What Are Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable not only because they lack the protection, but because they are much smaller. This disadvantage makes motorcycles harder for other drivers to notice on the road. It also means that motorcycles and their passengers are more likely to be thrown further in the event of a wreck.

Motorcycles are also more susceptible to an accident since other drivers don't keep a close enough eye out for them. Just 8% of households own a motorcycle, which provides us a general estimate of just how common motorcycles are on US roadways. Because motorcycles aren't as prevalent as regular passenger cars, motorists might be less likely to watch out for them.

For instance, a motorcycle riding in a motorist's blind spot or crossing through an intersection at a 2-way stop may be less likely to be seen by a motorist that is only looking for other passenger vehicles.

Since motorcycles are harder to see than other cars, motorcyclists must always drive defensively. Bikers can never assume that other drivers can see them, particularly the motorists of vehicles in front of them. Motorcycle crashes commonly occur when motorists:

• Pull out of a side street, parking lot, or driveway in front of a motorcycle;
• Make an abrupt turn in front of a motorcycle;
• Make a lane change in front of or broadside to a motorcycle; or
• Attempt to pass another car, and fail to see the motorcyclist in either the passing lane or the target lane.

What Are the Most Prevalent Motorcycle Injuries?

A motorcycle gives you little protection in a crash. This means your body ends up taking the full force of the impact with another vehicle.

Frequently, this leads to life-threatening and life-altering injuries to motorcycle crash victims. In fact, approximately 5,000 motorcyclists died in crashes in just one recent year.

While motorcycles only comprise 3 percent of registered vehicles, motorcycle accidents cause 15 percent of all vehicle accident fatalities. Not every motorcycle accident will cause death, but it shows the severity these kinds of collisions lead to.

Some usual injuries are:

• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Road rash
• Spinal cord injuries
• Neck and back injuries
• Amputation
• Death

That's not to say that survivors can never return to a normal life, but it might take some time and effort, including physical rehabilitation. A motorcycle crash attorney can help you recover the compensation required to pay for those treatments.

Liability for Woodland Hills Motorcycle Accidents

As these facts suggest, motorcyclists wounded in crashes are often the victims of negligence. Every negligence claim is made up of four essential elements: a duty, a breach of that duty, an injury caused by the breach, and damages sustained by the plaintiff. Drivers of motor vehicles owe a duty of care to everyone else who uses public thoroughfares. That includes bicyclists, pedestrians, and various other motorists-- including motorcyclists.

When a motorist breaches that duty by being careless, intoxicated, fatigued, or distracted, and ends up causing a crash which results in injury or even wrongful death to another person, the motorist may be held civilly liable to the victim. They can seek a negligence claim with the help of a motorcycle accident attorney in Woodland Hills.

A motorcyclist hurt in an accident might have a claim if they can demonstrate that another motorist was at fault. When a motorcycle driver has obeyed all of the traffic laws however is still involved in a collision, chances are that it has been caused by the driver of another vehicle. It could be not seeing the motorcyclist, speeding, being inebriated, or a combination of the three.

What Should I Do After a Motorcycle Crash?

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, immediately call the authorities to make a report if they are involved in an accident. This is particularly true if there is an injury or fatality.

If immediate medical help is necessary, provide what aid you can, look for assistance, and call emergency medical assistance. If you are the one that is hurt, you should seek immediate medical help. Even if your injury seems minor and you do not need immediate aid, it is a good idea to get medical care, as some injuries are not immediately noticeable.

Additionally, at the scene you should get the contact and insurance details for the other parties. And you also want contact information for independent witnesses, as investigating law enforcement don't always gather that info.

Contact a motorcycle accident lawyer soon after the collision. We highly suggest that you do this before speaking with any insurance company.

Contact Our Woodland Hills Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

After your accident, along with talking to the police and getting any necessary medical attention, you need to contact a qualified and experienced personal injury lawyer with experience handling motorcycle accidents. Serving victims throughout the Woodland Hills area, the motorcycle crash lawyers at Drake Law Firm can help you.

Too often, accident victims believe that an insurance carrier-- either their own or the other motorist's-- will properly compensate them for any injuries they have sustained. Unfortunately, lots of insurance providers are unwilling to pay, even when liability and damages are obvious. This is particularly true when the damages are substantial.

Even when an insurer seems liable, beware. Many insurance adjusters will attempt to settle claims quickly. They will advise you to sign an agreement that will let them close the case-- and thereby minimize their exposure.

Even if the offer seems sufficient or even generous, it is vital to make sure your legal rights are protected. Speak to a lawyer and be sure you comprehend the consequences of the agreement.

The reality is, not all injuries are immediately apparent. And for some serious injuries, even if you expect full recovery, you can not be certain that the full recovery you expect will materialize.

In those cases, signing a release of claims too soon can reduce your settlement to an amount that is substantially less than what you need or what you legally have a right to recuperate. Serious injuries might consist of:

• Spine damage;
• Multiple broken bones;
• Extreme bruising and/or "road rash";
• Traumatic head injuries.

And, obviously, some motorcycle accidents are fatal. If someone you love has been killed in a motorcycle crash, contact a lawyer to determine whether there's a wrongful death action to pursue against a negligent motorist.