Trusted Motorcycle Injury Lawyers in Riverside
Riverside, California, is an ideal place for motorcycle enthusiasts. The city is home to the classic near-perfect weather that Southern California is known for – with highways offering scenic mountain and ocean views to boot.
Whether for pure recreation or as a means of getting from place to place, motorcycle riding is inherently a part of life on Riverside’s roads.
While a variety of precautions can be taken, motorcycle accidents do happen. At Wilshire Law Firm, a qualified Riverside motorcycle accident lawyer is on your side to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
In Southern California, car and motorcycle accidents are fairly common, and according to the California Office of Traffic Safety statistics, there are over 2600 people killed or injured in a car accident just in Riverside each year.
The national statistics on accidents reveal that motorcyclists are even more at risk than car drivers, as they are 30 percent more likely to be killed in a motor vehicle accident than car drivers.
While some accidents are inevitable, oftentimes motorcycle accidents are caused by reckless, careless, or negligent car drivers.
Wilshire Law Firm can provide a Riverside motorcycle accident lawyer who is experienced with motorcycle and motorbike accident injuries.
We’ve worked on many motorcycle accident cases over the years.
If you or a family member has been involved in a motorcycle accident, we can help. You deserve the most qualified motorbike accident law firm in Riverside to represent you.
At Wilshire Law Firm, an experienced motorcycle accident attorney in Riverside can work with you to figure out how to maximize any potential insurance settlements and to ensure that you are able to properly navigate your way through the legal system.
We are experts in this area of law, and we will vigorously advocate on your behalf. Contact Wilshire Law Firm to talk to a motorcycle accident attorney in Riverside about your matter and how we can work with you.
Leading Causes of Riverside Motorbike Accidents
Our team of motorbike accident attorneys in Riverside understands the risks and hazards associated with motorcycling regularly on the road. We are familiar with the different causes of motorcycle accidents on the road, and are experienced with handling each cause.
Due to the unprotected nature of most motorcycle vehicles, the injuries caused in motorcycle accidents tend to be more severe and fatal than other vehicle accidents. Here are the leading causes of motorbike accident injuries:
- Unsafe speed
- Following another vehicle too closely
- Riding on the wrong side of the road
- Under the influence of alcohol or a drug
- Improper passing
- Unsafe lane changes
- Auto right-of-way
- Failing to obey traffic signals and signs
- Failing to use turn signals/improper turning
- Swerving
- Distracted driving
- Severe weather
- Damaged roads
- Street construction
The causes listed can result in several and sometimes fatal accidents. Each cause of a motorcycle accident should be handled differently.
You can trust that a Riverside motorcycle accident lawyer at Wilshire Law Firm will guide you carefully through each step of the process to help you determine the cause of your accident.
Common Types of Motorcycle Accidents
While most motorcycles are well-equipped with features and tools to make riding as safe as possible, accidents can happen at any time, for a variety of reasons.
Due to the causes outlined above, there are different types of motorcycle accidents to be aware of.
The Riverside motorcycle accident attorneys at Wilshire Law firm are here to help you determine your accident type.
Here are the most common types of motorcycle accidents:
- Head-on collisions
- Left-turn collisions
- Unsafe lane switching
- Hitting fixed objects
- Alcohol or drug use
- Unsafe speed
Common Types of Motorcycle Accident Injuries We Cover
Typically, in motorcycle accidents, the motorcyclist makes direct contact with the road upon impact, causing a serious injury.
Riverside motorcycle injury attorneys are here to assist you if this happens. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Broken bones: Broken arms, legs, fingers, and ribs are among the more typical injuries, due to the unprotected nature or a motorcycle vehicle.
- Road rash, burns, and lacerations: Since motorcycles offer little to protect a motorcycle rider’s body, another very common injury is road rash, or significant burns and scrapes. Not only is road rash painful, but it can also lead to infections.
- Traumatic injuries: Many motorcyclists involved in collisions suffer even more traumatic, life-altering injuries, such as paralysis and disfigurement, and some are left with permanent disabilities.
- Head Injuries: Head injuries are the leading cause of death for motorcyclists involved in accidents since it is very typical for motorcyclists to get thrown from their bikes during a collision. To help prevent head injuries, in California, motorcyclists (and all motorcycle passengers) are required to wear helmets that meet the standards the U.S. Department of Transportation has established.
Injuries are not always avoidable, but motorcyclists can be better protected by wearing protective gear when they ride.
Here is a list of protective gear for motorcyclists recommended by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Riverside Motorcycle Accident Statistics
According to an article in Riverside’s newspaper, the Riverside Press-Enterprise, “national statistics show that a fatal motorcycle crash is most likely to occur in the late afternoon to mid-evening, which police and instructors theorize is because that’s when sometimes-riders are more likely to be on the road after breaking free from the workday.”
Here are some other statistics about motorcyclists involved in accidents:
- The typical motorcycle accident victim is male – primarily because males ride motorcycles more frequently than females.
- Nearly a quarter of all motorcycle accidents involve alcohol in some capacity.
- Motorcyclists are four times more likely to die riding super-sport motorcycles than riding cruisers and standard bikes, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
- Data shows that the rate of fatal crashes is 31 percent lower for motorcyclists who ride bikes equipped with optional anti-lock brakes than for the same model bikes that do not have them.
