Pomona Motorcycle Accident Attorney
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 on the road. It also means that motorcycles and their passengers are more likely to be thrown farther in the event of a crash.
Motorcycles are also more vulnerable to a collision since other drivers do not always 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 roadways. Since motorcycles aren't as common as regular passenger vehicles, 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 that is only watching for other passenger vehicles.
Because motorcycles are more difficult to see than other vehicles, motorcyclists need to always drive defensively. Bikers can never presume that other motorists can see them, particularly the motorists of cars in front of them. Motorcycle accidents often happen when motorists:
- Pull out of a side street, parking lot, or driveway in front of a motorcycle;
- Make an abrupt turn in front of a motorcycle;
- Make a lane change in front of or broadside to a motorcycle; or
- Attempt to pass another vehicle, and fail to spot the motorcyclist in either the passing lane or the target lane.
What Are The Most Prevalent Motorcycle Injuries?
A motorcycle gives you little protection in a collision. This means your body ends up taking the full force of the impact with another vehicle.
Commonly, this leads to severe and life-altering injuries to motorcycle crash victims. In fact, nearly 5,000 motorcyclists were killed in collisions in just one recent year.
While motorcycles just make up 3 percent of registered vehicles, motorcycle accidents cause 15 percent of all vehicle collision fatalities. Not every motorcycle accident will cause death, but it shows the seriousness these kinds of crashes result in.
Some typical injuries are:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Road rash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Amputation
- Death
That's not to say that survivors can never return to a normal life, but it may take some time and effort, including physical rehabilitation. A motorcycle accident attorney can help you recover the compensation required to pay for those treatments.
Liability For Pomona Motorcycle Accidents
As these facts suggest, motorcyclists wounded in accidents are commonly the victims of negligence. Every negligence claim is comprised of four major 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 who uses public thoroughfares. That includes bicyclists, pedestrians, and various other motorists-- including motorcyclists.
When a driver breaches that duty by being careless, inebriated, tired, or distracted, and ends up causing a crash which leads to injury or even wrongful death to another individual, the motorist may be held civilly liable to the injured party. They can pursue a negligence case with the help of a motorcycle crash attorney in Pomona.
A motorcyclist injured in a collision may have a claim if they can prove that another driver was at fault. When a motorcycle driver has followed all of the traffic laws yet is still involved in a crash, 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 combination of the three.
What Should I Do After A Motorcycle Crash?
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, immediately contact the police to make a report if they are involved in a crash. This is particularly true if there is an injury or fatality.
If urgent medical help is necessary, render what help you can, seek assistance, and call emergency medical assistance. If you are the one that is injured, you should seek immediate medical assistance. 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 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 police officers do not always collect that info.
Call a motorcycle crash lawyer soon after the accident. We strongly advise that you do this before speaking with any insurance provider.
Contact Our Pomona Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
After your accident, along with talking to the authorities and getting any necessary medical attention, you should consult with a qualified and experienced personal injury lawyer with experience dealing with motorcycle accidents. Serving victims throughout the Pomona area, the motorcycle accident attorneys at First Law Group can help you.
Too often, accident victims believe that an insurance company-- either their own or the other driver's-- will adequately compensate them for any injuries they have sustained. However, many insurance companies are unwilling to pay, even when liability and injuries are clear. This is particularly true when the injuries are substantial.
Even when an insurance provider appears liable, beware. Lots of 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 thus limit their exposure.
Even if the offer appears sufficient or even generous, it is important to ensure your legal rights are protected. Consult a lawyer and make sure you comprehend the consequences of the agreement.
The reality is, not all injuries are immediately apparent. And for some major injuries, even if you anticipate complete recovery, you can not be sure that the complete recovery you hope for will happen.
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 recuperate. Major injuries may include:
- Spine damage;
- Multiple broken bones;
- Extreme bruising and/or "road rash";
- Traumatic head injuries.
And, of course, some motorcycle accidents are fatal. If somebody you love has been killed in a motorcycle accident, speak to an attorney to find out whether there's a wrongful death action to pursue against a negligent motorist.
At First Law Group, we really care about our community and we are driven by our passion for clients. Our personal injury lawyers in Pomona, California are always available to take your call. For a Free Consultation, call us at (626) 888-8264, or visit our website: FirstLG.com
