Motorcycle Accidents
The joy of riding a motorcycle in Southern California has immense appeal. The beautiful weather from Pacific Palisades to Culver City creates an environment where riding can be done twelve months out of the year. Riding a motorcycle along the Malibu coast gives a sensation of unbridled freedom and it is much more efficient when traveling through the traffic of Brentwood or West Los Angeles.
But riding a motorcycle exposes people to dangers not encountered by other motorists. Statistics show that motorcyclists were 29 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash.
When another party’s negligent actions result in injuries or a fatality to a motorcyclist, there is a legal right to seek compensation for injuries, wrongful death, and related costs.
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
There are commonalities to the causes of motorcycle accidents that are not the fault of the rider:
- Unsafe lane changes. Automobile drivers may fail to check their side mirrors and blind spots, resulting in a collision with a motorcycle.
- Lane splitting. Driving between two lanes of traffic is called “lane splitting.” Too often cars don’t anticipate that a motorcycle will be passing them, which can lead to a serious accident.
- Distraction. Automobile drivers who drive while being distracted by using a mobile phone cannot easily see motorcycles traveling on the road. In 2015, 3,477 people were killed, and 391,000 were injured in crashes involving distracted drivers.
- Car doors. Accidents can occur when a driver opens the door of their parked vehicle without looking in the path of an oncoming motorcycle.
- Left turn accidents. Right of way errors or misjudging distance while making a left turn are common causes of injury and death to motorcycle riders.
- Speed, Drugs, and Alcohol. Motorcycles don’t provide much protection to the rider, so crashes involving speeding or alcohol are much more likely to result in death or serious injury.
- Road conditions. Crumbling pavement, potholes, debris, and a lack of necessary signals and signs are dangerous, and they all increase a motorcycle rider’s chances of losing control of their bike.
- Motorcycle or helmet defects. The manufacturer of a poorly designed or manufactured motorcycle part can be held liable for any injuries or deaths arising from use of the defective part.
Potential Damages
Motorcycle accidents can result in serious consequences, including brain and spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and more. These injuries can be life changing and may require years of medical treatment that can cost thousands of dollars.
Having a motorcycle accident lawyer from Lemle Law Group on your side will help you get the money you deserve to cover your physical, emotional and property costs. Our lawyers are effective negotiators and aggressive trial lawyers who work hard to obtain the compensation you deserve. We understand the lure of motorcycle riding and want to assure you get back on your bike as soon as possible and receive adequate financial support for your injuries and your property.
If you have been in a motorcycle accident, contact Robert Lemle at Lemle Law Group today at 310-392-3055 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We serve all communities from Venice to Beverly Hills and all of California.