What Are Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable not only because they lack the protection, but because they are much smaller. This disadvantage makes motorcycles harder for other drivers to see while driving. 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 an accident because other motorists do not keep a close enough eye out for them. Only 8% of households own a motorcycle, which provides us a general estimate of how common motorcycles are on US roads. Since motorcycles aren't as common as regular passenger cars, motorists may be less likely to look out for them.
For example, a motorcycle riding in a motorist's blind spot or crossing through an intersection at a 2-way stop might be less likely to be seen by a motorist that is only watching for other passenger vehicles.
Because motorcycles are more difficult to spot than other cars, motorcyclists need to always drive defensively. Bikers can never assume that other motorists can see them, particularly the drivers of vehicles in front of them. Motorcycle accidents typically happen when drivers:
What Are the Most Prevalent Motorcycle Injuries?
A motorcycle provides you little protection in a collision. This means your body ends up taking the full force of the impact with another vehicle.
Commonly, this results in serious and life-altering injuries to motorcycle accident victims. In fact, nearly 5,000 motorcyclists died in accidents in just one recent year.
While motorcycles just comprise 3 percent of registered vehicles, motorcycle accidents result in 15 percent of all vehicle collision deaths. Not every motorcycle accident will cause death, but it shows the seriousness these kinds of collisions result in.
Some usual injuries are:
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 accident lawyer can help you recover the compensation needed to pay for those treatments.
Liability for Bakersfield Motorcycle Accidents
As these facts suggest, motorcyclists injured in accidents are commonly the victims of negligence. Every negligence claim is made up of four main 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 everybody else who uses public roads. That includes bicyclists, pedestrians, and various other drivers-- including motorcyclists.
When a driver violates that duty by being careless, intoxicated, tired, or distracted, and ends up causing an accident which causes injury or even wrongful death to another person, the motorist might be held civilly liable to the victim. They can seek a negligence claim with the assistance of a motorcycle accident attorney in Bakersfield.
A motorcyclist injured in a collision might have a claim if they can prove that another motorist was at fault. When a motorcycle driver has obeyed all of the traffic laws yet is still involved in an accident, chances are that it has been caused by the driver of another vehicle. It could be not seeing the motorcyclist, speeding, being intoxicated, or a combination of the three.
What Should I Do After a Motorcycle Accident?
If you have been involved in a motorcycle crash, immediately call the police to file a report if they are involved in an accident. This is particularly true if there is an injury or death.
If immediate medical aid is needed, provide what help you can, seek assistance, and call emergency medical assistance. If you are the one that is hurt, 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.
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 police officers don't always collect that information.
Contact a motorcycle accident attorney soon after the accident. We strongly recommend that you do this before speaking with any insurance carrier.
Contact Our Bakersfield Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
After your accident, along with talking to the authorities and obtaining any necessary medical attention, you need to call a qualified and experienced personal injury attorney with experience dealing with motorcycle crashes. Serving victims throughout the Bakersfield area, the motorcycle crash attorneys at Tim D. Wright can help you.
Too often, accident victims think that an insurance carrier-- either their own or the other motorist's-- will properly compensate them for any injuries they have suffered. However, many insurance providers are reluctant to pay, even when liability and injuries are obvious. This is especially true when the injuries are substantial.
Even when an insurance company appears responsible, be wary. Many adjusters will attempt to settle claims quickly. They will urge you to sign an agreement that will let them close the case-- and thus minimize their exposure.
Even if the offer appears sufficient or even generous, it is crucial to make sure your rights are protected. Consult an attorney and be sure you comprehend the consequences of the agreement.
The truth is, not all injuries are readily apparent. And for some serious injuries, even if you anticipate complete recovery, you can not be certain that the complete recovery you expect will happen.
In those cases, signing a release of claims prematurely can reduce your settlement to an amount that is significantly less than what you need or what you legally have a right to recuperate. Severe injuries might consist of:
And, obviously, some motorcycle crashes are deadly. 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.
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