Motorcycle Accident

Anaheim Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Motorcycle riders are in a unique position on the road. They enjoy the freedoms that come with their chosen form of transportation, but they are also left exposed to dangers not met by automobile drivers and other motorists.

The lack of any substantial protective barriers between a motorcycle and the road, as well as the difficulty that other motorists may have in anticipating and seeing a motorcycle, leave riders prone to serious injury in the event of an accident. Motorcycle riders, therefore, must be aware of their legal rights and remedies if they are involved in a traffic accident which is why it is important to speak with an Anaheim motorcycle accident attorney. The insurance laws in your state may be very different with respect to motorcycles versus automobiles; consequently, it is very important to consult with an attorney regarding the applicable laws in your state.

The Risks of the Road for Motorcycle Riders

The risks that motorcycle riders face, and the need to protect their rights of recovery after an accident, become readily apparent through a review of the following statistics:

• In two-thirds of motorcycle accidents involving another vehicle, the driver of the other vehicle violated the motorcycle rider’s right of way and caused the accident.

• Motorcyclists are about 26 times more likely to die in a crash than someone riding in a passenger car, and are 5 times as likely to be injured.

• Per mile traveled in 1998, motorcyclists were about 16 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die, and about 3 times as likely to be injured, in a motor vehicle crash.

Some of the unique problems faced by motorcycle riders on the road include:

Visual Recognition: Motorcycles make smaller visual targets, which are more likely to be obscured by other vehicles, or by road and weather conditions. This is an issue especially at intersections, where approximately 70 percent of motorcycle-versus-vehicle collisions occur.

• Road Hazards: Hazards that are minor irritations for an automobile can be a major hazard for a motorcycle rider. These include potholes, oil slicks, puddles, debris, or other objects on the roadway, ruts, uneven pavement, and railroad tracks.

• Speed “Wobble” Accidents: Especially at higher speeds, the front end of a motorcycle may become unstable and begin to shake or “wobble.” This problem may be due to a misalignment of the front and rear tires of the motorcycle. If an accident is caused by such a high-speed wobble, the manufacturer of the motorcycle might be held financially responsible for any resulting injuries, under a product liability theory.

• Riding Skills; Familiarity: A motorcycle requires much more skill and physical coordination to operate than a car. Many motorcycle accidents are caused in whole or in part by a rider’s lack of basic riding skills, or failure to appreciate the inherent operating characteristics and limitations of the motorcycle.

So contact an Anaheim motorcycle accident attorney to discuss the specifics of your potential case.  Initial consultations are free and can be done over the phone or in-person.

Determining Legal Responsibility for a Motorcycle Accident

Like most motor vehicle accident cases, motorcycle accident claims are almost always governed by the legal concept of negligence. Go here to learn more about the law of negligence and personal injury.

Motorcycles lack crash-worthiness and occupant protection. Unlike a car, a motorcycle is lightweight; it has no door, no roof, no airbags, and no safety belts. A motorcycle is less stable than a car because it only has two wheels. Although several factors can contribute to a motorcycle accident, especially operator inexperience and failure to appreciate the limitations of a motorcycle, a defect in a motorcycle’s design or manufacture should be considered as a potential cause of an accident, especially one where only the motorcycle rider is involved. An experienced personal injury attorney will be familiar with any relevant product liability issues or recalls involving certain motorcycle models, and can help determine whether you have a claim against the motorcycle manufacturer.