A motorcycle accident results in some of the most serious injuries in traffic collisions. A motorcycle rider has less protection and is less stable on the roadways than a 4-wheeled vehicle. 

Although the fatality rate for motorcyclists dropped by 5 percent in 2018, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, they are still overrepresented in traffic fatalities. Seventy-eight percent of all motorcycle accident injuries are caused by passenger vehicles. As in other personal injury cases, a motorcyclist injured by a negligent driver can obtain compensation to pay their medical expenses, lost time at work, and pain and suffering.

When you’ve injured or lost a loved one in a motorcycle crash caused by someone else’s negligence, you must know that the Ukiah motorcycle accident lawyer you choose can do the job. You want to find one who will fight for your best interests and has the experience and skill to win. At AutoAccident.com, we’ve successfully handled many motorcycle accident cases in Northern California and work hard to get you the compensation you deserve. Feel free to download my book, California Motorcycle Accident Handbook, which is free for Kindle.

Motorcyclists know that they have to be cautious when going out on their bikes, and many of them are. However, staying safe on California roads and streets can be challenging despite taking every precaution. Some of the ways motorcycle riders are injured due to negligence by another motorist or entity include:

• Making an unsafe lane change: A driver who does not check their blind spots or forgets to use a turn signal when changing lanes can collide with a motorcycle rider, causing serious injuries.
• Speeding: A speeding vehicle has less chance of spotting a motorcyclist and reacting in time to prevent a collision. In addition, the faster a car travels, the more serious the injuries to a cyclist.
• Dooring: This is a common accident among motorcycle riders and bicyclists. It occurs when a driver opens their door without looking first for oncoming traffic. In a dooring collision with a motorcyclist, the rider can be ejected from their bike.
• Sudden stops: A motorist who stops short can cause a motorcyclist to strike the back of their vehicle and be ejected, causing severe injuries or a fatality.
• Drunk driving: Motorists who are driving drunk are responsible for a large percentage of accidents, including motorcycle riders. Drunk drivers can face criminal charges and civil actions because of their negligence.
• Lane splitting: Lane splitting is legal in California. However, a motorist who does not stay alert for motorcyclists can end up causing an accident injury.
• Left turns: Not permitting others the right of way or misjudging distance is a common way drivers can be responsible for a motorcycle collision.
• Inadequate road maintenance: Potholes, crumbling pavement, faded lines, and other problems can lead to a motorcycle accident. The government entity responsible for maintaining roadways, signs, and signals can be held responsible for any injuries suffered due to negligence.
• Defective motorcycle parts: If a defective part in a motorcycle causes a crash and resulting injuries, the manufacturer, designer, and others can be held responsible through a product liability lawsuit.

An experienced motorcycle accident attorney in Ukiah can help you get fair compensation for your accident injuries or the loss of a loved one. Our investigators leave no stone unturned in uncovering evidence to support your claim. They review the police report for mistakes, interview the witnesses, and perform accident reconstruction to bolster your claim. They search for nearby cameras for traffic surveillance and at businesses to see whether the accident was captured on tape. They look for road damage that might have caused your motorcycle accident, from potholes and fissures in the pavement to debris and non-functioning traffic signals. Once all the evidence is compiled, the investigators give our lawyers a strong case against the at-fault party. This information can be used to negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company or in a court case. 

In some cases, for example, the at-fault person cannot be found in a hit-and-run. However, insurance will pay for their injuries if the motorcycle rider carries uninsured/underinsured motorist protection. Uninsured/underinsured coverage applies to injured in a motor vehicle, on a motorcycle or bicycle, and pedestrians. If the motorcycle rider does not carry this type of insurance and another person in the household does, their policy can pay for the injury. Insurance rates do not go up when this type of insurance is used.

Ukiah motorcycle accident attorney Ed Smith discusses why you should hire a lawyer following your injury:

Related articles by Ukiah motorcycle accident attorney Ed Smith:

• What to Do at the Scene of Your Motorcycle Accident
• Motorcycle Rider Rights Following an Accident
• Obtaining Fair Compensation for Your Motorcycle Accident Injury

Those injured in a motorcycle accident caused by another’s negligent actions can claim compensation for their lost wages, medical costs, and pain and suffering. Call our skilled Ukiah motorcycle accident attorneys for free and friendly advice at (707) 564-1900 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 to discuss your case. We can be messaged using the online form also.

We have successfully handled many traffic collisions since 1982 as an injury lawyer, in addition to wrongful deaths and traumatic injuries.

See our past cases of Settlements and Verdicts.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 7.31.23] Photo by Sourav Mishra from Pexels cd cha [cs 964]}