California Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

Common Causes of California Motorcycle Accidents

As with any collision, motorcycle accidents can happen in an instant. What distinguishes them from other crashes is that motorcycles are small vehicles. Motorcyclists are also relatively unprotected, as they are not traveling in an enclosed vehicle.

Many motorcycle accidents are the result of:

• Frontal crashes. Frontal crashes (also called head-on collisions) often result in very serious injuries for motorcyclists due to the weight differential between motorcycles and passenger vehicles. Passenger cars typically weigh four times more than motorcycles and consequently deliver much more force upon impact than a smaller vehicle.
• Vehicle left turns. Motorcycles are smaller than cars, meaning some drivers don’t see a motorcyclist approaching them as they prepare to make a left turn. With that said, motorcyclists can be held partially liable for these accidents if they were speeding, running a red light, riding in the wrong lane, or violating other traffic laws.
• Lane splitting. Lane splitting, which consists of a motorcycle driving between two lanes of traffic that are traveling in the same direction, is legal in California. The common practice was officially legalized in 2017 in an attempt to reduce traffic congestion, although it remains illegal in most other states. While it is legal in California, splitting lanes can be very dangerous and can lead to accidents and injuries.
• Blind spots. Due to their compact size, motorcycles can be easily missed if they slip into a larger vehicle driver’s blind spot. As a result, motorcycle crashes commonly occur during lane changes when other drivers fail to thoroughly check their blind spots for motorcycles.
• Rear-end collisions. As with any vehicle collision, rear-end accidents involving motorcycles occur when a driver does not come to a complete stop before colliding with the vehicle in front of them. However, motorcyclists can be seriously injured in a rear-end collision much more easily than in an accident involving two enclosed vehicles. 
• Road conditions. Hazardous road conditions, such as potholes, uneven lanes, or obstacles in the road, are dangerous to all motorists. These conditions can be particularly perilous to motorcyclists.

If your motorcycle accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Other forms of negligence that can apply in these cases include running red lights, texting while driving, driving while intoxicated, and failing to obey other traffic rules. 

If you are not sure if you have a personal injury case after suffering injuries in a collision involving a motorcycle, turn to Carpenter & Zuckerman. Our California motorcycle accident attorneys can assess your circumstances and walk you through your legal options. 

Documenting Your Motorcycle Accident

Documenting your motorcycle accident is extremely important. Doing so can help strengthen your personal injury claim, and it can also help you protect yourself in the event the other driver or their insurance company attempts to saddle you with liability for the collision.

If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, you should:

• Call 9-1-1. Reporting an accident is mandatory if anyone was injured. If you do not need to go to the hospital, wait with your vehicle until the police arrive. They will create an official accident report. Request a copy of this report.
• Do not admit fault. In general, it is in your best interest to limit unnecessary conversation with other involved parties, as anything you say could be distorted and used against you down the road. Avoid saying even seemingly harmless things like “I’m sorry” or “I think I’m okay.” 
• Photograph as much as possible. Using your smartphone, take photos of your injuries, damage to your vehicle, weather conditions, any relevant road hazards, and any other situational factors. 
• Obtain contact information of everyone involved. You need to get names, phone numbers, addresses, insurance information, and license information. If there were any witnesses, try to get their contact information, too. 
• Seek a medical evaluation. See a doctor as soon as possible after the accident. Explain you were involved in a motorcycle collision and request a full evaluation, even if you do not think you were seriously injured. Some injuries may not be obvious or visible to the naked eye at first. Request a copy of your doctor’s findings and follow all treatment advice. 
• Get legal advice. Our California motorcycle accident lawyers can help you understand your rights and options for recovering compensation.