Car-Motorcycle Collisions

California is the most beautiful place in the country for motorcyclists. Unfortunately, a car-motorcycle collision can happen in an instant, and can happen anywhere. When one of these accidents occur, it is almost always the motorcyclist who sustains the most severe injuries. Bikers simply do not have the protection that those in a passenger vehicle do during a crash. In addition to this, most drivers simply do not watch out for bikers the same way they look out for other vehicles.

As a motorcyclist recovers from injuries after a crash, he or she might not know how to pay for the medical treatment needed for such serious injuries. Fortunately, a motorcycle accident lawyer in California can help.

Common Causes of Car-Motorcycle Collisions

Unfortunately, when a biker is in an accident, it is typically caused by one thing — inattentive drivers. While drivers watch out for other vehicles, trucks, and even pedestrians, they often do not see motorcycles on the road. This results in three main types of accidents often seen between motorcycles and vehicles.

• Dangerous lane changes: This type of accident mainly occurs on California’s freeways. However, it is sometimes seen on streets that have multiple lanes, as well. Drivers in California are often in a rush. As they cruise down the highways, they often fail to check blind spots or all the mirrors in their vehicles. They change lanes abruptly, often without signaling properly, and end up hitting bikers who do not have enough time to react.
• Left-hand turns: This is a common car-motorcycle collision seen in intersections. According to California Vehicle Code 21801, a motorist making a left-hand turn must yield to all oncoming traffic. Unfortunately for bikers, drivers instinctively look for larger vehicles, but they fail to look for motorcycles. As the biker heads through the intersection, the vehicle turns left, crashing into the motorcycle and causing an accident.
• Vehicles pulling out of sides streets and parking lots: Drivers know to look for pedestrians and larger vehicles when pulling out of a side street or parking lot. Still, they fail to see motorcycles. As the driver pulls out, he or she may sideswipe the biker, or the biker may swerve to avoid an accident and lose control.

While these are all common causes of accidents that occur between vehicles and motorcycles, they are no excuse for any driver to behave negligently. Anyone injured in one of these types of accidents, or any other, needs to speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in California.

Common Injuries in Car-Motorcycle Collisions

Motorcyclists are far more vulnerable than drivers in passenger vehicles on the road. With only a helmet and some protective gear, there is little to protect them from the impact of a crash. It is for this reason that motorcycle accidents cause some of the worst injuries, and those injuries are almost always sustained by the biker. While it is possible for any part of the body to be affected during a crash, the five most common injuries bikers sustain during accidents are:

• Head injuries
• Road rash
• Muscle damage
• Biker’s arm
• Leg injuries

These injuries are severe and take a great amount of time to recover from. A lawyer can help accident victims claim the compensation they need so they can focus on their own recovery.

Contact a California Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

Motorcycle accidents are almost always the fault of someone else. When a biker becomes injured due to drivers not paying attention or driving recklessly, a motorcycle accident attorney in California can help.

If you have been injured in a car-motorcycle collision, contact the Brod Law Firm today toll-free at (800) 427-7020. We want to help you get back on your feet, and we can do that by helping you pursue compensation that will help ease the financial burden of your injuries. We offer free consultations, so call today and we will begin discussing your case.

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