When a motorcycle rider gets on the bike in California, the motorcyclist certainly understands the risks involved in driving in traffic of cars, trucks, buses, and other vehicles. That’s why a majority of motorcyclists wear protective clothing (hard leather jackets and pants, helmet, boots, etc.) to protect themselves from unexpected accidents on the road.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimated that there were slightly under 5,000 fatalities from motorcycle accidents in 2017. The NHTSA also estimates that far more motorcyclists are likely to die from a motor vehicle crash than a car driver and passengers.
Those numbers, however, are still too high. Motorcycle accidents are still too frequent and can happen to both inexperienced motorcyclists and more experienced motorcyclists, to no fault of their own.
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident due to the carelessness and/or negligence of a car driver and have suffered serious personal injuries, you can work with our Long Beach motorcycle accident lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC. We can help you with advice on filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. Your first call with us is free. Reach out to us at (800) 924-3113.
Negligence in Motorcycle Accidents
A motorist can easily cause a collision with a motorcycle if they are driving negligently in any way. If they are distracted, for example, they simply may not see a motorcyclist in the rear or side-view mirrors.
It is fruitless to try to predict the direction and actions of car drivers around a motorcyclist. Sometimes, motorcyclists are not that skilled at riding the motorcycle and cause accidents through poor technical driving.
For a free legal consultation with a motorcycle accidents lawyer serving Long Beach, call 800-924-3113
Motorcycles and Safety
Riding a motorcycle gives a motorcyclist a thrill of acceleration, the buzz of power, and a feeling of freedom while on the open road. But being in close physical proximity to cars, trucks, and buses on busy highways can temper those feelings somewhat. It’s imperative that motorcyclists drive carefully and within the bound of posted legal speed limits and California state driving guidelines.
Driving a motorcycle poses more risks to the drivers than to average car drivers. Some of the factors for this are:
- No internal protective restraints (car doors, airbags, seat belts)
- The ability to accelerate very fast
- General imbalance of the two-wheeled vehicle
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Motorcycle Accident Causes
If you are a motorcycle rider, you know about the fun and the fear of being on a motorcycle on roads and highways in California. It is great until a car fails to see you on the road and pulls out directly in front of you. Motorcycling can be a dangerous activity to the cyclist unless all of the senses are focused on all the vehicles around.
One of the leading causes of motorcycle crashes is the car driver’s inability to see the motorcyclist. This may happen either because the automobile driver is not paying attention or does not fully use all the viewing points (windshield, side-view, and rear-view mirrors).
Maybe the auto driver might change lanes without a quick check over the shoulder to the blind spot. Right there, a motorcyclist can get side-checked into the lane divider. In such an accident, the car driver will likely not suffer physical injuries, but a motorcyclist can get squished against the inner lane and possibly even be run over by the following cars. It is a terrible situation for a motorcyclist.
Some causes of motorcycle accidents fall squarely on the shoulders of the motorcyclist. Too many motorcyclists like to use their maneuverability to weave in and out of the traffic lanes. This practice is known as lane splitting, and it can lead to accidents. But current California law does not prohibit lane splitting. This may be possibly a giveaway to motorcyclists who can weave their way ahead of the endless highway traffic faced by all California motorists.
Whatever the cause of the accident, a Long Beach motorcycle accident lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC can represent you in a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. The negligence of the driver will be on trial, and our team will work to seek damages for medical costs, lost income, and more.
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Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents
Injuries incurred by a motorcyclist in a crash can be very serious, even life-threatening. This is often due to the unexpected nature of the crash. This can catch the motorcyclist off-guard. It may also be due to the fact that the motorcyclist is not protected with outerwear, protective pants, or wearing a helmet, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
A motorcyclist can suffer internal injuries, which could include damage to the lungs, kidneys, heart, and other internal organs. External injuries can include broken ribs, head concussions, and brain injuries, especially if the motorcyclist is not wearing a helmet. These kinds of injuries can lead not only to cognitive issues and possible handicaps for the rest of the life but also possible paralysis and deep depression for the remainder of their days.
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Motorcycle Accident Evidence
In many of these accidents, the motorcyclist is splayed out on the road, often writhing in pain. The last thing on their mind is figuring out what just happened in the last few seconds before the accident and then collecting evidence to support that view.
But this is an important part of a future personal injury lawsuit. Providing evidence to support your claim will be a boost to your case to receive financial compensation for the physical, financial, and emotional damages suffered in the accident. All the evidence that you can use to support your case will help.
For help in filing a personal claim for medical costs, lost income, medical treatments, and more, consider working with a Long Beach motorcycle accident lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC. Our number is (800) 924-3113. Call us for a no-fee, initial consultation.
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