Alameda County residents and visitors suffer injuries in accidents every day. People get injured in traffic collisions on State Route 61, and motorcyclists are no exception. More often than not, roadway accidents involving bikers occur due to another party or entity’s negligent actions. California law entitles injured parties to take legal action and seek financial recovery for the harm they endured due to another party’s negligence. In these situations, a skilled motorcycle accident attorney serving Alameda, California, can help by protecting an injured biker’s rights and best interests.

If a recent motor vehicle collision injured you as a motorcyclist, contact an experienced Alameda motorcycle accident attorney to learn about your rights and options for recovery today. Dial (510) 631-0200 or (800) 404-5400 to receive free, friendly case advice from one of our skilled lawyers.

Since 1982, our legal team at AutoAccident.com has worked hard to help our clients rebuild their lives after devastating crashes. Our law firm’s California motorcycle accident attorneys are compassionate, skilled, and knowledgeable. Our legal team is committed to obtaining the total compensation our clients deserve, exploring all options for financial recovery, and considering all the losses our clients face. Our law office serves residents in and around Alameda County and communities throughout California. We are available anytime to offer free consultations.

Vehicle versus motorcycle collisions may occur when least expected. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, thousands of injuries and deaths occur in crashes that involve motorcycle riders. Over 180,000 bikers received treatment in emergency departments for accident-related injuries in 2020. According to the CDC, approximately 5,500 motorcycle riders suffered fatal injuries in traffic collisions that same year. The unfortunate reality about car vs. motorcycle wrecks is that most are preventable, and the financial costs of deaths and injuries are staggering.

Case studies have reported that the proper use of helmets in motorcycle accidents was estimated to decrease the risk of head trauma by 69 percent. A 2017 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration revealed that using a motorcycle helmet in traffic collisions saved the lives of about 1,872 motorcyclists. Approximately 749 more lives may have been saved that year had all motorcycle riders worn helmets. NHTSA data estimates also revealed that $1.5 billion in financial losses could have been saved in the United States had all bikers worn helmets in accidents.

The common reasons for motorcycle crashes involving other motorists are often attributed to the following:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI)
• Tailgating or following too closely behind a motorcyclist
• Running red lights or not following posted traffic signage
• Ignoring posted speed limits or driving too fast for roadway conditions
• Turning without yielding the right-of-way to others on the road, including bikers
• Distracted driving, like sending text messages on a cell phone, adjusting the stereo, eating or drinking, and other distractions while operating a motor vehicle

A vehicle versus motorcycle crash may occur for many reasons. If the incident resulted from one of the instances described above or another motorist error, knowing there may be grounds for a claim is helpful. Injured bikers must discuss their case in detail with a skilled motorcycle accident attorney serving Alameda County, California, to learn about their rights.

Riding a motorcycle provides a sense of freedom. However, it may come at the cost of the bike’s limited protection. Even low-speed crashes may cause severe and debilitating injuries for motorcycle riders. The common injuries sustained by bikers in roadway crashes include:

• Broken bones
• Disfigurement or scarring
• Internal trauma
• Lacerations and contusions
• Lower extremity injuries
• Road rash
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Upper extremity injuries

If you have been injured in a crash as a motorcyclist, get in touch with an experienced motorcycle injury attorney in Alameda, California, immediately. A skilled lawyer can review your case and determine your options for recovery moving forward. At our personal injury law firm, we offer free consultations.

In a bodily injury claim for a motorcycle crash caused by an at-fault party, the injured person may seek compensation for losses in connection with the incident. Compensation comes in the form of non-economic and economic damages. An eligible claimant may be reimbursed for costs of medical treatment, wage loss,  pain and suffering, and other related losses. It is essential to note that insurance carriers may not make the recovery process straightforward. Insurers are focused on protecting profit margins and may resort to disputing, delaying, or denying claims.

Before making any decisions, it is essential that a motorcyclist contact an experienced Alameda motorcycle accident attorney. In a free case evaluation, a lawyer will review the facts, review the options available to the injured party, and explain what to expect from the legal process. Unlike the insurer and defense counsel, the goal of an injury attorney is to obtain full financial compensation on behalf of their client. This way, an injured party has the means to build a more secure future after a life-changing motorcycle crash.

You may have questions about how to proceed after getting injured in a traffic collision as a biker. Our California personal injury lawyers at AutoAccident.com has compiled answers to frequently asked questions on car versus motorcycle crash cases. Feel free to contact our motorcycle accident attorneys serving Alameda, CA, for a free consultation to discuss your case in detail.

Is there enough insurance for a car versus motorcycle collision?

Injuries in a vehicle versus motorcycle crash may be severe and debilitating. Motorcycle injuries may require extensive medical care and surgical intervention. With this in mind, bikers must know that having higher uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage limits is helpful. Our legal team recommends having at least $100,000 or $300,000 in UM and UIM protection. This pays for losses not fully covered by the other side if they do not have insurance or insufficient coverage.

Can you seek punitive damages in a motorcycle crash case?

In a personal injury case for a car versus motorcycle collision, punitive or exemplary damages may be available in specific circumstances. An injured biker may be awarded punitive damages if the jury finds the other side engaged in egregious conduct, like DUI or excessive speeding. Exemplary damages are separate from non-economic and economic damages. These serve the sole purpose of punishing an at-fault party for their misconduct or gross negligence.

A motorcycle crash may be a life-changing experience. This is especially true when severe injuries and losses are involved. At AutoAccident.com, our legal team is familiar with the physical, emotional, and financial consequences faced by bikers injured in a roadway crash. Our Alameda motorcycle accident lawyers believe that parties injured in collisions through no fault of their own deserve full compensation. Our attorneys are prepared to protect your rights and seek maximum financial recovery through a settlement or verdict. For free, friendly case advice, dial (510) 631-0200 or (800) 404-5400.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 8.10.23] Image By “SplitShire” on Pixabay ds llo [cs 1239]}