Porter Ranch Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

How motorcycle accidents differ from regular automobile accidents

People who have suffered injuries in motorcycle accidents often think that their accidents will be handled in the same manner as if they had instead had car accidents. Motorcycle accidents are substantially different, however. Many people have biases against motorcyclists, viewing them as risk-takers. Insurance companies and defense attorneys understand these biases and may use them to treat the motorcyclists unfairly. Many jurors have never ridden motorcycles and must learn about them and how they are safely operated during the trials. Finally, when people survive motorcycle accidents, they are also much likelier to have suffered catastrophic injuries than are people who are injured in car accidents. Some of these injuries may leave the victims with disabilities that last the remainder of their lives.

How frequently do motorcycle accidents occur?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists are 27 times likelier to be killed and six times likelier to be injured in accidents per mile traveled than are other motorists. In 2015, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported that 4,693 motorcyclists were killed in accidents, accounting for 13 percent of all of the motor vehicle accident fatalities during the year.

How often are motorcyclists at fault in accidents?

Many people believe that motorcyclists are normally at fault for accidents with other vehicles. Researchers have demonstrated that this belief is a fallacy, however. In a study that was commissioned by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration called the Hurt Report, the other vehicle drivers were found to be at fault in motorcycle accidents more than 66 percent of the time. This means that motorcyclists are at fault in 34 percent or less of the motorcycle accidents that happen in the U.S.

Common causes of motorcycle accidents

Many different factors can contribute to motorcycle accidents, including road conditions, inclement weather and others. The most common causes of motorcycle accidents are primarily driver related and include the following:

• Vehicles changing lanes without noticing motorcyclists who are present
• Motorists turning left onto a road in the path of oncoming motorcyclists
• Motorists opening their doors in the path of oncoming motorists when they are parked along streets
• Drivers who are speeding and unable to stop in time for motorcyclists and traffic stopped ahead of them
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Motorists who pull out to pass on two-lane highways, colliding head-on into oncoming motorcyclists
• Lane-splitting by inexperienced motorcyclists

In some cases, both the motorcyclist and the other motorist may share some fault. Motorcyclists who share partial liability for their accidents may still recover damages in California, however. The California Supreme Court adopted the state’s pure comparative negligence rule in a 1975 decision. Under this doctrine, plaintiffs who share partial liability may still recover damages, but their gross awards will be reduced by the percentage of fault that they had in causing their accidents. As an example, if a motorcyclist is determined to have been 10 percent at fault in causing his or her injury accident and is awarded $1 million, he or she will receive a net award of $900,000 after the percentage of fault is taken out of the gross amount.

Common injuries in motorcycle accidents

Motorcyclists are much likelier to suffer catastrophic injuries or to be killed when they are involved in motor vehicle accidents. Some of the most common injuries include the following:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Head, neck and facial injuries
• Spinal injuries
• Severe lacerations and road rash
• Skull fractures
• Thoracic injuries
• Crush injuries
• Amputations
• Internal injuries
• Extremity injuries

It is common for motorcyclists to suffer multiple injuries, and many are also killed.

When to seek help from a motorcycle accident lawyer in Porter Ranch

Motorcyclists who are injured in accidents and the families of those who are killed should seek legal help as soon as possible after the accidents. Insurance companies often dispute liability and try to place blame on the motorcyclists for their accidents. A skilled motorcycle accident lawyer in Porter Ranch understands the common tactics that insurance companies use and works to build evidence to support the victim’s claims.

California has established a statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death cases of two years in Cal. Civ. Proc. §335.1. This means that you will be barred from seeking to recover compensation for your losses if you fail to file your lawsuit within two years of the accident. For practical purposes, it is best to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible after a motorcycle accident. By doing so, you might be able to prevent the loss of important evidence that can happen over time. Contact an experienced Porter Ranch motorcycle accident attorney today to learn more about your rights.

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