Motorcycle accidents cause an unparalleled toll on victims and their families physically, emotionally, and financially. One moment, a rider is enjoying the fresh air; the next, they are on the ground suffering a serious and possibly life-altering injury. If you’ve been in a motorcycle crash, contact Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers at (858) 585-9031 for help.
Our Carlsbad motorcycle accident lawyers can advocate for you during this challenging time, allowing you to focus on your recovery. We understand the complexity of motorcycle accident cases, California traffic laws, and the local court system, so you know you’re in trusted hands at all times.
Contact our legal advocates today for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights and options for pursuing compensation after an accident in Carlsbad, California.
Why Should I Choose Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers for My Motorcycle Accident Case?
After a motorcycle accident in Carlsbad, CA, you need an experienced legal advocate on your side to help you get the compensation you deserve. Some of the reasons you should consider hiring Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers are:
- Our personal injury lawyers have an impressive 80 years of combined legal experience.
- We have been a fixture of the community for over 30 years and have recovered over $100 million for our clients since our founding.
- Aaron Salomon received the 2022 Annual President’s Award from CASD, has been on the Super Lawyers list for eight years, is on America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys, and is AV-Rated from Martindale-Hubbell.
- We provide a compassionate and personalized approach to each case we handle.
- You can trust us to manage all of your case details from beginning to end.
Contact our team today from our personal injury law firm for a free consultation with a Carlsbad personal injury attorney. We can advise you on the next steps to take and how we can help you throughout the legal process.
How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in California?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 6,336 motorcyclists were killed in motorcycle accidents in 2023 across the US, representing 15% of all traffic fatalities and the highest number of motorcyclists killed since 1975. Based on the number of vehicle miles driven, motorcyclists were approximately 28 times more likely to die and five times more likely to be injured in an accident than occupants in passenger vehicles in traffic crashes.
The California Office of Traffic Safety reported 583 motorcyclist fatalities in 2023. The California Highway Patrol offers several motorcycle safety courses to help prevent these crashes, but they still occur with alarming frequency.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents are:
- Failure to yield: A leading cause of motorcycle accidents is drivers turning into the path of oncoming motorcyclists. Drivers might not see them or might not be looking for them, leading them to turn in front of them or merge into lanes bikers are already occupying.
- Speeding: Motorcyclists may not be able to avoid collisions with drivers who are speeding.
- Distracted driving: California drivers are often distracted by cell phones, eating, drinking, or passengers, which can cause them not to notice oncoming motorcyclists or other hazards.
- Running a red light or stop sign: Drivers might run a red light or stop sign, hitting an unsuspecting motorcyclist.
- Impaired driving: Drivers may drink or do drugs so that they are incapacitated and unable to drive safely. These substances can negatively affect drivers’ judgment, reaction time, and decision-making abilities.
- Road hazards: Motorcyclists are more susceptible to road hazards than other types of drivers. They can be harmed due to potholes, debris, or poor road conditions that cause motorcyclists to lose control and suffer severe injuries.
- Defective auto parts: Brakes, tires, or other mechanical components can fail, leading to serious injuries.
An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can investigate your case to determine its cause and identify who is responsible.
Common Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents
At Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers, we understand the profound impact motorcycle accidents can have on victims and their families. Motorcycles lack the safety features of standard passenger vehicles, including airbags and seatbelts.
Without a steel frame, motorcyclists can suffer serious injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries: Even when wearing a helmet, injured motorcyclists can suffer traumatic brain injuries, skull fractures, head injuries, and facial lacerations.
- Spinal cord injuries: Spinal cord damage from motorcycle accidents can result in partial or complete paralysis, which can significantly impact your mobility and quality of life.
- Neck and back injuries: Injured bikers can be thrown from their bikes, often resulting in severe neck and back injuries.
- Broken bones: Thrown motorcyclists may suffer fractures to the arms, legs, ribs, pelvis, and other bones. These injuries may require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and surgery.
- Internal injuries: Trauma from motorcycle accidents can cause internal bleeding, organ damage, and other serious, life-threatening internal injuries.
- Road rash: Road rash is a severe burn that occurs when a cyclist’s bare skin makes contact with a harsh surface, such as pavement. This injury can lead to scarring, disfigurement, and an increased risk of infection.
At Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers, we help accident victims who have suffered all types of severe injuries.
Damages Available After a Motorcycle Accident in Carlsbad, California
If you were injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation for your economic and non-economic damages. You might receive economic damages, including:
- Medical expenses, including for hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, therapy, and future medical expenses
- Lost wages, tips, commissions, bonuses, and other income you lost while recovering from your injuries
- Reduced earning capacity
- Costs to repair or replace your damaged bike
You may also be able to recover for your non-economic damages, like:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Disabilities and impairments
- Reduced quality of life
Our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers can investigate your case and identify all the damages to include as part of your personal injury claim.
How Do I Prove Liability in a Motorcycle Accident Case?
California is an at-fault state for motor vehicle crashes, meaning the driver responsible for the crash is liable for the damages. Motorists are often to blame for these crashes, which can be proven by evidence such as:
- Police reports: After a motorcycle accident, a law enforcement officer may respond to the scene and prepare an official accident report that states when, where, and possibly how the accident occurred. The police officer may have cited the other driver for a traffic violation.
- Witness statements: Objective bystanders may have seen the accident. They might give a statement to law enforcement about their observations leading up to the accident.
- Photos and videos: Surveillance cameras, traffic cameras, or dashcams may contain valuable video evidence that could show part or all of the crash. Photos of the accident scene can reveal the location of the vehicles and their damage.
- Expert testimony: Accident reconstruction experts may use skid marks, information from the vehicles’ event data recorders, and other objective evidence to recreate the sequence of events that led to the accident.
Our lawyers can help identify, gather, and preserve critical evidence in your case.
How Is My Motorcycle Accident Claim Affected if I Contributed to the Accident?
Under California’s pure comparative negligence system, you can still seek compensation if you were at fault for the accident as long as someone else bears some legal liability. However, your compensation is reduced proportionately by your degree of fault.
So, if you suffered damages of $100,000 and were 35% responsible for the accident, your damages would be reduced by 35% or $35,000 in this example. Even if you were as much as 99% at fault, you would still be able to recover for the 1% you are not.
Because insurance companies know this rule and like to exploit it, it’s crucial that you don’t admit to any degree of fault and let an experienced personal injury lawyer handle communications with insurance companies for you.
What Is My Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?
The value of a motorcycle accident claim is based on factors specific to your case, including the following:
- The type and severity of injuries you suffered
- Whether you suffered any permanent disabilities or impairments due to the crash
- The type of medical treatment you received and for how long
- The party responsible for your injuries and their insurance coverage
- Whether you contributed to the accident
Let our experienced Carlsbad motorcycle accident lawyers investigate your case and determine its value.
What Is the Deadline To File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in California?
California has a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury cases, including motorcycle accidents. If you don’t file a lawsuit within this timeframe, you can lose your chance to recover compensation through the civil court system.
It’s crucial to act promptly and seek legal advice to ensure your legal claim is filed within the applicable deadline.
Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today for a Free Case Review
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Carlsbad, California, Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help. We have more than 80 years of combined experience and have recovered over 100 million dollars for our injured clients. Contact our team today to schedule a free consultation with a Carlsbad motorcycle accident lawyer.
