Motorcycle Collisions – Personal Injury Attorney, Richmond CA
Anyone who rides a motorcycle knows that it can be a dangerous hobby, more so these days than in years past. An increase in traffic is at least partially to blame, as well as the popularity of riding and the high cost of gasoline, making a motorcycle an attractive option. And California leads the nation in motorcycle accidents. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, motorcycle fatalities totaled 453 in 2012, or 53 out of every 100,000 registered riders, an increase of 1.4% from the year before. 24% of those riders had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics show that 4,957 riders were killed and 93,000 injured nationally in 2012, respectively a 7% and 15% increase from 2011. Getting into an accident on a motorcycle is more likely than ever. If you’re injured in an accident, a personal injury attorney will protect your rights and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Causes of Accidents
As noted above, alcohol is a major contributor to motorcycle accidents, not accounting for impairment caused by drugs. Urban riding, with its congested traffic patterns and stop lights, is more dangerous than highway or rural riding. The majority of accidents involve a motorcycle and another vehicle, and by far the greatest cause of accidents is simply not paying attention, either on the part of the motorcyclist or the vehicle driver.
Many fatalities and injuries could be prevented if riders would follow basic safety precautions like wearing a helmet and eye protection, and making sure their motorcycle is as visible as possible. A personal injury attorney will advise you that, in the event of a lawsuit, you might lose a settlement, or a significant part of it, if you weren’t using safety equipment and taking every reasonable measure to make yourself noticeable. A personal injury lawyer is essential to argue these points in court and defend your right to just compensation.
What To Do After An Accident
Obviously, the first thing to do after an accident is to check on the condition of everyone involved and call 911. Those involved in the accident should share contact, license, and insurance information and note license plate numbers and vehicle make and model. Pictures of any injuries and damage to the vehicle should be taken as soon as possible.
A motorcyclist that has been in an accident should never admit fault or sign any type of insurance form until they have spoken to a personal injury lawyer. A personal injury attorney should be consulted for evaluation of the case to secure rights and just compensation for injury and damages.
Eric Wagner is an experienced personal injury attorney who helps people just like you to recover the money you need to pay the expenses relating to a motorcycle collision. We proudly serve clients in Contra Costa, the San Francisco Bay Area, and the surrounding cities. If you or your loved one is involved in an accident resulting in injuries, the law allows us to help you receive compensation for a multitude of losses due to negligence. Please contact a us today toll free at (855) 529-4465, for a free initial consultation.