California’s gorgeous highways, scenic routes, and boulevards make it one of the greatest destinations in the world for a motorcycle trip. Needless to say, motorcyclists wait in line to enjoy the coastal air and sunlight on Highway 1 or take the winding mountain roads throughout the Golden State.
Unfortunately, California’s notoriously high levels of traffic present dangers for all motorcyclists on any journey. Even the most cautious riders are often put in danger by negligent and irresponsible driving.
A major motorcycle accident may leave riders with life-threatening injuries, require them to lose work while they recuperate, and leave them with enormous medical bills.
However, you might be entitled to compensation for medical bills, property damage, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other losses if you were hurt in a motorcycle accident caused by another party’s or business’s carelessness. Remember that obtaining proper compensation for motorcycle accident injuries and losses is difficult, and your actions after a collision will significantly influence your prospects of recovering financially for your injuries.
Frequency of California Motorcycle Accidents
Most Californians who get on their motorcycle for a trip do not anticipate being involved in an accident. Still, motorcycle accidents are unfortunately widespread in California. According to the California Department of Transportation, nearly 14,400 motorcyclists were wounded, and 566 died in motorcycle collisions in 2016.
The official motorcycle accident statistics for 2021 are still in their infancy, but a recent increasing trend suggests that the news will likely not be good. From 2018 to 2019, the expected number of motorcycle accident casualties climbed from 82,000 to 84,000 in the United States.
In California, fatal motorcycle accidents have been stable over the previous three years. As previously stated, however, each year’s terrible totals typically rank around the top compared to those of other states.
Certainly, rural counties along the coast, in the highlands, and in the Central Valley contribute to these tragic accident statistics. However, the largest cities in California have the most tragic motorcycle crash rates.
The roadways in Los Angeles and surrounding counties are by far the most dangerous for bikers. Each year, tens of thousands of accidents and injuries occur on interstates and highways.
California’s Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) maintains the most recent information on motorcycle accidents in the state’s most populated cities. Their 2021 accident totals are not yet official, but the patterns are evident in densely populated areas like Los Angeles County.
In 2021, TIMS documented slightly over 3,000 injuries caused by motorcycle collisions in Los Angeles County. According to their early data, the frequency of motorcycle accidents resulting in damage or death decreased somewhat in 2021, though they remain too high.
What’s more, since 2015, the number of motorcycle-related fatalities across the country has exceeded 5,000 annually. Tragically, 2020 was one of the deadliest on record for motorcyclists.
Considering vehicle miles traveled in 2019, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that motorcyclists were 29 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle collision than passenger car passengers and four times more likely to be injured.
Unsurprisingly, California is one of the most dangerous states for motorcycle riders. In 2020, California ranked second in motorcycle fatalities. Florida was at the top, while Texas ranked third.
Major Causes of Motorcycle Wrecks
A myriad of causes are behind motorcycle wrecks, but a few key causes are the most prevalent in California specifically.
For example, impaired riding continues to take the lives of a significant number of motorcyclists. In fact, 25% of motorcyclists killed in accidents last year had blood alcohol levels over the legal limit. In addition, the accident rate was 3% higher in states where marijuana was allowed compared to states where recreational marijuana usage is still prohibited.
Another common cause is distracted driving. There are several types of distracted driving, but most include mobile phone use in some capacity. Unbelievably, some drivers will take both hands off the wheel to answer a phone or send a text message while their car is in motion. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration likened a driver taking their eyes off the road for only five seconds to driving the length of a football field with their eyes closed.
What Should I Do After a Motorcycle Crash?
Obtaining medical care for any injuries is the first priority after a motorcycle accident. After such an accident, you may not know the severity of your injuries. For this reason, it is essential to see a physician. For instance, it is possible to be unaware of head injuries, orthopedic-related wounds, or internal bleeding at the accident site.
Motorcyclists are particularly susceptible to serious injuries from collisions. Moreover, without a helmet, individuals have little protection from the hit.
If you’ve sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident, call the police first. Contact the California Highway Patrol or your local law enforcement agency. You want law enforcement to be there at the scene of the collision to collect driver statements, measurements, and photographs for the accident report. Make certain you get a copy of the report number. In some cases, the officer will determine who is at fault, which will be helpful in the future.
Next, exchange your driver’s license and insurance information with other affected parties after the crash. To simplify the procedure, you may snap images of the driver’s license, insurance, and other documents using your smartphone.
Take photographs of the accident scene and the automobiles involved. Additionally, locate and collect the name, address, and phone number of any potential witnesses. Regardless of who is at fault, your insurance provider will want details about the incident. Contact the other party’s insurance carrier only if property damage has occurred.
Contact Beckerman Anderson for Legal Aid
Accidents involving motorcycles can result in catastrophic injuries, lasting impairment, and continuing medical needs. Your life may be flipped completely upside down, to say the least. When a motorcycle is involved in a collision with another vehicle, the rider is not protected by airbags, seatbelts, or other safety systems found in automobiles.
After an accident, insurance companies often treat motorcyclists unfairly due to prejudices and biases against bikers. Our motorcycle accident attorneys in Orange County can assist you and your family in protecting your legal rights and take on the insurance company to get the full compensation you genuinely need for your motorbike accident damage.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, do not hesitate to obtain legal advice from a skilled team familiar with motorcycle accident cases in order to defend your rights to the greatest extent possible. You may be eligible for compensation for medical expenses, property loss, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. Our motorcycle accident injury lawyers at Beckerman Anderson can be reached at 949-409-4299.
