Our Long Beach Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help You

Have you been injured in a motorcycle accident? As a rider, you may find yourself blamed for a collision you didn’t cause. You may run into difficulty obtaining the fair value of your claim due to aftermarket parts on your bike. You may have your claim denied or delayed. At Pacific Attorney Group, we represent riders in Long Beach and throughout Southern California who have been injured in traffic accidents. Our Long Beach motorcycle accident attorney fights for riders’ rights, helping them hold at-fault parties accountable and seeking maximum financial compensation for damage to their bikes, physical injuries, lost earnings, and emotional trauma.

You may be entitled to monetary damages for lost earnings, damage to your bike, medical expenses, and other losses or expenses you have experienced due to your accident. Allow a Long Beach motorcycle accident attorney at our firm to fight for your rights so you can focus on healing and spending valuable time with loved ones. Your initial consultation is free, and if we take on your case, you pay nothing unless we win. Contact Pacific Attorney Group today!

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

Motorcyclists are more than 30 times more likely to die in a collision than occupants of passenger cars (according to 2011 statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), showing exactly how dangerous it is to be a motorcyclist during an accident. When a motorcyclist is involved in a traffic accident, a traumatic injury may result. A rider is more likely to be injured or to lose his or her life in an accident than an occupant of a passenger car.

In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists in the U.S. are 5 times more likely to be injured and more than 30 times more likely to die in traffic accidents than passenger car occupants (based on 2011 statistics). When you look at the anatomy of a motorcycle collision, it is easy to grasp the reasoning behind these numbers. Motorcyclists have little protection in the event of an accident. Though strict helmet laws are enforced in California, even a helmet that fits correctly and complies with federal safety standards can only do so much to protect a rider.

The NHTSA estimates that helmets are 37% effective in preventing fatal injuries to motorcyclists. Other protective gear, such as boots, pants, a jacket, and gloves, can also make a difference in helping a rider avoid catastrophic injuries, but they are nowhere near impenetrable. They cannot necessarily withstand the force of impact with another vehicle or the asphalt.

Leading Causes of Motorcycle Crashes

Motorcycle accidents may have varied causes, and sometimes more than one factor will contribute to a collision. Speeding, drunk driving, distracted driving and visibility issues (motorists who do not see riders) are some of the leading causes.

Motorcycle crashes can occur due to various factors, but some of the leading causes include:

• Distracted driving like texting while driving, not looking straight ahead, etc
• Physical and emotional impairment like fatigue illness or anger.
• High speeds can make it difficult to control the bike and react to unexpected situations.
• Unnecessary lane splitting.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Lack of experience and inattentiveness can lead to poor judgment and reaction times.
• When other drivers fail to yield the right of way to motorcycles.
• Road Hazards such as potholes, debris, and uneven surfaces pose significant risks to motorcycles.
• Inexperienced riders are at a higher risk of being involved in accidents.
• Mechanical failures, such as brake or tire failures, can cause motorcycle crashes.
• Weather conditions like rain, snow, and strong winds can make roads slippery and decrease visibility.

Understanding these leading causes of motorcycle crashes can help riders and motorists alike be more aware of the potential risks and take appropriate precautions to prevent accidents. If you are a rider who was injured or lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, you may need immediate legal counsel. A Long Beach motorcycle accident attorney at our firm can offer insight that applies to your unique case during a free consultation.

Types of Long Beach Motorcycle Accidents Injuries

Riders who have been seriously injured in motorcycle accidents should consider their legal options. With medical bills and missed work, financial difficulties may quickly arise. A Long Beach motorcycle accident attorney can work to help a rider seek and recover financial compensation to pay for medical expenses, any ongoing treatment, lost wages, loss of future earnings, property damage, and even emotional trauma like pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life.

