Glendale Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

More About Motorcycle Accidents in Los Angeles

Motorcyclists are at a significantly higher risk for accidents than car occupants for various reasons. Motorcycles' inherent design offers less protection than cars, making riders more physically vulnerable in collisions.

Without the barrier of a car’s steel shell and lacking safety features such as seatbelts and airbags, motorcyclists can sustain severe and even catastrophic injuries when thrown from their bikes or when falling beneath them.

Motorcycles are smaller and less visible to car drivers, increasing the likelihood of being overlooked, especially at intersections or during lane changes. Their agility and speed also mean that riders need exceptional skill and constant defensive attention to maneuver safely. A common complaint by motorists who cause accidents involving motorcycles is that they “didn’t see” them in traffic. 

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, taking the right steps immediately afterward can seriously impact your ability to recover compensation:

• Seek Medical Attention: Your health and safety are the top priority. Even if you believe your injuries are minor, getting a medical evaluation is essential.
• Report the Accident: Contact law enforcement and file an accident report. This documentation can be critical for your case.
• Gather Evidence: Take photographs of the accident scene, your motorcycle, and any visible injuries. Collect all contact information from witnesses and other parties involved.
• Avoid Admitting Fault: Do not admit fault at the accident scene, as this can be used against you later.
• Consult a Lawyer: Contacting a Glendale motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible ensures that your rights are well protected and that you have the best chance of securing a favorable result.

Motorcycle Accident Injuries

The heightened risk for motorcyclists extends to the severity of the injuries they are likely to sustain in an accident. Without the protective enclosure that cars provide, motorcyclists often suffer direct impacts in crashes. 

Some potential injuries include:

• Brain injuries: Even with helmet protection, riders can suffer devastating brain injuries from the force of the impact during an accident.
• Spinal cord injuries: These can result in partial or complete paralysis, affecting mobility and quality of life.
• Broken bones: The force of collision can lead to multiple fractures, which may require surgeries and long-term recovery.
• Road rash: Skin abrasions can be severe, sometimes causing nerve damage and necessitating skin grafts, leading to infection risks.
• Internal injuries: Impact with objects or the motorcycle itself can cause internal bleeding and organ damage.

Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Every motorcycle accident is unique in its causes and circumstances. However, certain causes are more prevalent than others in these incidents. Speeding by either party increases the likelihood of an accident.

Many motorcyclists are injured in accidents when a car makes a left-hand turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle. Potholes, slick surfaces, and debris can contribute to these accidents, as can malfunctions of motorcycle or motor vehicle components and parts. 

Finally, disobeying traffic laws, such as distracted driving, running red lights and stop signs, tailgating, improper U-turns, and failing to yield, all contribute to motorcycle accidents. These violations incur liability on those who commit them. 

Potential Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Victims

Victims of motorcycle accidents may be entitled to various forms of compensation to cover both the immediate and long-term effects of their injuries. 

Key areas for which compensation can be sought include:

• Medical expenses: This covers emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, medication, physical therapy, and any ongoing medical care related to the accident.
• Lost wages: Compensation can be claimed for income lost due to the inability to work during recovery. Future earnings can also be claimed if the victim is unable to return to work or forced into a lower-paying job due to their injuries.
• Pain and suffering: This encompasses compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress suffered as a result of the accident. The severity of the injuries and their impact on the victim's lifestyle and mental health play a role in determining this amount.
• Property damage: Reimbursement for repairing or replacing the motorcycle and any other personal property damaged in the crash.
• Loss of consortium: This relates to compensation awarded to spouses or family members for loss of companionship and support. This is a type of non-economic damage that can be claimed when a motorcyclist is injured or killed due to someone else's negligence. 
• Punitive damages: In cases where the other party's negligent behavior was particularly egregious, the court may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter future misconduct.

How to Prove Negligence

Here’s how you can prove negligence in a motorcycle accident claim:

Duty of Care: You will need to establish that the defendant owed you a duty of care. In the context of driving, all motorists have a legal responsibility to operate their vehicles safely and follow traffic laws to avoid harming others.

Breach of Duty: Next, you need to show that the defendant neglected this duty of care. Examples of a breach might include:

Speeding
Running a red light or stop sign
Failing to yield the right of way
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Reckless driving
Distracted driving (e.g., texting while driving)

Causation: You will need to indicate that the defendant's breach of duty directly caused the accident and your injuries. This involves proving that:

The accident would not have occurred if the defendant had not breached their duty.
The injuries sustained are a direct result of the accident.

Damages: Lastly, you need to show that you suffered actual damages as a result of the accident. This can include:

Medical expenses
Lost wages or loss of earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Property damage