Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle Accidents
Escondido and San Diego County offer a thrilling motorcycle riding experience, allowing you to reach your destination quickly and with enviable ease. Additionally, parking is a breeze, in contrast to the struggles of your car-dependent peers. However, this convenience comes with significant risks. San Diego County has among the highest number of motorcycle accident-related injuries and fatalities among all large cities in California, according to the Office of Traffic Safety.
With almost 85,488 registered motorcycles in San Diego County alone, the number of riders has steadily increased over the years, thanks to the social acceptance and fuel efficiency of motorcycles. However, improper handling of motorcycles can result in serious dangers. Nationally, there are nearly 4,000 fatal motorcycle accidents each year, and almost 500 of them occur in California. Shockingly, this number continues to rise despite the decrease in overall traffic accidents in the United States. Although motorcycles account for only 2% of all registered vehicles, riders (both drivers and passengers) are 37 times more likely to lose their lives than those in cars.
Assisting victims of motorcycle accidents caused by negligence is the core focus of our California-based legal team. Each year, an estimated 88,000 motorcyclists suffer injuries from accident-related incidents, and our attorneys work tirelessly to secure fair compensation for these victims and their families.
Common injuries suffered in motorcycle accidents include broken bones, back injuries, and head injuries, which often result from car accidents, collisions with stationary objects, and unsafe road conditions. Parties at fault in such incidents may include negligent drivers, motorcycle manufacturers in product liability cases, other motorcyclists, property owners in premises liability cases, and government entities.
Our personal injury attorneys can assist victims by managing ongoing medical care and treatment, investigating cases to uncover evidence of negligence by another party, and filing lawsuits and claims against at-fault parties’ insurance companies. At The Law Offices of Louis Gabbara, we are committed to advocating for the rights of California motorcycle riders and accident victims, striving to obtain the largest possible settlement. If you need legal representation, contact us today.
The state of California sees numerous types of motorcycle accidents and injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that approximately 88,000 motorcyclists are injured in crashes each year in the state, with vehicle traffic accidents causing an estimated 4,668 fatalities annually.
There are several common causes of motorcycle accidents, including negligence on the part of drivers or other motorists, negligence by motorcycle riders themselves, intoxication, collisions with stationary objects (such as car doors), unsafe road conditions (such as unrepaired potholes), and defective motorcycles. It is important to note that motorcycle injury victims can sometimes contribute to their own accidents by engaging in actions like lane splitting, following too closely, or driving in a vehicle’s blind spots. While these riders may still receive compensation, their payout may be reduced under California’s comparative negligence law. Motorcycle accidents can result in serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, road rash, and lacerations. Catastrophic injuries can even lead to the death of motorcycle riders or other motorists involved in the accident.
What is the timeline for filing a lawsuit after a motorcycle accident?
If you have suffered injuries due to a motorcycle accident caused by someone else, you may be entitled to compensation. The responsible party could be a driver, another motorcyclist, a pedestrian, or even the city. To pursue compensation, you can file a claim for a motorcycle accident. This claim can help you recover damages for physical injuries, lost wages, medical expenses, future treatment, and motorcycle damage, whether minor or severe.
It is advisable to consult with a personal injury lawyer before speaking with the driver’s insurance company if you were involved in a vehicle accident with another driver. The insurance company may aim to settle the claim for as little as possible, even if it means denying you the compensation you deserve. By letting your lawyer handle communication with the insurance company, you can concentrate on your recovery.
What is the frequency of motorcycle accidents in the United States?
Over the last few decades, the number of motorcycle deaths in the United States has been increasing. In 2016, almost 5,000 people died in motorcycle accidents in the US, accounting for 13% of all motor vehicle deaths. However, there are significantly more registered passenger cars than motorcycles in the country. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, motorcycles have higher risks of accidents due to their low visibility, instability, and lack of protective enclosure. The risk of death for a motorcyclist per mile traveled is almost 30 times higher than that for a car.
