Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents can cause severe and debilitating injuries. Serious injuries sustained by a motorcyclist may include brain injury, injury to the spinal cord, broken bones, permanent disfigurement and skin abrasions and bruises. A motorcycle accident may occur because of the negligence of another person. A motorcycle accident attorney can help a motorcyclist obtain compensation to pay for the cost of medical treatment, pain and suffering, and the loss of income.
What Causes Motorcycle Accidents
A motorcyclist is more at risk of injury than an occupant of a vehicle. Motorcyclists often sustain more injuries when an accident with a vehicle occurs because a motorcyclist lacks the same kind of protection that a vehicle provides occupants. Consequently, a motorcycle accident may result in serious injuries or death. The following circumstances often cause motorcycle accidents:
- Poor visibility: Motorcycle riders are more difficult for drivers to see because motorcycles are smaller and take up less space on the road.
- Lane splitting: Motorcycle accidents may occur when vehicle drivers are unaware of the presence of a motorcyclist maneuvering between vehicles. Lane splitting often occurs when traffic is moving slowly.
- Hazards on the road: While cars can safely maneuver over potholes or drive over puddles and other objects on the road, motorcycles are often unable to do so safely.
Does California Law Require Motorcyclists to Wear Helmets
Helmet law in California requires that a motorcyclist and the passenger on a motorcycle and his or her passenger wear a helmet. Motorcycle accidents involving riders not wearing a helmet often result in more fatal and nonfatal injuries. Because helmet law in California does require helmet use, the failure to wear a helmet may limit the compensation a motorcyclist can receive for head and neck injuries even if another person’s negligence caused the motorcycle accident. However, a motorcyclist can recover compensation for other injuries.
Motorcycle Accident Damages
Because of the severity of motorcycle accident injuries, it is often difficult and costly for the injured person to live a comfortable life. A person may be unable to work, medical bills may mount, and the level of physical and emotional discomfort may become severe. The recovery of damages from the person responsible will help to alleviate the stress of living with one’s injuries. Compensation may include an award for medical treatment, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Damage awards will include recovery for the past, present, and future costs of medical care and lost wages.
A motorcycle accident attorney will hire experts, such as medical professionals, economists, and life care planners to help calculate how much compensation a motorcycle accident claim is worth. For example, a medical expert will determine the type of treatment and rehabilitation needed, while a life care planner will research, analyze, and plan what it will cost to care for the accident victim. If the accident victim is unable to return to the same occupation that they were working in before the injury, the damage award will include compensation for the difference in income.
If you or a loved one is injured in a motorcycle accident or have any questions regarding your legal rights, please contact the attorneys at Kurniadi & Kurniadi by calling (858) 755-0455 for a free consultation.