Roseville Motorcycle Accident Attorney

motorcyclist

The State of California is almost synonymous with motorcycle riding. Long stretches of open freeway and temperate weather make the Golden State an ideal place to own and ride a motorcycle. Even in the more northern reaches of the state around Roseville, motorcyclists can be seen cruising around town or traveling up and down Interstate 80. However, riding a bike comes with risks, and a vehicle accident can cause catastrophic injuries to the motorcyclist.

Injured in a recent crash as a biker? Call our skilled Roseville motorcycle accident lawyers today at (916) 921-6400 for a free case evaluation.

How Common Are Motorcycle Crashes in California?

While California's climate may be hospitable to motorcyclists, the state’s roadways and highways are not. Motorcycle crashes can cause catastrophic injuries to motorcyclists, leaving them unable to work or engage in the same work or activities as before and (potentially) unable to walk or live independently. This makes motorcycle crashes extremely expensive for injured motorcyclists and their families. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer from Roseville, California, can bring a lawsuit on behalf of a biker injured in a crash caused by a negligent driver or entity.

What are the Common Causes of Motorcycle Collisions?

Accidents involving motorcyclists often occur because the biker and/or another driver made a poor decision or acted carelessly. Most vehicle vs. motorcycle collisions could have been avoided had one or more parties acted more carefully. Some of the most common reasons motorcycle crashes occur include:

  • Driving while distracted (such as texting while driving, adjusting the radio, or otherwise not paying attention to the road)
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs (whether prescription, over-the-counter, or illegal drugs)
  • Disobeying traffic laws and ordinances
  • Failing to properly signal before changing lanes
  • Stopping or accelerating suddenly
  • Speeding or traveling too fast considering the road and traffic conditions
  • Failing to check one’s “blind spots” before switching lanes, turning, or opening one’s car door
Why You Should Wear Motorcycle Protective Gear

A motorcyclist’s own behavior and conduct can contribute to their injuries. For example, riding without a properly fitted and approved helmet can increase the chances of the motorcyclist suffering a traumatic brain injury or spine and neck injury. Failing to wear proper protective clothing can likewise increase the chances of the motorcyclist suffering severe “road rash” – scrapes, cuts, and lacerations attributable to the motorcyclist skidding or sliding across the pavement after being thrown from their motorcycle.

Comparative Fault in Motorcycle Injury Claims in California

Even where a motorcyclist’s own behavior is potentially negligent, California law may still allow the motorcyclist to recover some compensation from another driver or motorcyclist who also contributed to the crash motorcyclist’s injuries. It is best to discuss your case with a top-rated Roseville motorcycle accident injury attorney who can determine whether you have a viable claim and what facts or circumstances may affect the value of your financial compensation.

What are the Most Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries?

In a typical car crash, both the drivers and occupants of each car are protected from some of the forces and dangers of the impact because of the cars’ bumpers, airbags, and frames. These safety features (and others) are designed to work together so that as little force as possible impacts the car's occupants and that the occupants are kept as safe as possible. Motorcyclists do not enjoy any of these protections. In fact, in most cases, the motorcyclist’s only protection from the effects of a crash is their helmet and protective clothing. Motorcyclists can suffer:

  • Severe cuts and lacerations or abrasions 
  • Broken bones and internal injuries
  • Spine and neck injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Amputations/loss of limbs
  • Pelvic/hip and groin injuries 
What Influences the Severity of Motorcycle Injuries?

The severity of motorcycle-related injuries will depend on several factors. These include the speed of the vehicle and/or motorcycle at the time of the collision, what protective equipment the motorcyclist was using, whether the motorcycle rider was tossed from their bike, what objects the biker collided with after being thrown from their motorcycle, and other similar factors.

Our Roseville motorcycle accident lawyers created the video below to discuss the most common causes of traffic collisions involving bikers.

What Should You Do After a Motorcycle Crash?

If you are a motorcyclist and have just been involved in a motorcycle accident, your first concern should be to seek immediate medical evaluation and treatment. Prompt medical treatment is essential to preventing any injuries you sustained from worsening or becoming more problematic to treat. Even if you feel fine or do not believe you have been seriously injured, you should still seek medical evaluation to ensure that you do not have any internal injuries that have simply not yet manifested symptoms.

Once you have summoned medical help, and if you are physically capable of doing so, you should try to accomplish the following tasks while at the scene of the crash:

  • Obtain any other driver's name, contact information, and insurance information. If the driver who caused your accident flees the scene, try to write down as good a description of what the driver looked like and their car. Ensure this information to the police and keep a copy for your records.
  • Obtain the name and contact information of any witness at the scene who says they observed the accident. You may need the testimony of these individuals to help you succeed in your motorcycle accident lawsuit.
  • Take photographs of the accident scene with a smartphone. Try to take as many pictures as possible of the accident scene, the vehicles involved, the debris created by the accident, your injuries, and road signs and markings that may be present around the crash scene. It is better to take too many pictures than to take too few.
  • Get the officer's name, department, and badge number who investigates the accident so you can later obtain their police report and any accompanying pictures or diagrams. This may provide additional evidence to support your bodily injury claim for financial compensation.

In addition, as soon as possible following the accident, you should write down how you remember the accident occurring in detail. Try to retain as many facts as possible and make your writing legible. This will be helpful when describing the accident, as you will not have to rely upon your memory to fill in essential details.

How an Injury Attorney Can Help with a Motorcycle Crash Case

If you have been injured in a motorcycle crash, you are probably focused on your recovery and rehabilitation. The best motorcycle accident lawyer in Roseville can help protect and assert your legal rights during this difficult time.

Roseville Motorcycle Accident FAQ

How long does it take a motorcycle accident case to be resolved?

It depends on the severity of your injuries in the motorcycle accident. If your injuries are not serious and liability has been proven, you can expect to settle the case in about 5 to 8 months. However, if your injuries are severe, the time frame can last several months or several years. If your case needs to be resolved in civil court in Placer County, it could take years to do so because litigation is a long process.


How much money can I expect to receive from my motorcycle accident?

Since injuries from a motorcycle collision vary, the settlements will differ. While one person may receive several thousand dollars, another might get a 6-figure or a 7-figure settlement. Like car accident settlements, motorcycle accident settlements are based on several factors, including the severity of the injury, property damage, and lost wages.


How do I get full compensation for my motorcycle accident?

The best way to ensure you’ll get the full settlement for your motorcycle accident is to take pictures of the accident scene, your injuries, and the damages to your motorcycle. Write down the names and contact information of any witnesses. Keep complete details of every doctor you saw for your injuries. And finally, contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney who can help ensure that you get fair compensation for your losses and damages.


Contact a Roseville, CA Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today 

The Roseville motorcycle accident attorneys of AutoAccident.com have represented bikers seriously hurt in crashes in Placer County and throughout California since 1982. To speak with one of our injury lawyers, call (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice.

Learn more about us. See our past verdicts and settlements and client reviews on AvvoYelp, and Google. 

We are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.

Editor’s Note: updated [cha 7.25.23] Photo by cottonbro on Pexels [cs 1463]

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