Motorcycles are a convenient and cost-effective way to get around East Sacramento and throughout California. This is especially true in East Sacramento, with its excellent weather. Motorcycle use is no longer just a weekend hobby but has transitioned into a full-time mode of transportation. One downside is the complete lack of protection afforded to motorcyclists as they take to the roads. 

Because of this, accidents often have dire consequences, and fatalities are more frequent than those seen with drivers of passenger vehicles. Let’s look at the way a motorcycle rider or their family can obtain damages, the different types of motorcycle accidents, and the most common injuries that occur.

At AutoAccident.com, we work with our clients to see them obtain the compensation they deserve. It is important for clients to always be in the loop, and California attorney Ed Smith and his staff make certain of it. Negligence happens when someone fails to care about the safety of others. At our law firm, we believe that no one should have to pay financially for the mistakes and recklessness of others.

With this in mind, we fight for the justice that everyone deserves. From the free case review to each aspect of the motorcycle accident claim, our investigators and lawyers leave no stone unturned to find why our client was injured. This is just the first step in a complex process that ends with a successful case outcome. Call us at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 to get started. The longer you wait, the risk that evidence will be hidden or lost increases. Remember, you will pay nothing until your case is won. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2021, 5,932 motorcyclists were killed on U.S. roads. Although there was a decrease in deaths from the previous year caused by accidents, it still shows that motorcycle riders represent a higher percentage of fatalities than other groups. 

Bikers involved in motorcycle accidents often suffer serious injuries because of their lack of physical protection. This means they may need more extensive medical treatment, take longer to recover from their injuries, and their lives may be altered by the experience. In these cases, an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer from East Sacramento can help. Some of the more serious injuries are:

• Traumatic brain injuries can range from a concussion to open fracture, hemorrhage, and other trauma.
• Back injuries can result in trauma to muscles, ligaments or cause a herniated disc or fractured vertebrae. These injuries can result in chronic pain, which can interfere with an individual’s lifestyle or ability to work.
• Spinal cord injuries can result in a loss of sensation, function, or mobility. The extent of the trauma depends on where the injury occurred.
• Chest injuries can cause fractured ribs, a punctured lung, or damage to the heart.
• Bone fractures can protrude from the skin and require surgical repair, especially if the damage is extensive.

In a motor vehicle accident, the passengers and driver inside are protected because they are surrounded by metal and have airbags and seat belts. A motorcyclist has none of this protection, which is why they often suffer serious injuries or become a traffic fatality. Some of the reasons a motorist can cause a collision with a rider to include:

• Motorists are psychologically geared to spot other drivers on the roadway. They are less likely to spot a motorcycle rider, bicyclist, or pedestrian. This is the reason they often say, “I never saw the motorcyclist” following an accident. 
• A driver turning left often causes an accident. In these cases, the driver believes they have enough time to turn and misjudge the distance and speed of the rider.
• Tailgating accidents cause severe injuries. When a driver stops short in front of a motorcyclist, the rider can be ejected, run over, or crushed.
• Texting while driving causes motorcycle crashes. Drivers have enough trouble spotting a motorcyclist on the road. Texting interferes with their ability to process that information and takes their eyes from the roadway, leading to a crash.
• Speeding by a motorist increases the risk of fatalities in any type of collision. It is especially deadly when a more vulnerable road user is involved.