What are Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable not only because they lack the protection, but because they are smaller. This downside makes motorcycles more difficult for other motorists to notice while driving. It also means that motorcycles and their passengers are more likely to be thrown further in the event of a collision.
Motorcycles are also more susceptible to an accident since other motorists don't keep a close enough eye out for them. Only 8% of households possess a motorcycle, which gives us a rough estimate of how common motorcycles are on US roads. Given that motorcycles aren't as common as normal passenger vehicles, motorists might be less likely to look out for them.
For instance, a motorcycle riding in a driver's blind spot or crossing through an intersection at a 2-way stop may be less likely to be seen by a driver who is only watching for other passenger cars.
Because motorcycles are more difficult to spot than other vehicles, motorcyclists must always drive defensively. Bikers can never assume that other drivers can see them, particularly the drivers of cars in front of them. Motorcycle accidents typically occur when motorists:
What Are The Most Common Motorcycle Injuries?
A motorcycle provides you little protection in an accident. This means your body ends up taking the full force of the impact with another vehicle.
Frequently, this causes severe and life-altering injuries to motorcycle accident victims. In fact, approximately 5,000 motorcyclists died in crashes in just one recent year.
While motorcycles just comprise 3 percent of registered vehicles, motorcycle crashes result in 15 percent of all vehicle collision fatalities. Not every motorcycle accident will cause death, however it shows the seriousness these types of collisions lead to.
Some usual injuries are:
That's not to say that survivors can never resume a normal life, but it might take some time and effort, including physical therapy. A motorcycle crash lawyer can help you receive the compensation required to pay for those treatments.
Liability for Montebello Motorcycle Accidents
As these facts suggest, motorcyclists injured in collisions are often the victims of negligence. Every negligence claim is comprised 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 that uses public roads. That includes bicyclists, pedestrians, and other motorists-- including motorcyclists.
When a motorist violates that duty by being careless, intoxicated, fatigued, or distracted, and ends up causing an accident which leads to injury or even wrongful death to another individual, the driver may be held civilly liable to the injured party. He or she can pursue a negligence claim with the help of a motorcycle crash attorney in Montebello.
A motorcyclist injured in an accident might have a claim if they can prove that another driver was at fault. When a motorcycle driver has obeyed all of the traffic laws but is still involved in an accident, odds are that it has been caused by the driver of another vehicle. It could be not seeing the motorcyclist, speeding, being intoxicated, or a combination of the three.
What Should I Do After a Motorcycle Accident?
If You Have Been Involved in a Motorcycle Accident, immediately contact the authorities to make a report if they are involved in an accident. This is especially true if there is an injury or death.
If urgent medical aid 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 appears small and you do not need immediate aid, it is a good idea to get medical care, as some injuries are not immediately apparent.
Additionally, at the scene you need to get the contact and insurance information for the other parties. And you also want contact info for independent witnesses, as investigating police officers do not always gather that information.
Contact a motorcycle crash lawyer soon after the crash. We highly advise that you do this before talking to any insurance carrier.
Contact Our Montebello Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
After your accident, in addition to talking to the authorities and receiving any necessary medical attention, you need to consult with a qualified and experienced personal injury lawyer with experience dealing with motorcycle accidents. Serving victims throughout the Montebello area, the motorcycle crash attorneys at Mendez & Sanchez can assist you.
Too often, accident victims believe that an insurance carrier-- either their own or the other motorist's-- will adequately compensate them for any injuries they have suffered. However, plenty of insurance providers are reluctant to pay, even when liability and damages are clear. This is especially accurate when the injuries are substantial.
Even when an insurance carrier seems responsible, beware. Lots of adjusters will attempt to settle insurance claims quickly. They will urge you to sign an agreement that will allow them to close the case-- and therefore reduce their exposure.
Even if the deal appears sufficient or even generous, it is vital to ensure your legal rights are defended. Contact a lawyer and be sure you comprehend the consequences of the agreement.
The truth is, not all injuries are readily apparent. And for some major injuries, even if you expect full recovery, you can not be sure that the full recovery you expect will happen.
In those situations, signing a release of claims too soon can reduce your settlement to an amount that is significantly less than what you need or what you legally have a right to recover. Major injuries might include:
And, of course, some motorcycle crashes are deadly. If someone you love has been killed in a motorcycle accident, speak to a lawyer to find out whether there's a wrongful death action to pursue against a negligent driver.
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