Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
California has more motorcyclists than any other state in the United States. With so many people traveling to their destinations on motorcycles, the likelihood of a motorcycle accident is higher. Due to the small size and mass of a motorcycle, as well as the rider’s exposure to the elements, when a collision occurs with a larger motor vehicle like a car or truck, the motorcyclist is often left with life-altering injuries and losses as a result. If you’ve been involved in a vehicle accident involving a motorcycle, you have the right to file a claim. While the legal system can seem overwhelming, you do not have to go through the claims process on your own. Get help building a strong claim by contacting a motorcycle accident lawyer today.
Benchmark Injury Law is a personal injury law firm, helping victims of motorcycle accidents pursue the maximum compensation for the harms and losses that they have suffered. After being injured in a damaging motorcycle accident, you may be feeling helpless. Medical bills and other expenses can pile up quickly after an accident. That is why you need a trusted adviser who has your best interest in mind to help you obtain the damages you are owed.
What are Common Types of Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcycles are a popular mode of transportation amongst people in California. While a motorcycle can be an exhilarating way to travel, they are also highly dangerous and can lead to serious injuries in the event of a crash. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
California has more motorcyclists than any other state in the nation, so the likelihood of being injured in a motorcycle accident is higher. Due to the small size of motorcycles compared to other vehicles on the road, as well as the rider’s exposure, when an accident occurs, motorcyclists are often left with life-altering injuries and losses as a result of the accident. Therefore, it is important to learn about the different types of motorcycle accidents to help familiarize yourself with the dangers and how they can best be avoided.
Lane Switching Accidents
Lane switching accidents may result from a car shifting into your lane, and failing to see you on your motorcycle in the lane. To avoid lane switching accidents while riding, you should be sure that you can see the car’s mirror, and look for signs that the car is switching lanes.
Head-On Collision Accidents
These accidents occur when cars, trucks, or other motor vehicles hit each other head-on. Head-on collisions can have fatal outcomes, especially for motorcyclists.
To avoid a head-on collision while riding your motorcycle, maintain average speed limits, read road signs, and drive to the right. Additionally, be sure to be an observant, proactive, and defensive driver.
Lane Splitting Accidents
Lane splitting occurs when a motorcyclist rides between two lanes of a road or highway. While lane splitting is legal in California, it can also lead to accidents due to the close proximity of the motorcycle to other cars and motor vehicles, which may make sudden movements within the lane, or may change lanes, into a motorcyclist. If you do engage in lane splitting, it is imperative to observe other vehicle’s movements, including turn signals, to avoid the risk of an accident.
High-Speed Accidents
While riding fast on a motorcycle may be compelling, it can also be dangerous, as high-speed accidents on a motorcycle can lead to life-altering accidents. To avoid a high-speed motorcycle accident, be sure to ride your motorcycle at an appropriate speed at all times to maintain your safety as well as the safety of others.
Road Hazards and Other Unsafe Road Conditions
Road hazards like poor infrastructure, debris, oil spills, and potholes offer a menacing riding environment that can lead to a motorcycle accident. Weather conditions like rain, snow, hail, and fog may also result in unsafe visibility for motorcycle riders.
After an accident occurs, it may be difficult to understand where liability lies regardless of what caused the crash in the first place. If you are unsure who is liable for the accident, or if you hold any liability, a knowledgeable motorcycle accident lawyer may be able to help by going over the specific details of your case.
Common Injuries Suffered by Motorcycle Accident Victims
Motorcycle accidents can result in life-altering injuries for the victims involved. Some of the most common injuries suffered by individuals who have been in a motorcycle accident are:
Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
Back, neck, and spine injuries
Paralysis
Severe burns
Cuts and bruises
Lacerations
Broken or fractured bones
Crushed limbs
Loss of limbs
Internal injuries
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Regardless of the severity of your injuries, you deserve to receive justice for the losses you have suffered.
Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle accidents can be especially catastrophic depending on the nature of the crash. Accident victims may be feeling disoriented and unsure of what their next steps should be. However, there are important steps to take to ensure your safety and well being after a motorcycle accident:
Call emergency services
Take photos and videos of any visible injuries, the accident scene, and property damage
Get witness statements
Give your statement for the police report
Get the name, contact, and insurance information from the other party involved
Seek medical attention
The most important step to take following a motorcycle accident is to contact a trusted motorcycle accident lawyer. Having the help of our experienced team of personal injury lawyers and case managers is crucial to helping you build a strong claim without the stress of gathering necessary evidence, or battling the insurance company on your own.
What Damages Are You Eligible for After a Motorcycle Accident?
When a motorcycle accident has resulted in extensive injuries and losses, victims have the right to file a motorcycle accident claim so that they may pursue compensation for those losses and any out-of-pocket expenses they have had to pay. The damages you may be eligible to receive include:
Medical expenses
Lost wages
Loss of earning capacity
Property damage
Pain and suffering
If you are unsure of what damages you are eligible to receive, our experienced motorcycle accident attorney may be able to help. At Benchmark Injury Law, our legal team is dedicated to helping you obtain the maximum possible compensation for your injuries and losses.
Get Help From a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
If you have suffered injuries as a result of a motorcycle accident, you deserve to be compensated for your losses. To get help with your motorcycle accident claim, contact a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Benchmark Injury Law is a personal injury law firm with a unique and values-based approach to helping clients in California pursue the justice they are owed. We understand that going through the California claims process can be overwhelming. The team is dedicated to developing strong relationships with clients, prioritizing client service and the individual needs of a client to deliver the best possible result. To schedule a free consultation with our trusted personal injury attorney, contact us here or call 844-BIG-WINZ (844-244-9469).
Frequently asked questions
What evidence can help explain a motorcycle collision?
Photos of the scene and damage, witness contact information, the police report, and medical records may help document what happened. Keep damaged riding gear and the motorcycle in their current condition when practical.
Can an injured rider be blamed for a crash?
Fault depends on the evidence and the law that applies. Do not assume that being on a motorcycle decides responsibility; a case-specific review is needed.
What losses may be considered in a motorcycle injury claim?
Depending on the facts, a claim may consider medical expenses, lost income, motorcycle or gear damage, and other effects supported by evidence. The value and available recovery vary by case.
What records should I organize for a motorcycle crash matter?
Useful records may include photos, witness details, the police report, medical records, and the condition of the bike and gear. Keep available documents in their original form when practical, and do not put your safety at risk to collect them.
Should I wait until I have every record before asking about a motorcycle crash matter?
Not necessarily. Note which records you have, which are missing, and who may hold them. An initial review can identify additional information, but it is not legal advice for your specific situation.
Does one detail determine the outcome of a motorcycle crash matter?
No. For example, a disputed account of the crash or an assumption based on riding a motorcycle may matter, but its significance depends on all the evidence and applicable rules. An individual review should consider the full context.
What consequences may be relevant in a motorcycle crash matter?
A review focuses on the legal questions and practical effects raised by the situation. Some civil matters may involve documented medical or financial effects; others turn on procedures or agreements. What is relevant depends on the facts and law.
Does every motorcycle crash matter follow the same process?
No. The process may depend on the type of matter, jurisdiction, parties, and applicable documents. A case-specific review can clarify the relevant steps without assuming one procedure fits every situation.
Is there one deadline for every motorcycle crash matter?
There is no single deadline that applies to every case. Timing may depend on the law, jurisdiction, parties, and type of claim; ask promptly about your specific circumstances.
Does contacting Benchmark create an attorney-client relationship for a motorcycle crash matter?
No. An initial conversation does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship. Representation, scope, and fees must be expressly agreed before the firm accepts a matter.
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