Riding a motorcycle is thrilling, but it is also dangerous. When motorcycle accidents happen, the rider often suffers severe injuries or dies.
California’s highways and natural beauty make the state a natural fit for motorcycle riders. Unfortunately, that correlates with a high number of accidents. Los Angeles County has long held the dubious distinction of leading the state in the number of motorcycle accidents.
If you were injured, a motorcycle accident lawyer in Los Angeles at Salamati Law can help you during this difficult time. We negotiate with the at-fault driver’s insurance company and fight so that you may receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries. While most motorcycle accident lawsuits are settled, we will take your case to trial if the insurer refuses to agree to a fair settlement amount.
Motorcycle Crash Statistics
As per the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) in 2023, there were 3,263 motorcycle crashes in Los Angeles County. In California, motorcyclists accounted for 14 percent of all traffic accident fatalities, just under the national average of 15 percent. The good news is that California motorcycle fatalities decreased by 10.2 percent between 2022 and 2023.
The number of motorcyclists losing their lives in California in 2023 was 583. In Los Angeles County, the fatality number was 125, with 754 suffering serious injuries.
The main crash factors for California motorcyclists are:
- Unsafe speed
- Improper turning
- Automobile right of way
- Under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Unsafe lane change
The top five crash types for motorcycle accident injuries and fatalities are:
- Broadside
- Overturned
- Hit object
- Rear end
- Sideswipe
Why Motorcyclists Face a Higher Risk of Severe Injury
Motorcyclists face a higher risk of severe injury because of a number of factors:
Lack of Protection
For all the freedom and fun offered by motorcycles, the lack of protection for drivers and passengers compared to automobiles means they are especially vulnerable when an accident occurs. Motorcyclists have little protection when riding their bikes. There is no shell around them to absorb some of the impact from a crash, as with a car or truck. Unlike a car or truck, there are no seatbelts or airbags to protect them when an accident occurs.
When the driver of a car has a fender bender, it seldom results in serious injuries. A fender bender when a motorcycle is involved can prove fatal for the rider.
Visibility
While motorcycle accidents are common during daylight hours, motorcycle riders are in greater danger at night when there is less visibility for all concerned. The majority of fatal or severe crashes occur after dark.
Many motorcycle and automobile collisions occur because the driver of the car just does not see the motorcycle. Sometimes, the car is not even moving. Accidents may occur when the car has parked on the street and someone on the driver’s side simply opens the door without looking, hitting a motorcyclist. Dooring can cause severe injury even though the motorcyclist is not going fast.
Road Conditions
A driver behind the wheel of a car who finds themselves on a road with uneven pavement may not have any issues. For motorcyclists, it’s a different story. They are especially susceptible to holes in the road or debris on the pavement. The same holds true in inclement weather, as it takes a motorcycle longer to stop in rainy conditions.
Helmets
Under California’s motorcycle helmet law, it is “unlawful to operate a motorcycle or ride as a passenger on a motorcycle if the driver or any passenger is not wearing a safety helmet as required.” Such helmets must meet federal standards and will have a DOT sticker on them.
Failure to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle does more than leave the head more vulnerable. It can subject the accident victim to civil penalties and harm their motorcycle accident lawsuit. California operates under a pure comparative negligence standard when it comes to liability. While a plaintiff who is partly responsible for the accident can still sue, any compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault.
Most Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries in California
The most common serious motorcycle accident injuries in California include:
- Amputation
- Back and neck injuries
- Burns
- Disfigurement
- Fractures
- Internal organ damage
- Long-term or permanent muscle damage
- Road rash, which can lead to nerve damage, infections, and permanent scarring
- Spinal cord injuries causing paraplegia or quadriplegia
- Traumatic brain injuries
Catastrophic Injuries from Motorcycle Crashes
A catastrophic injury is one in which the victim never fully recovers and is permanently disabled. In many motorcycle crashes, the driver or passenger may never regain the ability to care for themselves, let alone return to work. Because of the accident, they may require special accommodation, equipment and ongoing therapy.
Keep in mind that the age of most motorcycle crash victims skews young. For survivors, that potentially means facing decades of accident-related medical issues.
Long-Term Physical and Emotional Consequences
Beyond injuries, motorcycle accident survivors face long-term consequences such as:
Mobility Issues
Motorcyclists have little leg protection. Because lower extremity injuries frequently occur in motorcycle accidents, the long-term physical consequences of a motorcycle accident often involve mobility issues.
The victim may spend the rest of their life in a wheelchair. They may be unable to perform the daily tasks of living and may need help getting dressed, eating, and with personal hygiene.
Surgery
Broken ribs are common fractures in motorcycle accidents. These breaks can pierce the lungs, liver, or other organs. Extensive surgeries may prove necessary.
Cognitive Impairment
A traumatic brain injury can leave a person with permanent cognitive impairment. They may experience confusion, loss of focus, memory loss, and mood swings. TBIs increase the odds of developing dementia in later life.
Chronic Pain
Victims of motorcycle accident injuries may have to deal with chronic pain. Constant pain robs joy from life and has emotional consequences, such as:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
Disfigurement
If the motorcycle accident resulted in disfigurement, the person’s body may heal so that functionality returns but their scars announce that something bad happened to them. They may feel themselves to be an object of pity or revulsion, a terrible, soul-destroying burden.
Types of Compensation Available to Injured Riders
The medical bills for a motorcycle accident can run into hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. For example, severely injured victims may need long-term or permanent nursing home care. They may require structural changes to their homes or need specially equipped vans for transportation.
Money cannot bring a person back to the condition they were in prior to the accident, but personal injury compensation can allow an injured individual to receive the care they need and the best quality of life under the circumstances.
Compensation, or damages, available to injured motorcycle riders may include:
- Medical expenses, current and future
- Lost wages
- Loss of future income
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
Compensation depends on several factors, primarily injury severity and prognosis. For instance, a motorcyclist who broke a leg but eventually recovered is unlikely to receive as much compensation as someone permanently immobilized due to a spinal cord injury.
Contact a Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorney
Insurance companies tend toward bias against motorcyclists. If you or a loved one was severely injured due to another party’s negligence or recklessness, you need the services of an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Los Angeles at Salamati Law who knows how to combat that insurer’s bias.
We will identify all possible defendants based on the circumstances of the case. While the negligent party is usually a car or truck driver, serious motorcycle accident injuries occur because a government agency failed to maintain roads properly. If a defect in the motorcycle or the defendant’s vehicle contributed to the collision, we can pursue the manufacturer or a repair facility for damages.
Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today. Because we work on a contingency basis, you pay no fee unless you receive compensation.
