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What Are Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable not only because they lack the protection, but because they are much smaller. This disadvantage makes motorcycles harder 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 wreck.
Motorcycles are also more susceptible to an accident because other drivers don't keep a close enough eye out for them. Just 8% of households own a motorcycle, which provides us a rough estimate of how common motorcycles are on US roads. Given that motorcycles aren't as common as regular passenger cars, motorists may be less likely to watch out for them.
For instance, a motorcycle riding in a driver's blind spot or crossing through an intersection at a 2-way stop might be less likely to be seen by a driver that is only watching for other passenger cars.
Because motorcycles are more difficult to detect than other cars, motorcyclists should always drive defensively. Bikers can never presume that other motorists can see them, particularly the drivers of vehicles in front of them. Motorcycle crashes typically happen when motorists:
What Are the Most Prevalent Motorcycle Injuries?
A motorcycle gives you little protection in an accident. This means your body ends up taking the full force of the impact with another vehicle.
Frequently, this leads to severe and life-altering injuries to motorcycle crash victims. In fact, almost 5,000 motorcyclists died in accidents in just one recent year.
While motorcycles just make up 3 percent of registered vehicles, motorcycle accidents result in 15 percent of all vehicle accident deaths. Not every motorcycle crash will lead to death, however it shows the seriousness these types of accidents cause.
Some typical injuries are:
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 receive the compensation required to pay for those treatments.
Liability for Studio City Motorcycle Accidents
As these facts suggest, motorcyclists injured in collisions are often the victims of negligence. Every negligence claim consists of four essential elements: a duty, a breach of that duty, an injury caused by the breach, and damages suffered 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 driver violates that duty by being careless, inebriated, 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. They can pursue a negligence case with the assistance of a motorcycle crash attorney in Studio City.
A motorcyclist injured in a crash may have a claim if he can demonstrate that another motorist was at fault. When a motorcycle driver has obeyed all of the traffic laws but is still involved in an accident, 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 mixture of the three.
What Should I do After a Motorcycle Crash?
If you have been involved in a motorcycle crash, immediately call the authorities to file a report if they are involved in a crash. This is especially true if there is an injury or death.
If immediate medical help is needed, render what help you can, look for assistance, and call emergency medical help. If you are the one who is hurt, you should seek immediate medical aid. Even if your injury appears small and you do not need immediate aid, it is a good idea to seek medical care, as some injuries are not immediately noticeable.
Furthermore, at the scene you need to collect the contact and insurance information 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 strongly recommend that you do this before speaking to any insurance provider.
Contact Our Studio City Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
After your accident, aside from speaking with the police and obtaining any necessary medical attention, you should contact a qualified and knowledgeable personal injury attorney with experience handling motorcycle accidents. Serving victims throughout the Studio City 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 suffered. However, plenty of insurance companies are unwilling to pay, even when liability and damages are obvious. This is particularly true when the injuries are significant.
Even when an insurer seems liable, be wary. Lots of adjusters will try to settle claims quickly. They will advise you to sign an agreement that will let them close the case-- and thus minimize their exposure.
Even if the deal appears adequate or even generous, it is crucial to ensure your legal rights are protected. Speak with a lawyer and make sure you understand the consequences of the agreement.
The fact is, not all injuries are immediately apparent. And for some major injuries, even if you anticipate full recovery, you can not be certain that the complete recovery you hope for will materialize.
In those situations, signing a release of claims prematurely can limit your settlement to an amount that is considerably less than what you need or what you legally have a right to recuperate. Major injuries may consist of:
And, of course, some motorcycle crashes are fatal. If someone you love has been killed in a motorcycle collision, contact a lawyer to determine whether there's a wrongful death action to pursue against a negligent motorist.
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