Motorcycle accidents can result in devastating injuries. Unlike occupants of passenger vehicles, motorcyclists have far less protection when a collision occurs. Even when a motorcycle accident happens at relatively low speeds, a rider can suffer serious or catastrophic injuries.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be dealing with medical treatment, lost income, property damage, pain, and uncertainty about what comes next. Shegerian Conniff’s motorcycle accident attorneys in Los Angeles can help you understand your legal rights and the options that may be available after a serious collision.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents can happen for many different reasons. In some cases, another driver’s actions are responsible. Other collisions may involve dangerous road conditions, defective equipment, or multiple contributing factors.
Drivers Who Fail to See Motorcyclists
One of the most common issues in motorcycle collisions is a driver’s failure to notice a motorcycle. Motorcycles are smaller than passenger vehicles and can be more difficult for drivers to see. A driver may fail to notice a motorcycle while turning, changing lanes, entering an intersection, or merging into traffic. A motorcycle accident attorney in Los Angeles can investigate the driver’s actions and available evidence surrounding the collision.
Unsafe Lane Changes
A vehicle that changes lanes without properly checking surrounding traffic can collide with a motorcycle traveling in an adjacent lane. Lane change collisions can result in severe injuries because the motorcycle may be forced into another lane, another vehicle, or the roadway.
Distracted Driving
Drivers who use phones, adjust navigation systems, eat, or engage in other distracting activities may fail to recognize motorcycles nearby. If distracted driving contributed to your accident, motorcycle accident lawyers in Los Angeles can investigate the circumstances and determine what evidence may be relevant.
Failure to Yield
Drivers who fail to yield at intersections, stop signs, traffic signals, or turns can cause serious motorcycle collisions. A driver may also misjudge a motorcycle’s speed or distance before entering traffic. A motorcycle accident attorney in Los Angeles can evaluate the accident scene and available evidence to determine whether another driver’s failure to yield may have contributed to your injuries.
Speeding and Aggressive Driving
Excessive speed, unsafe passing, tailgating, sudden lane changes, and other aggressive driving behaviors can create dangerous conditions for motorcyclists. Because motorcycles offer comparatively little physical protection, a high-speed collision can have devastating consequences.
Dangerous Road Conditions
Not every motorcycle accident is caused by another driver. Potholes, debris, uneven pavement, inadequate signage, road construction, standing water, and other roadway conditions can potentially contribute to a motorcycle crash. Motorcycle accident lawyers in Los Angeles can investigate whether roadway conditions may have played a role and whether another party may potentially bear responsibility.
What If a Loved One Was Killed in a Motorcycle Accident?
Unfortunately, some motorcycle accidents result in fatal injuries. Losing a family member in a sudden collision can be devastating, and surviving family members may also face unexpected financial consequences. Depending on the circumstances, California law may permit certain surviving family members or representatives to pursue a wrongful death claim. A motorcycle accident attorney in Los Angeles can explain the potential legal options following a fatal motorcycle collision.