At Pacific Attorney Group, we offer experienced representation to motorcyclists throughout the Long Beach area who have suffered such injuries as:

• Road rash
• Severe lacerations and contusions
• Broken bones
• Leg, ankle and foot injuries
• Shoulder, arm and hand injuries
• Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
• Head trauma
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
• Amputation or loss of limb
• Burn injuries

We also represent the families of riders who lost their lives in motorcycle accidents. We may be able to pursue wrongful death actions in these cases, to help the families seek justice and recover compensation for their loved one’s medical bills, funeral costs, lost earnings, and loss of companionship or other psychological harm they have experienced.

 A Long Beach Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help in Determining Cause and Assigning Liability

When compared with car and truck accidents, motorcycle accidents have the greatest risk of resulting in serious injury and death to the driver. Because motorcyclists have so little to protect them during a crash, the injuries resulting from these accidents can be debilitating and even fatal. The lack of protection from motorcycles leaves drivers and passengers in a very vulnerable position, and even a helmet can only do so much to protect a fallen motorcyclist from an oncoming vehicle.

As motorcycle accident lawyers, we need to determine the cause and assign liability in order to help a rider seek fair compensation. In our experience, one of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents is that cars and other vehicles simply do not see or notice them. When compared with cars, trucks, and SUVs, motorcycles are very small. Approximately two-thirds of all accidents involving motorcycles occur because of motorists who make left-hand turns into the lanes where motorcycles are traveling, violating the motorcyclist’s right of way. Other common causes of Long Beach motorcycle accidents are:

• Dangerous road conditions (potholes, debris, grease/motor oil, etc.)
• Car doors opening unexpectedly
• Engine or brake failure
• Defective equipment involving handlebars, tires, or fuel lines
• Bad weather conditions
• Negligence on the part of other drivers

When you choose a Long Beach motorcycle accident attorney from Pacific Attorney Group to represent you, all aspects of your crash will be examined. Whether it’s another driver, a part manufacturer, or a road maintenance company that is responsible for causing your motorcycle accident, your attorney will take the proper legal actions to make sure they are held accountable for their negligence. Your Long Beach motorcycle accident attorney’s top priority will be to get you the highest amount of compensation possible for your injuries, and everything that can be done for you will be done. Contact our firm today.

Points to Remember When Dealing with Motorcycle Accident Insurance Claims

You will need to inform your insurance company and initiate the claims process if you have been involved in a motorcycle accident that caused property damage or injury. The way you deal with any insurance-related matters may influence the amount of your settlement, whether you are held accountable for the accident, and even whether you receive compensation at all. Our Long Beach motorcycle accident attorneys have compiled tips and information about dealing with insurance claims as a rider.

What works for you may vary depending on your case, but the following may help you through this sometimes complicated and frustrating process.

1. Immediately after an accident, do not apologize or say you were to blame as that can be used against you in future
2. Call your insurance company and inform them about the accident
3. Who was at fault? Wait for the report to determine who was at fault.
4. Review the settlement offer before you sign anything or cash any cheques.
5. Involve a lawyer, if your actual damages exceed the proposed settlement amount and you wish to proceed to trial.

Between hospital bills, doctor bills, prescription costs, rehabilitation, and physical therapy, injured victims can accumulate a significant amount of debt, and at Pacific Attorney Group we don’t think it is right that the victim should pay, both physically and financially, for injuries they didn’t cause. Your Long Beach motorcycle accident attorney will work very hard to obtain compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, as well as any other losses you suffered by being injured in an uninsured motorist accident.

What To Do After Being Involved in a Long Beach Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Even when we are cautious and take care to ride defensively, we may find ourselves involved in traffic accidents. It may be a driver who was distracted and didn’t see you until it was too late. It may be a large pothole that spins your bike out of control.

The following are basic steps that may help a rider who has been involved in an accident. Every case is different, of course, so what is best for your unique situation may vary. You can always call a Long Beach motorcycle accident attorney at our firm to discuss your case and options – your initial consultation is free and strictly confidential.

