Santa Clarita Motorcycle Accident Attorney
More Than Two Decades of Experience at Work for You
Motorcyclists are over 30 times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident per vehicle mile traveled than those in vehicles. Due to their small size and weight, motorcycles simply can’t stand up to the impact of a larger vehicle in a car accident.
At the Law Office of Robert J. Kaiser, we are backed by a skilled, capable Santa Clarita motorcycle accident attorney with more than 20 years of experience handling a wide variety of personal injury cases. If you or a loved one have been involved in a motorcycle accident, get an attorney involved as soon as possible. We provide one-on-one service that is designed to provide you with legal solutions that meet your needs and fight for compensation that can cover medical bills and other injury-related expenses.
Contact the Law Office of Robert J. Kaiser for a completely free case evaluation.
What are THE common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
The leading cause of motorcycle accidents is other drivers. When a vehicle hits a motorcyclist, even if it’s “just a bump”, disastrous injuries can result.
Motorcycle accidents are commonly caused by the following:
- Unsafe road conditions
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Defective motorcycle parts
- Failure to check blind spots
- Wrong turns
- Speeding
Many drivers simply don’t look for motorcycles when changing lanes, stopping, turning, and the like. Our legal team can thoroughly investigate the circumstances leading up to your accident and pursue compensation that will take care of expenses related to your injuries and continuing care.
Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Drivers and passengers of cars have seatbelts, airbags, a metal chassis, and various other safety features to protect them from the force of impact in the event of a collision; motorcyclists have none of these protections. As such, motorcycle accidents of any type and at any speed can cause riders to suffer catastrophic injuries. These injuries can be especially severe if the motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet or other protective gear at the time of the crash.
Motorcyclists can suffer a wide range of injuries in the event of an accident, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Road rash
- Broken bones
- Amputations
- Lacerations
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
If you have been in a motorcycle accident, be sure to do the following:
- Get to safety: If you are not in critical condition and are mobile enough to do so, get yourself out of harm's way and onto the side of the road.
- Call 911: If you or anyone else appear to be seriously injured, call for an ambulance. Afterwards, call the police and report the collision.
- Keep your helmet and gear on: Protect your neck and spine and refrain from removing any gear until paramedics arrive.
- Get medical attention: Motorcycle accidents have the potential to result in serious injury due to the blunt force of a crash and the potential for subsequent impacts from oncoming vehicles. Always call for medical attention right away after a crash, even if an injury does not seem apparent at first. There is a chance you may have sustained an internal injury but may not realize it due to your body's adrenal response.
- Take photographs and videos of the scene: If you have access to a cell phone or camera, be sure to get photographs of the damage to your bike and the other involved vehicles, your injuries (if you can do so), traffic patterns, weather conditions, the positioning of your bike in relation to other vehicles, and any other details that may seem relevant to your crash. The more evidence you can collect, the better.
- Exchange information: Exchange names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, driver's license numbers, insurance policy information, vehicle make and models, and VIN numbers with all involved drivers. Be sure to also get the contact information of any witnesses to the crash as well for future reference.
- Report the crash to your insurance company: Call your insurance agent as soon as you can after your motorcycle accident. Tell them all of the information you have and be truthful, but do not admit fault. If your agent asks about your injuries or damage to your bike, insist that you will wait to provide this information once you have seen a doctor and brought your bike to a mechanic. Be careful not to underestimate your damages or pain and suffering, as this can have an impact on your potential compensation.
- Contact an attorney: You may need a motorcycle accident attorney for a wide range of reasons after your accident. If you are innocent but other parties claim the accident was your fault, if your insurance company denies your injury claim, if your damages exceed the other driver's insurance coverage, or if you have incurred severe injuries and expenses, an attorney may be able to help guard your rights and determine the most appropriate course of action.
How Can I Prove Liability in a Motorcycle Accident Case?
Proving liability in a motorcycle accident case typically involves gathering evidence to demonstrate that the other party's negligence or wrongdoing was responsible for the accident.
Key steps to establish liability include:
- Gathering Relevant Evidence: This entails obtaining pictures of the collision scene, car damage, and any visible injuries.
- Statements from Eyewitnesses: These accounts of the accident can be very important. Their claims may corroborate what you say happened.
- Police Reports: The official police report often contains information about the accident, contributing factors, and any citations issued.
- Surveillance Footage: If available, surveillance camera footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras can be valuable in corroborating your account.
- Expert Testimony: Opinions or statements regarding the accident's cause may be given by experts, such as specialists in accident reconstruction.
- Medical Records: In order to connect injuries and treatments to the accident, medical records or history are necessary.
- Maintenance Records: If the accident resulted from a vehicle defect, maintenance records can be important.
- Driver Distractions or Impairment: If the other party was using a phone, impaired, or otherwise distracted, this can be vital in proving negligence.
- Traffic Violations: Violations of traffic laws or regulations can indicate fault.
Successfully proving liability in a motorcycle accident case often requires a combination of these factors, tailored to the specific circumstances of the accident. Consulting with an experienced attorney can help ensure you gather and present the necessary evidence effectively.
California Motorcycle Helmet Laws
If you ride a motorcycle in California, you are required to wear a motorcycle helmet. California is one of the 19 states that have universal helmet laws, which means wearing a motorcycle helmet is a universal requirement when riding a motorcycle for both the operator and passengers. If you choose to not wear a motorcycle helmet while riding in California, you could get a ticket and a fine. However, possibly more dire, if you don't wear a helmet, you could be seriously injured if you are in an accident.
A federally DOT-approved helmet is likely the most important part of a rider's gear. The simple fact is that helmets save lives. When riding a motorcycle, you lack the protection of an enclosed vehicle, so the only thing protecting you is the gear you wear. Motorcycle jackets, pants, boots/shoes, and gloves all can help protect you from road rash, and there are even armored inserts you can put into a jacket to help protect your spine. However, a motorcycle helmet reduces the risk of death by 37% and serious head/brain injuries by a whopping 70%.
Contact a Santa Clarita Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today!
Throughout every step of your case, our skilled legal team will be there to provide you with guidance and support. We are proud to be able to provide our clients with top-notch representation during some of the most difficult circumstances of their lives. If we don’t obtain a recovery on your behalf, you won’t owe us any legal fees!
Call (661) 441-3446 for a
free consult to get you started on your
journey to compensation.
Related Reading
- Avoiding Blind Spot Motorcycle Accidents on California Roads
- What Causes Motorcycle Accidents in California?
- Is It Safe to Split Lanes on a Motorcycle?
- Driving Tips Everyone Should Know - Part 2
Helpful Resources
He and his legal team approach every case with a single goal in mind – to obtain maximum compensation on behalf of each and every injured client they represent. In order to accomplish this goal, the team handles each client’s case on an individual basis – with the understanding that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the injuries these clients have experienced.
