• superficial injury of head; 
• open wound of head; 
• fracture of skull and facial bones; 
• dislocation, sprain, and strain of joints and ligaments of head; 
• injury of cranial nerves; 
• injury of eye and orbit; 
• intracranial injury; 
• crushing injury of head; 
• traumatic amputation of part of head; and 
• other head injuries. 

• Crashes involving other vehicles: about 75% of all motorcycle accidents involve other vehicles. It is not uncommon for the driver of an automobile or truck to not see a motorcycle and change lanes or turn into its path. 
• Single-bike accidents: although most police reports will indicate the rider to be at fault in a single-bike accident, much of the time the accident is caused by road debris or other obstacles or hazards. Single-bike accidents can take several different forms including the high-slide, the low-slide and the “endo” (flipping the bike due to a sudden breaking of the front wheel). 
• Rope or chains across paths: some property owners illegally place chains and ropes across trails in an attempt to keep bikers away. Property owners are not allowed to install such traps and can be held liable for any accident caused by doing so. 
• Rear-end collisions: motorcycles are at a high risk of being rear-ended by heavier vehicles that cannot stop as quickly. 
• U-turns: many car drivers do not look for oncoming traffic when making u-turns. Those who do may not see a motorcycle. 
• Road debris: grease, motor oil, loose pavement, uneven surfaces, and potholes can all cause a motorcycle to lose control and crash. 
• Car doors opening unexpectedly: many people exiting their cars do not see the oncoming motorcycle before swinging their doors open.  

• Conducting a study of the causes and outcomes of motorcycle crashes 
• Developing standards for the training of new motorcycle riders
• Addressing the falsification of helmet certifications by amending the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 218, which regulates motorcycle helmet safety standards
• Disseminating to road planners, designers, and engineers official guidance on design, construction, and maintenance of roadways to increase motorcycle safety
• Creating a law enforcement training program to educate police on motorcycle safety and specific enforcement efforts that can reduce motorcycle crashes

• Helmet law: Department Of Transportation (DOT) approved helmets are required when riding in California.
• Lane splitting: Although lane splitting is legal in California, a lane-splitting motorcycle involved in a collision will generally be blamed by the police as the cause of the crash.
• Statute of limitations: It is important to consult with an attorney soon as possible if you are involved in a motorcycle accident because the statute of limitations limits the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit.
• License and permit requirements: to operate a motorcycle on public highways or in California, you must have an M-Class license. The DMV will issue an M endorsement after passing both a written test and a road test.
• California insurance requirements: in California, a driver involved in an accident must prove the existence of financial responsibility (usually liability insurance) or risk a one-year suspension of the driver's license.

California Motorcycle Equipment Requirements
California law provides for the following motorcycles equipment regulations:

• A DOT approved helmet is required.
• Rear-view mirrors are required.
• Brakes are required on both wheels.
• Handlebar height requirement- hand grips must be below shoulder height.
• Passenger seat and footrests are required when carrying a passenger.
• Headphones are prohibited if worn simultaneously in both ears (single ear is OK).
• Turn signals are required for motorcycles manufactured after September 1, 1973.
• Daytime headlamps required for motorcycles manufactured after September 1, 1978.
• Motorcycles in California are subject to random inspections.