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What are Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable not just because they lack the protection, but because they are much smaller. This disadvantage makes motorcycles more difficult 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 collision.
Motorcycles are also more susceptible to a wreck because other motorists don't keep a close enough eye out for them. Just 8% of households possess a motorcycle, which provides us a rough estimate of just how common motorcycles are on US roads. Because motorcycles aren't as common as normal passenger cars, motorists may be less likely to watch out for them.
For instance, a motorcycle riding in a driver'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 cars.
Because motorcycles are harder to spot than other vehicles, motorcyclists should always drive defensively. Bikers can never presume that other motorists can see them, particularly the motorists of cars in front of them. Motorcycle crashes commonly happen when motorists:
What Are the Most Prevalent 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.
Commonly, this results in life-threatening and life-altering injuries to motorcycle accident victims. In fact, almost 5,000 motorcyclists died in accidents in just one recent year.
While motorcycles just make up 3 percent of registered vehicles, motorcycle crashes cause 15 percent of all vehicle accident fatalities. Not every motorcycle accident will result in death, but it shows the severity these types of collisions inflict.
Some common injuries are:
That's not to say that survivors can never return to a normal life, but it might take some time and effort, including physical rehabilitation. A motorcycle crash lawyer can help you receive the compensation needed to pay for those treatments.
Liability for Panorama City Motorcycle Accidents
As these facts suggest, motorcyclists injured in accidents are commonly the victims of negligence. Every negligence claim is made up of four major 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 everyone else that uses public roads. That includes bicyclists, pedestrians, and other motorists-- including motorcyclists.
When a motorist breaches that duty by being careless, inebriated, tired, or distracted, and ends up causing a collision which results in injury or even wrongful death to another individual, the driver might be held civilly liable to the injured party. He or she can pursue a negligence claim with the help of a motorcycle accident attorney in Panorama City.
A motorcyclist hurt in a collision might have a claim if he can demonstrate that another driver was at fault. When a motorcycle driver has followed all of the traffic laws however is still involved in a collision, odds are that it has been caused by the driver of another vehicle. It could be not seeing the motorcyclist, speeding, being intoxicated, or a mixture of the three.
What Should I Do After a Motorcycle Accident?
If You Have Been Involved in a Motorcycle Accident, immediately call the police to make a report if they are involved in a crash. This is particularly true if there is an injury or fatality.
If immediate medical aid is needed, provide what aid you can, look for assistance, and call emergency medical help. If you are the one that is hurt, you should seek immediate medical assistance. Even if your injury seems small and you do not need immediate aid, it is a good idea to seek medical care, as some injuries are not immediately apparent.
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 do not always collect that info.
Contact a motorcycle accident lawyer soon after the crash. We strongly suggest that you do this prior to talking to any insurance company.
Contact Our Panorama City Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
After your accident, aside from talking to the authorities and getting any necessary medical attention, you need to consult with a qualified and knowledgeable personal injury attorney with experience dealing with motorcycle crashes. Serving victims throughout the Panorama City area, the motorcycle crash lawyers at Drake Law Firm can help you.
Too often, accident victims believe that an insurance company-- either their own or the other motorist's-- will sufficiently compensate them for any injuries they have suffered. Unfortunately, plenty of insurance providers are reluctant to pay, even when liability and damages are obvious. This is particularly true when the injuries are substantial.
Even when an insurer appears responsible, be wary. Lots of insurance adjusters will try to settle insurance claims quickly. They will urge you to sign an agreement that will let them close the case-- and therefore reduce their exposure.
Even if the offer appears sufficient or even generous, it is important to ensure your rights are defended. Consult a lawyer 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 expect complete recovery, you can not be sure that the complete recovery you hope for will materialize.
In those situations, signing a release of claims too soon can limit your settlement to an amount that is considerably less than what you need or what you legally have a right to recuperate. Severe injuries might consist of:
And, of course, some motorcycle accidents are fatal. If someone you love has been killed in a motorcycle accident, get in touch with an attorney to determine whether there's a wrongful death action to pursue against a negligent driver.
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