Several factors can contribute to an increased risk of motorcycle accidents, including the absence of helmet use, age, gender, unlicensed riders, alcohol impairment, engine size, and time of year. Helmets can significantly reduce the risk of head injury and death, and the use of universal helmet laws is crucial. Although California has such a law, many states have only partial helmet laws, such as Arizona.
Age is also a factor, with riders aged 50 and over having the highest fatality rates in recent years. Moreover, men are involved in over 90% of all motorcycle accident deaths. Unlicensed drivers make up over one-fourth of motorcycle driver deaths, and alcohol impairment is a contributing factor in more than a quarter of motorcycle fatalities.
DID YOU KNOW THAT HIRING A PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY
WILL GET YOU 3.5X MORE MONEY VS. NO ATTORNEY?
The Insurance Research Council found that:
“Accident victims with a lawyer receive an average of 3.5 times more than those who are unrepresented.”
When injury victims file successful lawsuits or personal injury claims, they may receive compensation for a range of damages including medical bills and expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, property damage, and pain and suffering.
What are the causes and types of injuries associated with motorcycle accidents?
Motorcycle accidents can have numerous causes, such as collisions with stationary objects like curbs, signs, or lampposts, vehicles pulling in front of motorcycles, vehicles merging into a cyclist’s lane, tailgating a motorcyclist, uneven road conditions, temporary metal plates on the ground, loose gravel on the roadway, parts malfunction, and hazardous weather conditions. Motorcycle accidents can also result in specific types of injuries due to the lack of protection around the rider and the mechanics of how a bike falls over during an accident. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and helmets can significantly reduce the severity of many of these injuries. Injuries from motorcycle accidents may include:
- road rash
- broken bones (especially shoulder, pelvis, elbows, hips, knees, wrists, and fingers)
- neck and spinal injuries
- head injuries
- Concussions
- nerve damage (such as biker’s arm)
- facial disfigurement
- Scarring
- loss of limb
- internal bleeding
- eye injuries
- hearing damage.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
Getting into a motorcycle accident can be a traumatic experience. Here are some steps you should take after a crash:
Seek Medical Attention
If you or anyone involved in the accident is injured, call 911 immediately. Even if you feel fine, it’s important to get evaluated by a doctor as some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
Gather Information
Collect as much information as possible about the accident, including vehicle license plate numbers, contact information of others involved in the accident, driver insurance information, and witness contact information. Take photos and videos of the accident scene, vehicles, and injuries, if possible.
Be Careful About What You Say
Avoid admitting fault, even if you think you may have caused the accident. Let the investigation and determination of fault be left to the professionals.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
It’s a good idea to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you navigate the legal process and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. Insurance companies may try to offer you a quick settlement, but a lawyer can help you determine if it is fair and will cover all of your expenses.
There are 85,488 registered motorcycles in San Diego County according to the local Department of Motor Vehicles. Even though they are classified as vehicles under California laws, motorcycle riders are subject to additional laws specific to their mode of transportation. These laws may appear complicated, but they are in place to address the unique risks associated with operating a motorcycle and to promote safety.
To help current and potential motorcyclists understand the relevant laws and requirements, the California Department of Motor Vehicles has published the California Motorcycle Handbook. It provides a straightforward explanation of the laws and regulations, but it should be noted that riders must comply with the exact language in the California Vehicle Code and related regulations. While it may not be feasible for everyone to read and comprehend the legal language, San Diego motorcycle riders should have a basic understanding of the laws that pertain to them. This article provides a summary of some of those laws.
If you have questions about motorcycle accident lawsuits in California or would like to discuss your case and legal rights with an experienced attorney, contact The Law Offices of Louis Gabbara today at 760-294-0808
Our law firm operates on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid if we win your case. Read our testimonials to learn more about our years of experience securing fair settlements. Schedule an initial consultation with our attorneys for legal advice.
Our local law offices in Escondido serves Encinitas, Vista, Oceanside, Murrietta, Temecula, Fallbrook, Camp Pendleton, the Greater San Diego vicinity, and all throughout California.