Help After a Motorcycle Accident in San Diego, CA?
Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers has represented motorcycle crash victims since our founding in San Diego, California, over 30 years ago. Drawing on over 80 years of combined legal experience, our San Diego personal injury attorneys have secured more than $100 million in injury compensation for clients.
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s actions, we can help by:
- Assessing liability for your injuries and advising you about your legal options
- Gathering evidence to prove fault for your motorcycle accident
- Filing a claim with the driver’s insurance company and fighting for a fair resolution
- Taking your claim to court if the insurer refuses to offer a fair settlement
Motorcycle accidents often result in long-term or permanent injuries since motorcycles provide little protection in a collision.
Contact us to schedule a free consultation to discuss your injuries with a San Diego motorcycle accident attorney and learn how we can help you recover compensation.
Motorcycle Safety Courses In California
Unlike many states, California does not require all motorcycle license applicants to complete a motorcycle safety course. Only riders under 21 are required to pass an approved course, although the state also encourages applicants over 21 to take one. It even provides an incentive by offering to waive the road test for those with a course completion card.
Additionally, riders who already have a license can enroll in the state-approved California Motorcyclist Safety Program (CMSP). These riders may wish to learn new skills or brush up after a break from riding.
The CMSP offers two courses. The beginner course teaches basic skills and practical knowledge for riding a motorcycle. The advanced course assumes that the student has already gained some experience. As a result, students enrolling in the advanced course must pass a hands-on entry skills test.
The CMSP’s Beginner Course
The beginner course includes 15 hours of instruction with the following stages.
Classroom Instruction
Five hours is classroom instruction, although most students complete this portion of the class online. Students must also pass a written exam at the end of the course’s classroom portion.
Hands-On Training
The remaining 10 hours involve hands-on riding instruction. These 10 hours are typically spread over two days. Most students can complete the entire course in three days, with one day spent on the online classroom segment and two days of practical instruction at the course location with a live instructor.
The practical, hands-on segment is designed to help students master the skills needed to obtain a motorcycle endorsement or license. Specifically, the course will typically cover starting, braking, cornering, shifting, and executing emergency maneuvers.
Examination
At the end of the hands-on portion, students must pass a test that mirrors the road test conducted at the DMV.
This test may include the following areas:
- Conducting a pre-ride motorcycle inspection
- Maneuvering within painted lanes
- Performing a serpentine ride through traffic cones
- Riding in a circle marked with painted lines
- Riding slowly between parallel lines
- Shifting gears up and down while riding in a straight path
- Executing a U-turn
- Stopping smoothly
After passing the test, the student will receive a course completion card to satisfy their motorcycle licensing requirements.
The CMSP’s Advanced Course
The advanced course includes eight hours of instruction taught in one day. This course has both classroom and hands-on segments where riders will learn about advanced motorcycle safety tips and techniques. Riders over 21 who complete the advanced course receive a road test waiver for their motorcycle license application.
Relevance of Motorcycle Safety Training After a Crash
California uses the comparative negligence principle to allocate the blame for traffic crashes. Here’s how it works: A negligent driver who carelessly hits a motorcyclist can try to argue that the rider also made a mistake that contributed to the crash. If this argument is successful, the rider’s injury compensation will be reduced in proportion to their share of the blame.
Motorcycle safety training can help rebut this argument in two ways. First, a well-trained rider will be less likely to make dangerous mistakes. Second, the rider can argue that their own actions were reasonable based on what they learned during their safety course.
Contact Our San Diego Motorcycle Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Even the best-trained riders cannot avoid another driver’s careless acts. At Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers, our San Diego motorcycle accident attorneys will fight tirelessly for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.