• Call 911 and request an officer to attend the scene.
• Exchange driver’s license and insurance information with other involved parties.
• Be truthful and handle conversations effectively when speaking with the police and insurance companies.
• Prepare concise answers to questions asked by authorities and insurance representatives.
• Consider having a support person present during conversations and meetings.
• Consult with an experienced Long Beach motorcycle accident attorney.
• Do not admit fault for the accident.
• Be cautious of quick settlement offers and consult with your attorney before accepting any offers.

Whatever the cause or circumstances surrounding a motorcycle accident, it is important to understand what to do in the wake of such an incident. The steps you take immediately after and in the days, weeks, and months following a collision can directly impact your ability to hold any at-fault parties accountable and seek maximum financial compensation.

Uninsured Motorist Accidents Claim and Long Beach Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Even though all drivers are required by law to carry insurance on their vehicles, many individuals neglect to do so. Not having insurance is a horrible mistake that can result in nasty consequences for all parties involved in an accident. For the uninsured motorist, they will have no help paying for the damage on their own vehicle and will have to provide compensation to the victim on their own without the help or assistance of an insurance company and this can get very costly.

For the victim involved in the accident, it will be a very difficult process to obtain compensation and if there were significant injuries that required extensive medical treatment, the victim may end up paying out-of-pocket expenses until legal action can be completed against the uninsured motorist. Uninsured motorists can cause a wide variety of accidents, including auto accidents, trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, and drunk driving accidents.

A Long Beach motorcycle accident attorney from our firm can help you regardless of the type of accident you were involved in. If you sustained injuries in an accident caused by an uninsured motorist, a lawyer can provide you with the assistance you will need to straighten out this situation. Without the proper compensation, injured victims can have a difficult time paying for the care they need.

Visibility Issues and Long Beach Motorcycle Accident Attorney

One of the biggest dangers faced by motorcyclists involves their visibility to other drivers. Far too often, motorists can be heard saying “he/she came out of nowhere” or “I just didn’t see him/her” after a collision with a motorcycle. Motorcycles are significantly smaller than other vehicles on our roadways, and this means that it can be more difficult to spot them in rearview mirrors, side mirrors or blind spots.

This does not mean, however, that negligent motorists are excused for failing to see a bike and rider. They should exercise due caution on the road, looking for all vehicles before making maneuvers. At Pacific Attorney Group, we offer experienced legal counsel to motorcyclists throughout the Long Beach area who have been involved in traffic accidents. Whether your collision involved a visibility issue or had another cause, such as a drunk driver, hazardous road, or distracted driver, we can offer insight regarding your legal options and right to compensation.

A Long Beach motorcycle accident attorney at our firm may be able to help you seek both economic and non-economic damages for the injuries you have sustained – so you have the best opportunity of moving on with your life.

Improving Visibility and Defensive Motorcycle Riding Can Prevent Motorcycle Accidents

Though you can seek justice in the aftermath of a motorcycle accident, there are also steps you can take to improve your visibility and possibly avoid a collision in the first place. There are two key aspects of accident prevention when it comes to visibility issues:

1. Improve Visibility: As a rider, a few relatively simple measures may dramatically improve your visibility, making it easier for other drivers to see you and your bike. One of the first things you can do is purchase a bike that is easy to see, avoiding black or other dark colors and choosing a bike with (or adding) reflective decals. Your gear should also be easy to see. Bright colors and reflective materials can improve the visibility of your helmet, jacket, pants, and even boots. You should also always ride with your headlight on.
2. Ride Defensively: Another important part of accident prevention and general motorcycle safety is riding defensively. You should always ride as though other drivers cannot see you. Even though many drivers do exercise caution and will notice motorcycles and their riders, there are a few who may be distracted or simply careless. Never assume that a motorist can see you. Avoid riding in blind spots and be prepared to make evasive maneuvers at any time, if you notice that another driver is going to violate your right of way or otherwise place you in harm’s way.

