Motorcycle accident lawyer in Baldwin Park, CA
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 notice while driving. 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 vulnerable to a wreck since other motorists do not always keep a close enough eye out for them. Only 8% of households possess a motorcycle, which provides us a general estimate of just 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 may be less likely to be seen by a driver that is only watching for other passenger vehicles.
Because motorcycles are harder to spot than other cars, motorcyclists must always drive defensively. Bikers can never assume that other motorists can see them, particularly the drivers of vehicles in front of them. Motorcycle crashes 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 results in severe and life-altering injuries to motorcycle crash victims. In fact, approximately 5,000 motorcyclists were killed in crashes in just one recent year.
While motorcycles just comprise 3 percent of registered vehicles, motorcycle accidents cause 15 percent of all vehicle accident fatalities. Not every motorcycle crash will result in death, yet it shows the seriousness these kinds of collisions cause.
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 rehabilitation. A motorcycle accident lawyer can help you receive the compensation needed to pay for those treatments.
Liability for Baldwin Park Motorcycle Accidents
As these facts suggest, motorcyclists injured in accidents are commonly the victims of negligence. Every negligence claim is made up 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 who uses public roads. That includes bicyclists, pedestrians, and other drivers-- including motorcyclists.
When a motorist breaches that duty by being careless, intoxicated, tired, or distracted, and ends up causing a crash which leads to injury or even wrongful death to another person, the driver might be held civilly liable to the injured party. They can pursue a negligence case with the assistance of a motorcycle accident lawyer in Baldwin Park.
A motorcyclist injured in a collision may have a claim if they can demonstrate that another motorist was at fault. When a motorcycle driver has obeyed all of the traffic laws yet is still involved in a crash, chances are that it has been caused by the driver of another vehicle. It might be not seeing the motorcyclist, speeding, being inebriated, or a mixture of the three.
What Should I Do After a Motorcycle Accident?
If You Have Been Involved in a Motorcycle Accident, immediately call the police to make 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 necessary, provide what aid you can, seek assistance, and call emergency medical assistance. If you are the one who is injured, you should seek immediate medical help. Even if your injury appears small and you do not need immediate help, it is a good idea to seek medical care, as some injuries are not immediately apparent.
Further, at the scene you should get the contact and insurance details for the other parties. And you also want contact information for independent witnesses, as investigating law enforcement do not always collect that info.
Contact a motorcycle crash lawyer soon after the crash. We highly advise that you do this before speaking to any insurance company.
Contact Our Baldwin Park Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
After your accident, aside from speaking with the authorities and obtaining any necessary medical attention, you should contact a qualified and knowledgeable personal injury lawyer with experience dealing with motorcycle accidents. Serving victims throughout the Baldwin Park area, the motorcycle accident attorneys at First Law Group can assist you.
Too often, accident victims think that an insurance carrier-- either their own or the other driver's-- will sufficiently compensate them for any injuries they have suffered. However, many insurance companies are reluctant to pay, even when liability and injuries are obvious. This is particularly true when the damages are significant.
Even when an insurance company seems liable, be wary. Many insurance adjusters will attempt to settle insurance claims quickly. They will urge you to sign an agreement that will let them close the case-- and thereby limit their exposure.
Even if the deal appears sufficient or even generous, it is vital to ensure your rights are protected. Consult an attorney and make sure you comprehend the consequences of the agreement.
The fact is, not all injuries are readily apparent. And for some major injuries, even if you anticipate full recovery, you can not be certain that the complete recovery you expect will materialize.
In those cases, 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. Severe injuries may consist of:
And, obviously, some motorcycle crashes are fatal. If somebody you love has been killed in a motorcycle collision, speak to an attorney to find out whether there's a wrongful death action to pursue against a negligent motorist.
At the First Law Group, the client comes first. Contact us today for a free case evaluation where we will discuss your health needs first, then get you the compensation you deserve.
