Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable not just because they lack the protection, but because they are smaller. This disadvantage makes motorcycles harder for other motorists 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 wreck.
Motorcycles are also more vulnerable to a wreck because other motorists don't always keep a close enough eye out for them. Only 8% of households own a motorcycle, which provides us a rough estimate of how common motorcycles are on US streets. Because motorcycles aren't as common as normal passenger cars, drivers may be less likely to watch out for them.
For instance, 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 who is only watching for other passenger cars.
Because motorcycles are harder to spot than other vehicles, motorcyclists should always drive defensively. Bikers can never assume that other motorists can see them, especially the drivers of vehicles in front of them. Motorcycle crashes typically happen when motorists:
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.
Often, this leads to life-threatening and life-altering injuries to motorcycle accident victims. In fact, almost 5,000 motorcyclists died in crashes in just one recent year.
While motorcycles only make up 3 percent of registered vehicles, motorcycle accidents result in 15 percent of all vehicle accident deaths. Not every motorcycle accident will result in death, however it shows the severity these kinds of accidents cause.
Some usual injuries are:
That's not to say that survivors can never resume 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.
As these facts suggest, motorcyclists hurt in collisions 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 drivers-- including motorcyclists.
When a motorist violates 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 person, the driver might be held civilly liable to the injured party. They can pursue a negligence case with the help of a motorcycle accident attorney in Burbank.
A motorcyclist wounded in an accident might have a claim if he can demonstrate that another driver was at fault. When a motorcycle driver has obeyed all of the traffic laws however is still involved in a crash, 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 combination of the three.
If You Have Been Involved in a Motorcycle Accident, immediately contact the police to make a report if they are involved in an accident. This is especially true if there is an injury or death.
If immediate medical aid is necessary, provide what aid you can, seek assistance, and call emergency medical assistance. If you are the one that is injured, you should seek immediate medical help. Even if your injury seems small and you do not need immediate help, it is a good idea to seek medical care, as some injuries are not immediately noticeable.
Additionally, 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 don't always gather that info.
Contact a motorcycle accident lawyer soon after the crash. We highly recommend that you do this before speaking with any insurance provider.
After your accident, along with speaking with the police and obtaining any necessary medical attention, you need to consult with a qualified and knowledgeable personal injury attorney with experience handling motorcycle crashes. Serving victims throughout the Burbank area, the motorcycle crash attorneys at Tim D. Wright can help you.
Too often, accident victims believe that an insurance provider-- either their own or the other driver's-- will adequately compensate them for any injuries they have sustained. However, lots of insurance providers are unwilling to pay, even when liability and injuries are obvious. This is especially true when the damages are significant.
Even when an insurer appears liable, be wary. Many insurance adjusters will attempt to settle insurance claims quickly. They will advise you to sign an agreement that will let them close the case-- and thereby limit their exposure.
Even if the offer appears sufficient or even generous, it is vital to make sure your rights are protected. Consult an attorney and make sure you know the consequences of the agreement.
The truth is, not all injuries are readily apparent. And for some serious injuries, even if you anticipate full recovery, you can not be certain that the complete recovery you expect will materialize.
In those instances, signing a release of claims prematurely can reduce your settlement to an amount that is substantially less than what you need or what you legally have a right to recuperate. Severe injuries may include:
And, obviously, some motorcycle crashes are fatal. If someone you love has been killed in a motorcycle crash, contact a lawyer to determine whether there's a wrongful death action to pursue against a negligent motorist.
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