Motorcycles are riskier than other motor vehicles. Riders must possess skill, strength, and balance to control these delicate machines. Anything that distracts or disturbs the rider can cause them to crash, resulting in serious injuries to the limbs, head, and chest. Similarly, a motorcycle accident — or even a near-miss — can throw the rider, producing disabling or fatal injuries.
Motorcycles are also more sensitive to weather and surface conditions than automobiles. However, the most common road dangers for motorcyclists in San Diego, California, come from other drivers. A San Diego motorcycle accident lawyer from Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers can analyze your crash and determine who may be liable for your injuries.
Contact our law office at (858) 551-2090 to schedule a free consultation.
How Pines Salomon Can Help After A Motorcycle Accident In San Diego, CA
Pines Salomon has been aiding injury victims in San Diego, California, for more than three decades.
When a careless, distracted, or aggressive driver collides with your motorcycle, our San Diego motorcycle accident attorneys can provide the following services:
- Discuss your accident and assess the legal claims you can assert
- Prepare a claim against the at-fault driver’s auto insurance company
- Come to an agreement with the insurer to settle your case
- File a lawsuit against the driver if their insurer denies your claim
Our attorneys will use their 80 years of combined experience to stand up to negligent drivers and their insurers and pursue just financial compensation. Since its founding, our firm has recovered more than $100 million in settlements and court verdicts for our clients. Members of our legal team have been recognized by Martindale-Hubbell and Super Lawyers.
Contact us to schedule a free consultation with our San Diego personal injury lawyers.
Common Road Dangers For Motorcycle Operators
Some common causes of these motorcycle crashes include the following:
Slick Surfaces
Since motorcycles only have two tires, they’re vulnerable to losing traction on slippery roads. Standing water, sand, oil, or even early-morning mist can cause a motorcycle to slide or skid, resulting in a single- or multi-vehicle collision.
Inattentional Blindness
Most motorcycle accidents result from errors by either the motorcyclist or other motorists. One prevalent issue is “inattentional blindness.” This cognitive bias happens when drivers look but fail to see motorcycles in plain sight.
Motorcycles are small compared to the vehicles drivers are accustomed to seeing. However, this doesn’t absolve a driver who hits a motorcycle rider from the consequences of their actions.
Impaired Driving
Drugs and alcohol can hamper a driver’s judgment, coordination, and perception, leading to a drunk driving crash. They might misjudge the distance or speed of a motorcycle, or they might be unable to successfully maneuver to avoid hitting a rider.
Many California drivers believe marijuana doesn’t impair their driving ability. However, research has shown that marijuana-related car accidents increased after recreational use of cannabis was legalized.
Distracted Driving
Various distractions can interfere with a driver’s ability to spot other road users and maneuver safely around them. When attempting to multitask, drivers can’t devote their full attention or physical faculties to controlling their vehicles safely. As a result, a distracted driver may collide with a motorcyclist before they even realize they’re there.
Distractions can take many forms. Although cell phone use receives a lot of attention, distractions can also include everyday behaviors like eating and drinking, talking, and tinkering with music selections or navigation apps.
Liability For Motorcycle Accidents In California
California uses negligence law to determine liability for motorcycle crashes. A driver acts negligently if they fail to meet the standard of care expected of a reasonably cautious person in the same circumstances.
In many cases, a breach of the standard of care results from a traffic violation. For example, a driver making a left turn might fail to pause for a motorcyclist proceeding straight through a traffic light. In this case, the driver’s failure to yield would constitute a breach of their duty of care.
In other cases, liability may result from a driver’s careless (albeit legal) actions. For instance, a driver might only glance over their shoulder before changing lanes and fail to see a motorcyclist in their blind spot. While the driver might not have committed a traffic violation, they probably acted with unreasonable carelessness.
Contact Our San Diego Motorcycle Accident Lawyers For A Free Consultation
You shouldn’t have to bear the burdens of injuries caused by another driver’s negligence. Contact Pines Salomon for a free consultation with a San Diego motorcycle accident attorney to discuss your accident and the compensation we can help you seek for your injury-related losses.
