What Causes Most Motorcycle Accidents in California?

Motorcycles are popular throughout Southern California, and many motorcyclists can enjoy riding without issue. But unfortunately, motorcycle accidents occur, and these incidents have a very high chance of causing tremendous injuries to those involved. Even the most careful riders can experience traumatic accidents that carry lifelong consequences. Therefore, all motorcyclists and motorcycle passengers need to acknowledge the risks they face when they take to the road and the inherent dangers posed by their vehicles.

Motorcycle accidents happen for many of the same reasons as all other vehicle accidents. However, motorcyclists face increased danger in an accident because a bike offers very little physical protection in a crash. Additionally, motorcycles lack the safety features of most modern passenger vehicles, such as airbags and crash-resistant frames. Therefore, if you or a loved one recently experienced a motorcycle accident in Southern California, it’s essential to determine the cause of the accident and understand the value of legal counsel as you work toward securing compensation for your losses.

Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and various other agencies operating at the national and state levels collect accident data each year to determine the leading causes of several types of vehicle accidents. According to available data from various sources, distracted driving remains the leading cause of all vehicle accidents in the US each year. Even a momentary distraction is enough to cause a severe accident. However, motorcycles are very different from most other enclosed passenger vehicles, and they are more susceptible to various risk factors.

Speeding is another leading cause of motorcycle accidents throughout the country. Motorcycles are small, fast, and highly maneuverable, and this, unfortunately, compels some riders into taking unnecessary risks while riding their bikes. When other drivers speed, they may be unable to slow down or stop in time to avoid a collision with a motorcycle. Any accident that happens at high speed can result in devastating injuries to those involved. The risk of significant injury and death increases with speed, so accidents at higher speeds are most likely to result in these tragic consequences.

Moving violations, such as running red lights and performing illegal turns, are also commonly cited causes of motorcycle accidents. Drivers’ failure to yield may also cause motorcycle accidents, and all drivers must be cautious around smaller vehicles like motorcycles. Whenever a motorcycle accident occurs, the rider could potentially sustain serious injuries from the primary impact of colliding with the other vehicle and the secondary impact of hitting the ground.

Motorcyclists must understand their vulnerabilities on the road, especially regarding visibility. While it is unrealistic for any driver to expect to accurately anticipate the actions of other drivers at any given time, being a defensive rider and paying close attention to traffic conditions is one of the best ways to limit your risk of experiencing a motorcycle accident. Unfortunately, these accidents can still occur despite the best efforts of riders to ride as safely as possible.

Can I Sue for a Motorcycle Accident?

If another driver is responsible for causing your recent motorcycle accident in Southern California, you have the right to seek accountability for your damages. The first step in recovering losses from a vehicle accident in California is an insurance claim against the at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy. All California drivers must maintain auto insurance coverage that takes effect when they cause accidents. However, even if you are successful with your insurance claim, the other driver’s coverage may be insufficient for compensating the full scope of your damages.

If you cannot obtain full recovery from an auto insurance claim, you must file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver who caused your accident. While insurance may cover a portion of your medical expenses and some of the cost of repairing or replacing your bike, the at-fault driver’s policy is unlikely to provide sufficient coverage for all your damages. A personal injury claim allows you to seek full repayment of your property losses, medical expenses, long-term medical costs, and lost income resulting from the accident.

An experienced attorney can help you calculate these economic damages and assist you in determining a fair amount of pain and suffering compensation to include in your civil suit. California law allows a personal injury plaintiff to seek pain and suffering compensation that reflects the severity of their injury and the long-term effects caused by the defendant’s negligence or intentional misconduct. You might be surprised to discover that your pain and suffering compensation forms the majority of your total recovery.

Proving Fault for a Motorcycle Accident

If another driver caused your recent motorcycle accident, an experienced attorney could help you hold them accountable with a civil claim. Success with your case hinges on accurately identifying the party or parties responsible for causing your damages and providing clear proof of the full scope of those damages. Next, you must prove that the defendant’s actions directly caused your damages.

When a motorcycle accident occurs due to distracted driving, speeding, or any of the other commonly cited causes of such accidents, your personal injury attorney will be an invaluable asset to prove fault for the incident. They can help you secure traffic camera recordings, cell phone records, and vehicle computer data to assist you in proving exactly how your accident occurred. They will also help you prove the full extent of the damages caused by the defendant’s actions, maximizing your recovery.

Motorcycle accidents can easily result in life-changing injuries, some of which will prevent victims from working or living independently due to their permanent effects. Even when motorcyclists wear the highest quality safety equipment, they can still suffer devastating injuries in any crash. Perry Personal Injury Lawyers has years of experience representing Southern California clients in a wide range of civil cases, including many motorcycle accident claims. We understand the uncertainty that can follow such an event, and our goal is to help our client approach their case with confidence and maximize their recovery. If you are ready to discuss your legal options with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney, contact Perry Personal Injury Lawyers today and schedule a consultation with our team.