Glendora Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
What are Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable not only because they lack the protection, but because they are smaller. This disadvantage makes motorcycles more difficult for other motorists 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 susceptible to a collision since other motorists don't always keep a close enough eye out for them. Only 8% of households possess a motorcycle, which gives us a rough estimate of how common motorcycles are on US roadways. Because motorcycles aren't as common as normal passenger cars, motorists may be less likely to look 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 motorist that is only looking for other passenger cars.
Because motorcycles are more difficult to see than other vehicles, motorcyclists must always drive defensively. Bikers can never assume that other drivers can see them, particularly the motorists of vehicles in front of them. Motorcycle accidents commonly happen when motorists:
- Pull out of a side street, parking lot, or driveway in front of a motorcycle;
- Make a sudden turn in front of a motorcycle;
- Make a lane change in front of or broadside to a motorcycle; or
- Try 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 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, nearly 5,000 motorcyclists were killed in crashes in just one recent year.
While motorcycles just make up 3 percent of registered vehicles, motorcycle crashes result in 15 percent of all vehicle collision deaths. Not every motorcycle crash will cause death, but it shows the seriousness these kinds of collisions inflict.
Some usual 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 therapy. A motorcycle crash attorney can help you receive the compensation required to pay for those treatments.
Liability For Glendora Motorcycle Accidents
As these facts suggest, motorcyclists injured in accidents are commonly the victims of negligence. Every negligence case is made up of four major 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 roads. That includes bicyclists, pedestrians, and other drivers-- including motorcyclists.
When a motorist violates that duty by being careless, inebriated, fatigued, or distracted, and ends up causing a crash which results in injury or even wrongful death to another person, the driver might be held civilly liable to the victim. They can pursue a negligence claim with the help of a motorcycle accident attorney in Glendora.
A motorcyclist wounded in an accident may have a claim if he can prove 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 could be not seeing the motorcyclist, speeding, being intoxicated, or a mixture of the three.
What Should I Do After A Motorcycle Accident?
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, immediately contact the authorities to file a report if they are involved in an accident. This is especially true if there is an injury or fatality.
If immediate medical help is necessary, render what help you can, seek 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 get medical care, as some injuries are not immediately noticeable.
Furthermore, at the scene you need to collect 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 gather that info.
Call a motorcycle accident lawyer soon after the collision. We strongly recommend that you do this before speaking with any insurance carrier.
Contact Our Glendora Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
After your accident, along with talking to the police and receiving any necessary medical attention, you need to call a qualified and knowledgeable personal injury attorney with experience dealing with motorcycle crashes. Serving victims throughout the Glendora area, the motorcycle accident attorneys at First Law Group can assist 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. However, plenty of insurance companies are unwilling to pay, even when liability and injuries are obvious. This is particularly true when the injuries are substantial.
Even when an insurer appears liable, be wary. Lots of 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 offer appears adequate or even generous, it is vital to ensure your legal rights are protected. Contact a lawyer and make sure you comprehend the consequences of the agreement.
The fact is, not all injuries are immediately apparent. And for some major injuries, even if you expect full recovery, you can not be certain that the complete recovery you hope for will happen.
In those situations, signing a release of claims prematurely can reduce your settlement to an amount that is considerably less than what you need or what you legally have a right to recuperate.
And, of course, some motorcycle crashes are fatal. If somebody you love has been killed in a motorcycle accident, get in touch with a lawyer 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 Glendora, California are always available to take your call. For a Free Consultation, call us at (626) 888-8264, or visit our website: FirstLG.com
