What's New | Michael Padway, Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Motorcycle Accident Causes Death

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:44:10 -0400

Dealing with Tragedy    I recently went through the tragedy of a motorcycle accident, but not as a lawyer.

    A member of the group I was riding with had a major accident. After undergoing surgery, he died.

    On the one hand, it is impossible not to play "what if" by speculating on all of the things that might have made a difference. On the other hand, none of that matters anymore.

    Will I ride again? Yes. I finished the ride we were on, albeit with a heavy heart and many thoughts about the rider that went down.

    Will it change the way I ride? Again, yes. Anyone who does what I do for a living is very aware of riding safety, but this event certainly put me ever more in touch with the fact that a few moments are all it takes.

    At the end of the day, there isn't anything that really helps. Hopefully, this memory will become less prominent with time, and less painful. Nothing will undo it, or make it go away.

    All that I can really do going forward is to re-double my efforts to help injured riders and hope that by doing so I am making those in cars more aware of motorcycle riders.

    And please, if you are reading this, wear protective gear. If you think it is too hot, please think again.

Group RIding Season

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:23:27 -0400

Safety and Group Riding    A recent group ride across several states gave me plenty of time to think about group riding, and safety concerns.

    First, our group was too big. I know that it is fun to ride with a large group, but it simply doesn't work all that well. When you get up to 20 riders, you just won't make all the lights together. Cars will have to cut in, and you cannot just stay in a long double file formation.

    From a riding perspective, it is better to form into smaller groups of riders that have similar riding skills, bikes, and styles. It just works better.

    With a large group, you are going to constantly have riders making decisions about stop lights, going around cars, where to ride in the pack, and so forth. With a smaller group, you have a lot less.

    Another factor is that some riders like to stop and look at the scenery, others like to push for miles, some prefer spending time in dealerships. I don't like to spend time in a gas station, except for the minimum time needed to fuel and hit the head. However, it seems foolish to me to constantly blast through the best scenery on the trip. I'd rather periodically breath the air and enjoy the view from a fixed spot off the bike.

    While it isn't necessarily safer to stop so much, it is safer to match your stops to your personal preferences. Again, easier in smaller groups.

    One key thing to remember is that many of us are social animals. We prefer riding with others, because it adds to the enjoyment. This is particularly true at lunch stops and when stopping for the night. It really isn't that hard to plan the lunch stops ahead, and to provide everyone with a daily ride map. In this way, the urgency to stay with the group is greatly diminished.

Riding in the Rain and Dark

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 10:57:04 -0400

The worst riding conditions make the best riders    Recently got caught in the rain at the end of a long day. I rode from California to Spearfish, South Dakota, and arrived as the shadows were growing long,

    I could see thunderstorms ahead, and sweated out my gas situation until I finally had a chance to fill up. At the gas station, I heard that not only was there heavy rain, but hail as well.

    Newly confident with a full tank, I headed into the storms. First the bugs were washed from the bike, then I got soaked, then that clammy feeling of wet, cold leather.

    Soon I was concentrating on making time on the windy roads of Spearfish Canyon, with some mud thrown in where the road was being worked on. I don't like riding when it is dark, and the rain made it worse.

    However, I have to admit that I felt really good about the ride almost the second I finished that part of the trip. While I would never choose to ride in these conditions, it was the kind of thing that can't help but make you a better rider.

    From now on, when you find yourself weather challenged, go for it with gusto. Wet conditions force to to be smooth.

Laguna Seca Red Bull Grand Prix

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:41:07 -0400

Excitement builds - meet the racers at Hard Rock    As we get ready for the annual big event at Laguna Seca, arrangements have been made to meet the racers.

    Chris Vermeulen, Horge Lorenzo, Ben Bostrom, Eric Bostrom, Joey Pascarella, Cameron Gish, and Toriano Wilson will be available Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 11:30 at the San Francisco Hard Rock Cafe'.

    A side note is that the ACE cafe, the London prototype for all the biker cafes that followed it, will have a replica built for this year's Sturgis rally.

    There is nothing for motorcycle riders like the middle of the season.

    Ride on.

Insurance Companies Ordered to Stop Overcharging

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:33:52 -0400

Allstate, AAA, Geico ORderd to Reduce Rates    Anyone with a motorcycle accident case knows that the insurance companies won't make a reasonable settlement offer, at least until you hire a lawyer, file suit, and put it to them.

    With rare exception, the insurance company holds on to the money for as long as they can. In the meantime, you are stuck with your bills and wage loss from not working. They invest what they owe you, and make money on it.

    California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poisner is to be applauded for taking the bull by the horns. He ordered Allstate to cut insurance rates by 15.9 percent, a reduction that will save policyholders 250 million dollars.

    He didn't stop there. AAA (CSAA) was ordered to make a 100 million dollar rate reduction, and GEICO was ordered to cut rates by 65.8 million dollars.

    That's a lot of overcharging by these three companies, alone.

    Motorcyclists have really been victimized by the insurance companies, not only because of the delays in payment of claims, but also as consumers.

    It is common for motorcyclists to be encouraged to waive uninsured motorist coverage. This important insurance protects riders who are hit by uninsured and underinsured drivers. As the economy gets tighter, this seems to be more of a problem. Estimates are that 25% of California drivers have no insurance. Additionally, many more have minimal coverage.

Charlie Brechtel

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:56:22 -0400

Great Guy - Total Firecracker    The amazing Charlie Brechtel was in my office, interviewing me for his website BikersInnerCircle.

     For those of you who are not familiat with Charlie, his band is THE biker band. In fact, they won't play anywhere else. His music covers a wide range of riding related material.

    Having never met him before, I had no idea what to expect. He is the most natural talent imagineable. Likeable, true to himself, and VERY energetic, he knows absolutely everybody in the motorcycle world.

    He has cut tracks with Eric Buell (who has his own band), knows every bike builder, was an acquaintance of Indian Larry [the deceased bike builder], works with Michael Lichter [the motorcycle photographer], and he came to see me with his posse to talk about motorcycle accident cases, and riding safety.

    Those of you that know me know that I get a little stiff around a camera. I guess I am thinking about being cross-examined later on anything that comes out of my mouth. Anyway, we had an excellent time, and I hope something good comes out of it.

    If you haven't listened to Charlie's show, or been to a concert, you are missing out big time. There is a calendar on his website.