Motorcycles are a prevalent means of transportation, especially in California, where it stays warm for most of the year. However, using a bike to get around also has many serious safety risks, and riders must take extra safety precautions to avoid serious accidents. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are over 4,800 motorcycle accident deaths in the United States every year. Additionally, NHTSA data shows that motorcyclists are involved in fatal crashes around 30 times more often than occupants of motor vehicles.

California is one of the nation’s leading states for motorcycle accidents. This is partly because there are nearly 1,000,000 motorcycles registered across the state. However, the rate of crashes is still unusually high, and California sees an average of over 10,000 motorcycle accidents yearly. While California has universal helmet laws that help protect motorcyclists, hundreds of people lose their lives in California motorcycle accidents annually.

• Drivers between 25 and 34 will most likely be involved in motorcycle accidents.
• About one-quarter of fatal motorcycle accidents involve driving under the influence.
• Almost 25 percent of motorcycle drivers involved in fatal crashes don’t have a proper license.
• Under 60 percent of motorcyclists killed in accidents had been wearing helmets during the crash.
• Head and brain trauma are the most common injuries suffered in motorcycle collisions.
• Superbikes are involved in collisions more often than other kinds of motorcycles.
• Motorcycle accidents decrease during winter.

Many motorcyclists automatically assume that crashes are their fault. However, most motorcycle accidents are caused by the drivers of other vehicles. This frequently happens when motorists fail to obey traffic laws or don’t notice motorcyclists on the roadway. Some more common types of negligence that cause motorcycle accidents include:

• Distraction – drivers who text, eat, talk on the phone, adjust their radios, or otherwise take their attention off the road.
• DUI – drivers who operate their vehicles while affected by drugs and/or alcohol.
• Moving Violations – drivers sometimes tailgate motorcyclists or force them into a crash by failing to signal before changing lanes or turning.
• Blind Spots – drivers sometimes fail to check their mirrors before changing lanes.

In some cases, motorcycle accidents aren’t the other motorist’s fault. Other factors that can cause a motorcycle crash include:

• Road Conditions – When a crash is caused by inadequate lighting or signage, large potholes, or other hazardous road defects, government entities responsible for keeping the roadway safe may be liable to pay for damages.
• Defective Parts – If a crash happens because a motorcycle part fails to work correctly, parties responsible for making and selling the product may also be liable.

If you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident, your injuries can be challenging to recover from physically, emotionally, and financially. Getting in touch with a Marysville motorcycle accident attorney is vital in recovering after a severe accident. Even if you are unsure whether or not you have a viable injury case, contacting a lawyer is still a good idea. An attorney with ample experience handling auto accident cases involving motorcycles will be able to tell you whether or not you can seek compensation for your injuries and what types of payments you can claim. Additionally, attorneys usually offer you a phone consultation to get valuable info at no cost.

The process of finding the right lawyer can seem daunting, but there are a few simple guidelines that you can follow. To learn more about how to find a good lawyer, see the below video:

If a motorcycle collision has left you or a loved one with serious injuries, call us for free, friendly advice about the legal options available. Call us at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400. If you prefer, use my website to send us a message.

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^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 7.31.23] Photo: ab ms cha [cs 704]}