What Are Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable not just because they lack the protection, but because they are smaller. This disadvantage makes motorcycles more difficult for other motorists to see while driving. It also means that motorcycles and their passengers are more likely to be thrown farther in the event of a collision.
Motorcycles are also more vulnerable to a collision because other motorists don't keep a close enough eye out for them. Just 8% of households own a motorcycle, which gives us a rough estimate of just how common motorcycles are on US roadways. Since motorcycles aren't as prevalent as normal passenger cars, drivers might be less likely to watch out for them.
For example, 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 driver who is only watching for other passenger vehicles.
Because motorcycles are harder to see than other cars, motorcyclists must always drive defensively. Bikers can never presume that other motorists can see them, especially the motorists of vehicles in front of them. Motorcycle crashes commonly happen when drivers:
What Are the Most Common 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.
Commonly, this causes severe and life-altering injuries to motorcycle crash victims. In fact, approximately 5,000 motorcyclists were killed in accidents in just one recent year.
While motorcycles only comprise 3 percent of registered vehicles, motorcycle crashes result in 15 percent of all vehicle accident deaths. Not every motorcycle accident will cause death, however it shows the severity these types of crashes lead to.
Some common injuries are:
That's not to say that survivors can never return to a normal life, but it may take some time and effort, including physical therapy. A motorcycle accident lawyer can help you recover the compensation required to pay for those treatments.
Liability for Pasadena Motorcycle Accidents
As these facts suggest, motorcyclists injured in collisions are often the victims of negligence. Every negligence claim is made up of four main elements: a duty, a breach of that duty, an injury caused by the breach, and injuries 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 other drivers-- including motorcyclists.
When a driver violates that duty by being careless, intoxicated, fatigued, or distracted, and ends up causing a collision which causes 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 crash lawyer in Pasadena.
A motorcyclist injured in an accident might have a claim if they can demonstrate that another driver was at fault. When a motorcycle driver has followed all of the traffic laws however is still involved in an accident, odds are that it has been caused by the driver of another vehicle. It might be not seeing the motorcyclist, speeding, being intoxicated, or a mixture of the three.
What Should I Do After a Motorcycle Crash?
If you have been involved in a motorcycle crash, immediately contact the police to file a report if they are involved in a crash. This is particularly true if there is an injury or fatality.
If immediate medical aid is necessary, provide what help you can, seek 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 small and you do not need immediate help, it is a good idea to seek medical care, as some injuries are not immediately apparent.
Additionally, at the scene you need to get the contact and insurance details for the other parties. And you also want contact info for independent witnesses, as investigating law enforcement don't always collect that info.
Contact a motorcycle crash attorney soon after the accident. We strongly advise that you do this before speaking with any insurance company.
Contact Our Pasadena Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
After your accident, aside from talking to the authorities and getting any necessary medical attention, you need to contact a qualified and knowledgeable personal injury attorney with experience handling motorcycle accidents. Serving victims throughout the Pasadena area, the motorcycle accident attorneys at Mendez & Sanchez can assist you.
Too often, accident victims think that an insurance carrier-- either their own or the other motorist's-- will adequately compensate them for any injuries they have sustained. Unfortunately, many insurance companies are unwilling to pay, even when liability and injuries are clear. This is particularly true when the damages are significant.
Even when an insurer seems responsible, beware. Lots of insurance 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 thereby minimize their exposure.
Even if the deal appears adequate or even generous, it is vital to ensure your rights are defended. Contact a lawyer and be sure you know the consequences of the agreement.
The fact is, not all injuries are readily apparent. And for some serious injuries, even if you anticipate full recovery, you can not be sure that the complete recovery you expect will materialize.
In those situations, signing a release of claims too soon can limit your settlement to an amount that is considerably less than what you need or what you legally have a right to recover. Major injuries can include:
And, obviously, some motorcycle crashes 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 driver.
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