If you own a vehicle in California, you ...
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California boasts some of the nation’s...
Did you know that you are nine times more likely to suffer an injury in a motorcycle crash compared to a crash in a car or truck? Even though riding a motorcycle is one of the more popular pastimes in California, doing so can increase your risk of suffering a catastrophic injury. The experienced Glendale motorcycle accident lawyers at The Shirvanian Law Firm represent clients who have been injured in all types of motorcycle accidents.
Motorcycle statistics are available from 2019. How many California motorcycle deaths in 2019? In 2019, there were 474 motorcycle fatalities, accounting for 5.9% fatalities for every 10,000 motorcycles in California. The 474 deaths was a decrease of 9.4% from the 523 deaths in 2018.
Nationwide, there were 5,014 motorcycle fatalities, accounting for 58.33% fatalities for every 100,000 registered motorcycles. There were 19,688,000 motorcycle vehicle miles traveled. The 5,014 deaths equate to 25.47% for every 100,000,000 miles driven. All told, there were 8,596,314 registered motorcycles in the United States as of 2019.
On average, there are 15,000 motorcycle accidents per year in California. This should not come as a surprise since California has more than 800,000 registered motorcycles, the most in the country.
Has it been a couple of years since the last time you took your motorcycle out of the garage? Are you looking into buying your first motorcycle? If so, it’s important to note that there are a couple of different types of motorcycle accidents you can find yourself involved in.
Seams, potholes, cracks, sunken pavement, and debris can wreak havoc on a motorcycle and cause serious accidents. Accidents caused by road defects can send a motorcycle rider flying dozens of feet from their motorcycle and into oncoming traffic or into a fixed object. It can be difficult for a motorcycle rider to spot a pothole or other road defects, especially if it is covered by leaves, filled with water, covered by snow, or on an incline.
One of the most common types of motorcycle accidents in California is when a vehicle makes a left turn in front of a motorcycle. Vehicles making a left turn are required to yield to oncoming traffic at a green light when there is no green arrow present or activated. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that 36% of all accidents that involve two vehicles and 21% of non-fatal crashes that cause injuries happen when a vehicle makes a left turn in front of a motorcycle. In almost all of these crashes the driver of the turning vehicle is at fault for failing to properly judge the speed of the oncoming motorcycle or failing to see the motorcycle in front of them.
Mistakes in the design of the road can still be made even when architects and engineers are paid to design them correctly. The most common flaws in road design that can lead to serious or deadly motorcycle accidents include the following:
Compensation for injuries suffered in this type of Glendale motorcycle accident can be sought from city, county, and state entities.
When a vehicle changes lanes into a motorcycle’s path, it can cause a devastating accident. The motorcycle rider could be thrown from the motorcycle if hit by the vehicle or have the bike skid out from underneath them if they maneuver too quickly to avoid a crash. The other driver has the responsibility to check their blind spots before changing lanes, even though most motorcyclists travel in blind spots.
Sudden stops and speeding are dangerous for motorcycle riders in Glendale, California. Motorcyclists must maintain safe speeds and following distances more than any other driver due to the lack of protection when riding a motorcycle. Traveling at the posted speed limit provides motorcyclists with enough time to slow down when encountering traffic jams, debris, and other hazards in the road.
Motorcycle riders and passengers can suffer some of the most traumatic motorcycle injuries when involved in a Glendale motorcycle accident, including the following:
There are multiple types of motorcycle vehicles, including the following:
Yes, if you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you can file a personal injury claim with the assistance of an experienced Glendale motorcycle accident attorney. A motorcycle crash claim can help you recover money for the following damages:
You might also be able to recover compensation for the following in a catastrophic motorcycle accident:
If you are the surviving family member of a loved one who died in a motorcycle accident, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit with the assistance of a motorcycle accident law firm. You will be able to claim damages for the following in a wrongful death lawsuit:
A motorcycle accident can leave you shaken up at the least or seriously injured to the point of being unconscious. A motorcycle injury can make the moments immediately following a crash frightening for you, the other driver, and those who witnessed the crash. If you are ever involved in a motorcycle accident, be sure to take the following steps to protect yourself and your rights:
Be sure to avoid the following when involved in a Glendale motorcycle accident:
There is a statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim after being injured in a Glendale motorcycle accident. California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) 335.1 provides you with two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. Two years might seem like a long time to file a claim, but it will sneak up on you quickly, especially if you spend a lot of time recovering in the hospital and then in a rehabilitation facility. For this reason, you should consult a California motorcycle accident lawyer immediately following a crash. The statute of limitations in California to file a claim related to property damage following a vehicle crash is three years from the date of the accident.
Yes, California operates under a shared fault law, which means you might have to shoulder some of the liability of the crash. If the court determines that you were partly to blame for the motorcycle accident, your compensation award will be lowered based on the percentage of fault assigned by the court. For example, if the court deems that you were 20% to blame for the crash, your compensation award will be reduced by 20%.
Filing a claim for compensation after a Glendale motorcycle accident can be challenging if you don’t know the law or your rights as a victim. Our motorcycle accident lawyer in Los Angeles County can represent you. We will answer your questions, investigate the crash, secure evidence, and build a case in your favor. There is no guarantee that your case will be successful, but our team will fight to help you receive compensation. This is why you need to work with a motorcycle accident lawyer in Glendale when filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit.
Call The Shirvanian Law Firm at (877) 809-4223 to schedule a consultation with a Glendale motorcycle accident lawyer today. We are completely transparent in all we do for our clients and understand that money will not help you recover from your motorcycle accident injuries. We want you to return to some sort of normalcy following an accident. Schedule a consultation today to begin the legal process. We serve clients from our Sacramento, Bakersfield, and Riverside offices.