Motorcycle Accident Information in San Diego

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Motorcyclists are completely exposed to injury. There aren’t any crumple zones, seat belts or air bags to protect riders. When their bodies are propelled from an impact, the only things that stop motorcyclists are other vehicles, stationary objects or the pavement. Sometimes those other vehicles even run over motorcyclists.

According to the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists are 27 times more likely to die in a crash than drivers or occupants of passenger vehicles. Given the vulnerability of motorcyclists, the odds of severe or catastrophic injuries in motorcycle crashes increase too.

Common causes of motorcycle crashes

Motorcycles present low vehicle profiles in traffic. People just don’t see them. Nearly half of all motorcycle accidents involve another vehicle turning left in front of a motorcyclist in an intersection. Other types of motorcycle accidents involve drivers of passenger vehicles changing lanes when not hearing or seeing a motorcycle next to them. Some people even park their cars and then “door” a motorcyclist when they’re getting out of their cars.

Common motorcycle accident injuries

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reviewed the injury information on over 1.2 million non-fatal motorcycle accidents between 2001 and 2008. It concluded that 30 percent of all such injuries were to the legs and feet of riders, while 22 percent were to the head and neck. Those were followed by:

  • Injuries to the chest, back, and shoulders
  • Hand and arm injuries
  • Pelvis and hip injuries

The rules of the road clearly allow motorcyclists to share the road with other motorists, but many Southern California motorcyclists have been injured or killed due to the carelessness and negligence of those other motorists. Insurance companies will try to shift the blame for a crash and point their finger at the motorcyclist. That’s just one of the reasons why riders or the families of those who were killed in motorcycle crashes need to hire an experienced, aggressive and successful motorcycle accident attorney.

Contact our San Diego motorcycle accident attorneys as soon as possible after any motorcycle accident for a free case consultation and evaluation. Recovering the financial damages that you deserve can be pivotal for you. Since we work motorcycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis, no legal fees are due unless we obtain a settlement or verdict for you.