THE PIRNIA
LAW GROUP
FULLERTON Motorcycle Accident LAWYER
"DRIVEN TO BE THE BEST PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS SERVING FULLERTON"
While there are many types of accidents that can arise on the roads, some of the most dangerous are those that include motorcycles. While many people enjoy the feeling of freedom they get on a motorcycle, far too often, it is this same freedom that allows for accidents involving motorcycles to be some of the most catastrophic. This is simply because there are no metal frames or seat belts to safeguard a rider; no airbags to cushion an impact. Instead, motorcyclists are subject to ejection in a severe crash, which can lead to damaging effects.
While we recognize the need for care and respect during such a difficult situation, we also recognize the aftermath of a motorcycle is difficult to overcome. As such, it’s vital to work with a Fullerton personal injury lawyer who can help you navigate the process. At Pirnia Law Group, our primary focus is on you and your needs. We work on your behalf to file the claim where necessary and pursue justice and compensation on your behalf. Your future is of the utmost important to us, and we do all we can to safeguard it.
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HOW DO MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS OCCUR?
To best understand your rights following a motorcycle accident, you want to be sure you recognize the various ways in which these accidents occur. While you may know that negligence is most often playing a role, understanding the types of motorcycle accidents can help you when filing your claim. Of course, it can also help you provide the necessary evidence. You will know what needs to be shown to hold someone accountable after a motorcycle accident occurs.
These are the different types of motorcycle accidents and how they happen:
- Head-on collisions: Roughly 78% of the accidents involving motorcycles and vehicles are from the front. They are often some of the most fatal accidents that can arise. While motorcyclists can sometimes be responsible, negligence such as drunk driving and distracted driving that may cause a motorist to swerve can play a large role.
- Left-hand turn accidents: Intersections can be a very dangerous place, and these types of accidents make up roughly 42% of the collisions that arise. They often occur because the motorcycle is going straight through the intersection and the motorist tries to turn first or the car is going straight and the motorcyclist is turning. Most of the time, one party is speeding trying to make it through before the turn.
- Road hazards: Bad weather conditions or roads can make for immediate dangers on the road. Potholes, slick pavement, uneven concrete, and more can make for a disastrous experience, causing a motorcyclist to lose control of the bike and crash.
While some motorcyclists are negligent (speeding and lane splitting), there are many situations in which motorists are the guilty party. Unfortunately, it is the motorcyclists who suffer some of the worst damages in these types of crashes.
What Injuries Arise in Motorcycle Accidents?
As mentioned before, there’s very little protection for a motorcyclist outside of the gear and equipment he or she is wearing. When an accident occurs, ejection from the bike is a clear possibility, and it has the potential to lead to some of the most catastrophic injuries.
Understanding these injuries and how they happen can help you in pursuing your claim as you seek to recover compensation for the severity of the injuries you suffer and their impact on your life.
Some of the catastrophic injuries that may arise include:
- Traumatic brain injuries: Not every rider wears helmets, nor are some of the ones they do wear sufficient enough to prevent harm. When a crash occurs and the rider is ejected, it’s easy to see how he or she may suffer traumatic impacts to his or her head. This impact is enough to cause some of the most damaging developmental issues.
- Spinal cord injuries: Ejection can also cause the motorcyclist to land on his or her neck or back, which can directly impact the spine and spinal cord. Should the nerves within the spinal cord get damaged, it’s possible that the rider may suffer from significant issues, potentially including paralysis. Similarly, the rider may land awkwardly on the negligent driver’s vehicle, which can also prompt this type of injury.
- Burn injuries: You may not know this, but the term road rash actually refers to a friction burn combined with lacerations that the motorcyclist may sustain upon contact such as sliding on the hard concrete. A friction burn can result in significant damage to the skin, fat, and muscles, but it can also cause long-term pain, scarring, and emotional trauma.
- Broken bones: No matter how the motorcycle accident occurs, significant impact with another vehicle can result in broken arms, legs, ribs, and more. The impact of the collision itself is enough to cause severe fractures, but if a motorcyclist is ejected from his or her bike, the impact from the ground can also play a role in causing the broken bones.
When you suffer any of these injuries, it’s vital to recognize what comes next. You may be dealing with the financial burden of medical bills and the physical pain. However, taking legal action can help you pursue compensation to cover the losses you experience, which are often necessary as the injuries can result in long-term issues.
Do Helmets Prevent Severe Injury?
Motorcyclists are encouraged to wear helmets, and for good reason. They serve a very valuable purpose in keeping a motorcyclist safe on the road. However, it’s important to not blindly rely on only a helmet to keep you safe. There are significantly more problems you may encounter, and even then, a helmet is only so effective in preventing severe harm.
