As a motorcycle accident law firm, we know it’s not difficult to get into an accident in our state. More than 800,000 motorcycles are registered in California. In 2017, more than 16,000 motorcycle accidents were reported in this state. Those accidents resulted in 541 fatalities and more than 15,000 injuries.
The five most dangerous counties in California for motorcyclists are all right here in Southern California. In order, those counties are: Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino.
If you ride a motorcycle in this state, and if a negligent driver injures you, what are your rights? Can you be compensated for your medical expenses? Will you have to file a lawsuit?
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF MOTORCYCLE COLLISIONS?
Motorcycles are great recreation. They also provide economical transportation to thousands in Southern California who cannot afford – or who prefer not to own – an automobile.
Motorcycles, however, can be hazardous in a number of situations. Listed here are the leading causes of motorcycle collisions and injuries in California:
Vehicles making left turns: When a driver turns in front of a motorcycle, it is statistically the most hazardous situation a motorcyclist faces. More than four in ten automobile-motorcycle accidents involve either the automobile driver or the motorcyclist turning left.
Drivers with no visibility: When a motorist’s vision is obstructed by buildings, parked cars, or other obstructions, and that motorist rolls blindly and slowly into a traffic lane, it can be catastrophic for any oncoming motorcyclist.
Debris: Potholes, oil on roadways, and all types of debris on the road can be hazardous for motorcyclists.
Inexperienced motorcyclists: It takes plenty of hours to be experienced riding motorcycles. Until you have abundant experience, try avoiding busier streets and highways. Consider enrolling in a motorcycling safety class.
Negligence: Negligence includes distracted and reckless driving, speeding, and driving under the influence. Negligence is a leading cause of traffic injuries, but injuries sustained by motorcyclists are more likely to be severe, permanently disabling, or fatal.
WHAT ARE THE RIGHTS OF MOTORCYCLISTS INJURED BY NEGLIGENCE?
Under the law in California, a motorcyclist who is injured by an automobile or truck driver’s negligence is entitled to full compensation for his or her injury-related lost wages, medical expenses, pain, suffering, and other related damages and losses.
If you are injured by a negligent driver while you’re motorcycling in Southern California, have an experienced Pasadena personal injury attorney explain your rights and options. Arrange to speak with an attorney at once. If you are injured, you cannot afford to wait.
A California motorcycle injury lawyer will work hard to ensure that a motorist who injures you meets his or her legal responsibility to compensate you.
WHAT PRECAUTIONS CAN A MOTORCYCLIST TAKE?
Whether you have years of riding experience or you’re just starting as a motorcyclist, you will want to heed these suggestions for avoiding the most serious collisions and injuries:
Use a helmet every time you ride. A helmet’s fit should be snug and should restrict excessive movement of the head inside the helmet. The U.S. Department of Transportation sets minimum safety standards for motorcycle helmets.
Helmet use is the law in California for every motorcyclist and has been since 1992. Helmets, however, are only the first item of safety gear that a motorcyclist will need. Boots, gloves, and a motorcycle jacket are essential for every motorcycle rider.
You cannot presume that other drivers will stop at stop signs and traffic signals. Negligent drivers move through stop signs and red lights – and cause scores of accidents and injuries – every day in California.
Too many traffic crashes still happen because of blind spots. It is wise to presume that other drivers cannot see you – until and unless they somehow indicate to you that they can.
HOW WILL A MOTORCYCLE CRASH LAW FIRM HELP YOU?
If you’re involved in a motorcycling accident, don’t admit any fault, and do not accept any settlement from an insurance company prior to consulting a personal injury attorney. Take photos of your injuries, the vehicle damages, and the accident scene.
Make and retain copies of all police, medical, and insurance documents and reports generated by the accident. And put your health first. If you’re not examined at the scene or taken directly to the hospital, have a medical examination within twenty-four hours of any traffic collision.
A medical exam will ensure that you haven’t sustained a latent or hard-to-detect injury, and it will create the medical records that will be required if you need – later – to file a personal injury claim.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SPEAK WITH A PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER?
After you have been examined by a healthcare professional – that’s the top priority – put your case immediately in the hands of an experienced Pasadena personal injury attorney.
A California injury lawyer will review the particulars of your case and will suggest the best way for you to move forward – which may mean filing a personal injury claim. If you file a claim, you’ll pay no attorney’s fee until your lawyer obtains a settlement or a judgment on your behalf.
Your lawyer will investigate your accident, examine any witnesses, gather evidence, and if necessary, consult with accident reconstruction experts, insurance specialists, and healthcare authorities. The right lawyer will work aggressively for the compensation you need and deserve.
DO MOTORCYCLISTS STILL FACE PREJUDICE?
One prejudice still exists that motorcyclists need to understand. If another driver injures you in a motorcycle accident, and if you seek to recover compensation, you may (still!) be portrayed by the other driver’s attorney as dangerous or “reckless” merely because you are a motorcycle rider.
Wearing a helmet while motorcycling is not only the best way to protect yourself against a traumatic brain injury – it is also the best way to demonstrate to judges, jurors, and insurance companies that you are not reckless.
A good lawyer will push your motorcycle accident claim away from any prejudices and strictly toward the facts of the case. Your lawyer will work hard to have the driver who caused your personal injury or injuries held accountable.
WHAT DO THE MOST SEVERELY INJURED MOTORCYCLISTS REQUIRE?
Severe injuries to the spinal cord, traumatic brain injuries, multiple broken bones, rash and burn injuries, and paralysis are among the possible consequences when someone crashes a vehicle into a motorcyclist. The victims of catastrophic injuries require the maximum possible compensation.
If you have been injured while motorcycling in Southern California, most injury attorneys offer a free first consultation, so it costs nothing to learn more. If you have been injured by a negligent driver, exercise your rights and speak to a skilled attorney handling motorcycle collision cases in California at once. Your future may depend on it.