- In 2016 (the most recent year this data was available), 27 percent of motorcycle drivers killed did not have a valid motorcycle license, though one is required in every state. In the same year, only 16 percent of passengers involved in fatal crashes did not have valid driver’s licenses.
- Motorcycle crashes resulting in serious injury or death have been increasing steadily for the past decade
- Motorcyclists under 30 are much more likely to cause accidents that involve an injury or fatality than older riders
- The most common crash factor for motorcyclists involved in injury crashes in 2017 was riding at an unsafe speed, followed by improper turning.
- The most common age group to be involved in motorcycle accidents that cause injury are riders in their 20s
- Motorcyclists are more likely to be at fault in a serious or fatal crash than most other types of vehicle drivers
- Motorcyclists are more likely to be involved in accidents resulting in injury or death during spring and summer months than winter months
When there is a motorcycle collision, determining who is at fault – or liable, is important.
A person driving a car may be found liable in an accident if they are not following the rules of the road and are speeding, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, driving distractedly, or acting carelessly.
An automobile driver may be liable for the crash particularly if the motorcycle driver was driving cautiously and responsibly, and the automobile driver’s actions caused injuries to the motorcyclist.
At Wilshire Law Firm, Riverside motorcycle accident attorneys can help you determine who is at fault in a motorcycle accident.
Our team works to ensure those at fault are held accountable and responsible. A Riverside personal injury lawyer can certify that insurance companies comply with their commitments.
Who Is Liable in a Motorcycle Accident?
The determination of who is at fault in a motorcycle accident is determined by negligence. A person is negligent when their behavior is thoughtless or careless and causes injury to another person or themselves.
In order to ride a motorcycle responsibly and defensibly, they must utilize safe riding strategies to address identified hazards in a predictable manner. These strategies can go well beyond knowing basic traffic laws and regulations.
If the driver of a car is not driving defensibly near a motorcyclist, they can be found guilty of negligence and liable for injuring the accident victim.
On the other hand, a motorcyclist can also be found negligent if they were being negligent while riding.
The team at our motorbike accident law firm in Riverside is well-versed in determining negligence in motorcycle accidents.
What If I Wasn’t Wearing a Helmet?
California is ruled as a comparative negligence state. This means that if someone is injured as a result of an accident, they may be partly to blame for the accident or injuries. However, they can still be eligible for compensation, with the help of a Riverside motorcycle accident lawyer at Wilshire Law Firm.
For example, California law states that all motorcycle drivers and passengers must wear a helmet at all times. If you are riding a motorcycle and are involved in an accident that results in injuries, you may be found partially responsible if you were not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
California’s comparative negligence ruling allows you to seek compensation if you are injured as a result of a motorcycle accident, even if you weren’t wearing a helmet.
What If I Am Not Insured?
If the other party was at fault for an accident, you can still seek compensation for your injury even if you did not have insurance at the time of the motorcycle accident. The compensation will be limited, due to the lack of liability coverage.
In California, all drivers must carry liability insurance, separate for cars and motorcycles. This covers another person’s injuries if you are at fault in an accident.
If you are injured in a motorcycle accident and did not carry insurance, but are not at fault you will still be penalized for not carrying insurance.
The penalty is not being able to seek compensation for pain and suffering. You will only be able to seek compensation for economic damages (including property damage, medical bills, and lost wages).
If you did not have insurance at the time of your accident but are not at fault, contact a Riverside motorcycle accident attorney for a free consultation.
What Compensations Can You Expect?
If you are injured as a result of a motorcycle accident, a Riverside motorcycle accident lawyer can help you seek compensation for your injuries, property damages, and medical bills, and other monetary damages.
You can be entitled to compensation for the following:
- Medical bills directly related to the injuries
- The cost of future medical treatment
- Missed wages as a result of time spent away from work
- Decrease in future earnings as a result of the injuries
- Property damages
- Any non-economic damages affecting your loved ones, such as loss of companionship or moral support
Call a personal injury lawyer in Riverside at Wilshire Law Firm today to get a free consultation on the compensation you may be eligible for, as a result of a motorcycle accident.
Other Types of Accidents We Handle
At Wilshire Law Firm, not only do we have expertise and experience in motorcycle accidents and injuries, but all types of personal injury law matters.
This includes auto, bicycle, and truck accidents. The depth of our expertise includes:
- Car Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Commercial Vehicle Accidents
- Amusement Park Accidents
- Boat Accidents (including Cruise Ship Accidents)
- Airplane Accidents
- Train Accidents
In addition to transportation-related matters, we also specialize in injury matters related to:
- Slip and Fall Accidents
- Premises Liability
- Product Liability
- Catastrophic Injury
- Battery Explosions
- Wrongful Death
- Sexual Abuse
- Sexual Assault
- Swimming Pool Accidents
- Workplace Accidents * Sexual Assault
Contact an Experienced Riverside Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
At Wilshire Law Firm, our team of qualified personal injury lawyers specializes in helping individuals or their families whose lives have been impacted by a motorcycle accident.
We know how to deal with the legal system and insurance companies to ensure that you get any compensation that you may deserve if your accident is caused by another party’s negligence.
Let a Riverside motorcycle accident lawyer at Wilshire Law Firm talk to you about your situation and let us help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you may deserve. We offer free consultations and are eager to work with you. Call (800) 522-7274 now or fill out our online contact form. We have 24/7 support and someone is available to help you immediately.
