Motorcyclists face a number of risks when they hit the open road. In most cases, the right equipment and proper training are enough to avoid those risks, allowing you to enjoy yourself on your ride. Unfortunately, the negligence of other drivers on the road can lead to an accident, regardless of the safety precautions you take.
You have a legal right to seek compensation when you sustain injuries in a motorcycle crash. With the help of a dedicated personal injury attorney, you can pursue a lawsuit demanding payment for the losses you experienced because of the wreck. A Fresno motorcycle accident lawyer will advise you on the types of compensation you might recover and fight to protect your rights.
How Do Motorcycle Accidents Happen?
Motorcycle accidents often result from human error. Many collisions occur because of the careless or reckless actions of other motorists.
A motorcycle takes up less space on the roadway and is, therefore, more difficult to see. Every driver out there, however, owes a duty of care to everyone else on the road. The fact that a motorcycle is harder to spot does not diminish the responsibility that other motorists have for the rider’s safety.
Lane Changes
Motorcycles are at greater risk when a nearby motorist is changing lanes, making a turn, or exiting the roadway. This is when accidents are most likely to happen. Drivers are required to proceed with caution, which includes checking their blind spots and looking over their shoulders.
This responsibility goes beyond looking for other cars and larger vehicles. Drivers are tasked with seeing motorcycles and for taking precautions to share the road with them safely.
Intersections
Intersections are hot spots for traffic accidents of all kinds, including those involving motorcycles. Drivers of cars sometimes have a difficult time gauging a motorcycle’s speed and distance from them, and this can lead to dangerous intersection accidents. The risk increases when the driver is distracted or speeding, both of which allow them less time to react safely.
Motorcyclist Fault
In rare cases, the motorcyclist could be partially responsible for the crash—for example, when the rider traveled at an unsafe speed, split lanes, texted, or operated their motorcycle while impaired.
Third-Party Causes of Wrecks
The motorcycle crash may have also happened due to factors outside the car driver’s or rider’s control. This is the case when an unsafe roadway causes a wreck. Similarly, a defective vehicle or vehicle part could have led to the motorcycle crash, in which case a talented motorcycle accident attorney in Fresno will pursue a lawsuit against the manufacturer.
Road Rash and Other Injuries
On a motorcycle, there is nothing to shield a rider from the impacts of a collision. Accidents often lead to riders being dragged or thrown across the road. This can lead to severe road rash, which refers to the cuts, abrasions, bruises, and burns sustained across the affected area. Road rash is painful, slow to heal, prone to infections, and closely associated with scarring.
The fact is that motorcycle riders are vulnerable to virtually every kind of serious injury in an accident, including those listed below.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Wearing a helmet can help protect a rider’s head from serious injuries, but it doesn’t offer foolproof protection. Even with a helmet, traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a real possibility. TBIs can alter the way a person interacts with the world, which can lead to immense emotional pain and suffering along with overwhelming physical and financial losses.
Complicated Fractures
Broken bones are exceptionally painful and slow to heal. If complications arise during this healing process, they can lead to chronic pain and serious losses in range of motion.
Limb Loss
When a limb is lost in a motorcycle accident or is so badly injured that it requires amputation, the related damages can be severe. The direct impacts of motorcycle accidents makes limb loss a serious risk.
Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury is likely to cause considerable pain and affect range of motion. The violent impact of a motorcycle accident can lead to paralysis, which can alter the course of a rider’s future in an instant.
If a motorcyclist suffers a serious injury in a bike accident in Fresno, an experienced lawyer can help them pursue a claim that will offer them a brighter future.
Recoverable Damages in a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
In a bike accident lawsuit, the Fresno motorcycle wreck attorney’s goal is to secure a monetary award for the injured motorcyclist. These awards consist of many damages. Some examples of the damages available in these cases include the following:
Medical Costs
In many situations, the cost of medical care is the most significant hardship following a motorcycle accident. Emergency care—like ambulance rides or emergency room visits—is costly. When injuries require months or years of ongoing treatment, the resulting bills can overwhelm family members. Thankfully, a personal injury lawsuit could compensate the injured rider for their medical care related to the bike wreck.
Property Damage
Personal property loss is a major issue with many motorcycle accidents. Motorcycles are typically a total loss when they collide with larger vehicles, meaning the rider can no longer use the bike. A lawsuit could compensate the injured person for bike repair or replacement costs.
Lost Wages
Those injured in a motorcycle accident often find themselves in a sudden, unexpected financial hole due to medical debt. This financial strain is usually made worse when the injured rider can no longer work due to their injuries. Whether it is weeks, months, or longer, time spent away from the workplace usually means the loss of a primary source of income. Fortunately, recouping lost wages is often possible through a personal injury suit.
Call a Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Fresno for Help Filing a Lawsuit
Motorcycle accidents have devastating consequences for you and your family; however, you have options for getting your life back on track. Monetary compensation through a personal injury case provides the resources you need moving forward. Call our experienced and hardworking Fresno motorcycle accident lawyers today to schedule a consultation and get started on your case.
