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What are Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable not just because they lack the protection, but because they are much smaller. This downside makes motorcycles more difficult for other motorists to see while driving. 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 susceptible to an accident since other motorists don't always keep a close enough eye out for them. Just 8% of households own a motorcycle, which provides us a rough estimate of how common motorcycles are on US roadways. Because motorcycles aren't as prevalent as normal passenger vehicles, motorists might 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 who is only watching for other passenger cars.
Because motorcycles are more difficult to detect than other cars, motorcyclists must always drive defensively. Bikers can never presume that other motorists can see them, especially the drivers of vehicles in front of them. Motorcycle accidents often happen when motorists:
What Are the Most Common Motorcycle Injuries?
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 results in serious and life-altering injuries to motorcycle accident 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 accident will cause death, however it shows the seriousness these kinds of accidents cause.
Some typical injuries are:
That's not to say that survivors can never resume a normal life, but it might take some time and effort, including physical therapy. A motorcycle crash lawyer can help you receive the compensation needed to pay for those treatments.
Liability for Glendale Motorcycle Accidents
As these facts suggest, motorcyclists hurt in accidents are commonly the victims of negligence. Every negligence claim is comprised of four main elements: a duty, a breach of that duty, an injury caused by the breach, and injuries sustained by the plaintiff. Drivers of motor vehicles owe a duty of care to everyone else who uses public roads. That includes bicyclists, pedestrians, and various other motorists-- including motorcyclists.
When a driver breaches that duty by being careless, inebriated, fatigued, or distracted, and ends up causing a crash which causes injury or even wrongful death to another person, the driver may be held civilly liable to the injured party. They can pursue a negligence claim with the help of a motorcycle crash attorney in Glendale.
A motorcyclist wounded in a crash might have a claim if he can demonstrate that another motorist 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 might 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 authorities to file a report if they are involved in a crash. This is especially true if there is an injury or death.
If urgent medical aid is necessary, render what help you can, look for assistance, and call emergency medical assistance. If you are the one that is injured, you should seek immediate medical aid. Even if your injury seems minor and you do not need immediate aid, it is a good idea to get medical care, as some injuries are not immediately apparent.
Additionally, at the scene you should collect the contact and insurance information for the other parties. And you also want contact info for independent witnesses, as investigating law enforcement do not always gather that information.
Call a motorcycle crash attorney soon after the collision. We strongly advise that you do this before speaking to any insurance carrier.
Contact Our Glendale Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
After your accident, along with speaking with the authorities and obtaining any necessary medical attention, you need to get in touch with a qualified and experienced personal injury attorney with experience dealing with motorcycle crashes. Serving victims throughout the Glendale area, the motorcycle crash attorneys at Drake Law Firm can assist you.
Too often, accident victims believe that an insurance provider-- either their own or the other motorist's-- will properly compensate them for any injuries they have suffered. Unfortunately, plenty of insurance companies are unwilling to pay, even when liability and damages are obvious. This is especially true when the injuries are significant.
Even when an insurance carrier seems liable, beware. 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 seems sufficient or even generous, it is important to make sure your rights are protected. Speak with a lawyer and make sure you understand 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 full recovery you expect will happen.
In those situations, signing a release of claims too soon can limit your settlement to an amount that is significantly less than what you need or what you legally have a right to recover. Severe injuries may consist of:
And, of course, some motorcycle accidents are deadly. If someone you love has been killed in a motorcycle collision, contact a lawyer to find out whether there's a wrongful death action to pursue against a negligent driver.
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