California Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyers and Attorneys

Riding a motorcycle is risky business. According to the National Safety Council, motorcycles made up approximately 3% of all registered vehicles in the United States in 2019. However, motorcyclists disproportionately accounted for 14% of all U.S. traffic accident fatalities.  

While donning all of the recommended safety gear, especially a helmet, can help to mitigate the chance of catastrophic injury, there is simply a greater risk inherent to riding a motorcycle compared with traveling in an enclosed vehicle. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists were nearly 29 times more likely to suffer fatality in a motor vehicle accident than occupants of a passenger vehicle in 2019. They were also 4 times more likely to be injured.  

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident that was caused by another party’s negligence, whether you were the motorcyclist or another involved party, contact the law firm of Carpenter & Zuckerman today for a FREE consultation! Our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys have been protecting the rights of motorcycle accident victims for over 25 years. 

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents 

As with any collision, motorcycle accidents can happen in an instant. What distinguishes them from other collisions is that motorcycles are small vehicles and motorcyclists are relatively unprotected, since they are not traveling in an enclosed vehicle. 

The first line of defense in preventing motorcycle accidents is knowledge of the common causes and types of crashes. These include: 

Frontal Crashes

According to a 2019 NHTSA Report, 76% of motorcycles involved in fatal, two-vehicle crashes were struck from the front, compared with 7% that were struck from the rear. 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 therefore deliver much more force upon impact than a smaller vehicle.

Vehicle Left Turns

In 2019, NHTSA reported that nearly half of all 2,495 fatal two-vehicle crashes that year involving a motorcycle and another vehicle occurred when the motorcycle was going straight and the other vehicle was attempting to make a left-hand turn.  This is likely due to the fact that motorcycles are smaller than cars, so many drivers don’t see a motorcyclist approaching them out of their peripheral vision. 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 the majority of other states. Despite being 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 vehicle driver’s blind spot. As a result, motorcycle crashes commonly occur during lane changes, when other drivers fail to thoroughly scan 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 impacting 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 you were involved in a motorcycle accident that was caused by road hazards, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact CZ Law for a FREE review of your case, and to inquire about filing a claim against the city, county, or state responsible for maintaining the road where your accident occured.

Documenting Your Motorcycle Accident 

Documenting your motorcycle accident is important, especially to 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, follow these tips at the scene to ensure your physical safety and begin the process of documenting your potential case: 

• Call 911 immediately if anyone is injured.

• Obtain a police report whether or not there are injuries.

• Stay with your vehicle while you wait for help.

• Photograph situational factors such as weather conditions and road hazards.

• Photograph property damage and injuries, as safety permits.

• Photograph important documents such as drivers’ licenses and insurance cards.

• Obtain contact information of all parties involved, including witnesses.

• Don’t admit fault or offer too much information at the scene.

• Seek a medical evaluation as soon as possible after the accident.

• Contact a motorcycle accident lawyer for consultation after the collision.

An Accident Lawyer from CZ Law Can Help with Your Motorcycle Case

If you are a motorcycle accident victim and were injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, contact the law offices of Carpenter & Zuckerman today. Our personal injury attorneys are well-versed in handling motorcycle accident cases, including the catastrophic injuries that motorcycle accident victims often sustain.

After enduring a traumatic motorcycle accident, allow CZ Law to shoulder the burden of dealing with the insurance companies for you. We will fight to obtain the best outcome possible in your case, just as we do for each of our clients. Our fierce commitment to fighting on behalf of our injured clients is evidenced by our results, which include obtaining over $2 billion dollars in settlements and verdicts since the firm was established.

Our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys have offices in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Orange County (Garden Grove), Irvine, San Diego, Bakersfield, and Las Vegas. The firm caters to clients throughout the state of California, as well as other states.

Fill out our online form below for a FREE, no-obligation consultation! You will not pay any legal fees unless we win your case.

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not to be considered a substitute for advice from a qualified attorney. If you require legal assistance, we highly recommend you speak to a qualified attorney. By reading this post, you agree this information is for informational use only and agree to hold Carpenter & Zuckerman harmless for any losses or damages as a result of this information. For more information, view our full disclaimer.