Motorcycle accidents can leave a person with immense physical and financial pain. After the accident, many motorcyclists need extensive medical attention for their injuries, including multiple surgeries and physical therapy. You might also be unable to return to work due to the extent of your injuries, or you may not even be able to work in your preferred occupation.

If your accident was caused by the negligence of a motorist, you could be entitled to financial compensation. The compensation you can reasonably expect to obtain depends mainly on the extent of your harm and losses and the skill of your motorcycle accident injury lawyer.

An average of 90,000 motorcyclists are injured in accidents each year. Motorcycle accident deaths also make up 14 percent of motor vehicle deaths. This is even though motorcycles account for under 1 percent of miles driven. Close to 98 percent of motorcycle accidents result in injuries.

When someone on a motorcycle is hit by a larger vehicle like a sedan, truck, or SUV, they usually endure significant bodily injuries. Studies have shown that roughly 30 percent of motorcycle accident injuries result in severe trauma to the motorcyclist’s leg, and 22 percent of injuries occur to the motorcyclist’s head and neck. Common injuries include:

• Head trauma, including a brain injury
• Femur Fractures
• Spinal cord damage
• Torn ligaments
• Damage to the motorcyclist’s shoulder and/or ribs
• Amputation Injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Facial Lacerations

Watch the video below for more common causes of motorcycle accidents.

Your actions immediately after the accident can significantly influence the success of your injury claim. Here are the things you should do if you can do them.

• Call the police and report the accident: Unless in a situation where you are transported by an ambulance, you should report the accident to the police. The police will report the facts and the appropriate parties to the accident. You should ensure you get a copy of the police report to ensure all appropriate facts are included.
• Take photos of the accident scene and your injuries: This can prove to be invaluable evidence that may be shown to a judge or jury to show the extent of your harm and losses.
• Get treatment for bodily injuries: If you sustain serious injuries, you must go to the emergency room. Even if you feel your injuries are “not that bad,” you should still get medical attention. Some injuries do not immediately manifest; when they do, it might be too late.
• Get the name and insurance information of the motorist: Obtaining the full name, phone number, and name of the motorist’s insurance company is important because this information can be utilized by your attorney when filing a claim on your behalf.

Assessing who may be liable in your motorcycle accident injury case is essential.

• Negligent motorist: This is the most commonly identifiable defendant in a motorcycle accident injury case. You were hit and injured by a motorist who was speeding, texting and driving, intoxicated, or failing to follow the rules of the road. In most cases, the auto insurance company of the motorist will be the source of financial recovery.
• Employers of specific drivers: If the person behind the wheel of a company car or truck caused your accident, this might mean you can file a claim against both the negligent driver and their employer. This is due to a legal doctrine known as respondeat superior. It means that an employer is held responsible for the negligent acts of their employees when that negligence occurs within the scope of employment.
• Manufacturer: If a defect in the motorcycle’s design, assembly, or build contributed to the accident, the manufacturer could be a potential defendant.

The losses from a motorcycle accident are usually worse than other vehicular accidents. A competent South Sacramento motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to make sure you get exemplary damages. Here are the various damages you could be entitled to if you are engaged in a motorcycle accident.

• Medical Bills: Serious injuries from a motorcycle accident can cost a fortune to effectively treat. For instance, treating a head injury can cost between $30,000 and $100,000 (which does not even include the long-term cost of care). This is quite a burden that many victims cannot ordinarily bear. If your South Sacramento motorcycle accident lawyer can prove the other party’s negligence, you can receive compensation for your medical bills.
• Pain, suffering, and mental anguish: A severe injury may force you to miss important family events and leave you unable to support loved ones. These are compensable harms. Due to the intangible nature of pain and suffering, there is no fixed formula for calculating the value of these damages.
• Wage Loss: If the injury you sustained in the accident prevents you from working, you can get compensation for the income lost during the period you couldn’t work. In a situation where you will be permanently unable to work, your South Sacramento motorcycle accident attorney may be able to retain the services of an economist to calculate your future earnings. When this is established, you could get damages for the value of your future earnings.

A severe motorcycle accident injury can leave you physically damaged and struggling financially and psychologically. Your world may feel as if it has been turned upside down.  This is the time to call an experienced South Sacramento Motorcycle Accident Attorney. An injury attorney can navigate the injury claim process so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.

Have you or a loved one been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by the negligence of another party? Please call our experienced South Sacramento motorcycle accident lawyers at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for compassionate, free, and friendly advice. We can also be reached online at AutoAccident.com.

We take cases on a contingency fee basis. This means there are no fees for you to come up with upfront. We get paid at the successful conclusion of your injury case.  

We have worked to serve the Northern California community since 1982, helping people who have been hurt or have lost a loved one in an accident.

See our past cases on our Verdicts and Settlements page.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 7.18.23] sb rey [cs 1090] Photo by ab}