Our law firm has wide legal experience and can thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding your accident to determine its cause and what party should be held liable.

Cruisers vs. Sport Bikes

There are many different types of motorcycles, including touring bikes, choppers, sport bikes, superbikes, cruisers, and dirt bikes. The two most commonly seen on California roadways and across the U.S. are street cruisers and sport bikes. These bikes offer very different riding experiences, and the bike that is right for a rider will depend on his or her intentions for its use and also personal preferences. Cruisers generally offer a more comfortable ride for longer distances, while sport bikes sacrifice some comfort for better maneuverability and a more exciting riding experience.

CRUISES

Cruisers are beautiful machines, often laced with chrome and boasting unique paint jobs. Riders often put a good deal of time and money into their cruisers, with customized saddlebags, mirrors, handlebars, and pipes. Cruisers typically have a soft seat and wide handlebars that extend back toward the rider, allowing for a more comfortable riding experience. These bikes are typically larger and heavier than sport bikes and may weigh about 600 to 800 pounds with a wide range of engine sizes (anywhere from 250cc to 2300cc, depending on the make and model).

SPORTS BIKES

Sports bikes are lighter than cruisers and made primarily of lighter materials like carbon fiber and plastic. They typically weigh around 350 to 500 pounds. Sports bike riders often customize their bikes as well, though customizations often include performance parts. Engine sizes may range from 500cc to 1400cc, depending on the make and model. Sport bikes are often much faster than cruisers, and are easier to maneuver. This can be attributed to their lighter weight in comparison to their engine size, but it also has to do with a higher compression ratio and thrust-to-weight ratio.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in the Long Beach area and are looking for a legal professional to help with your insurance claim or in filing a personal injury lawsuit against the party that caused your collision, now is the time to call our firm.

Protecting Long Beach Cruiser and Sport Bike Riders’ Rights with Long Beach Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Riders of sports bikes, cruisers, and all other types of motorcycles may be at risk of injury if they are involved in an accident. That is where a Long Beach motorcycle accident attorney at Pacific Attorney Group can help. We are skilled injury attorneys who can help riders seek fair compensation for medical expenses, damage to their bikes, lost earnings, and possibly more. In addition to establishing the fair value of a client’s claim, we can investigate the cause of motorcycle accidents to help riders hold negligent motorists or other responsible parties accountable.

Unfortunately, cruiser and sport bike riders are often seen as reckless thrill-seekers with little regard for safety. While there may be some riders who place an adrenaline rush over a safe ride, most motorcyclists obey traffic laws and do their part to prevent collisions by riding defensively. These riders should not be held accountable for the negligence or wrongdoing of another driver. At Pacific Attorney Group, our Long Beach motorcycle accident attorney believes in protecting riders’ rights. We represent clients throughout Long Beach in motorcycle accident claims and lawsuits, doing everything in our power to ensure the social stigma associated with motorcycle riders does not result in an inaccurate assignment of liability.

Speak with our Long Beach Motorcycle Accident Attorney Immediately

Holding negligent drivers and other at-fault parties liable for motorcycle accidents is an important part of our legal practice. Motorcyclists are at an increased risk of injury in a collision and could suffer serious injuries even in a low-speed or seemingly minor accident. This is particularly true in multi-vehicle motorcycle accidents.

The smaller size and weight of a motorcycle and rider place them at a distinct disadvantage when they collide with a larger and heavier motor vehicle. This size disparity is far greater in a collision with an SUV or with a commercial vehicle like a semi-truck. While the occupant of the other vehicle may escape unscathed, the motorcyclist may be injured.

Instead of leaving your future to chance or experiencing financial problems for years to come, talk to a Long Beach motorcycle accident attorney at our firm and find out what can be done to seek maximum monetary damages for your injuries. Rebuilding and moving on with your life is made far easier when you have financial support and the ability to focus on healing while your case is handled by a professional. Contact our firm today.