Are you looking for a Chula Vista motorcycle accident lawyer?
In the Chula Vista area, many people ride their motorcycles in all seasons. The climate is perfect; temperatures are rarely too hot or too cold, and on average, rain falls on fewer than 33 days per year. However, a pleasant ride can turn disastrous in the blink of an eye. If you have suffered an injury or lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, you should consult a qualified lawyer to see if you are eligible for compensation. Although monetary compensation cannot erase your pain, it could make it easier to cope with the financial strains caused by the accident.
Differences Between Car and Motorcycle Accidents
If you believe that you have grounds for a claim, it is important to consult an attorney with experience litigating motorcycle accidents. There are several differences between motorcycles accidents and automobile accidents that can impact the handling and outcome of your case.
• Motorcyclists and their passengers have far less protection than people driving or riding in cars and trucks. This vulnerability can affect the manner in which the lawyer handles the case.
• Motorcycles account for a mere 3 percent of all vehicles registered in the United States and only 0.7 percent of the total miles traveled, but 14 percent of all deaths resulting from traffic accidents involved motorcyclists and/or their passengers.
• Road conditions typically affect motorcycles much more than cars. Loose gravel, potholes and oil spills can result in a motorcyclist losing control in situations that would have little impact on a passenger vehicle.
• Per miles traveled, motorcyclists are 26 times more likely to be killed in a crash than the occupants of cars and passenger trucks.
How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Chula Vista?
California has more registered motorcycles than any other state, and a large percentage of them are operating in Southern California. Inevitably, California also has a higher number of motorcycle accidents than any other state. In 2013, there were nearly 11,800 injuries and almost 500 fatalities resulting from motorcycle accidents in California. In San Diego County alone, 1,285 motorcyclists were injured, and in neighboring Orange County, there were 989 injuries.
Common Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents
Injuries can range from road rash to paralysis. Broken bones, spinal cord injuries, facial fractures, traumatic brain injuries and burns are among the common injuries suffered in motorcycle accidents. Some victims may suffer nerve damage, require limb amputations or suffer from damaged internal organs.
Approximately 30 percent of non-fatal injuries in motorcycle accidents involved the legs and/or feet. About 22 percent involved injuries to the head and/or neck, and almost the same percentage involved injuries to the shoulder, back or chest. Injuries to the arms, hands, hips, pelvis or abdomen accounted for the balance of the injuries.
What Causes Motorcycle Accidents in Chula Vista?
Motorcycle accidents can be caused by a variety of reasons. Studies have shown that approximately 64 percent of all motorcycle accidents involved a collision with a passenger vehicle, and although only the motorcycle crashed in the remaining accidents, it cannot be assumed that a car or truck did not contribute to the crash. Whether only the motorcycle crashed or it collided with a car or truck, however, the accident could potentially be the fault of the motorcyclist or the vehicle’s driver.
Common causes of accidents in which the motorcyclist may be at fault include:
• Intoxication: A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that in crashes involving only a single vehicle, 43 percent of the motorcyclists killed had a blood alcohol content at or above the legal limit. In California, approximately 24 percent of the motorcyclists killed in 2013 were legally intoxicated.
• Speeding: Experts estimate that up to 40 percent of all motorcycle accidents involved excessive speed or speed that was unsafe for the traffic conditions.
• Improper turning: In numerous accidents, the motorcyclist made a left-hand turn in front of a vehicle, crossed multiple lanes to make a right-hand turn or failed to slow sufficiently for the turn.
• Failure to yield: Motorcyclists may fail to yield by running a red light or stop sign, changing lanes incorrectly, driving on the wrong side or committing another infraction involving the failure to yield when the other vehicle had the right of way.
Common causes of accidents in which the driver of the passenger vehicle may be at fault include:
• Failure to yield: Approximately 42 percent of the accidents involving a motorcycle and a car happen when the car is executing a left-hand turn. This can happen at intersections or while the motorcyclist is attempting to pass the vehicle.
• Physical condition: The driver’s reflexes may be slowed by alcohol, prescription medications, illegal drugs, over-the-counter medications or fatigue.
• Aggressive driving: This category includes tailgating, frequent or unsafe lane changes, failure to obey traffic signals and speeding.
Contact a Chula Vista Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
A motorcycle accident can change your life in an instant. If you have lost a family member or you have been injured, you should consult an experienced lawyer immediately. Medical expenses can pile up quickly, income can be dramatically impacted and there may be unexpected expenses in the future. Contact a reputable attorney, provide the accident information and let your lawyer help you sort through the legal issues.
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