Fontana Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
What Are Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable not only because they lack the protection, but because they are smaller. This downside makes motorcycles more difficult for other drivers to notice 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 susceptible to an accident since other motorists do not keep a close enough eye out for them. Only 8% of households possess a motorcycle, which gives us a general estimate of how common motorcycles are on US roadways. Because motorcycles aren't as common as regular passenger vehicles, drivers may 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 watching for other passenger cars.
Because motorcycles are more difficult to see than other cars, motorcyclists have to always drive defensively. Bikers can never presume that other motorists can see them, especially the drivers of cars in front of them. Motorcycle crashes commonly happen when motorists:
- Salir de una calle lateral, aparcamiento o entrada de vehículos delante de una motocicleta;
- Hacer un giro brusco delante de una motocicleta;
- Hacer un cambio de carril delante de una motocicleta o de lado; o
- Attempt to pass another vehicle, and fail to see the motorcyclist in either the passing lane or the target lane.
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.
Frequently, this results in serious and life-altering injuries to motorcycle crash victims. In fact, approximately 5,000 motorcyclists died in collisions in just one recent year.
While motorcycles only make up 3 percent of registered vehicles, motorcycle accidents result in 15 percent of all vehicle accident fatalities. Not every motorcycle accident will cause death, yet it shows the seriousness these types of collisions inflict.
Some common injuries are:
- Huesos rotos
- Lesiones cerebrales traumáticas
- Salpicaduras
- Lesiones medulares
- Lesiones de cuello y espalda
- Amputación
- Muerte
That's not to say that survivors can never return to a normal life, but it may take some time and effort, including physical rehabilitation. A motorcycle accident attorney can help you recover the compensation needed to pay for those treatments.
Liability For Fontana Motorcycle Accidents
As these facts suggest, motorcyclists wounded in collisions are commonly the victims of negligence. Every negligence case is made up of four essential elements: a duty, a breach of that duty, an injury caused by the breach, and damages sustained by the plaintiff. Drivers of motor vehicles owe a duty of care to everyone else that uses public thoroughfares. That includes bicyclists, pedestrians, and other drivers-- including motorcyclists.
When a driver breaches that duty by being careless, inebriated, fatigued, or distracted, and ends up causing a crash which results in injury or even wrongful death to another person, the driver may be held civilly liable to the victim. They can pursue a negligence claim with the assistance of a motorcycle accident lawyer in Fontana.
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 obeyed all of the traffic laws but is still involved in a collision, chances are that it has been caused by the driver of another vehicle. It could be not seeing the motorcyclist, speeding, being inebriated, or a mixture of the three.
What Should I Do After A Motorcycle Crash?
If You Have Been Involved in a Motorcycle Accident, immediately contact the authorities to file a report if they are involved in a crash. This is particularly true if there is an injury or death.
If urgent medical aid is needed, render what help you can, seek 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 help, it is a good idea to seek medical care, as some injuries are not immediately apparent.
Further, at the scene you should get the contact and insurance information for the other parties. And you also want contact info for independent witnesses, as investigating police officers don't always gather that information.
Call a motorcycle crash lawyer soon after the accident. We strongly recommend that you do this prior to speaking to any insurance provider.
Contact Our Fontana Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
After your accident, in addition to speaking with the police and obtaining any necessary medical attention, you should consult with a qualified and experienced personal injury lawyer with experience handling motorcycle accidents. Serving victims throughout the Fontana area, the motorcycle accident lawyers at First Law Group can help you.
Too often, accident victims believe that an insurance carrier-- either their own or the other driver's-- will properly compensate them for any injuries they have suffered. Unfortunately, plenty of insurance providers are unwilling to pay, even when liability and injuries are obvious. This is particularly true when the injuries are substantial.
Even when an insurance provider appears responsible, beware. Many insurance adjusters will try to settle claims quickly. They will advise you to sign an agreement that will let them close the case-- and thereby reduce their exposure.
Even if the deal appears sufficient or even generous, it is vital to make sure your rights are protected. Contact an attorney and be sure you comprehend the consequences of the agreement.
The fact is, not all injuries are readily apparent. And for some major injuries, even if you anticipate full recovery, you can not be sure that the complete recovery you hope for will materialize.
In those instances, signing a release of claims prematurely can limit your settlement to an amount that is considerably less than what you need or what you legally have a right to recuperate.
And, of course, some motorcycle crashes are fatal. If somebody you love has been killed in a motorcycle accident, contact a lawyer to determine whether there's a wrongful death action to pursue against a negligent driver.
At First Law Group, we really care about our community and we are driven by our passion for clients. Our personal injury lawyers in Fontana, California are always available to take your call. For a Free Consultation, call us at (626) 888-8264, or visit our website: FirstLG.com
