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What are Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable not just because they lack the protection, but because they are much smaller. This downside makes motorcycles more difficult for other drivers to see 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 a collision because other drivers do not keep a close enough eye out for them. Just 8% of households own a motorcycle, which gives us a general estimate of how common motorcycles are on US roadways. Given that motorcycles aren't as prevalent as regular 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 detect than other cars, motorcyclists need to always drive defensively. Bikers can never presume that other drivers can see them, especially the drivers of cars in front of them. Motorcycle crashes typically occur when motorists:
What are the Most Common Motorcycle Injuries?
A motorcycle provides you little protection in a crash. This means your body ends up taking the full force of the impact with another vehicle.
Often, this causes life-threatening 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 make up 3 percent of registered vehicles, motorcycle crashes result in 15 percent of all vehicle crash fatalities. Not every motorcycle accident will lead to death, but it shows the severity these kinds of crashes inflict.
Some common injuries are:
That's not to say that survivors can never resume a normal life, but it may take some time and effort, including physical therapy. A motorcycle accident attorney can help you recover the compensation needed to pay for those treatments.
Liability for Northridge Motorcycle Accidents
As these facts suggest, motorcyclists wounded in accidents are commonly the victims of negligence. Every negligence case is comprised of four essential 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 that uses public roads. That includes bicyclists, pedestrians, and other drivers-- including motorcyclists.
When a driver violates that duty by being careless, intoxicated, tired, or distracted, and ends up causing an accident which results in injury or even wrongful death to another person, the driver may be held civilly liable to the victim. He or she can seek a negligence case with the assistance of a motorcycle crash lawyer in Northridge.
A motorcyclist wounded in a crash may have a claim if they can demonstrate that another driver was at fault. When a motorcycle driver has obeyed all of the traffic laws however is still involved in a crash, odds 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 Accident?
If You Have Been Involved in a Motorcycle Accident, 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 death.
If urgent medical help is needed, provide what help you can, seek assistance, and call emergency medical assistance. If you are the one who is injured, you should seek immediate medical assistance. 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 apparent.
Furthermore, 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 do not always collect that information.
Call a motorcycle accident lawyer soon after the collision. We strongly advise that you do this before talking to any insurance company.
Contact Our Northridge Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
After your accident, in addition to talking to the authorities and receiving any necessary medical attention, you need to consult with a qualified and knowledgeable personal injury attorney with experience dealing with motorcycle crashes. Serving victims throughout the Northridge area, the motorcycle accident attorneys 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 adequately compensate them for any injuries they have sustained. Unfortunately, lots of insurance providers are unwilling to pay, even when liability and damages are clear. This is particularly true when the damages are substantial.
Even when an insurance provider appears responsible, be wary. Many adjusters will try to settle claims quickly. They will urge you to sign an agreement that will allow them to close the case-- and thus reduce their exposure.
Even if the offer seems adequate or even generous, it is vital to ensure your rights are defended. Contact a lawyer and make sure you comprehend the consequences of the agreement.
The truth is, not all injuries are readily apparent. And for some serious injuries, even if you expect complete recovery, you can not be certain that the complete recovery you expect will happen.
In those situations, 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 recover. Serious injuries might consist of:
And, of course, some motorcycle accidents are deadly. If somebody you love has been killed in a motorcycle collision, contact an attorney to determine whether there's a wrongful death action to pursue against a negligent driver.
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