Motorcycle riders experience an unparalleled sense of freedom, but there is a cost associated with it. Motorcycle accidents are common and often result in fatalities. Unfortunately, even those who survive these crashes typically suffer devastating injuries.
When you suffer injuries in a motorcycle crash, you can hold the responsible parties liable for your losses with the help of a hardworking injury attorney. A Bakersfield motorcycle accident lawyer can explain your legal options and assist you in obtaining the maximum compensation for your injuries.
What Causes Motorcycle Crashes?
Motorcycles are challenging for drivers to see, resulting in numerous collisions between motorcycles and other vehicles. When someone is driving a car or truck, their attention is focused on the road ahead, looking for vehicles of similar size.
However, motorcycles are much smaller than other vehicles on the road and move differently. California motorcyclists may split lanes legally, allowing motorcycles to travel in places cars or trucks cannot. That said, drivers may not see a motorcycle in the lane beside them, even when the bike is in the driver’s line of vision.
Car drivers often bear most or all the responsibility for motorcycle collisions. A failure to see a motorcycle leads other vehicles to cut them off, merge into them, turn in front of them, or cause accidents in different ways. Bikers may also be liable if they operate their bikes recklessly or while impaired, go too fast for conditions, or do not obey right-of-way laws. A diligent attorney in Bakersfield can investigate a motorcycle wreck to determine who was responsible and prevent the court from putting the blame on the victim.
Common Motorcycle Collision Injuries
Riding at high speeds without any protective physical barrier leaves a rider vulnerable to significant injuries. The severity and types of injuries sustained vary depending on the mechanics of the crash, the rider’s age and overall health, the size of the bike, and whether the rider was wearing an approved helmet, as required by California Vehicle Code §27803.
When a motorcycle collides with a car or large vehicle, the rider may be thrown clear of the bike or pinned beneath it. Both scenarios produce distinctive injuries, including the following:
- Road rash, as well as deep abrasions and friction burns to the skin
- Soft tissue injuries and fractures of the neck, shoulder, and back
- Fractures in the wrist and hands
- Damage to the lower leg, including soft tissue injuries, fractures, and traumatic amputations
- Injuries to the chest, diaphragm, and internal organs
- Disfiguring facial injuries
- Concussion and traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
Injuries of this magnitude could be life-altering. Even when the rider’s injuries are relatively minor, they will likely require medical care, resulting in missed time at work and the inability to participate in activities they usually enjoy. A seasoned Bakersfield lawyer can hold the parties accountable for a motorcycle crash and the injured rider’s subsequent losses.
Pursuing Compensation After a Motorcycle Wreck
California follows the pure comparative negligence theory, meaning that an injured person could collect damages even when they are partially or mainly responsible for an accident. When a motorcycle crash case goes to a trial, the jury decides how to divide responsibility for the crash among the parties; however, insurance companies often make the same calculations when negotiating pre-trial settlements.
The injured rider’s damages include all their injury-related out-of-pocket expenses, unearned income, lost earnings opportunities, property damage, and incidental expenses. In addition, the rider can collect compensation for their embarrassment, inconvenience, pain, disfigurement, disability, and other non-economic losses they sustained in the crash.
A skilled Bakersfield attorney can help a bike rider calculate their damages following their collision. In most cases, the insurance company for the driver and the rider’s legal representative can negotiate an acceptable settlement. Additionally, if the rider is clearly blameless, a legal representative can ensure the rider’s compensation reflects that fact.
Seek Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident With a Bakersfield Attorney
When you are hurt in a motorcycle collision, you can hold the other parties accountable by seeking compensation from them in civil court. The law makes negligent parties responsible for the damage they cause, but you must actively pursue a legal claim against them.
With their knowledge and skills, a Bakersfield motorcycle accident lawyer can manage your claim and help fight for a successful conclusion on your behalf. Schedule a consultation today.
