Motorcycle accidents regularly result in some of the most catastrophic injuries a person can experience. Many factors contribute to the dangerous nature of motorcycling, including the negligence of other drivers on the roadways. As personal injury attorneys with many years of experience handling motorcycle accident cases, we have seen firsthand how devastating an accident can be on a person’s health, family, and finances. In addition to simply recovering from your injuries, there are often complex negotiations with insurance companies and sometimes even the need for a legal claim to assert your rights and recover your losses.

Our law firm has served the Atwater and Northern California communities since 1982, helping people hurt in accidents that involved drivers fleeing the scene, drunk drivers, and uninsured drivers. Motorcycles crash for many reasons: defective products or parts, poorly designed or maintained roads, and, of course, the negligence of other parties. If you need expert legal guidance after a motorcycle accident, please contact us at (209) 227-1931.

Atwater was incorporated as a city in California in the year 1922. The town is appropriately named after wheat farmer Marshall Atwater, who allowed the railroad to use his land for a train station. The city has a population of 28,000 people as of the 2010 census, and as it continues to grow, it welcomes more residents and new businesses each year. Atwater is part of Merced County and comprises 6.1 square miles.

Even though living in Atwater helps residents avoid the hustle and bustle of the big city, there are still motorcycle accidents within the city’s borders. These accidents involve residents, visitors to Atwater, and people traveling to other areas for work or school in Merced County. Some accidents happen when riders are out enjoying the natural wonders of Atwater and the surrounding areas. Motorcycle riding is dangerous because you are 35 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries in a crash compared to a car crash.

Despite its relaxed atmosphere and country setting, Atwater has its fair share of accidents. From the fatal train accident involving a vehicle stuck at the Applegate Road rail crossing last year to the devastating fires caused by an out-of-control tanker truck, riding a motorcycle in Atwater presents many concerns as they navigate dangerous situations on the roadways.

Some of Atwater’s most dangerous intersections include:

• Atwater Boulevard at N Winton Way
• Atwater Boulevard at Castle Street
• Bellevue Road at Seventh Street
• Shaffer Road at Camellia Drive

Many people in motor vehicle accidents will ask themselves how the crash might have been avoided. It’s not uncommon to think about the sequence of events and wonder, “What if I had taken a different route?” or “What if I had hit the brakes just a second earlier?” There is always the possibility that the person responsible for causing a motorcycle crash might have been able to prevent it from happening. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle crashes include:

• Negligence: Another person’s inattention, or negligence, is a major cause of motorcycle accidents. Negligence can include driving under the influence, ignoring traffic laws, driving while distracted, and any other behavior or habit that is deemed unsafe. Drivers who acted negligently and caused a motorcycle crash can be held liable for their actions.
• Hazards: Road hazards are another common cause of motorcycle accidents. Debris, dirt, potholes, and other items can cause a motorcycle rider to lose control and crash. These items can also cause blown tires and other damage to the bike. The city government can be held liable in such a crash if it is found that the roads were poorly maintained.
• Manufacturer Defects: A third common cause of motorcycle crashes is manufacturer defect. The motorcycle manufacturer can be held liable if there was a defect in a part of the bike’s design that led to a crash.

Watch the video below to learn about the five most common motorcycle accidents and how to avoid them.

While serious injuries sustained in a crash are usually apparent, it’s not out of the realm of possibility to suffer an injury that does not manifest itself immediately. Latent injuries are pretty common, along with other severe injuries that are visible immediately after the accident. Even minor injuries can force a victim to miss work for an extended period, causing lost wages and difficulty paying bills. A major injury can force a person to never return to work, putting them in debt and paying for therapy, rehabilitation, and surgery. Some of the most common injuries suffered in motorcycle crashes include the following:

• Burns
• Nerve damage
• Loss of limbs
• Whiplash
• Bone fractures
• Neck damage
• Spinal cord damage
• Traumatic brain injury

If you have been injured in an Atwater motorcycle accident, seek medical treatment immediately and follow up care regularly until you have recovered. A trained medical professional is equipped to assess your injuries and determine the best treatment for you. Some injuries, like concussions and soft tissue damage, for example, might go unnoticed by an injured person for weeks after the accident until a secondary injury becomes apparent. Sometimes, the adrenaline rush experienced by people in stressful situations like accidents can additionally numb a person’s ability to sense pain- while this survival response might help you get out of a dangerous situation, any damage to your body is real and serious.

One of the biggest worries a person hurt in a motorcycle accident has is how he or she will pay the bills. This includes both medical bills and other monthly expenses. Such an accident can affect your financial situation, and it can be challenging to focus on paying bills as you work towards rehabilitating yourself and recovering your health. An experienced Atwater motorcycle accident attorney will personally speak with insurance companies, doctors, law enforcement, and anyone else necessary to help your situation. If a solution cannot be reached, your attorney will file a lawsuit to obtain compensation for your losses.

Making an informed decision regarding legal recourse relating to your motorcycle crash in Atwater is essential. If you or someone you love has been hurt in an accident by another driver’s negligence, call us to discuss your situation so that you have enough information to make the right decision. Call our law firm at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly, and compassionate advice. See our past cases on our Verdicts and Settlements page.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 8.24.23]  Photo by Pixabay vass rey [cs 1118]}