If you have been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in Benicia or anywhere else in Solano County, call our experienced injury attorneys today at (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400 for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Motorcycle accidents can potentially cause catastrophic injuries to riders, rendering them unable to work their regular job or, worse, unable to work. Severe injuries can rob one of the ability to live independently.

When a negligent motor vehicle driver causes a serious motorcycle crash, the rider or their family should first retain a skilled and experienced Benicia motorcycle accident lawyer. Having dedicated legal counsel on your side will ensure your rights are protected and you receive fair monetary compensation.

Motorcyclists’ accidents are often caused by negligence or error by the motorcyclist or the other involved driver. Accordingly, many such accidents could have been avoided if one or more involved parties had acted more cautiously. Here are some common causes of motorcycle accidents:

• Distracted driving, such as not paying close attention to the road or texting while driving
• Disregard of traffic laws or traffic signals/stop signs
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Failing to use a turn signal during a lane change
• Excessive speed or traveling too fast for traffic or road conditions
• Sudden stopping or sudden accelerating
• Not checking the vehicle’s blind spots before turning, changing lanes, or opening a car door

Even when a motorcyclist shares some fault for an accident, under California law, the rider may still be able to recover compensation from the other driver’s insurance, depending upon the amount of fault attributed to each party to the accident. This is because our state recognizes comparative negligence. If you are found to be 15% at fault for the accident, the amount of money you can recover from the other party is reduced by that percentage. To maximize recovery, consult with a top-rated Benicia motorcycle accident attorney.

Riding a motorcycle without an approved and properly-fitted helmet can increase the rider’s chances of sustaining traumatic brain injury during a crash. Protective leather clothing, or “skins,” can decrease the risk of severe road rash, the descriptive term for deep abrasions caused by sliding or skidding across the asphalt after being propelled from the bike in a collision.

Watch the YouTube video, which highlights five crucial safety items for motorcyclists.

Unlike a typical car accident, where occupants of the vehicles are protected from the entire force of impact by bumpers, airbags, and the surrounding structure of the car, a motorcyclist does not have the same protections.

Aside from the helmet and protective gear, a cyclist is often at the mercy of the impact. Many times, a rider will be thrown from the bike. Some of the common types of injuries that occur in a motorcycle crash are:

• Traumatic brain injury/concussion/post-concussion syndrome
• Broken bones
• Internal injuries
• Spinal injuries – back and neck
• Amputations
• Groin and pelvic/hip injuries
• Partial or complete paralysis
• Road rash – deep abrasions, prone to infection

Several factors will affect the severity of a motorcyclist’s injuries, including the speed of each involved vehicle at the time of impact, the protective equipment and gear used by the rider, whether the crash ejected the rider from the bike and other variables.

The first concern following a collision is getting medical evaluation and treatment. Immediate medical attention following a traumatic impact will not only document the extent of the acute injuries. Still, it may prevent injuries such as road rash from becoming infected and more challenging to treat. Even if you do not need medical care, it is essential to be checked out. Often, inflammation and pain from injuries you may not initially think will occur within hours or days after a significant impact.

Here are some essential things to do at the crash scene. If you are too injured, much of this information should be available to you at a later date once the police report has been prepared:

• Get the name, driver’s license number, contact information, insurance company, and insurance policy number from any involved driver.
• If the other driver fled the scene, try to document as best as possible to describe the driver and vehicle. Be sure this information is relayed to the investigating officer.
• Get the names and contact information of witnesses at the scene who saw the accident. Independent, unbiased witnesses are crucial in determining liability (fault) legally.
• Take photographs of all involved vehicles, your injuries, and the accident scene, including debris in the road, traffic signs, and road markings. Take more pictures than you may need – the more, the better.
• Get the name and badge number of the investigating officer, and clarify which department they work for.

How long will it take to resolve a motorcycle accident case?

The answer to this question largely depends on the rider’s injuries. If the damages are relatively minor and liability (legal fault for the accident) is apparent, the claim could settle in months. However, a lawsuit may be filed if the case involves severe injuries. Larger, more complicated cases take longer to resolve, sometimes several years. An experienced Benicia motorcycle accident attorney will not rush your case and work on your behalf for as long as possible to get you as much financial recovery as possible.

How much is my motorcycle accident case worth?

This answer is mainly dependent on the extent of the rider’s injuries. In a case with high medical bills, extensive wage loss, and continuing disability, it is not uncommon to have an insurance company pay the policy’s entire limits, which could be six figures or more.

How will I get fully compensated for the damages caused by the motorcycle accident?

The best way to ensure a fair settlement and receive as much money as possible is to promptly contact an injury lawyer with extensive experience in motorcycle accident cases.

The Benicia motorcycle accident lawyers at AutoAccident.com have advocated for numerous severely injured motorcyclists throughout Benicia and other parts of Solano County. To receive compassionate, free, and friendly advice from one of our motorcycle injury lawyers, call us at (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400.

Please review our Verdicts and Settlements page to learn more about our firm, excellent customer service, and case results.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 8.30.23] Image by Monoar Rahman Rony from Pixabay mm [cs 1182] cha}