Riding A Motorcycle In Turlock
Many motorcyclists seek rides with incredible views and terrain, and the Turlock area has those. The Sierra Nevada mountain range is between the Central Valley and the Great Basin, and 10 of the 22 passes in the 400-mile length of the Sierra Nevada range are in the Central Sierra, which offers 100 miles of high-elevation terrain.
All 10 Central Sierra passes are more than 7,000 feet in elevation, with several even higher, presenting ideal views.
- Echo Summit is found on United States Highway 50 (US 50) and is 7,377 feet above sea level. In El Dorado Country, it stretches between Pollock Pines and Meyers, California.
- Luther Pass is on California State Route 89 (SR 89) between Meyers and State Route 88 (SR 88) at Picketts Junction. It is 7,735 feet above sea level.
- Carson Pass is on SR 88 and is between Pine Grove, California, and SR 89 in Hope Valley near Woodfords. It is 8,573 feet above sea level.
- Monitor Pass is also on SR 89 between Markleeville, California, and United States Highway 395 (US 395) near Topaz Lake. It is 8,314 feet above sea level.
- Ebbetts Pass is on California State Route 4 (SR 4) between Angels Camp, California, and CA 89 near Markleeville. It is 8,732 feet above sea level.
- Sonora Pass is on California State Route 108 (SR 108) between Sonora, California, and US 395, north of Bridgeport. It is 9,624 feet above sea level.
- Tioga Pass is again the highest pass at 9,943 feet above sea level. It is on California State Route 120 (SR 120) between Groveland, California, and US 395, south of Lee Vining.
- Dante’s View Road, about 140 miles west of Las Vegas, offers views of Death Valley from California State Route 190 (SR 190). The Palomar Mountain Loop in Southern California is the longest scenic route at 107 miles.
People can also ride down Interstate 280 and Highway 1 from San Francisco to Pacifica and Half Moon Bay toward Gregorio State Beach and Santa Cruz. The Monterey Bay/Cannery Row Loop Tour involves leaving San Francisco through Interstate 280 South and going five miles until the Highway 1 exit toward Pacifica to Monterey.
The California North Coast route is a four-hour drive from San Francisco along Highway 1 and Highway 101 to Eureka. The Santa Cruz Mountain Tour Loop goes through five state and county parks.
These features make the area a great place to ride through—but also one where serious crashes can happen. Fortunately, victims can protect their rights by retaining a lawyer as soon as they can.
Accident Risks That Motorcyclists Face
Riders need to be aware that when they are on motorcycles, the simple fact will be that they will be more difficult for other drivers to see simply because motorcycles are inherently smaller than other vehicles. Many motorcycle accidents occur within intersections because drivers do not see motorcyclists.
Motorcycles also have to be aware of possibly hazardous debris on some roads. In some instances, potholes, unevenly paved roads, or gravel can endanger motorcyclists.
Other drivers will always be a concern for motorcyclists because drivers of cars and trucks are often at fault for most motorcycle accidents. Motorcyclists can’t prevent other drivers from taking ill-advised actions, but they can be aware of when people may pose certain risks.
Motorcycles should steer clear of any drivers who appear under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI). An intoxicated driver is significantly more likely to cause a traffic accident than a sober one.
Similarly, motorcyclists also need to be aware of drivers who may be distracted while behind the wheel. Distracted driving is only becoming a more common cause of crashes all over California, and a distracted driver may not see a motorcyclist until it is too late.
Another concern for motorcycle safety can often be the condition of a motorcycle itself, as certain manufacturing defects or improper maintenance can cause avoidable accidents.
Common Motorcycle Crash Injuries
People can suffer a wide range of possible injuries in a motorcycle accident. Some victims may suffer relatively minor injuries, while others can face lifelong complications. All injuries will require immediate care and proper treatment, so after a motorcycle accident, see a doctor as soon as possible, regardless of whether you think you suffered an injury.
Our firm has experience helping people with a wide variety of injury claims, including:
- Fractures or broken bones
- Severe burn injuries
- Internal organ injuries
- Permanent nerve injuries
- Concussions
- Closed head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Crush injuries
- Back injuries
- Knee injuries
- Leg injuries
- Neck injuries
- Arm injuries
- Skull fractures
- Amputations
- Paralysis