There is a thrill and freedom for those who ride motorcycles, but there is also a risk that other drivers will fail to safely share the road. Every day, a biker is injured or killed in California. Motorcycle collisions are often caused by negligent drivers not paying attention or looking for motorcyclists on the road.

Since 1982, our Ione, California motorcycle accident attorneys have protected the rights of bikers and their families against difficult insurance companies. To learn how our personal injury law firm can help you, contact us today for free, friendly case advice at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400.

When you trust our legal team to handle your case, we will immediately protect your rights and best interests. Our compassionate and dedicated personal injury lawyers will serve as your voice in all aspects of your claim, from collecting evidence and conducting an independent investigation of the incident to handling communications with the insurer and negotiating a fair settlement on your behalf. We will keep you informed about your case every step of the way. To get started today, contact us for a free case evaluation.

Following is a list of the most common causes of motor vehicle accidents involving motorcycles:

• Changing lanes or making turns without using signals
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI)
• Failure to check blind spots and mirrors for bikers
• Not yielding the right of way to motorcycle riders
• Speeding or driving too fast for road conditions
• Tailgating or following motorcyclists too closely
• Texting or talking on a cell phone while driving

You might be entitled to financial compensation for your losses if you were hurt in a motorcycle crash involving any of these causes. Contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Ione to learn more.

The top types of motorcycle accident-related injuries include:

• Degloving: Also called an avulsion, this type of serious injury may occur when the top layers of the tissue and skin are ripped from underlying connective tissue, muscle, or bone. Avulsions are often the result of trauma to a specific area of the body. Motorcycle collisions are among the top causes of degloving injuries.
• Lower Extremity Injuries: In a car versus motorcycle accident, injuries to the feet, knees, and hips are common. These may be suffered during a traffic collision or when a motorcyclist is thrown from the bike. Damage to the muscles, bone fractures, and other trauma may occur, which generally require immediate medical treatment to recover from.
• Road Rash: While not as severe as other motorcycle accident injuries, road rash may require extensive treatment. This type of injury may occur when a motorcyclist is propelled from a bike, and their skin is scraped from contact with the road, leaving lacerations and potential nerve damage at the surface level. Infection is common from road rash and may require immediate medical care and antibiotics.
• Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI): Trauma to the spinal cord may have significant, life-changing consequences. A motorcyclist may suffer chronic pain to the neck or back, complete or incomplete paralysis, or even wrongful death, depending on where the trauma has occurred. A motorcyclist’s spine has little protection in a crash, making a spinal cord injury too common.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Trauma to the brain and head often occurs despite motorcycle riders wearing protective gear and helmets. A TBI may result in torn tissues, bruising, bleeding, and other trauma to the brain. Wearing a helmet is essential for reducing the potential risk of head trauma in motorcycle accidents and preventing auto insurance companies from disputing the severity of brain injuries from not wearing one.
• Upper Extremity Injuries: When bikers are ejected off a motorcycle, their shoulders and arms may absorb the impact. In a crash, a motorcyclist may attempt to land on their arms to brace for impact. This may result in nerve damage, bone fractures, and other hand and arm injuries requiring extensive treatment and rehabilitation.

If you have been involved in an accident as a motorcyclist and suffered catastrophic injuries, your best course of action is to consult with an experienced motorcycle accident injury attorney in Ione as soon as possible.

California is an at-fault state for motor vehicle accidents, meaning auto insurance companies must pay for damages caused by their insured. Every driver on the road must have liability insurance. The minimum requirements in California, as outlined by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), include the following:

• $15,000 for bodily injury per party
• $30,000 for personal injury per accident
• $5,000 per crash for property damage

As Ione motorcycle accident attorneys, we help our clients build a strong case for fair compensation by establishing liability, evaluating losses, and proving damages incurred. Contact us today for a free consultation regarding your potential claim.

Traffic collisions involving motorcyclists are sometimes caused by drivers who carry little to no bodily injury liability coverage. An injured biker may turn to their own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM and UIM) for recourse in such situations.

Uninsured motorist coverage may come into play in cases where the other driver has no liability insurance, and it may also apply in a hit-and-run accident. Underinsured motorist coverage may be sought if the other driver’s auto insurance does not fully cover damages incurred. Retain an experienced Ione motorcycle accident lawyer to ensure you receive full and fair compensation through your UM or UIM claim.

Several factors are involved in calculating the value of a motorcycle accident. The main ones are the amount of bodily injury liability coverage available, and the types of losses suffered. A claimant may be entitled to the following economic and non-economic damages:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earnings
• Permanent injury or disability
• Loss of consortium
• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering

Watch this video to learn more about the personal injury claims process and how it works in California.

California is a comparative fault state, meaning a biker may still recover compensation after a motorcycle crash even if they were partially responsible. However, the compensation awarded will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to the injured party.

For instance, a motorcyclist may have been speeding moments before another driver made an unsafe left-hand turn in front of them. The jury may determine that the driver was 80 percent at fault while the biker was 20 percent liable. If $100,000 is awarded in damages, a motorcyclist may be entitled to $80,000.

Auto insurance companies often use defense tactics such as comparative negligence in bodily injury claims to protect themselves from financial liability. For this reason, working with an experienced motorcycle accident injury attorney in Ione, CA, is best to ensure you receive a favorable settlement for your losses.

California law limits how long a claimant must file a motorcycle accident lawsuit. In most cases, there is a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury or wrongful death matters. A motorcycle accident attorney in Ione, California, will need ample time to prepare a strong case for filing. Reaching out to an injury lawyer immediately after a crash is essential, as different deadlines may apply.

A motorcycle rider is at a greater risk of serious injury because of poor road conditions. Uneven pavement, potholes, and other issues on California roads can be particularly hazardous for motorcyclists. If this is the case, the claimant has 180 days to file a notice of claim with the government agency in charge of designing and maintaining the road. This is by the California Government Code Section 911.2.

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident caused by another driver or entity in California, our Ione motorcycle accident attorneys can put their experience, skills, and resources to work for you. For free consultation regarding your case, contact our personal injury law firm at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400.

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