Motorcycle accidents unfortunately happen every day in Los Angeles, and they often result in catastrophic injury or even death. Motorcycles offer very little protection in the case of a wreck, making it vitally important for motorcycle riders to be alert and aware at all times on the road.
However, even if you take all possible safety precautions, you could still encounter a reckless driver on the road. If you or a loved one was harmed in a motorbike wreck, you should call a skilled personal injury attorney. With the help of a Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer, you could recover compensation for your losses. Se habla Español.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
No matter how skilled you are on your motorcycle, accidents can always happen. Common causes of motorbike crashes include:
- Car drivers making left turns
- Car drivers merging into a motorcyclist
- Car drivers not paying attention and rear-ending a motorcyclist
- Unexpected bad weather
- Hazardous road conditions
- Defective motorcycle parts or poor repair jobs
The most common cause of motorcycle crashes is other drivers on the road. Car drivers often don’t notice motorcyclists when they try to merge or turn, resulting in tragedy. Left turns are particularly dangerous, as are merges on the freeway. When riding your motorcycle in traffic, you should always be vigilant about paying close attention to other drivers and trying to anticipate their next move.
Road hazards are another common danger to motorcyclists. Road conditions that are perfectly fine for a car may not be safe for a motorcycle, such as loose gravel, wet leaves, or potholes. You may be able to sue for damages if your accident was caused by neglect, such as potholes that were never filled or debris that was never cleaned up. A dedicated lawyer could help you determine the cause of your motorcycle crash.
Potential Motorbike Wreck Injuries
Injuries from a motorcycle accident are often worse than they would have been from a car collision in similar circumstances. Since motorcycles are unprotected, motorcyclists can sustain devastating injuries with long-term consequences. Some of the most common injuries from motorcycle crashes include:
- Broken bones
- Severe road rash
- Burns
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Loss of limbs
- Death
Traumatic brain injury is unfortunately very common, especially if the motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Even with a helmet on, you may still sustain a brain injury – but you have a lower chance of sustaining fatal injuries. Helmets can literally mean the difference between life and death in a crash, so we strongly recommend wearing one.
Motorcycle wreck injuries can require extensive hospital stays, surgery, and rehabilitation. Your life may never be the same afterwards. You may end up permanently disabled or unable to return to your previous career. A seasoned lawyer in Los Angeles can help you obtain the compensation you need for your medical bills and potential loss of income after motorbike wreck.
Compensation in a Motorcycle Collision Lawsuit
If you’ve been severely injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Damages from a motorcycle injury lawsuit can include:
- Medical bills
- Prescription medications
- Rehabilitation costs
- Loss of future income
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- In-home care
The experienced motorbike accident attorneys at Sepulveda Sanchez Law will carefully examine your case and fight for the maximum compensation possible. We are not afraid to go to trial if necessary to get you the compensation we feel you deserve.
A motorcycle accident can turn your life upside down. We can’t help you heal or get your previous quality of life back. However, we can help you get the compensation you need to stay out of medical debt and not worry about providing for yourself and your family while trying to get back on your feet physically and mentally.
Legal Claims for Fatal Motorbike Crashes
Motorcycle accidents too often result in senseless, tragic death. If your loved one was killed in a motorcycle wreck, it can be devastating from both an emotional and financial point of view. Funeral and burial costs plus any medical bills from when your loved one was in the hospital can add up and place strain on your finances.
We know that the time after losing a loved one is incredibly difficult, and you will be deep in mourning. However, calling a lawyer as soon as possible can help you out in the long run. Knowing that you have the resources to pay for unexpected expenses can help ease at least some of your burden.
Damages from a wrongful death motorcycle accident lawsuit can include:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Medical bills prior to death
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of income
We will treat you with respect and compassion throughout your entire case and will be your advocate from beginning to end. You can trust us to do what’s best for you and fight for the compensation you need and deserve.
California Motorcycle Helmet Laws
California is one of the few states in the nation that has a universal helmet law. This means that everyone, regardless of age or experience, must wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. Drivers and passengers must both wear helmets at all times.
Furthermore, helmets must comply with DOT (Department of Transportation) safety standards. Most modern helmets that you can buy in America comply with these standards and will have DOT lettering on the back of the helmet.
There are three different types of helmets you can choose from:
- Full face: This is the safest type of helmet, as it protects the whole head, including a visor portion for the face.
- Three quarters: This type of helmet is structurally the same as a full face helmet but does not offer visor protection for the face. Some people prefer this, as they like to feel the wind in their face.
- Half shell: A half shell motorcycle only covers the top of your head. This type of helmet provides significantly less coverage than a full face or three quarters helmet, but they can be DOT compliant and are better than nothing.
Wearing a motorcycle helmet significantly increases your chances of surviving a motorcycle crash. Please remember to wear your helmet anytime you ride your motorcycle, even if you’re just going a short distance. You never know what could happen, and many accidents occur close to home. If you suffer injuries in a motorcycle crash despite wearing a helmet, reach out to a local attorney as soon as possible.
Is Lane Splitting Legal in Los Angeles?
Lane splitting, also called lane sharing or filtering, is the practice of riding between cars while in a motorcycle. Lane splitting is legal in California, but you should be cautious while doing it. It may be tempting to zoom between cars during a traffic jam on the freeway, but this can be very dangerous.
If you decide to split lanes while riding your motorcycle, keep in mind the following safety tips:
- Keep the speed differential between you and the cars around you minimal. If you’re going significantly faster than surrounding traffic, this increases your chances of getting into an accident.
- Always be aware of the cars around you. Drivers may not be expecting a motorcycle next to them, and they may unexpectedly change lanes.
- Don’t drive in between a lane of active traffic and a lane of parked cars. Someone may unexpectedly open their car door and you could crash.
Riding a motorcycle, which is much smaller and more easily maneuverable than a car, can have many benefits in a city as congested as Los Angeles. However, you should make sure to always ride safely and avoid taking dangerous risks such as speeding through a traffic jam. An accident attorney could help you proceed in a motorbike injury claim involving lane splitting.
Tips for Safe Motorcycle Riding
You can lower your risk of suffering a catastrophic injury in a motorcycle crash by always riding safely, being aware of other cars on the road, and obeying all traffic signals. Here are some general tips for safe motorcycle riding:
- Always wear your helmet, even when only going a short distance
- Make sure any passengers also wear a helmet
- Wear protective clothing and boots to prevent severe road rash
- Drive defensively and watch the cars around you for unexpected turns or merges
- Try not to ride your motorcycle in dangerous weather conditions
Motorcycles can offer a great sense of freedom on the road, but make sure to drive within your limits and never forget that you are much less protected than someone in a car. If you are involved in a motorbike collision, be sure to reach out to a lawyer as soon as possible.
Call A Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
Riding a motorcycle can be exciting, but you have much less protection than someone in a typical car. If you suffered severe injuries in a collision, reach out to a Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer right away to begin discussing your case in a free consultation.