Motorcycles are a great way to get around, especially in a place like California, which has one of the country’s highest rates of motorcycle ownership. Taking a motorcycle for a ride along California’s famous coastline or through the thick forests of the Sierra Nevadas is a thrilling experience. Those who use a motorcycle to commute enjoy massively improved fuel economy. However, it is well-known that riding a bike also increases the risk of being hurt in the event of a crash. While accidents are often not a motorcyclist’s fault, motorcycles offer little protection to riders, and even low-speed collisions can be severe.

The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) has estimated that the state sees over 10,000 motorcyclist injuries and 500 fatal motorcycle collisions yearly. One startling study even showed that motorcyclists are around 26 times more likely to be fatally injured per vehicle mile traveled than the occupants of passenger vehicles.

If you or a family member has been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in Auburn, California, call our experienced injury attorneys at (530) 392-9400 to schedule a free consultation.

Many injuries motorcyclists sustain during a crash leave them with symptoms that drastically affect their lives. Recovering from these injuries can take time; in some cases, those who survive motorcycle accident injuries are left with life-long issues. On top of being painful and difficult to recover from, accident injuries can also be costly. Paying for medicine, surgeries, therapy, and other costs are often made more difficult by losing wages or the ability to work. Some of the injuries that commonly affect motorcyclists include:

• Bone fractures
• Paralysis
• Amputation injuries
• Back/Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Neck injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Organ damage
• Lacerations

Watch the YouTube video below to learn more about the common causes of motorcycle accidents.

Some crashes can’t be avoided and are caused by factors outside the riders’ control. However, most accidents happen because of a mistake made by a negligent driver. When these crashes leave people with severe trauma, careless drivers are usually responsible for paying injured parties back for their losses. Even in cases where there is no at-fault driver, government entities responsible for maintaining roadways, the producers of faulty vehicle parts, and other parties may be considered at fault for the crash and held liable.

Being injured in a motorcycle accident can be very expensive. Personal injury claims cover various other losses because there are so many different ways a crash affects people. These losses include both economic and non-economic damages. Some of the common damages that injured motorcyclists can claim include:

• Hospital bills, including the cost of surgeries, intensive care, and medicines
• Emotional trauma
• Ambulance fees
• Prosthetics, wheelchairs, and other injury-management expenses
• Lost Wages
• Loss of income due to permanent disabilities
• Costs related to rehabilitation

Many people hurt in accidents don’t know whether or not they should hire a lawyer. While it is true that some minor cases don’t require the help of an attorney, it is always a good idea to make sure. You can get the information you need to know if your case is worth pursuing by calling a trusted motorcycle accident attorney in your area. Most lawyers will be happy to give you a free phone consultation. Even if you don’t need an attorney, speaking to a lawyer about your case means you’ll have valuable information about your options.

Those dealing with the effects of a severe accident injury have much to deal with, and finding a lawyer you trust can seem complicated. However, finding a good lawyer doesn’t have to be complicated. There are a few key things to research when locating a quality attorney. These include:

• Reviews – You should always review lawyers’ reviews on third-party sites like Yelp and Avvo. Hearing what others have said about a lawyer can help you know whether or not their advertising is honest.
• Experience – You should ensure that your lawyer has handled cases like yours. You should see if the lawyer has successfully helped motorcyclists in the past. Your attorney must have experience handling severe accident cases if your injury is severe.
• Settlements and Verdicts – One of the most important things to do when looking for a lawyer is to ensure they have a successful history. Most injury lawyers have a list of their accomplishments and should be happy to share them with you.

Injured parties have two years to file a claim for most personal injury cases. After two years, courts may not agree to hear your case. While this may seem like a long time, two years can go by quickly, especially when dealing with an injury. Furthermore, some cases have an even shorter time limit. Having a lawyer on your side as soon as possible means you won’t have to worry about deadlines and trust that your case is handled correctly.

If you or a family member has been injured in a motorcycle crash due to someone else’s negligence, please call our Auburn Motorcycle Accident Lawyers for free, friendly advice about your legal options. We can be reached at (800) 404-5400 or (530) 392-9400.

Since 1982, we’ve helped Auburn and northern California residents obtain fair personal injury and wrongful death compensation for their claims.

See our Verdicts and Settlements page.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 8.1.23] Photo by Agung Pandit Wiguna from Pexels ms cha [cs 961]}