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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 downside makes motorcycles more difficult for other drivers to see while driving. It also means that motorcycles and their passengers are more likely to be thrown further in the event of a crash.
Motorcycles are also more vulnerable to a collision since other motorists do not always keep a close enough eye out for them. Only 8% of households own a motorcycle, which gives us a rough estimate of how common motorcycles are on US roads. Given that motorcycles aren't as prevalent as regular passenger vehicles, drivers might 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 might be less likely to be seen by a motorist that is only looking for other passenger cars.
Since motorcycles are more difficult to see than other vehicles, motorcyclists have to always drive defensively. Bikers can never assume 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 Common Motorcycle Injuries?
A motorcycle gives you little protection in a crash. This means your body ends up taking the full force of the impact with another vehicle.
Often, this causes life-threatening and life-altering injuries to motorcycle accident victims. In fact, almost 5,000 motorcyclists died in collisions in just one recent year.
While motorcycles just comprise 3 percent of registered vehicles, motorcycle crashes result in 15 percent of all vehicle crash deaths. Not every motorcycle accident will result in death, but it shows the seriousness these types of collisions result in.
Some common 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 therapy. A motorcycle accident attorney can help you recover the compensation needed to pay for those treatments.
Liability for Van Nuys Motorcycle Accidents
As these facts suggest, motorcyclists injured in collisions are often 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 damages suffered by the plaintiff. Drivers of motor vehicles owe a duty of care to everyone else who uses public roads. That includes bicyclists, pedestrians, and other motorists-- including motorcyclists.
When a driver breaches that duty by being careless, intoxicated, tired, or distracted, and ends up causing an accident which causes injury or even wrongful death to another individual, the motorist may be held civilly liable to the victim. He or she can pursue a negligence claim with the help of a motorcycle crash lawyer in Van Nuys.
A motorcyclist injured in a collision 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, odds 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.
What Should I Do After a Motorcycle Crash?
If you have been involved in a motorcycle crash, immediately call the authorities to make a report if they are involved in an accident. This is especially true if there is an injury or fatality.
If immediate medical help is necessary, render what help you can, look for assistance, and call emergency medical help. If you are the one that is hurt, 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 seek 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 collect that information.
Call a motorcycle accident lawyer soon after the collision. We strongly advise that you do this prior to speaking to any insurance carrier.
Contact Our Van Nuys Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
After your accident, along with talking to the authorities and receiving any necessary medical attention, you should call a qualified and knowledgeable personal injury lawyer with experience handling motorcycle crashes. Serving victims throughout the Van Nuys area, the motorcycle crash lawyers at Drake Law Firm can assist you.
Too often, accident victims believe that an insurance carrier-- either their own or the other motorist's-- will properly compensate them for any injuries they have sustained. Unfortunately, plenty of insurance companies are reluctant to pay, even when liability and damages are obvious. This is especially true when the injuries are significant.
Even when an insurance company seems liable, beware. Many insurance adjusters will try to settle claims quickly. They will advise you to sign an agreement that will allow them to close the case-- and thereby limit their exposure.
Even if the offer seems sufficient or even generous, it is important to make sure your rights are protected. Talk to a lawyer and be sure you know the consequences of the agreement.
The reality is, not all injuries are immediately apparent. And for some serious injuries, even if you expect complete recovery, you can not be sure that the complete recovery you expect will happen.
In those cases, signing a release of claims prematurely 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 might consist of:
And, of course, some motorcycle crashes are fatal. If someone you love has been killed in a motorcycle collision, contact a lawyer to determine whether there's a wrongful death action to pursue against a negligent motorist.
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