A helmet can be helpful and save a life, but even the impact of a crash while wearing a helmet or not can cause your brain to move around within your skull, causing bruising, bleeding, and more. This impact is enough to cause you to suffer a concussion upon impact. A mild traumatic brain injury is only mild by categorization, but the damages you sustain can still have a long-term impact on your life.
While you do want to continue wearing a helmet, safety comes from being as vigilant as possible on the road. Follow all traffic laws and make sure you’re aware of negligence. If you see another vehicle swerving in and out of lanes, speeding, braking erratically, or showing signs of impairment, you must stay back and report the driver. Staying safe is more than safety equipment; it’s defensive riding on a motorcycle.
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Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident
Like any matter involving negligence and personal injury, there are certain steps you must take to protect your right to compensation after an accident. In motorcycle accidents, it is no different. You still must ensure you’re doing all you can to gather the necessary information to move forward with the process. For instance, if you’re struck by another vehicle, you want to gather the other driver’s information to provide to your insurance company, including contact and insurance information. You also want to take photos, speak with witnesses, and report the accident to your insurance and local authorities.
One of the most important things you want to do is seek out medical help. Motorcycle accidents lead to catastrophic harm and starting your treatment as soon as possible is a good idea. You can also receive medical records pointing to the ways in which the crash may have contributed to your injuries. From there, you want to be sure you’re in contact with a lawyer who can help you build the case that focuses on your rights and options. A lawyer helps to provide you with valuable resources and insights you need to take legal action as it should be done after negligence causes you harm.
Should I Get a Lawyer for a Motorcycle Accident?
Like any matter involving negligence and personal injury, there are certain steps you must take to protect your right to compensation after an accident. In motorcycle accidents, it is no different. You still must ensure you’re doing all you can to gather the necessary information to move forward with the process.
For instance, if you’re struck by another vehicle, you want to gather the other driver’s information to provide to your insurance company, including contact and insurance information. You also want to take photos, speak with witnesses, and report the accident to your insurance and local authorities.
One of the most important things you want to do is seek out medical help. Motorcycle accidents lead to catastrophic harm and starting your treatment as soon as possible is a good idea. You can also receive medical records pointing to the ways in which the crash may have contributed to your injuries.
From there, you want to be sure you’re in contact with a lawyer who can help you build the case that focuses on your rights and options. A lawyer helps to provide you with valuable resources and insights you need to take legal action as it should be done after negligence causes you harm.
FAQ:
Where Do Most Motorcycle Accidents Happen?
While motorcycles can happen anywhere, there are a large majority of motorcycle accidents that occur in intersections. Either the motorcyclist is attempting a left turn and a vehicle speeds up or the motorcyclist is going straight and the motorist thinks they can turn before the motorcyclist makes it to the intersection. A lot of motorcycle accidents also occur on freeways and highways due to passing and lane splitting.
Who Is Liable for Your Motorcycle Accident?
Liability in a motorcycle accident is similar to any auto accident and there are multiple parties who can be found at-fault. Liability in numerous cases involving motorcycles, however, falls on the motor vehicle driver. In most situations, it’s also the driver in a car who is less likely to suffer significant damages as motorcyclists don’t have the same protection.
What is the Potential Liability of the Motorcycle Driver?
Many motorcycle accidents occur because a driver in a vehicle is negligent, but that’s not to say that all motorcyclists are safe. Some think they don’t have to follow the laws of the road and they speed, weave through traffic, and otherwise find themselves acting in negligence. In these situations, the motorcyclist may be the one who is responsible for an accident.
What is a Highside Motorcycle Crash?
A highside motorcycle accident occurs when the motorcyclist loses grip of the rear wheel (such as when it locks up). The motorcycle thrashes rapidly and it tosses the rider off to the ground. In these situations, it’s often because a motorcyclist has to overcorrect on a rear-wheel slide, such as when avoiding an accident.
What is a Lowside Motorcycle Crash?
A lowside motorcycle crash is less likely to eject the rider, but is more likely to cause the motorcyclist to slide across the ground. Typically, these accidents occur when a rider takes a sharp corner and speeds up too quickly coming out of the turn. Dangerous road conditions can also be a prominent cause of lowside motorcycle accidents.
Hire a Fullerton Motorcycle Accident Attorney
At Pirnia Law Group, our Fullerton injury lawyer is dedicated to safeguarding your right to compensation. We know that this is one of the most challenging things you may ever encounter, and it can be difficult to face it alone. You need someone with your best interests in mind to take on the large insurance companies and focus on helping you recover after a motorcycle accident. We work hard to position your case favorably, showing negligence where it may exist, and holding parties liable when their actions cause you harm.
Trust in our experience to guide you from start to finish. We work on contingency fees, which means no win, no fees. We won’t accept payment until we’re able to successfully recover your compensation and help you move forward in the most effective way possible. When you need a voice to stand against negligence, let us be in your corner and work to help you get the maximum compensation needed for your damages. We’re ready to be your trusted partners and advocates.