Accidents involving motorcycles can result in various injuries, ranging from minor cuts and bruises to severe injuries that threaten a rider’s life. Some of the most common injuries motorcycle riders sustain include:

Road rash is a type of injury that can be caused when the skin is rubbed against the pavement, which can result in scrapes and abrasions.

Broken bones are a common type of injury sustained in motorcycle accidents, particularly in the victim’s limbs, ribs, and arms.

Injuries to the head. Motorcyclists are particularly susceptible to sustaining head injuries, ranging from relatively minor concussions to life-threatening traumatic brain injuries.

Injuries to the spinal cord can be especially debilitating because they can lead to paralysis or permanent disabilities.

At Beckerman Anderson, APC, our team of seasoned motorcycle accident attorneys are committed to advocating for the rights of injured riders who have been involved in collisions. If you were involved in a motorcycle accident, we can assist you in the following ways:

We will handle all of the legal aspects of your case so that you can concentrate on getting better and getting back to your normal life.

We will conduct an investigation into the events surrounding your accident to establish what caused it and locate any parties that may be held liable for the damages.

We will collect the evidence necessary to support your claim, including witness statements, medical records, and various other types of evidence.

If you’ve been in a motorcycle collision, you most likely have many questions about what happened and why. The following are some of the most frequently asked questions that we receive from customers, along with some answers that should help you better understand your legal standing and available choices:

Is lane splitting/ lane sharing legal?

Lane splitting (sometimes referred to as “lane sharing”) has never been illegal in California. California Vehicle Code §21658.1 codifies that fact by permitting the California Highway Patrol to “develop educational guidelines relating to lane splitting.” This law was created through AB 51. The assembly provided a background of the law in its written analysis of the bill.

“COMMENTS: Lane splitting (also referred to as lane sharing or filtering) refers to the practice of riding a motorcycle in the same lane as a vehicle traveling in the same direction between clearly marked lanes of traffic. Typically, this maneuver is undertaken so that motorcycles can overtake slow moving or stopped vehicles but the maneuver is also frequently performed when traffic is moving at higher rates of speed. Lane splitting is illegal in all states, with the exception of California, where the practice is neither expressly authorized nor prohibited. Lane splitting, however, is a legal practice in many European and Asian countries where it is frequently utilized in highly urbanized areas.”

The California Highway Patrol website provides the following information in response to the passing of AB 51.

“Vehicle Motorcycles: Lane Splitting (AB 51, Quirk) Current law does not change; lane splitting by a motorcyclist remains legal if done safely. This bill defines lane splitting as driving a motorcycle, which has two wheels in contact with the ground, between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane. The bill permits the CHP to develop lane splitting educational safety guidelines in consultation with other state traffic safety agencies and at least one organization focused on motorcycle safety.”

Can You Collect Compensation For a Hit-and-Run Accident?

Unfortunately, hit-and-run accidents are all too common. When this happens, you likely are unable to identify the other driver or obtain their insurance information. If this happens, your ability to get compensation for your injuries and vehicle damages may be limited to your own auto insurance coverage. For example, if you have collision coverage, your insurance will cover the cost of repair/replacement and may be willing to waive your deductible. For injuries, if you have uninsured motorist coverage, your insurance will cover your injury damages up to your policy limits. Insurance coverage questions can be complicated. It’s best to let an experienced attorney help you navigate this process and get the compensation you are entitled to.

Do I still have the right to file a claim even if I was partially to blame for the accident?

Even if you are found partially at fault for an accident, California does not prohibit you from receiving compensation. Instead, comparative fault laws allow a recovery based on your percentage of fault. In other words, if you were found to be 50% liable for causing the collision, you would still be eligible to recover 50% of your damages. A lawyer from Beckerman Anderson can help you recover your damages.

It is imperative that you identify the party or parties who are liable, or responsible, for the motorcycle accident you were involved in to receive the appropriate compensation. Because there may be multiple parties involved in this process, including other drivers, vehicle manufacturers, or even government agencies, this can be complicated. At Beckerman Anderson, APC, our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys know how to investigate accidents and identify all potential sources of liability.

In cases involving motorcycle collisions, the importance of amassing evidence cannot be overstated.

Successfully resolving any case involving a motorcycle accident relies heavily on the collection of compelling evidence. At Beckerman Anderson, APC, we will work with you to collect all of the evidence that is necessary to support your claim, including:

Police reports: These reports can provide valuable information about the circumstances of the accident, including specifics about the vehicles involved, the location of the accident, and any citations that were issued as a result of the accident.

Statements from witnesses: If there were any witnesses to the accident, we will make every effort to collect their statements to establish what took place more accurately.

Medical documents: We must compile all of your medical documentation pertaining to the accident, which includes all diagnoses, treatments, and prognoses. This will provide concrete evidence in a court of law.

Other types of evidence: Depending on the specifics of your case, it is possible that we will need to collect additional types of evidence, such as photographs taken at the scene of the accident or the testimony of an expert witness.

Putting off seeking medical attention for an excessive amount of time Even if you don’t think you’ve been seriously hurt in a motorcycle accident, you should still seek medical attention as soon as possible after the crash. This will not only assist you in receiving the necessary treatment, but it will also assist in establishing a record of your injuries for your claim.

Failure to properly document the accident

You must document the accident in as much detail as you possibly can. Get a copy of the police report, take pictures at the scene of the accident, and jot down the names and contact information of any witnesses.

When you quickly accept a settlement offer

There’s a chance that an insurance company will try to offer you a quick settlement. Before you accept any offer, talk to a California motorcycle accident attorney to see if the offer is fair.

Not filing a claim on time

Deadlines to file a personal injury claim can be strict and may pass sooner than you expect, and they vary depending on your specific situation. Because waiting can cost you the right to recover, it’s best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after an accident so your claim is protected.

Motorcycle accident claims frequently involve doctors and other medical professionals. The severity of your injuries and the toll they’ve taken on your life and your career can be evaluated with the assistance of these professionals. To bolster your case, the attorneys at Beckerman Anderson, APC will collaborate with a wide range of medical professionals, including:

Physicians: A physician can have important information to share with you regarding your injuries and the treatments you’ve received.

Specialists: Depending on the particulars of your case, we may need to bring in specialists such as orthopedists, neurologists, or other experts to provide additional information about your injuries. This may be necessary if we need to rule out any potential causes of your injuries.

Rehabilitation professionals: Physical therapists and other rehabilitation professionals can provide valuable information about your long-term prognosis and the impact your injuries have had on your ability to work and participate in your normal activities.

Plenty of recent statistics reflect just how dangerous it can be to ride a motorcycle. While the overall total of motorcycle fatalities has declined slightly in recent years, this drop came after a twenty-year period where deaths among motorcycle riders increased every year. The statistics are particularly reflective of the dangers for riders in Southern California, where between 1997 and 2018, the number of fatal motorcycle accidents doubled.

Serious motorcycle accidents are not something you often see in your local newspaper. When you do, they are usually just a few sentences dedicated mainly to the inconvenient traffic the accident caused. For the victim’s family. A fatal crash can leave a family emotionally and financially devastated for years. If their family member survives the crash, they could face severe, life-changing injuries, and might never be the same again.